Early in 1970 what was then Chattanooga’s largest advertising agency was sold by its principal owners (who were no longer active in the business) to a large Knoxville ad agency. Some staff members of the Chattanooga agency, including its president, Tom Williams, and a senior account manager, Gail Ripple, were offered positions with the larger Knoxville agency.

Mr. Williams and Ms. Ripple decided, however, to remain in their native city, Chattanooga; and, with two other staff members, they established Williams, Ripple & Associates on May 1, 1970. The agency has been under the same ownership since that date.

Ms. Ripple retired in 1995 and died in 2001, but Mr. Williams is still active in the business, supervising several major accounts and the agency’s publicity and public relations activities. Earlier in his career he had been a reporter, correspondent and editorial writer for a major metropolitan daily newspaper, and he was a founder of Chattanooga’s first public relations firm. He is a licensed attorney and author of several books.