Changing of the Guard: ICA Welcomes Scott Buchanan as Next President

November 6, 2024

Spotlight on ICA

These initiatives include bringing more awareness to ICA via schools, students and educators.

“In the past couple of years, we started our student and teacher competitions, and I look forward to our continued partnerships with other associations to strengthen these bonds and educate the industry on who ICA members are and the power in what we do,” he says.

Buchanan will also focus on delivering regional events to ICA members. These popular mini gatherings are a format for sharing best practices and connection.

“Our regional events create more intimate sharing,” Buchanan says. “Then when members are at bigger events, they feel more connected.”

This year’s spring regional event is May 3-4 at Mouton’s Salon in Grapevine, Texas, hosted by owners Teresa and Bruce McGaha. The fall regional date is TBD, but will be hosted by owner Diane Cole Stevens at Cole Stevens Salon in Washington DC along with Reg Laws of PR at Partners.

But first, Buchanan will gather the board for their first strategic planning meeting in February where they’ll discuss opportunities for growth and explore ideas for the upcoming year.

“My goal is to grow membership this year by building awareness about ICA salons to owners and consumers,” he says. “We’ll work side by side with other associations and each other to get our message out.”

Scott on stage with Sheila and Anna

Welcome, Sonya Dove

Sonya Dove

At the end of March, ICA members will attend the Spring Gathering in Las Vegas and experience the creativity of ICA’s newest artistic director, Sonya Dove.

“I’ve always admired Sonya’s work on ICA’s Color Council,” says Buchanan. “She’s a creative, innovative, wonderful educator who is of service to her audience. It will be interesting to see where she envisions the industry going from a service perspective.”

Dove’s inspiration for hair color, cutting and style has always come from nature and her travels around the world.

“The colors and shapes nature provides are so inspiring for my hair creations, which are mixed with whatever is current and trending at that very moment, including the current Pantone color of the year,” she says.

The ICA stage is a perfect fit for Dove, who has a passion for people.

“I have always been passionate about inspiring others to live their best lives both personally and professionally,” she says.

With Buchanan and Dove working side by side, ICA members are in for an exciting year filled with inspiration, creativity and new perspectives.

Interested in becoming an ICA member? Click here to learn more.

President and CEO
Southern Security Federal Credit Union

Dawn Graeter, President and CEO of Southern Security Federal Credit Union is an extremely accomplished, trailblazing finance executive who has led Southern Security to triple-digit growth since she took the helm in 2011. As one of the few female bank CEOs in the Greater Memphis area, Dawn has over 35 years in the finance and banking industry and has held almost every position there is as she worked her way from teller to CEO.

Dawn’s focus on the foundational pillars of people, community, and technology have ignited record-breaking results year after year and includes specific efforts for teamwork-building, employee relations, a genuine grassroots community outreach effort, and adopting technology solutions to provide greater functionality and service to customers. These efforts have increased the Southern Security full-time workforce by 37 percent and increased the annual net income of Southern Security by 127 percent poising Southern Security for even greater growth in the future. Dawn’s successes have not gone unnoticed as she was voted one of Power Poll Memphis’ Most Power People in 2023 and named a Superwoman in Business by the Memphis Business Journal in 2012. Also, named University of Memphis Outstanding Alumna in 2019. Dawn and her team are proud that Southern Security has been named Best Credit Union by the readers of the Commercial Appeal for six years running.

Dawn works tirelessly to support professional and community organizations close to the industry and community she loves. She currently serves as Chairman of the Board for Confluent Strategies, which specializes in consumer credit, commercial and mortgage credit reporting, background checks, employment screenings and association management. She also serves on the board for the Tennessee Credit Union League whose mission is to promote and support the success and advancement of credit unions in the State of Tennessee. Dawn correspondingly serves on the board for Share One which serves credit unions across the country with a comprehensive core processing system named New Solutions. As a credit union service organization (CUSO), Share One designed New Solutions directly alongside credit union clients.

Recently, Dawn was asked to serve on the Le Bonheur National Leadership Council, on the Youth Program’s Inc. Captain’s Club, charitable foundation and host organization of the FedEx St. Jude Championship, and the Board of Carnival Memphis, all benefiting local children and children’s charities.

Dawn previously served as chairman of the board for HopeWorks, an organization that offers jobs and support to the under-resourced and recently incarcerated working in conjunction with the Shelby County Department of Corrections Hope 2 Hire program. Her work with HopeWorks is what she is most proud of, helping train adults for vocational careers and life outside of the Department of Corrections system. Dawn has a real drive to help adults help themselves, to be able to provide for their families, and find a skill or career they are proud of every day.

Dawn has served on various nonprofit boards over the years including Leadership Millington, Millington Area Chamber of Commerce and the Mid-South American Heart Association’s Executive Leadership Team. Dawn also served at the Greenshoe Gala, benefitting Shelby Farms.

Dawn gives back to her alma matter, the University of Memphis as she is serving as an Executive in Residence for the Fogelman College of Business and Economics, on the 901 Women’s Athletic Advisory Board, has served as a member of the University of Memphis Alumni Association from 2000-2003, serving as treasurer from 2002-2003. She continued her service as the University of Memphis Alumni Association President from 2004-2005 while also being a member of the Board of Visitors for the U of M. Dawn was a participant in the U of M Women’s Leadership Council and was chairman for Homecoming Golf Classic for the Alumni Association.

Southern Security Federal Credit Union and its employees support Mid-South Employee Resource Network, Big Brothers Big Sister of the Mid-South, Youth Villages, Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, YWCA, American Heart Association, Keesha Warrior Princess, Collierville Education Foundation and many other local charities through monetary donations and volunteer efforts.