Emil E. Hassan (Independent Director) joined the Board in April 2004. In 2004, he retired from the position of Senior Vice President of manufacturing, purchasing, quality and logistics for Nissan North America, Inc. while also serving as Chairman and CEO of Distribution and Auto Services ( DAS ), a Nissan affiliate company. Prior to joining Nissan, he was with Ford Motor Co. for twelve years, where he held various management positions in engineering and manufacturing. Mr. Hassan brings to the Board, among other skills and qualifications, years of management and financial experience from his positions with Nissan and Ford Motor Company. He served for 30 years as the chairman of the Business/Education Partnership of Murfreesboro and Rutherford County and sits on the Ascension, St. Thomas Health Board of Directors Quality and Safety Committee. He is a member of the Leadership Rutherford Alumni Association and the Leadership Nashville Alumni Association. He is a former board member of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, Nashville Branch. Mr. Hassan is chairman of NHC s Compensation Committee and also serves on NHC s Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and Audit Committee.