Here`s

C O M PA N I E S
IT’S A
Family Affair
THESE
CHATTANOOGA
FAMILIES SHARE
MORE THAN
JUST DNA.
BUSINESS IS
IN THEIR BLOOD.
Michael Lebovitz, age 8, assists his father
Charles (far left) in the ribbon cutting for Arlen
Realty & Development Corp. (predecessor
to CBL) property, circa 1971
By Rashad J. Gober
W consumers and observers, we tend to focus on their “next big thing” – their
hen businesses grow to be successful, it’s easy to forget how they got there. As
next big project, their next expansion, their newest model – meanwhile forgetting the
hard work that enabled these companies to get to that point. Case in point: you may
be excited about the next iPhone release – but do you know all about how Steve Jobs
started Apple in his parents’ garage?
Like Apple, many of Chattanooga’s most successful businesses have had humble
beginnings. What’s unique about our city, though, is that many of these businesses
were started by local families – and continue to be owned by these families today.
Here’s a look at seven area businesses whose growth and prosperity has been
driven by generations of family members committed to a common goal.
The Lebovitz Family Charles, Stephen, Michael, and Alan Lebovitz
SEE THEIR STORY ON THE NEXT PAGE
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Right here in Chattanooga.
We’ve assembled a team of well-established and
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This is what we bring to the table – and what will
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welcome the opportunity to sit down together.
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•
877-770-0009
•
423-510-8889
•
Chattanooga, TN 37421
•
1200 Premier Drive, Suite 100
Sarah Barnes // Tony D’Andrea, CFP® // Fran Robertson // Dennis Wolfe, CFP®
Amy Bee // Terry Lamb, WMS // Betsy Gibson, WMS // Julie Cook // Frank Gibson
Not Pictured: Sharon Stiefel and Austin Cone
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©2013 Raymond James & Associates, Inc., member New York Stock Exchange/SIPC 13-BR38U-0017 EG 1/13
45
C O M PA N I E S : I T ’ S A FA M I LY A F FA I R
CBL The Lebovitz Family
FROM THE PREVIOUS PAGE
Meet the Lebovitzes – a property development dynasty at the top of their game. The family’s company, CBL & Associates Properties, Inc.,
is the largest owner and manager of shopping centers in the Southeast, but locals likely know it for its development of Hamilton Place and
renovations of Northgate Mall.
The Lebovitzes’ property development history began with Mose Lebovitz, who in his early career was a partner in Independent Theatres,
Inc. In 1961, Independent Theatres became Independent Enterprises and Mose and his son Charles shifted to developing commercial and
shopping center real estate.
Over the years, Charles navigated the family enterprise through a series of growth-oriented changes, including a merger with a New York
firm in 1970, the founding of CBL & Associates Properties, Inc. in 1978, and the completion of a public offering in 1993. Today his sons
Stephen, Michael, and Alan have taken over the company’s senior management roles, while he remains a key advisor as chairman of the board.
“One of my grandfather’s favorite expressions was ‘think big, stay small,’ says Stephen. “My brothers and I have worked hard to maintain
that same entrepreneurial spirit and family culture at CBL.”
Building affordable luxury
in the Greater Chattanooga
area with flawless architecture
and design, these are the
homes of Dexter White
Construction:
[ involved family members ]
Charles Lebovitz | Age: 77 | Role: Chairman of the Board • Stephen Lebovitz | Age: 53 | Role: President & CEO
Michael Lebovitz | Age: 50 | Role: Executive VP – Development and Administration • Alan Lebovitz | Age: 46 | Role: Senior Vice President – Asset Management
Brewer Media Group The Brewer Family
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Brewer Media was founded in 1988
when Jim and Vicki Brewer, along with
their son, Jim Brewer II, bought the radio
station WJTT Power 94. The Brewers
initially started with a staff of about 10
and a single station appealing primarily to Chattanooga’s African-American
community.
Twenty-six years and three generations
later, Brewer Media now serves southeast
Tennessee and northwest Georgia with
five radio formats and a traffic reporting
network that includes nine radio stations
and two television stations. In addition to
radio and television, Brewer Media also
publishes The Pulse here in Chattanooga,
and offers custom website and video
production services.
Despite the tremendous growth that
Brewer Media has experienced, control
of the business remains within the family. Six family members are involved
throughout the company, from managing commercial logs, to running the
show as CEO.
…and that is just to
name a few!
