People, Companies & Deals

November 7, 2007

Tom Hughes has joined Atlanta-based public relations agency Hope-Beckham Inc. as senior VP. Hughes, formerly senior VPof communications for Atlanta Spirit LLC, began his new role at Hope-Beckham last month.

MARTA's board of directors has selected Dr. Beverly Scott, current GM of the Sacramento Regional Transit District, as the new MARTAGM, succeeding Richard McCrillis.

Integrity Bancshares named Patrick M. Frawley as its new president and CEO, replacing Steve Skow.

Stratus Building Solutions of Georgia named Scott Brown as its president and operating partner.

Huron Consulting Group, a provider of financial and operational consulting services, appointed Stephen H. Rogers to head its recently opened Atlanta office.

Roark Capital Group, an Atlanta-based private equity firm, added Ezra S. Field as its managing director to lead transactions and participate in the firm's strategy and development.

Hands On Georgia selected Laurie Grant Nichols as its first CEO.

Georgian Bank reached its goal to arrive at $2 billion in assets ahead of plan, making the Atlanta-based financial institution one of the fastest growing banks in the country. The bank arrived at the $2 billion mark exactly four years to the day when Georgian Bank was injected with $50 million in new capital, new board members and new management. Gordon Teel, chairman, president and CEO, took the helm of Georgian Bank in 2003 with 17 employees and assets of $70 million. Today, it has more than 200 employees and continues to record growth numbers of $400 to $500 million annually.

Software Paradigms International, a global IT outsourcing and BPO solution provider, has acquired multiple business units of India-based COMAT Technologies.

Recordant, a provider of audio-capture technology and consulting solutions, has appointed Christopher Etter as president and CEO.

FOCUS Brands, an Atlanta-based franchisor and affiliate of Roark Capital, completed its previously announced purchase of substantially all assets of Moe's Southwest Grill, a fast-casual restaurant chain with 360 locations in 34 states and the District of Columbia, from Raving Brands. Moe's recently was ranked one of the "Top 10 Growth Chains That Sizzle" in Restaurant Hospitality magazine. Roark has acquired 12 franchise brands representing more than 12,000 points of distribution, 3,700 locations, 1,900 franchisees and $2.6 billion in system-wide revenues in 50 states and 34 countries. Moe's is the seventh investment made in Roark's current fund.

Georgia has recruited another major Chinese manufacturer. Sany Heavy Industry Co. Ltd., a major heavy construction equipment manufacturer based in Changsha, is bringing its first North American assembly plant to Peachtree City. Sany Heavy is China'slargest concrete-pumping equipment company, employing 8,000 people. It generated approximately $594 million in sales in 2006. The plant is expected to bring 200 jobs and $30 million in investment over five years. As U.S. sales grow, the company has the potential to create up to 600 jobs at the new campus in Fayette County.

AGCO Corp. recently acquired Brazilian farm implement maker Industria Agricola Fortaleza Limitada. Located in Ibiruba, Brazil, the company manufactures drills, planters, corn headers and front loaders. The company is expected to post $35 million in sales this year. The Duluth, Ga.-based AGCO gets about 15 percent of its sales from the South American market.