Carl P. Heinemann, a CPA who serves as managing partner with Heinemann and Associates PLLC, has been certified in financial forensics by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

Mr. Heinemann’s practice has been in operation since 1981 and is in the Shallowford Road area.

Mr. Heinemann is a native Chattanoogan who graduated from McCallie School and Vanderbilt University.

He then served in Germany as the accountable officer for the 8th Infantry Division of the Army.

After his military service, he began his accounting career in the local office of Ernst and Young.

Mr. Heinemann is treasurer of Chattanooga Tax Practitioners and is on the sports and entertainment conference committee of the Tennessee Society of CPAs. He is an adjunct professor in the economics department at the University of the South in Sewanee, Tenn.

American Colloid wins state award

Commissioner James Neeley of the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development is expected to be in Chattanooga Wednesday to present American Colloid Co. with a state safety award.

The company that employs six people is one of 16 companies certified by Tennessee OSHA, according to information on the award.

The award is designed for employers with fewer than 250 workers in high-hazard industries. It is one of the state’s highest recognitions for job safety and health.

“American Colloid Co. shows a continued dedication to maintaining a safe and healthy workplace,” said Commissioner Neeley.

Darren Howard is local plant manager for American Colloid at 3406 Alton Park Blvd. American is a bentonite mining company whose largest division is the metal casting products group.

The company received the Governor’s Award at the Tennessee Safety Congress this past summer.

Neder joins law firm as associate

Luke Neder has become an associate at the law firm of Chambliss, Bahner & Stophel PC.

He will practice in litigation, including bankruptcy and creditors’ rights, medical malpractice, product liability and general litigation.

Mr. Neder is a Chattanooga native who earned his law degree from the University of Mississippi. The North Chattanooga resident is licensed to practice in Tennessee.

Adams elected group chairman

Attorney Morgan Adams was elected chairman of the Interstate Trucking Litigation Group at the American Association of Justice’s recent 2009 annual convention.

The group of lawyers is the largest in the U.S. that focuses on representing those injured and killed by tractor-trailers. It has more than 60,000 members.

Mr. Adams was a faculty member and moderator at the advanced trucking litigation college in Atlanta.

Mr. Adams practices law in Chattanooga and has been named a Mid-South superlawyer for personal injury litigation. That group is limited to the top 5 percent of lawyers in Tennessee, Arkansas and Mississippi.

His practice involves representing those injured by the negligence of tractor-trailers and other catastrophic injury and death cases caused by negligence.

Heart group honors 2 outfits

EMJ Corp. and Beaulieu of America have been recognized by the American Heart Association’s Start! Fit-Friendly Companies program for promoting physical activity and health in the workplace.

The two area companies are among 820 companies nationwide being saluted.

“EMJ Corp. and Beaulieu of America should be applauded,” said Dale Huffstetler, AHA regional director. “They have made big strides in an area critical to our overall health, and hold the distinct honor of being the first companies recognized for their efforts by the American Heart Association in our area.”

Sharon Coontz and Kyla Castleberry represented EMJ, a Chattanooga-based general contractor, at the presentation.

“We’re so proud to be the first company in Chattanooga to receive this award,” said Ms. Coontz, EMJ’s personnel director. “We’re making a dedicated effort to improve the health of employees through year-round programs and activities.”

According to Phil Bates, a Beaulieu vice president, the award “celebrates the commitment and dedication of our team members to become healthier employees which benefits them at home and at work. When you’re healthier you’re happier. It’s a win-win for everyone involved.”

Group puts River City in new name

River City Real Estate Investment Association is the new name adopted for the Southeast Tennessee Real Estate Investment Association.

Additionally, John Jerman has been selected as president of the Chattanooga chapter. He practiced architecture and interior design for more than 22 years and is co-founder of Office Furniture Warehouse. He obtained a real estate license in 1999.

“Real estate is such a timely issue today, in this economy,” Mr. Jerman said. “I have some great resources and information to paint a clearer picture about what is happening in real estate and what is likely to happen in the future.”

He said real estate professionals “like myself and my RC-REIA board members are out there trying to help homeowners in trouble to navigate these difficult times.”

For more information about the RC-REIA, contact Wanda Hodge at 423-664-4284 or at wanda@twullc.com..

Kenco selected to manage Komatsu

Kenco Logistic Services LLC has announced it has been selected by Komatsu America Corp. a U.S. subsidiary of Japan-based Komatsu Ltd., to serve as the solutions provider for a Komatsu manufacturing facility in Newberry, S.C.

“The complexities of the Newberry facility require a provider with proven expertise and in-depth knowledge of Komatsu,” said Komatsu Director of Manufacturing Administration Jim Mathis. “In our five-year relationship with Kenco, we’ve been impressed with how effectively they have kept pace with Komatsu’s evolving strategic direction. Bringing them on board to support the Newberry manufacturing operation was the logical choice.”

The 220,000 square-foot facility on 80 acres of land includes a plant designed to manufacture compact to middle-size construction equipment and forklifts.

Kenco provides parts sequencing as well as logistics management of both inside and outside storage and distribution.

Kenco manages more than 100 facilities and 25 million square feet of warehouse space in 32 states and Canada.

Christie Burbank elected as delegate

Christie Kizer Burbank, member of Chattanooga-based law firm of Miller & Martin PLLC, has been elected to serve as an East Tennessee delegate to the Tennessee Bar Association Health Law Section’s executive council for 2010-2011.

A news release stated the TBA section was “formed to further the knowledge of its members in federal, state and local law pertaining to the provision of health care services and the operation of health care facilities.”

Ms. Burbank serves as co-chair of Miller & Martin’s Health Care Practice Group, which is made up of nearly 40 attorneys from three offices. Miller & Martin represents hospitals, assisted living facilities, nursing homes, physicians, physician groups, provider networks and managed care organizations.

Miller & Martin is a full-service regional law firm with almost 200 attorneys practicing in over 35 areas of law.