Chattanooga, TN (September 4, 2015) --- “CEO Speaker Series - The Talk of the Town” will welcome Emerson Russell, CEO of ERMC as its keynote speaker on Wednesday, October 14 from 8-9:30 a.m. at the Chattanoogan Hotel located at 1201 Broad Street.

The CEO Series is an opportunity for local business owners and others to hear from successful entrepreneurs who started small businesses and have grown their organizations into major corporations. The keynote speakers share their growth challenges and successes in order to help mentor other area business owners. 

With an extensive training in criminal justice, Emerson Russell began his own security company over 40 years ago in 1972. Within two years, he expanded the company to include janitorial and facility maintenance services. In 1975, Emerson started ERMC, a total facility services company known for meeting customers’ needs and exceeding their expectations.

Under Emerson’s leadership, the services provided by the Chattanooga, TN, based company have grown to include construction, construction cleanup, CCTV services, landscaping, parking lot maintenance, uniforms & embroidery, and janitorial supplies and equipment. These additional functions, combined with existing janitorial, maintenance and security operations, allow ERMC to customize services for their customers.

As Emerson spearheaded the growth of ERMC, the company evolved into a single source supplier primarily known for providing “bundled services” to upscale malls and shopping centers across the United States. In 1998, Emerson expanded the company to include facility, specialty and high tech maintenance functions for airlines and airports. Today ERMC services a wide range of markets: aviation, commercial, industrial, institutional, medical, residential, shopping centers and retail.

Holding a number of state security and private detective licenses coupled with his vast array of community and professional memberships, Emerson continues to stay abreast of the needs of his customers and advancements in the industry as he leads his company forward for future growth.

The CEO Speaker Series is a cooperative effort between The Tennessee Small Business Development Center, The Company Lab, Chattanooga State Community College, and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Small Business Administration. The sponsors for the event include Cohutta Banking Company, a Division of Synovus Bank; Cornerstone Community Bank; Henderson Hutcherson & McCullough, PLLC; and the First Tennessee Foundation. Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested two weeks in advance. The event will be $10 for all who pre-register, and $15 cash at the door. The registration deadline is October 13 at 2:00 p.m. Register at www.tsbdc.org/chscc (Click “View Upcoming Training, Topic is “Managing a Business”).