Catholic Charities of West Tennessee will present Marcallina James its inaugural Person of the Year award Thursday, Jan. 10. The award, presented in collaboration with Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland’s office, celebrates the success of a CCWTN client who has moved beyond self-sufficiency to give back to the community through professional or volunteer efforts.

James found herself homeless within a week of moving to Memphis from Minnesota this year. A Gulf War veteran who was honorably discharged from the U.S. Navy, James contacted Catholic Charities, who helped her secure an apartment in Midtown in August. In September, she became the veterans and military services coordinator at the University of Memphis. She also volunteers with Alpha Omega Veterans Services Inc. and cityCURRENT.

Matt Gerien has been promoted to chief communications officer at Rhodes College after serving previously as the executive director of communications and public affairs. He spent more than a decade working in broadcast journalism prior to coming to Rhodes in September 2017. Most recently, he was managing editor for Cox Media Group. 

Sally Williams has been named the new executive director of Healing Hearts Child Advocacy Center in Southaven. In her new role, she will lead HHCAC’s continued efforts to respond to child abuse with a supportive team approach that reduces trauma through advocacy, treatment, education and prevention. Most recently, Williams served as a court administrator for Mississippi’s 17th District Circuit Court for more than 14 years. She also has fundraising experience as a community director for the March of Dimes.

William Hensley, a registered nurse at St. Francis Hospital-Bartlett, has received The DAISY Award For Extraordinary Nurses, a national award that recognizes nurses for excellent care they provide. Hensley recently received the award for the team approach he takes while helping patients on 2-North at St. Francis-Bartlett.

Mari-Elizabeth L. Sanford has joined Nahon, Saharovich and Trotz, the largest Tennessee-based personal injury law firm. Sanford earned an undergraduate degree in psychology, with a minor in criminal justice, from the University of Memphis. She also graduated Cum Laude from the University of Mississippi Robert C. Khayat School of Law, and is a member of NST’s Automobile and Trucking Injury practice groups.

Sloane J. Hankins has joined Baker Donelson’s Memphis office as a member of the Tax Group. Hankins joins as of counsel and represents clients in a broad range of tax matters. She assists clients on entity formation and organization, business transactions, agreements and contracts, and business succession. Her practice also focuses on tax-exempt issues. Hankins earned her law degree from Southern Methodist University in 2009 and a Master of Laws in taxation from New York University in 2010.

Memphis accounting and consulting firm Reynolds, Bone & Griesbeck has promoted Jared Kirk to audit senior. Kirk, a certified public accountant, joined RBG in 2016 and served as audit staff prior to his recent promotion. He works primarily in the manufacturing & distribution and employee benefit plan industries, and specializes in inventory-based and auto dealer industries. Kirk earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting from Delta State University in 2015.

Send announcements for consideration to associate editor Kate Crawford at kcrawford@dailymemphian.com.