“The sky’s the limit” is a recurring theme in conversations among students, faculty and administrators of a school for aircraft mechanics in the shadow of FedEx Express’ Memphis world hub.

Five top executives from five large businesses in Memphis participated in a panel discussion Friday on the importance of building and maintaining diversity in the workplace.

At Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare, diversity has always been part of the hospital’s DNA. When Michael Ugwueke, DHA, FACHE, joined the team in 2017 as president and chief executive officer, he was tasked with continuing the momentum that propelled diversity and inclusion throughout the health system.

Growing up in western Kentucky, Jim Meeks was not exposed to a lot of diversity. After attending Murray State University and living in Sarasota, Florida, for 20 years following graduation, his first encounter with any sort of diverse population was during a time when he was living in Louisville, Kentucky.

Carolyn Hardy’s passion for diversity in the workplace began decades ago during her tenure at J.M. Smucker Co. Taking advantage of Smucker’s 100 percent tuition reimbursement, she received her master’s degree and also became a CPA, which opened the door to new opportunities at the company.

Before moving to Memphis in 2010, Dr. Reginald Coopwood had a successful private practice as a general surgeon and later moved into administration as the chief medical officer at Nashville General Hospital at Meharry in 2005. Since joining Regional One Health in March of 2010 as president and chief executive officer, Coopwood has made it his mission to promote diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

Memphis Theological Seminary is working to bridge a budget deficit during the first of a three-year financial solvency plan under the guidance of its interim president, Susan Parker, Ph.D.

The remade Mississippi River Park with its own “River Garden” opens in a week. The River Line trail running along the east side of Wolf River Harbor to Big River Crossing will debut the same day. Mud Island River Park is closed until the spring after a season of experiment and minor tweaks.

First Horizon National Corp. is restructuring the leadership of its wholesale and consumer banking divisions in a move the company says will advance its long-term objectives.

The rebidding of the renovation of the Memphis Cook Convention Center has come in below the $175 million the city has to spend on the project.

An emerging plan for a better local economic development strategy will include a healthy dose of regionalism, Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland says, and adhere closely to recommendations from ad hoc groups calling for better research, closer management of companies looking at Memphis and setting and sticking to goals for pursuing specific industries.

Editor's note: Part two in a three-part series.

Ray’s Take: When you enter into marriage or a serious relationship, the decision on whether you should combine your finances is an important one and should be thought through carefully and planned out appropriately. 

The Memphis River Parks Partnership has chosen two firms to lead the redevelopment of Tom Lee Park.

Oscar Insurance Corp. has expanded its Tennessee footprint to include residents in the Memphis metro counties of Shelby, Tipton, Fayette, Lauderdale and Haywood.

The University of Memphis’ Center for Applied Earth Science and Engineering Research has been awarded a five-year, $5 million contract to conduct extensive research on the water quality of the Memphis aquifer.

The Lake District has secured six more tenants, effectively boosting its committed retail presence to more than 100,000 square feet.

The city of Olive Branch completed the purchase of Olive Branch Airport on Wednesday, Oct. 31, ending a 45-year run of private ownership of one of Mississippi’s busiest airports.

A local tech company is harnessing the power of data and gamification to improve employee wellness and reduce smartphone distraction in the workplace. Memphis-based Extracon Science LLC recently announced the launch of EngageMode, an app which has been in beta testing and is rolling out with current customers.

New York City at Christmas borders on a real-life fantasyland decked out with every holiday movie cliché, from ice skating under massive trees to visiting Santa at the Macy’s in Herald Square.

Susan Hadley Maynor, vice president of economic development for the Greater Memphis Chamber, was named president of the Tennessee Economic Development Council for 2018-2019.

The construction firm building the University of Memphis’ $35 million pedestrian bridge, parking garage and plazas this week completed a small project – free of charge – that solves a problem for the adjoining neighborhood.

With more than 57,000 vehicles a day passing by on Germantown Parkway and a Walmart Supercenter next door, Target’s soon-to-be-vacated Cordova store shouldn’t stay empty for long, real estate experts say.

Memphis attorney Marvin Ballin, founder of a criminal defense law firm that includes his son, daughter and grandson, died Tuesday morning.

The planned swimming pool for Church Health YMCA and Crosstown Concourse will be 2,569 square feet and offer a separate spray/splash area, a deck for lounging, a lift and steps to make the pool accessible, four swim lanes, starting blocks at the deeper end, and an accessory building that houses bathrooms, an office, storage and check-in counter.