Jim Brewer II, Jim Brewer Sr., Vicki Brewer, Kira (Brewer) Headlee
[ involved family members ]
DEXTER WHITE • 2401 Broad Street • Chattanooga, TN 37408
Visit our new location in the Southside • (423) 362-6617
dexterw@comcast.net • www.dexterwhiteconstruction.com
James Brewer Sr. | Age: 73 | Role: Co-Founder and Vice President • Jim Brewer Jr. | Age: 53 | Role: Co-Founder and President
Vicki Brewer | Age: 72 | Role: Co-Founder and Secretary • Kira (Brewer) Headlee | Age: 44 | Role: Controller
Danielle Brewer | Age: 30 | Role: Program Director/Promotions & Sales/On-Air Personality • James Brewer | Age: 21 | Role: Associate Content Producer
46 CITYSCOPEMAG.COM
Bluff Creek at Fox Run
Brow Wood - Lookout Mtn.
Council Fire
Cummings Cove
Emerald Valley
The Enclave at Riverview
Hampton Creek
Hampton on the Lake
Hill Pointe
Horizons
Legends
Longholm at Riverview
Mountain Shadows
Ramsgate
Signal Place
Signature Oaks
Thunder Farms
CITYSCOPEMAG.COM
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C O M PA N I E S : I T ’ S A FA M I LY A F FA I R
Vision Hospitality Group, Inc. The Patel Family
Mitch Patel founded Vision Hospitality Group, Inc. in 1997, but its
true origins date back much further. Mitch’s father, Ish Patel, arrived in
the United States many decades ago with a mere $8 in his pocket and
Mitch, Ish, and Aman Patel
[ involved family members ]
a dream for a better life for his family. To attain his goal, Ish took a risk
and entered the motel business by leasing a small 11-room motel.
Mitch grew up watching his father navigate his way through the ups
and downs of the hospitality industry, and admits that when he
was a young man, he thought that the family motel business was
the very last thing he wanted to do. But when the opportunity
to develop and manage a Homewood Suites by Hilton in
Chattanooga arose, Mitch jumped on it. And though the hotel
struggled early on, with hard work and determination, it
found success – and Mitch found his passion.
From there, Mitch developed a second and third
hotel, and thus Vision was born. What started
as one hotel with revenues of approximately
$1.8 million and 25 associates has blossomed
into a successful family-owned business with a
portfolio of 31 hotels and over 1,000 associates
and close to $100 million in annual revenues.
Vision’s primary focus is continuing to
develop a service culture of excellence. When
reflecting on the difficult early years in light of
the success Vision Hospitality Group has today,
Mitch says, “When you find your passion for
something, you will naturally work harder,
overcome obstacles, and find success.”
DoubleTree Hotel by Hilton
Chattanooga/Downtown
Hampton Inn & Suites
Chattanooga/Downtown
Hampton Inn & Suites
Chattanooga/Hamilton Place
chattanooga.doubletree.com
chattanoogadowntownsuites.hamptoninn.com
chattanoogahamiltonplacesuites.hamptoninn.com
423.756.5150
Hampton Inn
Chattanooga West/Lookout Mtn.
Hampton Inn
Kimball, TN
Hampton Inn
Cleveland, TN
chattanoogawestlookoutmountain.hamptoninn.com
kimball.hamptoninn.com
cleveland.hamptoninn.com
423.602.5350
423-756-5150
423.458.1222
PHOTO BY MED DEMENT
U.S. Xpress The Quinn & Fuller Families
Max Fuller | Age: 61 | Role: Chairman & CEO • Lisa (Quinn) Pate | Age: 45 | Role: Chief Administrative Officer and General Counsel
Brian Quinn | Age: 42 | Role: Vice President & General Manager of International Services • Eric Fuller | Age: 37 | Role: Chief Operating Officer
Craig Fuller | Age: 35 | Role: Director of Agent Sales • Riley Pate | Age: 20 | Role: Background Investigations for Recruiting
423.602.7840

Ish Patel | Age: 68 | Role: Chairman • Mitch Patel | Age: 45 | Role: President & CEO • Aman Patel | Age: 39 | Role: Executive Vice President
U.S. Xpress, now one of the largest companies in the transportation
industry, started in 1986 as a partnership between Max Fuller and the
late Pat Quinn. Fuller and Quinn had learned the trucking industry by
working for Max’s father, Clyde Fuller, then owner of Southwest Motor
Freight. Together they formed a powerful team at U.S. Xpress, with
Max heading up operations, maintenance, and information systems,
and Pat focusing on sales, contracts, and compliance.
Over the years the partnership led to a series of successes, including
a company growth rate of over 30% for nearly 10 years. Twenty-eight
years later, U.S. Xpress has over 7,000 trucks, employs around 10,000
people in the United States and Mexico, and has an annual revenue
of approximately $1.6 billion.
