• About
    • About Us
    • What We Cover
  • Advertise
    • Advertise
    • Our Advertisers
  • Contact
  • Donate
  • Send News

Oak Ridge Today

  • Home
  • Sign in
  • News
    • Business
    • Community
    • Education
    • Government
    • Health
    • Police and Fire
    • U.S. Department of Energy
    • Weather
  • Sports
    • High School
    • Middle School
    • Recreation
    • Rowing
    • Youth
  • Entertainment
    • Arts
    • Dancing
    • Movies
    • Music
    • Television
    • Theater
  • Premium Content
  • Obituaries
  • Classifieds

Pinnacle Financial Partners to acquire CapitalMark Bank and Trust

Posted at 10:50 pm April 7, 2015
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

CapitalMark Bank and Trust Oct. 9, 2012

The front of CapitalMark Bank and Trust in Oak Ridge is pictured above on Oct. 9, 2012. (File photo)

 

David Bradshaw will continue to serve as Oak Ridge president

Pinnacle Financial Partners Inc., the second-largest bank based in Tennessee, on Tuesday announced an agreement to acquire CapitalMark Bank and Trust, which has a location in Oak Ridge. The merger is expected to close late in the third quarter or early in the fourth quarter of 2015.

David Bradshaw, CapitalMark’s Oak Ridge president, will become Pinnacle’s city president for Oak Ridge. CapitalMark clients will continue to work with their banker teams, which in Oak Ridge includes Bradshaw and Andy Boyer.

“CapitalMark is excited to partner with an organization that shares our commitment to excellent client service and has demonstrated strong operating performance and a long-term track record of growth,” said R. Craig Holley, CapitalMark’s chairman, president, and chief executive officer. “I strongly believe that, collectively, the two franchises can accomplish more, grow more efficiently, and realize more value for our shareholders together than independently. Since CapitalMark’s founding in 2007, we have focused on businesses and their owners, and we will continue that tradition with Pinnacle.” [Read more…]

Filed Under: Business, Front Page News, Oak Ridge, Top Stories Tagged With: CapitalMark, CapitalMark Bank and Trust, Charles E. Brock, David Bradshaw, Kenneth C. Dyer III, Knoxville, Launch Tennessee, M. Terry Turner, Oak Ridge, Pinnacle, Pinnacle Financial Partners, R. Craig Holley, R. Ryan Murphy III, Robert A. McCabe Jr.

Bradshaw, Whitson to be honored at Oak Ridge Chamber Luncheon on Thursday

Posted at 1:26 pm March 18, 2015
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

David Bradshaw

David Bradshaw

Stephen Whitson

Stephen Whitson

The Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce will honor two area businessmen—David Bradshaw and Stephen Whitson—at its annual program of work kickoff luncheon to be held on Thursday, March 19, at the Riverside Grille.

Bradshaw and Whitson will receive the Chamber’s most prestigious awards at the event, the One Voice—One Vision Luncheon, a press release said.

Bradshaw, president of the Oak Ridge branch of CapitalMark Bank and Trust, will receive the Eugene L. Joyce Lifetime Achievement Award. The award is given to a nominee who has truly distinguished himself or herself and embodies the essential values of volunteerism, community service, and dedication to the economic vitality of our community. It is the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce’s preeminent award given to honor the memory of the late Eugene L. Joyce. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Business, Front Page News, Meetings and Events, Oak Ridge, Top Stories Tagged With: CapitalMark Bank and Trust, CVMR USA, David Bradshaw, Eugene L. Joyce, Eugene L. Joyce Lifetime Achievement Award, H-S Whitson Construction Company Inc., Kerry Trammell, Kerry Trammell Volunteer of the Year Award, luncheon, Michael Hargett, Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce, One Vision-One Vision Luncheon, One Voice-One Vision, Program of Work, Stephen Whitson

Progress PAC endorses three each for City Council, BOE

Posted at 11:15 am October 15, 2014
By Oak Ridge Today Staff 8 Comments

Kelly Callison

Kelly Callison

Ellen Smith

Ellen Smith

Warren L. Gooch

Warren L. Gooch

 

The new Progress PAC political action committee has endorsed three candidates each for Oak Ridge City Council and Oak Ridge Board of Education.

