MEMPHIS, Tenn., Feb. 27, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Promotions in executive leadership of First Horizon National Corp. (NYSE:FHN) were announced today by CEO Jerry Baker. Charles T. Tuggle, Jr. was named executive vice president and general counsel, Marion McDougall, executive vice president of enterprise operations & technology, and Kim Cherry, senior vice president of corporate communications. Thomas C. Adams Jr. received expanded duties to include asset and liability responsibilities.
"Succession planning is critical to an organization's long-term success and I am delighted with the depth of experience we have within First Horizon that enables us to fill these critical roles with experienced internal executives," Baker said.
Tuggle replaces retiring executive vice president and general counsel Harry Johnson. Tuggle received his undergraduate degree from Rhodes College and his law degree from Emory University in Atlanta. Tuggle joined First Horizon in 2003 as head of risk management for FTN Financial. He was previously CEO of Baker Donelson, one of the 100 largest law firms in the nation.
Tuggle's predecessor, Johnson, led the legal and corporate secretarial functions for 25 of his 30 years with the company. Johnson has also served in financial services trade groups and institutes. In the local community, Johnson's leadership roles include board chairmanships of the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art, Christ Methodist Day School and the First Horizon Foundation. He is currently a board member of Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare System.
In her new role, Marion McDougall will oversee bank and loan operations, technology and shared services. McDougall has broad experience in the financial services industry specializing in banking and mortgage banking, with expertise in loan servicing, technology and closed loan management operations. She joined First Horizon in 1999.
In his expanded responsibilities, Thomas Adams will lead the company's asset and liability group. He begins the position with the retirement of executive vice president of financial strategy Elbert Thomas, who joined First Tennessee in 1990. Thomas served as senior vice president of corporate development and corporate tax manager before being named chief financial officer. His community involvement includes a board position with the Uptown Alliance.
Adams currently heads the bank's funds management division and is treasurer for First Horizon Corp. and First Tennessee Bank. Adams has been with the company since 1983, serving in several capacities including chief investment officer. He serves on several schools and non-profit boards and is board chair of the Dixon Gallery and Gardens.
Kim Cherry was previously media relations manager. She has extensive background in corporate communications and is active in the Memphis chapter of the Public Relations Society of America. She was named the organization's Professional of the Year in 2001. Anthony Hicks, formerly an assistant professor of journalism at the University of Memphis, was named the new media relations manager.
Cherry, who joined the company in 1986, replaces retired corporate communications senior vice president Terry Lee. Lee joined the company in 1986 with a background in broadcasting and public relations. He served on several volunteer boards including Junior Achievement of Greater Memphis and was past chairman of the Memphis and Shelby County Sports Authority.
Baker praised the retiring executives. "The leadership provided by our retiring executives contributed significantly to the company's ability to realize the many successes we've accomplished over the years. Their service is greatly appreciated and I wish them well in the next chapters of their lives," he said.
About First Horizon
The 10,000 employees of First Horizon National Corp. (NYSE:FHN) provide financial services to individuals and business customers through hundreds of offices located in more than 40 states. The corporation's three major brands -- FTN Financial, First Horizon and First Tennessee -- provide customers with a broad range of products and services including:
-- Retail/commercial banking, with the largest market share in
Tennessee and one of the highest customer retention rates of any
bank in the country
-- Capital markets, one of the nation's top underwriters of U.S.
government agency securities
-- Mortgage banking, one of the nation's top mortgage originators
and recipient of consecutive awards for servicing excellence from
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac
FHN has been recognized as one of the nation's best employers by AARP and Working Mother magazines. FHN also was named one of the nation's 100 best corporate citizens by CRO magazine. More information can be found at www.fhnc.com
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