Search Continues For Additional, Certified Firms

 

The Nashville Sounds have announced the names of the first three minority businesses involved in its effort to bring the new stadium to reality.

 

Thornton & Associates, Madison, TN, is a firm with a vast amount of experience in civil engineering design and land surveying. They will conduct topographic surveys and control monumentation for major outdoor sports complexes, survey and layout for recreational facilities, and other related services. Erly Thorton is company president.

 

Brailsford & Dunlavey is a facility planning and program management firm dedicated to serving colleges and universities. The company has conducted ballpark market analysis for the Hampton Roads (VA) Partnership, offered expert testimony for Dayton (OH) Dragons, and provided extensive services for the Ohio Arts & Sports Facilities Commission, including, Great American Ballpark, Paul Brown Stadium, Cooper Stadium, Eastlake Ballpark Feasibility Analysis and Program Management, Fifth Third Field Ballpark. Paul Brailsford is co-founder and chief executive officer, and the company is headquartered in Washington, DC.

, professional sports organizations, independent secondary schools, municipalities and governments, and private organizations

Nashville’s Communications Strategies, has been engaged to handle public relations, market development and community outreach for the Nashville Sounds. Peter Woolfolk, company president, has extensive public relations, public affairs and campaign experience from his extensive Washington, DC national political, and broadcasting background. He served as press secretary to three members of Congress and served in the Clinton Administration. The firm has provided services to some of Nashville’s high visibility organizations including AARP, BioDtech, Inc, Fleetguard, Inc; Nashville Convention and Visitors Bureau, Nashville Opera, and several Metro agencies among others.

 

Each of the three firms is owned by African Americans. According to Glenn Yaeger, Sounds chief operating officer, “we are serious about being an inclusive organization. The Sounds will certainly engage qualified companies and many of them will be owned by minorities and women. Our organization is working with Metro’s Minority and Small Business Assistance office, and the Governor’s Office of Diversity Business Enterprise to help identify minority- and women-owned firms.” In addition, the Sounds will direct firms needing certification to these offices to complete the process.