Lewis Communications Changes Hands, CEO

MOBILE, Ala. — Lewis Communications recently announced the acquisition of the full-service marketing performance firm from longtime CEO and owner Larry Norris and that Ellen Praytor Faulkner, a Mobile native, will be the company’s first female CEO. Norris, who has been with the company more than 40 years, will remain chairman and strategic advisor to Faulkner, who was most recently senior vice president and managing director. She will now lead an eight-member shareholder group of senior managers from all three of the firm’s offices. Faulkner began her career at Lewis more than 32 years ago in account service. She quickly rose up the ranks and has managed the Mobile office for more than 20 years. During his tenure, Norris led Lewis’ expansion from Mobile to Birmingham and Nashville, and he grew it to 130 associates who manage more than $100 million in marketing investments annually. In addition to Faulkner, the new shareholders are Val Holman, Spencer Till and Carlton Wood in Birmingham. Gary Brandon, Jake Fagan, Robert Froedge and Ken Wilson represent the shareholders in Nashville.