Shirley Zeitlin founded what is today Zeitlin Sotheby’s International Realty.
J. Kyle Keener | for the Nashville Business Journal
Esteemed leaders in Nashville's banking, real estate and health-tech industries — as well as a Tennessee Titans legend — will be inducted next month into the Nashville Entrepreneur Center's Hall of Fame.
The Hall of Fame ceremonies are part of the EC's annual Next Awards, to be held Oct. 23 in downtown Nashville. The annual event attracts hundreds of attendees in recognition of a number of companies and "exceptional entrepreneurs transforming their industries and creating opportunities for economic growth both locally in Nashville and beyond."
This year's Hall of Fame inductees are:
- Eddie George, former star running back for the Tennessee Titans. He went on to earn his MBA and start companies in wealth management, an architecture and design firm and more. He's a past board member of the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp., a current board member at Montgomery Bell Academy and the head coach of the Tennessee State University football team.
Eddie George
Submitted photo
- Shirley Zeitlin, who more than 40 years ago founded what is today Zeitlin Sotheby's International Realty. She's long been involved in high-end residential real estate sales and her efforts in economic development date to her involvement in helping create the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce's first "Partnership" growth campaign in the 1990s.
- Jim Ayers, founder and former CEO of FirstBank and its parent, FB Financial Corp. (NYSE: FBK). He grew the bank from an initial $14 million of assets 40 years ago into some $11 billion when he stepped down as executive chairman in 2020, making it one of the largest banks based in Tennessee. Just last month, Easterseals recognized Ayers as its Nashvillian of the Year.
FirstBank founder Jim Ayers
Nathan Morgan | Nashville Business Journal
- Saurabh Sinha, founder and former CEO of Emids Technologies Inc. The Franklin-based health care information technology company was recently among the fastest-growing private companies in the region with $182.5 million of revenue in 2021. That's growth of 75% compared to 2018. The company has 3,500 employees worldwide and has boasted a 40% compound annual growth rate over the last 15 years. Sinha transitioned from CEO to chairman earlier this year.
Saurabh Sinha of Emids
Martin B. Cherry | Nashville Business Journal
