Business World

Tena Mayberry, the president of Brentwood-based Century II Inc., has been named as CEO of Century’s parent company, Indianapolis-based Fortune Industries Inc.

Mayberry, who was recently named one of Nashville Business Journal’s Women of Influence for 2010, will also continue to serve as president of Century II, and will remain in Brentwood.

She was named Fortune Industries’ president since last year, after the formerly diversified company decided to focus solely on providing professional employer organization services, such as payroll and human resources, to small and mid-sized businesses.

“I am excited to have the opportunity to lead the company through all the strategic plans we put in place,” she told Nashville Business Journal Monday.

She said she expects FFI to grow as the economy recovers, thanks in part to a continued emphasis on sales even while the company was cutting back on other costs.

“I think 2009 is the worst. We can’t have another 2009,” she said. “Everybody I speak with seems to be ready to start talking positively.”

Departing CEO John Fisbeck offered glowing words.

“Tena Mayberry is a proven top executive and one of the most knowledgeable senior managers in the PEO (professional employer organization) industry,” departing CEO John Fisbeck said in a statement. “Under her direction, FFI is one of the few PEO companies that has been profitable for the last year during this difficult economic environment. … She is an inspirational leader with boundless energy and will lead Fortune as it continues to expand in the U.S.”

Mayberry has more than 20 years of management experience, including time with Contract Sales Managers, Kroger Co., and Norrell Temporary Services. She holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing and business management from Tennessee Technological University.

Fortune Industries (AMEX: FFI) is the nation’s fifth-largest publicly traded PEO, representing 14,000 employees in 47 states.

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