FutureNet Security Solutions, the Franklin-based manufacturer formerly known as Smith & Wesson Security Solutions and Universal Safety Response, has hired Terry Young as regional sales director for the Midwest. Young, who is based in Dallas, has spent more than 16 years in the security sector, including six years as a physical security director in the U.S. Marine Corps. He has marketed security products to military, petrochemical, federal government and other commercial buyers.

“Terry’s security systems expertise, understanding of the industry’s governing regulations, and proven client-focused approach make him a tremendous addition to FNSS and an invaluable resource to our clients,” said FutureNet Security President Wes Foss.

The local security barrier business was acquired this summer by Michigan-based FutureNet, which runs a number of other businesses that specialize in government contracting.

The private-equity firm that helped orchestrate the 2004 creation of locally based auto insurer First Acceptance Corp. has teamed with the former CEO of Renal Management to launch another entrant into the dialysis services market. Corva LLC is headquartered outside Denver and already has bought a clinic in Houston. Flexpoint Ford says it will invest up to $75 million in the company led by Jerry Simonsen. Together, they will look to make their mark in a sector that has seen plenty of big deals in the last few years, a number of which involved local players Renal Advantage and DSI.

Hospitalist program operator Cogent HMG has begun providing its services at a 65-bed East Texas hospital, a deal that builds on the recent move by longtime client Christus St. Michael's, which is based in nearby Texarkana, to take over Atlanta Memorial Hospital.

A large multi-specialty physician group located in the city literally split between Arkansas and Texas — Texarkana — has chosen Franklin-based M*Modal Inc. and the company’s Fluency Direct speech recognition product. The group is home to more than 100 doctors in the area.

“Our physicians were immediately impressed by the ease of use and the significant difference in accuracy once we upgraded our system from our previous speech recognition provider and began using M*Modal Fluency Direct,” said Robert Haley, CIO of the Collom & Carney Clinic Association, in a presser linked here.

Global call center manager Sitel is adding 150 jobs for a number of clients at its facility in San Angelo, Texas, located 200 miles northwest of Austin. The company recently announced it also will bulk up in Kentucky, Nevada and elsewhere in Texas.

Analysts at ratings agency A.M. Best have lifted their opinion of Valley Baptist Insurance, a Texas division of Vanguard Health Systems, which has been very active of late on the insurance front. In a note, A.M. Best says the financial muscle of Vanguard has shored up Valley Baptist's numbers and that initiatives are in place to recover member losses.

CR Creative Group, a Dallas-based interactive marketing and advertising shop, has recruited local salesperson Dean Arnold to lead its entry into Middle Tennessee. No details yet about just where Arnold is based; the firm's website doesn't yet have an address listed.

Just a few weeks after formally opening its office in Austin, law firm Waller has been tabbed by the Texas Health Services Authority to help it draw up the legal and privacy frameworks for a statewide health information exchange. Waller attorneys also will negotiate and write up the various shared service agreements the state will sign with vendors for the HIE.

SEE ALSO: Why did Waller pick Austin again?

An extra helping of business from a satellite television customer has call center manager Sitel looking for 100 people to add to its Amarillo, Texas, facility. The Nashville-based company has this year also been hiring in New Mexico and Florida.