The three candidates endorsed in the City Council race are Kelly Callison, Warren Gooch, and Ellen Smith. The three endorsed in the School Board race are Bob Eby, Paige Marshall, and Laura McLean.

“PAC board members feel these candidates best support exceptional schools and jobs in Oak Ridge via teamwork between the Board of Education and City Council,” a press release said. [Read more…]

Filed Under: 2014 Election, Education, Government, K-12, Oak Ridge, Top Stories Tagged With: Bob Eby, David Bradshaw, Ellen Smith, interview, jobs, Kelly Callison, Laura McLean, November 4 municipal election, Oak Ridge Board of Education, Oak Ridge City Council, Paige Marshall, Progress PAC, questionnaires, schools, Steve Whitson, Warren Gooch

Guest column: Progress PAC helps broaden conversation of community issues

Posted at 1:14 pm October 12, 2014
By Oak Ridge Today Staff 3 Comments

By Progress PAC

We are very proud that the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce has entrusted us to serve as the members of Progress PAC, the multi-candidate political action committee created by the Chamber and focused on our upcoming school board and city council elections. Though we are appointed by the Chamber’s Board of Directors, we operate independently from that same board.

Some people in the community have questions about how Progress PAC will operate, who we might support, and how endorsements might be made. Some have criticized the timing of Progress PAC’s establishment, and we acknowledge it could have been better. However, our primary goal is to have a positive impact in this election cycle.

Now that Progress PAC has been created, we are largely autonomous. The Chamber’s Board may not approve or disapprove of any endorsement decisions we may make; the Chamber’s Board cannot approve or disapprove of contributions that Progress PAC either receives or distributes. The Chamber contributes no funds to PAC operations; we are supported by donations made directly to the PAC and we must report those to the appropriate election commissions. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Guest Columns, Opinion Tagged With: business community, campaign, candidates, Chris Johnson, City Council, contributions, David Bradshaw, donations, election, endorsement, interviews, John Smith, Mike Belbeck, Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce, political affairs, Progress PAC, school board, Stacy Myers, Stephen Whitson

Mall project clears critical hurdle Monday

Posted at 3:03 pm September 30, 2014
By John Huotari 13 Comments

Oak Ridge Village Area Rendering

 

Tim Sittema

Tim Sittema

Council, IDB approve TIF extension, grant, roadway work

The proposed redevelopment of the Oak Ridge mall cleared a critical hurdle on Monday when city officials agreed to extend a property tax agreement for the 59-acre project, authorize $2 million in roadway and other infrastructure work, and offer a $500,000 grant if some federal funding is not approved.

Officials described the proposed redevelopment, named Main Street Oak Ridge, as an $80 million project that could fill a “hole in the heart” of Oak Ridge, bring new retail life to the city’s downtown, and build a lasting legacy.

Monday’s moves were meant to reduce the risk for four local lenders that could combine to offer $13 million in loans to part of the redevelopment under a tax increment financing, or TIF, agreement. That incentive would use new property tax revenues generated at the mall site and 120 surrounding acres included in the TIF area to repay those loans. Officials said the loans could be repaid in 18 years, according to financial models.

David Bradshaw

David Bradshaw

But in two separate special meetings on Monday, the Oak Ridge Industrial Development Board and Oak Ridge City Council agreed to extend the TIF term from 20 years to 30. That extra 10 years is meant to act as a “shock absorber” and help make sure that the banks are repaid if there is a “glitch” in the project that would push the repayment past the previously approved 20-year term, officials said.

