NOTE: This release was sent from Fulghum MacIndoe & Associates.

Inc. today ranked Fulghum MacIndoe & Associates, Inc (FMA) number 2,031 on its annual ranking of the 5,000 fastest-growing private companies in the country. The list is the most comprehensive look at the most important segment of the economy – America’s independent-minded entrepreneurs. Taken as a whole, these companies represent the backbone of the U.S. economy.

“Our second annual Inc. 5000 continues the most ambitious project in business journalism,” said Inc. 5000 Project Manager Jim Melloan. “The Inc. 5000 gives an unrivalled portrait of young, underreported companies across all industries doing fascinating things with cutting-edge business models, as well as older companies that are still showing impressive growth.”

FMA, a Knoxville based firm, was founded in 2003 by Billy Fulghum, P.E. and Mike MacIndoe, P.E. as they set out to create a civil and environmental engineering company that provided more than just the average services. Now over five years later, FMA has established valuable relationships with its clients by demonstrating accountability and responsibility for both deadlines and budgets, and have built an employee culture that shares the same commitments to unmatched customer service.

“I think it is our client-centered approach to business, multi-disciplinary experience, and our professional relationship with individuals, communities, and state agencies throughout the Southeast that has given our young company such rapid success,” says Billy Fulghum, FMA co-owner.

The 5000 companies that made the list reported aggregate revenue of $185 billion and median three-year growth of 147 percent. Most important, the 2008 Inc. 5000 companies were engines of job growth, having created more than 826,033 jobs since those companies were founded. Complete results of the Inc. 5000, including company profiles and a list of the fastest-growing companies that can be sorted by industry and region can be found at http://www.inc5000.com/.

NOTE: This release was sent from Image Matters, a Knoxville Chamber member business.

Image Matters, Knoxville, TN has been named one of the country’s Elite Dealers by OfficeDEALER magazine. The award is presented annually by the magazine to the top office equipment, office products, and office furniture dealers in the U.S.

According to publisher Rich Kunkel, the 110 dealers presented with the prestigious 2008 Elite Dealer awards were selected from a record number of entries.

“It takes something special to stand out as an Elite independent dealer in 2008,” Kunkel said. “Among Elite Dealers, success is not about surviving; it’s about thriving – even in tough economic times.”

A profile of Image Matters is included in the August 2008 issue of OfficeDEALER magazine.

Image Matters was founded in 1999 by Bob Lovelace and JD Sullivan. As one of East Tennessee’s leading provider of state-of-the-art office solutions, the company has enjoyed tremendous growth over the past nine years. The dealership provides a wide range of copier, printer, and software solutions, and is a major supplier of digital office products in East Tennessee.

The Elite Dealer award is based on a company’s superior sales and marketing, dedication to customer service, community involvement and the ability to provide customers with unique and innovative solutions.

For additional information about Image Matters, call 865-212-3600 or visit www.imagemattersinc.com.

NOTE: This release was sent by Claris Networks, a Knoxville Chamber member business.

Claris Networks has been named to Inc Magazine’s 2008 Inc 5000 list for the second year in a row.

The list, which will be featured in a special edition of Inc. Magazine, rec­ognizes America’s fastest-growing and dynamic private companies and expands upon Inc. Magazine’s traditional Inc. 500 list.

Claris Networks ranked as the 3400th fastest-growing private company in the nation. Paul Sponcia, chief executive officer of Claris Networks, said the recognition continues to validate Claris Networks’ growth and dedication customer service.

“We are pleased to be named to Inc. Magazine’s Inc. 5000 list for the second year in a row,” he said. “The distinction continues to prove that Claris Networks leads the marketplace in East Tennessee with innovative and customer-oriented solutions and services.

“We continue to emphasize that customer service is the key to growth and we are pleased to provide the best service of any IT infrastructure solutions provider in the country.” Inc. Magazine’s Inc. 5000 list will be published in a special edition this fall.

Claris Networks is the largest information technology solutions provider in the Greater Knox­ville area and provides hosted and managed IT solutions for hundreds of clients throughout East Tennessee. Claris Networks can be found on the Web at www.clarisnetworks.com

NOTE: This release was sent from AESSEAL Inc., a Knoxville Chamber member business.

