Reality of Green Jobs in Tennessee

At the MTSU Business & Economic Research Center (BERC), Assoc. Director Murat Arik, Ph.D. (at left), said yesterday he's studying Green Jobs' economic impact, in the wake of the state's receipt of a federal grant. Tennessee Business covered related issues, and the US Labor Department continues trying to define and measure the impact of Green Jobs.

TSN reports Corp-University ties

Today's Tennessean reports on growing research and education ties Universities, corporations and government agencies, in a story spurred partly by a corporate-partnership provision Gov. Phil Bredesen included in his recent education-reform package. The original TSN story's here, and a cached copy's here.

More on Perry engine development

Nashville Business Journal (sub) today on page 4 reports on MTSU Prof. Charles Perry's hybrid plug-in electric motor, which is vying for grants in an increasingly crowded field. Earlier related VNC story here.

TN economic outlook

It'll be 2014 before we're collectively on a roll and reducing unemployment, according to the MTSU Economist David Penn, during yesterday's economic-outlook conference in Murfreesboro. The Murf. Post reports. Coincident with the MTSU event, the WSJ was reporting a Barclay's appraisal that we're about to have a strong wave of recovery...followed today by reports of disappointing durable-goods orders.

Leadership Music update

Leadership Music announced today Pat Collins (left), who is president and COO of SESAC, the recording rights and royalties organization, has become LM's president. President-elect is Jamie Cheek, manager/partner of Flood, Bumstead, McCready & McCarthy. Treasurer is Tim Wipperman, Wipperman Music Group; Secretary is Beverly Keel, former newspaper entertainment journalist and MTSU professor of recording industry. Executive Director Kira Florita remains on the LM board, as well. Full board listed here.

Stimulating Science

National Science Foundation Stimulus funding is bolstering research at UT-Knoxville, Vanderbilt, MTSU, Sewanee and the U. Memphis. A "quality science" research effort in the field of chemistry is highlighted in this Times Free Press report.

Payday for Healthspring CFO

Healthspring reported to the SEC yesterday that new EVP-CFO Karey Witty is slated to earn a $400K base annually, plus a 75 percent annual bonus going forward. Witty received a $250K signing bonus, in lieu of relocation expenses. He'll come aboard not later than July 1. Witty was previously with Valitás Health Services, a private-equity-backed clinical contract and healthcare management services company in St. Louis. Earlier, he served in key financial roles with Nashville-based Heritage Health Systems and Healthwise of America, as well as with St. Louis-based Centene Corporation. Earlier still, he was a senior auditor with Deloitte & Touche. He holds a BBA in Accounting from MTSU. Witty's Healthspring appointment was announced earlier this week. Predecessor Kevin McNamara retired May 31.