“This is not a ‘home run’ project for us as financial institutions,” said David R. Bradshaw, Oak Ridge president of CapitalMark Bank and Trust, one of the financial institutions that could participate. But, he added, “It is the right thing to do for the community.” [Read more…]

Filed Under: Business, Government, Government, Oak Ridge, Oak Ridge, Slider, Top Stories Tagged With: Anderson County Commission, Anne Garcia Garland, Belk, Buzz Patrick, Charlie Hensley, Chris Johnson, Crosland Southeast, Dave Mason, David Bradshaw, David Wilson, Economic Development Administration, EDA, grant, Harold Trapp, infrastructure improvements, JCPenney, leases, leasing, Lou Dunlap, Main Street—Oak Ridge, Mark Mamantov, Mark Watson, Oak Ridge City Council, Oak Ridge Industrial Development Board, Oak Ridge Mall, ORNL Federal Credit Union, property tax, public infrastructure, retail, retail space, Richard Chinn, roadway work, tax increment financing, TIF, TIF extension, Tim Sittema, Tom Beehan, Trina Baughn

Oak Ridge mall to have new name, banks considering financing

Posted at 5:06 pm September 23, 2014
By Oak Ridge Today Staff 1 Comment

Oak Ridge Village Area Rendering

 

Tim Sittema

Tim Sittema

The redeveloped Oak Ridge mall will have a new name, and local banks and credit unions are considering helping with project financing, executives said Tuesday.

The redeveloped mixed-use property will be known as Main Street—Oak Ridge, said Crosland Southeast, the North Carolina development firm that has been working with the city of Oak Ridge to redevelop the site, including through significant demolition and new construction. The name was chosen after long consideration of a new brand identity for the development, including involvement by Oak Ridge High School students.

“Most everyone we talked to in Oak Ridge was positive about creating a downtown destination for the community—something that says this place is the heart of the city,” said Crosland Southeast partner Tim Sittema. “The site already has Main Street running through it; so Main Street—Oak Ridge is the obvious choice.”

David Bradshaw

David Bradshaw

Construction is expected to begin in early 2015, with an opening anticipated in the third quarter of 2016, based upon completion of the financial arrangements.

In a press release, Crosland Southeast said a consortium of local financial institutions, led by CapitalMark Bank and Trust of Oak Ridge, is considering substantial involvement in the financing of the redevelopment “due to the transformative nature of this project in the city core.”

“In addition to our bank, ORNL Federal Credit Union and others have held discussions together about providing lending support to the mall project,” said David Bradshaw, executive vice president of CapitalMark. “Although details have not been finalized and commitments have not yet been made, there is very strong interest among our local banks and credit unions to be engaged in this important long-term investment in the Oak Ridge community.” [Read more…]

Filed Under: Business, Business, Government, Oak Ridge, Oak Ridge, Slider, Top Stories Tagged With: CapitalMark Bank and Trust, construction, Crosland Southeast, David Bradshaw, demolition, development, financing, IDB, Main Street—Oak Ridge, mall redevelopment, Mark Watson, name change, Oak Ridge City Council, Oak Ridge Industrial Development Board, Oak Ridge Mall, ORNL Federal Credit Union, public infrastructure, tax increment financing, TIF, Tim Sittema

PTA-PTO Council has City Council, school board candidate forums

Posted at 12:29 pm September 23, 2014
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

David Bradshaw

David Bradshaw

The Oak Ridge parent-teacher associations and parent-teacher organizations have scheduled two candidate forums, which will focus on questions related to education.

The Oak Ridge Board of Education candidate forum will be held on Wednesday, October 1. The City Council candidate forum will be held on Wednesday, October 8.

Both forums will be held at the Oak Ridge High School Amphitheater from 6 to 7:30 p.m. In each case, there will be a candidate meet and greet at 5:30 pm, and visitors will also have a chance to directly 
speak with candidates from 7:30 to 8 p.m., a press release said.

For more information, contact moderator David Bradshaw at [email protected].

Filed Under: 2014 Election, Education, Government, K-12, Oak Ridge, Top Stories Tagged With: Anderson County political candidates, City Council, David Bradshaw, education, Oak Ridge, Oak Ridge Board of Education, Oak Ridge High School, Parent-Teacher Association, parent-teacher organization

Letter: Encourages candidate forum groups, objects to ‘harassment’

Posted at 2:00 am September 23, 2014
By Oak Ridge Today Letters 5 Comments

While state and federal elections (at least here in Oak Ridge) are somewhat uninspiring this year, with many races either uncontested or practically so, our municipal election has drawn an unusually high number of candidates. That there are several open seats where incumbents chose not to run—two on City Council and two on the Board of Education—is probably the reason for the larger number of candidates.