AESSEAL Inc. announced today that it has taken a majority equity interest in Mechanical Seal & Service, Inc. of Odessa, TX. AESSEAL Inc. is a member of the AES Engineering Ltd. Group of Companies, headquartered in Rotherham United Kingdom. AES Engineering is listed as a private equity holding of 3i Investments. With global operations serving 85 countries, the AESSEAL group is the 4th largest manufacturer of mechanical seals in the global market. Mechanical Seals are machined devices used in industrial pumps and rotating equipment to prevent liquids from leaking to the environment.

Tom Grove, AESSEAL Inc., President commented “we have essentially completed the rigid product development requirements outlined by the American Petroleum Institute under API-682; the investment provides a strategic footprint in the West Texas Oil & Gas market. Additionally, we will integrate Mechanical Seal & Service, Inc. into the seal repair services we currently provide our North American customers. Mechanical Seal & Service, Inc. has expertise repairing certain mechanical seals units that we are unable to repair at our local factory.”
AESSEAL Inc., North American Headquarters recently invested $ 5 million relocating from Knoxville to a new facility in the Stock Creek Industrial Park in Rockford, TN. The company has branch offices in Kingsport, TN., Fairfield, ME., Longview, WA and a subsidiary in Marion, IA.

NOTE: This release was sent by representatives for Asset Planning Corporation, a Knoxville Chamber member business.

Asset Planning Corporation, a wealth management company, has been listed in two prestigious national publications Wealth Manager Magazine’s “2008 Top Dogs” list and Financial Advisors magazine’s Registered Investment Advisors (RIA) best list. Both include top advisory firms across the U.S.

Wealth Manager Magazine’s 8th annual “Top Dog” rankings, printed in the July/August issue, recognized Asset Planning Corporation (one of 478 national firms) for the sixth year in a row. To be eligible for the Top Wealth Manager ranking, companies must be registered investment advisors, report more than $50 million in assets under advisement, have predominantly individual clients and offer financial‐planning services. Wealth Manager ranks each firm by the size of their average client relationship, not by the firm’s size or billings. Survey respondents did not include banks, broker/dealers or trust companies.

Additionally, Financial Advisors’ July issue listed Asset Planning Corporation in its Third Annual rankings. Surveying 384 firms, Financial Advisors ranked financial advisor firms according to “top‐quality people, a client‐centric culture, professionalism, a strong brand and an attractive market. Increasingly, there’s another factor that needs to go at or near the top of that list: an effective growth strategy.” Eligibility for Financial Advisors survey included firms with $75 million in assets or more and rated firms based on firm characteristics, client assets and relationships, revenue sources, investment vehicles, strategic initiatives and service menus.

Based in Knoxville, Tenn., Asset Planning Corporation has been providing financial planning and total wealth management in the areas of personal finance or more than three decades. Its president, Paul K. Fain, III, CFP®, is a weekly financial commentator for NBC television’s Knoxville’s affiliate, WBIR. He also contributes a monthly column in the business section of the Knoxville News‐Sentinel. Paul frequently conducts corporate workshops on the fundamentals of cash management, planning for retirement, and investment strategies. He is also a popular keynote speaker for local and national conferences and corporate retreats.

NOTE: This release was sent from Personal Computer Systems, Inc., a Knoxville Chamber member business.

Personal Computer Systems, Inc. (PCS) announced today that they have invested in a new division dedicated to providing Apple Authorized Repair Services.

“A great many customers have approached us looking for warranty and non-warranty repair services on their Apple products,” stated Trace Thompson, Repair Supervisor for PCS. “We have partnered with several Tier I manufacturers to provide these services, and Apple was a logical addition to address our customers’ needs. This definitely fills a void in the East Tennessee market”

PCS provides repair services on many IT related products, including Apple, Fujitsu, HP, Lenovo, Lexmark, Okidata, Toshiba, and many others. As well, the company offers several other types of service including network planning and troubleshooting services, telephone support, and many others.
Customers who wish to schedule service with PCS may email service@pcsknox.com, visit the company’s web site at www.pcsknox.com, or call 865-273-1960.

Founded in 1996, Personal Computer Systems, Inc. is one of the largest technology providers and computer systems builders in the Southeast, providing products to a wide array of corporations, educational and governmental agencies, and resellers. PCS was recognized in 2007 by Computer Reseller News as the 20th-largest computer systems builder in the United States, and is a Microsoft Platinum OEM Partner and a Premier Member of the Intel Channel Partner Program. PCS is committed to operating in a highly ethical manner and providing superior quality and service to its customers while maintaining competitiveness and creating a secure, satisfying environment for each of its employees. For more information, call 865.273.1960 or visit www.pcsknox.com.

