Long-time Murfreesboro ophthalmologist Dr. Harold Akin has a new boss. Cornea & Cataract Consultants of Nashville announced it had acquired Akin's office and the veteran eye doctor will continue at the practice.
"Our practice has been dedicated to excellence in ophthalmological care in Murfreesboro for more than 20 years, and I am excited to be joining the Cornea & Cataract Consultants team," Akin said. "Cornea & Cataract Consultants has an outstanding reputation for clinical excellence and patient care, and I believe the Murfreesboro community will benefit greatly from the comprehensive resources made available through our new arrangement.”
Dr. Akin joins Dr. Bernard Chang, Dr. Mark Ewald, Dr. Erich B. Groos Jr. and Dr. Ira A. Shivitz along with Dr. Jordan Hill who joined the practice earlier this fall. Cornea & Cataract Consultants has practice locations in Nashville and Franklin in addition to the Murfreesboro location.
“We are excited to continue our expansion of services in Middle Tennessee,” said Groos, president of Cornea & Cataract Consultants of Nashville. “Dr. Akin has built an impressive practice and sterling reputation for quality service and patient care in the Murfreesboro area, and we are honored for the opportunity to continue his legacy of personalized care by adding our own extensive experience and investment in technology.”
The practice provides specialty cornea and cataract eye care and traditional ophthalmology care including LASIK, PRK, and INTACS for Keratoconus surgical procedures along with Lipiflow and other advanced treatment options for dry eye. Additional offerings include specialized contact lens fitting, and a full service VisualEyes Optical shop providing full frames and lenses eyeglass services including sunglasses, drive wear lenses and safety eyeglasses.
For more information about Cornea & Cataract Consultants go to corneaconsultants.com.
News from First Community Mortgage
First Community Mortgage (FCM) has announced a couple significant hires in the past week. First, it named Johnny Smith as vice president of Regional Production and then named mortgage veteran Billy M. Harter as a Vice President based in FCM's Cool Springs office in Franklin.
With more than 20 years' experience in the mortgage industry, Smith comes to the FCM as part of the team including Jason Kaplan and Billy M. Harter – whose operational efforts he coordinates – as well as those who support the team across the many aspects of the loan processes.
"I am excited to be working with FCM," he says. "We offer loan programs to fit everyone's needs, but most importantly, a team that will help guide borrowers through the process. Our team has the experience and insight that benefits borrowers, and I focus on processes and improvements that ensure a great lending experience, whether the customer is a first-time home buyer or has purchased or refinanced a number of homes."
In addition to previously working with First Community Mortgage, including serving as Manager of Branch Operations, Product Support, and later Branch Sales Manager, Smith has been Operations Manager at a regional bank and last served as Vice President and Sales Manager for FirstBank (formerly Franklin Synergy Bank).
As for Harter, he has been in the financial industry for 15 years, closing over half a billion in mortgage loans. He has been recognized and received awards every year since 2008 by the Nashville Mortgage Bankers Association for loan production. Harter also keeps an umbrella of other resources borrowers may need, such as referrals to trusted insurance, tax, estate or financial planning pros. He was previously with FirstBank Mortgage (formerly Franklin Synergy).
"I get to know my borrowers, taking into account current economic conditions," Harter says. "I offer an extensive line of loan products and manage the entire process so that there are no surprises."
While the majority of his borrowers are in Middle Tennessee (including Nashville, Brentwood, Franklin, Thompson's Station, Spring Hill, Columbia, Murfreesboro, Mt Juliet and more), he can originate mortgages for consumers in the many markets in which FCM is licensed across the country.
Vintage Gateway gets new owners
Bluestone Properties, a vertically integrated private real-estate company that owns and manages stabilized high-quality multifamily assets in high growth secondary markets, announced its newest acquisition is the 260-unit Vintage Gateway in Murfreesboro.
"We are very pleased to be expanding our footprint in the Tennessee market. I am especially excited to add Vintage Gateway to the portfolio, as it's great location and superior amenities provide residents a suburban lifestyle, with a quick 35-minute commute to Nashville," Senior Vice President for Bluestone Properties Monica Escobedo said.
Vintage Gateway is an upscale mid-rise complex with open concept floor plans that include high-end interior features. It is located off of I-24 in Murfreesboro's Gateway with convenient access to Franklin Road, making Vintage Gateway one of the most desired locations in Murfreesboro.