Ten are running for four seats on City Council, while eight are competing for three seats on the Board of Education.

The League of Women Voters is doing its usual outstanding job of hosting candidate forums, but despite standing-room-only attendance at the first of those, it’s inevitable that not everyone was able to attend. Fortunately, several other interested groups have also scheduled candidate forums or meet-and-greet events: the Oak Ridge Schools’ PTA/PTO Council, the Chamber of Commerce, and Democracy for East Tennessee.

It’s important to get to know the people who seek to represent you, to hear their views on issues of interest, and to see how they respond to questions.

Unfortunately, one member of Council who is not up for election this year is seeking to eliminate some of these opportunities, based on the fact that they’re scheduled to be held on city property. The Chamber of Commerce is situated on land leased from the city, although they own the building. The PTA/PTO forums will be held at Oak Ridge High School, and have been promoted through the schools (as most PTA/PTO activities are). [Read more…]

Filed Under: Letters, Opinion Tagged With: Board of Education, candidate forum, candidates, Chamber of Commerce, City Council, David Bradshaw, Democracy for East Tennessee, Donna Butcher, elections, Fernanda Foertter, FORS, Friends of Oak Ridge Schools, Jutta Bangs, League of Women Voters, Linda Gilpin, Oak Ridge Schools, Parent-Teacher Association, PTA/PTO council, Trina Baughn

Chamber forms Progress PAC, two Council members seek legal action

Posted at 12:55 am September 23, 2014
By John Huotari 11 Comments

Trina Baughn

Trina Baughn

Note: This story was updated at 10:30 a.m.

Two Oak Ridge City Council members have requested a special meeting this week to consider litigation against the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce, seeking to prevent the business organization from conducting political activities on public property, including through a new political action committee.

The special meeting, which would be open to the public, has been requested by Oak Ridge City Council members Trina Baughn and Anne Garcia Garland. Baughn said she requested the meeting to “vote upon initiating litigation against the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce so that the city may seek either injunctive relief and/or a temporary restraining order with regards to their conducting political activities on public property.”

Stephen Whitson

Stephen Whitson

On Friday, the Chamber announced it had formed a political action committee named the Progress PAC. The multi-candidate PAC will support candidates in the November elections for Oak Ridge Board of Education and City Council, a press release said.

Stephen Whitson of Oak Ridge has been elected Progress PAC chair, and David Bradshaw, also of Oak Ridge, has been named treasurer. Both are past chairs of the Chamber’s Board of Directors.

In the press release, Whitson said the Progress PAC will only consider supporting candidates who respond to an issue-based written questionnaire and participate in an interview with Progress PAC members. [Read more…]

Filed Under: 2014 Election, Business, Education, Government, K-12, Oak Ridge, Oak Ridge, Top Stories Tagged With: Anne Garcia Garland, David Bradshaw, FORS, Friends of Oak Ridge Schools, injunctive relief, Jim Normand, Ken Krushenski, litigation, Oak Ridge Board of Education, Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce, Oak Ridge City Council, PAC, Parker Hardy, political action committee, Progress PAC, restraining order, Stephen Whitson, Trina Baughn

ORHPA celebrates 15th anniversary at Scarboro Road gatehouse

Posted at 4:19 pm September 10, 2014
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

Bobbie Martin at Oak Ridge City Council

Bobbie Martin, one of the people who helped start the Oak Ridge Heritage and Preservation Association 15 years ago this month, accepts the keys to the Midtown Community Center, which includes the historic “Wildcat Den.” This was the culmination of close to two years of work that began with a newspaper article Bobbie wrote and the contact by Mick Wiest that brought the two of them and several others together in September 1999 and to ultimately to form ORHPA. (Submitted photos)

 

The Oak Ridge Heritage and Preservation Association will celebrate its 15th anniversary during a Thursday night meeting at the “Midway Gatehouse” on Scarboro Road. That’s the location of the group’s original meeting.

