"We have identified Nashville as a market where we want to grow," said John Shannon, Senior Vice President of Operations. "It is an exciting town which has provided remarkable support to Associated Estates and Merit during the pre-development process. The diverse economic base and solid demographic trends in Nashville should bode well for the apartment market for years to come. Merit will be able to provide important construction efficiencies for this urban infill development," Shannon added.

“We congratulate Ann on this distinct honor from a respected and prestigious industry organization,” said firm chairman Beau Grenier. “As her colleagues, we already know the level of knowledge and experience she brings to her work. It is nice to see this recognized in such a prominent way.”

“Randall Kinnard has been inducted into the Inner Circle of Advocates because of his extraordinary career and remarkable successes in the courtroom,” said attorney Mark Davis of Honolulu, President of the Inner Circle of Advocates. “He is universally respected by his peers and one of the great trial lawyers in the United States.”

Last month, the consortium sued in Multnomah County Court to force Jay out of its group. Jay said in an interview that he joined Central as an individual, not in his role as president of the African American Chamber of Commerce, so there is no conflict of interest. "Your guess is as good as mine," Jay said when asked why there's tension. "I was the one that brought everyone to the table. When they had no hope in the past, I was the one who brought everyone together from the African American chamber and put together this consortium."