Today, the company continues to be headed by Max Fuller as CEO,
with Lisa Pate, Pat Quinn’s oldest daughter, as the Chief Administrative
Officer and Eric Fuller, Max’s oldest son, as Chief Operating Officer.
A number of other family members are involved in other key roles as
well. Together, the two families continue to lead the company into the
21st century, striving to make U.S. Xpress an employer of choice in the
Chattanooga region as well as the transportation industry.
423.693.0500
Hilton Garden Inn
Chattanooga/Downtown
Hilton Garden Inn
Chattanooga/Hamilton Place
Fairfield Inn & Suites
Chattanooga West/Lookout Mtn.
chattanoogadowntown.hgi.com
chattanoogahamiltonplace.hgi.com
marriott.com/CHATF
Fairfield Inn & Suites
Cleveland, TN
Holiday Inn Express & Suites
Chattanooga/Downtown
Quality Suites
Chattanooga/Hamilton Place
marriott.com/CHACL
hiexpress.com/chattdowntown
qualityinn.com/TN133
423.308.9000
423.308.4400
423.664.4222
Brian Quinn, Lisa Pate, Max Fuller, and Eric Fuller
[ involved family members ]
48 423.664.2501
CITYSCOPEMAG.COM
423.664.4321
423.756.5150
C O M PA N I E S : I T ’ S A FA M I LY A F FA I R
Tarver Distributing The Tarver Family
When Bill (Rabbit) Tarver and Gloria Tarver came to Cleveland
from Knoxville, they were really taking a chance. “Both of my parents
were/are very hard workers,” says their son Ross Tarver as he reflects on
how his parents didn’t know anyone in the area when they arrived, but
somehow made it work. Today, Tarver Distributing has been in business
for 52 years. Beginning as a local Anheuser-Busch distributor in 1962,
there were only three employees and the Tarvers sold about 36,000 cases
of beer. Tarver Distributing currently employs 49 employees – seven
of them family members – and sells 1.5 million cases of beer a year.
Things have definitely changed from the time the company started.
For example, cases of beer used to be sold primarily to bars and momand-pop groceries, but now are sold to convenience stores and chain
grocery stores. However, family ties and customer relationships have
remained strong. With the involvement of Ross and his two brothers, the company is currently starting its third generation of family
management.
Thinking back on the humble beginnings of the company, Ross says,
“If there was ever a Cinderella story of sheer determination, hard work,
and overcoming challenges this is it... determination and a focus on
customer service and satisfaction have brought us to where we are.”
Heath, Rossman, Bill, Ross, Bill, Beasely, and Bob Tarver
[ involved family members ]
Ross Tarver | Age: 52 | Role: President & General Manager • Heath Tarver | Age: 29 | Role: Account Pre Salesman
Rossman Tarver | Age: 23 | Role: Independent Key Account Manager • Bill Tarver III | Age: 30 | Role: Grocery/ Drug Key Account Manager
Bill Tarver II | Age: 50 | Role: Vice President/ Sales Manager • Beasley Tarver | Age: 21 | Role: Route Sales/ Delivery • Bob Tarver | Age: 45 | Role: Bulk Sales Manager
Pratt Home Builders
The Pratt Family
Nerren, James,
and Win Pratt
[ involved family members ]
Following the sale of the family propane business, father
and son duo James E. Pratt Jr. and James E. Pratt III (Win)
founded Pratt Home Builders in the late ‘90s. They thought
it would be interesting to try their hands in real estate and
sold three homes in their first year of business. The next year
it was about five, the next 15, and now Pratt Home Builders builds around 130 homes a year and has 38 full-time
employees, including builders, designers, and marketing staff.
Despite the economic setback in 2007, Pratt Homebuilders persevered and is currently among the top 200 builders
in the country.
Nerren Pratt, James’s third son (and Win’s younger
brother), joined the company full-time about five years ago.
Starting out as a construction manager, he now acts as the
company’s vice president of construction.
The Pratts are thankful to be in Chattanooga, where
residential and economic growth continues. They consider
it an honor to build custom homes for people and impact
the community in far-reaching ways. “We have the greatest
job in the world – we make people’s dreams come true.”