The anniversary meeting is scheduled from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, September 11. Parking is limited there. Organizers said those attending should consider parking at the nearby Y-12 Federal Credit Union and carpooling from there, or they could carpool with friends from the Midtown Community Center parking lot.

“Come by the Gatehouse anytime between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. to enjoy refreshments, see displays, and view the historic building and its artifacts, as well as help celebrate 15 years as an organization,” a press release said.

Here is the story of how the ORHPA began: [Read more…]

Filed Under: Community, Front Page News, Nonprofits Tagged With: 15th anniversary, Bobbie Martin, David Bradshaw, Dean Novelli, Ed Westcott, historic preservation, Howard Harvey, Jim Kolb, Jim Lay, Mick Wiest, Midtown Community Center, Midway Gatehouse, Oak Ridge, Oak Ridge Heritage and Preservation Association, ORPHA, Scarboro Road, Steve Buxton, Wildcat Den

Education Foundation names new director

Posted at 1:31 am September 8, 2014
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

Jessica Steed

Jessica Steed

Jessica Steed was recently named executive director of the Oak Ridge Public Schools Education Foundation.

The Foundation’s board of directors chose Steed to replace Jenna Whitney, who resigned after her husband Mark, who was the manager of the Oak Ridge Office of Environmental Management for the U.S. Department of Energy, accepted a new job with DOE in Washington, D.C.

Steed, a certified public accountant since 2001, worked for more than six years in public accounting as an auditor and tax accountant before becoming a full-time parent and community volunteer for the last nine years.

Since Steed moved to Oak Ridge four years ago, she has served as a classroom volunteer, as treasurer for both Woodland Elementary and Jefferson Middle School PTOs, and as an active member of the PTO Council. The Foundation’s selection committee noted that Steed comes to the position with a strong financial and accounting background and with knowledge of issues that affect the Oak Ridge school system.

“Although I have thoroughly enjoyed volunteering in the school system, I am ready to move into a position that allows me to help support not only my own children’s schools, but the whole school system I have grown to appreciate,” Steed said in a press release. “My experience in public accounting and volunteer work in the schools will serve as a great foundation as I strive to support the mission of the ORPSEF.” [Read more…]

Filed Under: Community, Education, K-12, Nonprofits, Top Stories Tagged With: Anthony Hampton, Capital Mark Bank and Trust, David Bradshaw, Education Foundation, Ivan Boatner, Jefferson Middle School, Jenna Whitney, Jessica Steed, Leigha Edwards, Oak Ridge Associated Universities, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge Public Schools Education Foundation, PTA/PTO council, PTO, Woodland Elementary

Guest column: B&W Y-12 improved Y-12, made a big difference in the community

Posted at 2:01 pm June 23, 2014
By Oak Ridge Today Guest Columns Leave a Comment

David Bradshaw

David Bradshaw

By David Bradshaw

It has been almost 14 years since B&W Y-12 LLC took over operation of the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge.

Soon a new contractor will be in charge. Thanks to the work of the B&W Y-12 team and many others, they will inherit a very different and much improved facility.

One only needs to approach Y-12 to see the changes. The first thing you will see is the New Hope Center, built as a public-private partnership and located just outside the secure gates of Y-12 to make sure public access is easy. It has conference space, an outstanding auditorium, and a museum that highlights everything from Y-12’s critical role in the Manhattan Project, to the NASA “moon box” built by Y-12, to Y-12’s role in winning the Cold War. Y-12 had always been a secret place and this space built with the public in mind was a major change.

