Fifth Third Bank has named Mike Dunlap, a resident of Buckhead, has been named its new president and CEO. Dunlap previously served as senior vice president, commercial executive and investment advisor manager for Fifth Third. Dunlap is board chairman of the Center for Puppetry Arts and a member of the Atlanta Chamber of Commerce Advisory Board.
Southern Airways has announced that DeKalb-Peachtree Airport (PDK) is being upgraded to a Southern Airways “mini-hub.” With Southern’s new non-stop business shuttle now flying weekdays between Memphis and Atlanta, PDK has been raised from a “featured airport” to the more significant level of a mini-hub to compliment the primary hubs in Memphis and Destin. Southern’s overflow passengers flying between Memphis and Destin will now be connecting through PDK when those nonstop flights are sold out. Plans are currently underway for additional non-stops from Atlanta to connecting points in the Southern system.
The Rotary Club of Decatur (decaturrotary.org) has named Peter Michelson, CEO of Renewal Design Build, Inc., as its new President to succeed Robert L. Brown, CEO of RL Brown & Associates, whose one-year term just ended. Other newly elected officers include Vice President, Scott Thompson, Scott H. Thompson Insurance Planning; Secretary, Vee Nelson, V. Nelson Associates, Inc.; Treasurer, Drew Robinson, CBRE, Inc.; and Sergeant at Arms, Mark Burnette, Joyner & Burnette, PC. Elected to serve on the Board of Directors are: Susie Brown, NeuroScience Foundation; Dan DeWoskin, DeWoskin Law Firm LLC; Sara Fountain, Retired; Kathy Johnson, Emory Conference Center Hotel; Herb McCoy, Fidelity Bank; John Robinson, Robinson & Blazer LLP; Doug Torbush, Douglas B. Torbush DDS; Kyle Williams, Williams Teusink Attorneys. The Rotary Club of Decatur meets each Friday for luncheon speakers on timely and interesting topics.
Atlanta natives Blair Wagoner and Sara Lamond have opened an eco-beauty bar and natural skincare boutique in Virginia Highland called Fig & Flower (shopfigandflower.com). The 900 square-foot space at 636 N. Highland Ave. includes two eco-make-up stations, a “soap bar” and the largest selection of natural make-up, hair care, skincare, and beauty products for men, women and children in the Atlanta area. The boutique also offers gift concierge services, make-up applications, private eco-beauty parties, and beauty bag cleanouts, which include a complimentary makeover with a $35 make-up purchase.
Drax Biomass, a manufacturer of wood pellets from biomass, is moving its American headquarters to Sandy Springs. Expected to bring 50 new jobs, the 10,000-square-foot offices will be located in the Concourse building.
Studio No. 7 (studiono7.com) has open at 393 Marietta St. in Downtown as a gathering place for creatives. The studio houses an art gallery, test kitchen, bar and lounge. During the day, members work and connect with one another. At 5 p.m. the studio opens to the public and transforms into a space for drinks, food and late night events.
Topgolf International has broken ground on a new driving range at 1600 Ellsworth Industrial Blvd. The West Midtown facility will be 65,000-square-feet and feature high-tech golf training, food and beverages when it opens in spring 2015. Topgolf opened its first metro location in Alpharetta earlier this year.
Caring Transitions (CaringTransitionsNorthATL.com) – a company that specializes in managing senior relocations, downsizing and estate liquidations – has opened in North Atlanta to serve the metro area including Buckhead, Roswell, Sandy Springs and Marietta.
Phase three of Westin Buckhead’s hotel-wide renovation will be completed in August. The $9 million project remodeled 365 guest rooms, hotel lobby and renovations of more than 30,000 square-feet of flexible meeting space.
The Melia Hotel in Midtown will be transformed into a dual-branded Crowne Plaza and eventually Staybridge Suites hotel. AWH Partners acquired the building, which contains 501 rooms. In early 2015, the top six floors will be taken out of inventory and will begin renovations to a 102-room Staybridge Suites hotel. The remaining 360 rooms will also be renovated and will remain a Crowne Plaza hotel.