James Pratt | Age: 65 | Role: CFO • Win Pratt | Age: 38 | Role: CEO • Nerren Pratt | Age: 31 | Role: VP of Construction
residentiaL & CommerCiaL
 Custom WindoW treatments
 Custom Bedding & Linens
 sPaCe PLanning
 deCoratiVe WindoW HardWare
 aCCessorizing
 reuPHoLstering
 Paint CoLor seLeC tion
 rug seLeC tion
 reFinisHing
 Cut FaBriC & WaLLPaPer
 LigHting
 HoLiday deCorating
FowlerBrothersCo.com
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LOCATED IN THE FURNITURE SHOPPE SHOWROOM
.
I-24 4TH AVE EXIT 181
423-493-7610
C O M PA N I E S : I T ’ S A FA M I LY A F FA I R
Sequatchie Concrete Services, Inc. The Thomas Family
After retiring from the Marine Corps in 1954, friends Bob Thomas and
Sam Hunter formed Hunter Ready Mix Concrete Company. Four years
later, Hunter sold his stocks to Thomas and the company became what it’s
known as today – Sequatchie Concrete Service, Inc. Now with offices in
over 20 cities throughout Tennessee, Alabama, and Georgia, Sequatchie
Concrete has come a long way since its first small office outside Chattanooga
in South Pittsburg, Tenn. “I think we’ve grown by acquisition and by being
well-liked in the industry,” says Reece Thomas, son of Bob Thomas. Adds
son of founder and president David Thomas,“We are in a service business,
and we are committed to providing our customers with the best customer
experience in the business. We achieve that through hard work, honesty,
having integrity in what we do, and surrounding ourselves with good people.”
Over half a century later, Sequatchie Concrete has stayed in the Thomas
family, with sons, grandchildren, and nephews of the founder all playing
various roles. And, at 91, founder Bob Thomas is still involved in the
management of the company.
While Sequatchie Concrete is undeniably a family business, specific
Reece, David, Bob, and Frank Thomas
requirements for success must be met by every employee. “If your last name
is Thomas, you need to be overqualified to get the job,” Reece says. So
what has made three generations of the family participate in the company? “We have a long history of success at Sequatchie Concrete, and I am
excited for the opportunities we have moving forward for the next
“We love what we do,” Reece explains. “It has been a great industry for us
to be in throughout the years.” And the success is expected to continue. 60 years,” David says.
[ involved family members ]
Bob Thomas | Age: 91 | Role: Founder • David Thomas | Age: 61 | Role: President • Reece Thomas | Age: 62 • Frank Thomas | Age: 57
Jennifer Thomas | Age: 26 | Role: Regional Block Dispatcher • Carl Thomas | Age: 23 | Role: Pursuing Concrete Industry Management degree at MTSU
PHOTO BY ROBERT PARKS/ROCK CREEK AVIATION
Your Dependable Resource
For All Chattanooga
Real Estate
• 23 Years Of Real Estate Experience
• Corporate Relocation Specialist
• Second Generation Realtor
• Lifelong Chattanooga Resident
T.U. Parks Construction Company
The Parks Family
Robert, Larry, Tommy, and (front) C.A. “Red” Parks
Paula McDaniel
T.U. Parks Construction Company has grown from a one-man operation to a corporation known throughout the South for their excellence
in construction and diverse experience. They take on projects from remodeling and additions to complex projects involving millions of dollars.
Father/son duo C.A. Parks and Larry S. Parks serve as Chairman
and President & CEO respectively and represent the second and third
generations of family ownership, though management is now shared
among some key non-family leaders.
The perspective from which the Parkses have approached construction
lends greatly to their success. They view each individual or group – the
owner, architect, and the contractor – as part of the same team working
toward a common goal. They also maintain a huge focus on quality from
the beginning to the end of each project.
T.U. Parks Construction Company has continued to deliver quality
service for the past 70 years. Though revenue (now in the tens of millions)
and employees (around 40) have changed, the Parkses’ commitment to
building relationships with their clients and community interest has not.
In fact, they have had their offices at the same place on Main Street for
over 50 years.
• Voted one of the Best Of The Best Chattanooga
Residential Realtors 5 Years In A Row
• My Personal Commitment Is To Provide
Outstanding Service With Outstanding Results!
Licensed in TN and GA. An independently owned and operated
member of BRER Affiliates llC.
Paula McDaniel
pmcdaniel@realtycenter.com
www.AllChattanooga.com
C:423.355.0311
O:423.899.5943
[ involved family members ]
C.A. Parks | Age: 87 | Role: Chairman • Robert Parks | Age: 27 | Role: Project Manager • Larry Parks | Age: 63 | Role: President & CEO • Tommy Parks | Age: 23 | Role: Former Intern
Licensed in TN and GA. An independently owned and operated member of BRER Affiliates llC.
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