The modernization process is even more obvious inside the gate. Y-12 completed and opened the new Highly Enriched Uranium Materials Facility. It’s a state of the art building. The new Uranium Processing Facility will be just as impressive with design work well underway. Both facilities allow the U.S. Department of Energy to close down old buildings that date back to the Manhattan Project. With the HEUMF and UPF in place, Y-12 will be far more efficient with operations not only more secure, but centralized in one place instead of being spread out over several locations. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Business, Community, Guest Columns, National Nuclear Security Administration, Nonprofits, Oak Ridge, Opinion, U.S. Department of Energy, Y-12 National Security Complex Tagged With: B&W Y-12, B&W Y-12 LLC, Chamber of Commerce, Cold War, David Bradshaw, East Tennessee, East Tennessee Economic Council, HEUMF, Highly Enriched Uranium Materials Facility, Innovation Valley, Jack Case Center, Manhattan Project, mentor/protégé, moon box, New Hope Center, nonprofits, public education, radioactive material, small businesses, U.S. Department of Energy, UPF, uranium processing facility, Y-12 National Security Complex

« Previous Page
Next Page »

Search Oak Ridge Today

Classifieds

Availability of the draft environmental assessment for off-site depleted uranium manufacturing (DOE/EA-2252)

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) announces the … [Read More...]

Public Notice: NNSA announces no significant impact of Y-12 Development Organization operations at Horizon Center

AVAILABILITY OF THE FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FOR THE OFFSITE HOUSING OF THE Y-12 DEVELOPMENT … [Read More...]

ADFAC seeks contractors for five homes

Aid to Distressed Families of Appalachian Counties (ADFAC) is a non-profit community based agency, … [Read More...]

Recent Posts

  • Flatwater Tales Storytelling Festival Announces 2025 Storytellers
  • Laser-Engraved Bricks Will Line Walkway of New Chamber Headquarters
  • Democratic Women’s Club to Discuss Climate Change, Energy and Policy
  • Estate Jewelry Show at Karen’s Jewelers Features Celebrity Jewelry
  • Keri Cagle named new ORAU senior vice president and ORISE director
  • ORAU Annual Giving Campaign exceeds $100,000 goal+ORAU Annual Giving Campaign exceeds $100,000 goal More than $1 million raised in past 10 years benefits United Way and Community Shares Oak Ridge, Tenn. —ORAU exceeded its goal of raising $100,000 in donations as part of its internal annual giving campaign that benefits the United Way and Community Shares nonprofit organizations. ORAU has raised more than $1 million over the past 10 years through this campaign. A total of $126,839 was pledged during the 2024 ORAU Annual Giving Campaign. Employees donate via payroll deduction and could earmark their donation for United Way, Community Shares or both. “ORAU has remained a strong pillar in the community for more than 75 years, and we encourage our employees to consider participating in our annual giving campaign each year to help our less fortunate neighbors in need,” said ORAU President and CEO Andy Page. “Each one of our employees has the power to positively impact the lives of those who need help in the communities where we do business across the country and demonstrate the ORAU way – taking care of each other.” ORAU, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, provides science, health and workforce solutions that address national priorities and serve the public interest. Through our specialized teams of experts and access to a consortium of more than 150 major Ph.D.-granting institutions, ORAU works with federal, state, local and commercial customers to provide innovative scientific and technical solutions and help advance their missions. ORAU manages the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). Learn more about ORAU at www.orau.org. Learn more about ORAU at www.orau.org. Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OakRidgeAssociatedUniversities Follow us on X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/orau Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/orau ###
  • Children’s Museum Gala Celebrates the Rainforest
  • Jim Sears joins ORAU as senior vice president
  • Oak Ridge Housing Authority Receives Funding Assistance of up to $51.8 Million For Renovating Public Housing and Building New Workforce Housing
  • Two fires reported early Friday

Recent Comments

  • Raymond Mitchell on City manager’s ‘State of the City’ canceled due to weather
  • Raymond Mitchell on City manager’s ‘State of the City’ canceled due to weather
  • Mysti M Desilva on Crews clearing roads, repairing water line breaks
  • Mel Schuster on Crews clearing roads, repairing water line breaks
  • Cecil King on Crews clearing roads, repairing water line breaks
  • Rick Morrow on Roads, schools, businesses closed after heavy snow
  • Diana lively on Free community Thanksgiving Dinner on Nov. 25
  • Anne Garcia on School bus driver arrested following alleged assault on elementary student
  • Raymond Dickover on Blockhouse Valley Recycling Center now open 6 days per week
  • Mike Mahathy on School bus driver arrested following alleged assault on elementary student

Copyright © 2025 Oak Ridge Today