NOTE: The following is from AESSEAL, a Knoxville Chamber member business.

AESSEAL Inc. is moving from its current West Knoxville location to a larger facility in Rockford, TN. AESSEAL Inc. is the North American Headquarters for the AESSEAL plc. group of companies.

Based in Northern England, AESSEAL is one of the leading global specialists in the design and manufacture of mechanical seals, support systems and bearing seals. With operations on six continents, AESSEAL is the world’s 4th largest supplier of mechanical seals. Mechanical seals are used in pumps and rotating equipment to prevent liquids and gases from escaping into the environment.

The company has been in Knoxville since 1992. They needed a larger facility to house its growing US business and found a 36,000 square foot building in the Stock Creek Development in Blount County. AESSEAL’s $5 million total investment includes the construction of 10,000 square feet of additional office space and a state of the art training facility. The building’s size will double their current square footage and will allow the space to further expand the business.

AESSEAL partnered with Hodge Associates, a Knoxville-based design firm, and Richardson-Turner Construction to bring the project from vision to reality.

AESSEAL is scheduled to move in August 2008.

HOK Smith Forkner, Fairgrounds Planners and Architects based in Knoxville, Tennessee, recently began the master plan for the relocation and expansion of the Uinta County Fairgrounds Complex located in Evanston, Wyoming.

Shown left to right are Charlie Smith, Principal and Senior Architect with HOK Smith Forkner, Dell Atkinson, Uinta County Director of Economic Development, Wade Lowry, Fairgrounds Supervisor and David Forkner, Principal and Senior Architect of HOK Smith Forkner.

NOTE: This release was sent by New Horizons of Knoxville, a Knoxville Chamber member business.

Joanna McCormick has recently joined New Horizons of Knoxville as Instructor, responsible for delivering instructor-led Microsoft and Adobe classroom computer training.

McCormick brings with her more than 5 years of IT experience. Prior to joining New Horizons of Knoxville she was Project Coordinator and Executive Assistant for Healthcare 21 Business Coalition for 3 years, and proved to be a valuable asset. She was responsible for all IT logistics of the organization including hardware and software maintenance, networking, database and website development.

Joanna shares New Horizons of Knoxville's commitment to efficient learning through high technology and stellar customer service," said Glenn Frazier, Owner/GM of New Horizons of Knoxville. She is exactly the type of Instructor we are seeking as we continue to grow the company and increase our presence in the community.

To find out more about the training courses and certifications offered by New Horizons, contact your local New Horizons center or visit us at www.nhknoxville.com.

Since 1979 New Horizons Computer Learning Center has been part of the Knoxville Community helping thousands of people each year start, change to, or enhance their careers in Information Technology. In the past year we conducted over 80,000 training hours for over 4,700 students at New Horizons Knoxville. In addition to working with both traditional and non-traditional students, we serve a diverse roster of corporate and government clients including Sprint, ORNL, University of Tennessee, ORISE, HGTV, Pilot Corporation, Denso, Tennessee State Government, Goody's Family Clothing and Baptist Health System. We work closely with many different educational training programs including the GI Bill, Workforce Investment Act (WIA) and Vocational Rehabilitation. New Horizons is a member of The Knox Area Chamber Partnership and the West Knox Chamber of Commerce.

Lattimore Black Morgan & Cain, PC (LBMC), one of the Southeast’s largest accounting and business consulting firms, has added Holly R. Gibson in its Knoxville office.

Holly R. Gibson joined the accounting firm in an administrative assistant position with LBMC. Holly, previously office manager with Gibson Court Reporting, attended the University of Tennessee Knoxville. In her new role, Holly will be assisting with tax processing and various other tasks related to the administrative needs of the accounting firm. She is a volunteer for the Salvation Army, and enjoys reading, knitting and spending time with her family.

Lattimore Black Morgan & Cain, PC, and The LBMC Family of Companies has more than 400 employees, with offices in Chattanooga, Nashville (Brentwood), and Knoxville, Tenn. Founded in 1984 as a traditional accounting firm, LBMC has expanded its focus to meet a broad range of financial, human resources and technology needs for its diverse client base. Specific services offered by the LBMC “Family of Companies” include: accounting assurance services, business and personal tax consulting, investment advisory services, professional staffing, human resources outsourcing, payroll services, technology solutions, healthcare consulting, planning services, litigation support, business valuations, and mergers and acquisitions. For more information on LBMC, visit its Web site at www.lbmc.com.