The Cary on the Move section is dedicated to Member news and is on a “first-come, first-served” basis. To be considered for publication in this section, please submit a press release or short statement to Joshua Harris jharris@carychamber.com.
2019
December
National Craft and Home Decor Retailer Prepares for the Opening of its New Store in Cary, North Carolina
Cary, N.C., December 18, 2019 -- Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc., a privately held national retail chain of craft and home decor stores, is set to open a new store in Cary, North Carolina. Construction is underway on the 45,000 square-foot building formerly occupied by Toys “R” Us; located on Claude E. Pope Memorial Highway and Crossroads Boulevard.
Hobby Lobby currently has 32 locations in North Carolina. The Cary store is projected to open in mid-February. The location will bring about 35–50 jobs to the community paying $15.70 per hour for full-time and $10.45 per hour for part-time associates.
“Once you visit Hobby Lobby, you will see that we are very unique, offering the widest variety of merchandise in the craft and home decor market under one roof,” stated Kelly Black, Director of Advertising. “We’re tremendously excited about becoming a part of the Cary community.”
Hobby Lobby has over 850 stores across the nation. Each store offers more than 70,000 crafting and home decor products including floral, fabric, needle art, custom framing, baskets, home accents, wearable art, arts and crafts, jewelry making, scrapbooking and paper crafting supplies. Store hours are Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Hobby Lobby stores are closed on Sunday.
Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc., a major Oklahoma City-based corporation began as Greco, a miniature picture frame company in 1970. When David Green moved his business from the family garage to a 300 square-foot retail space in 1972, Hobby Lobby was born. It is now the nation’s largest privately owned arts and crafts retailer.
For more information about Hobby Lobby, weekly specials, coupon offers, store locations and online shopping, visit hobbylobby.com, download the mobile app or follow on Facebook at facebook.com/hobbylobby
July
First Heritage Mortgage Opens New Branch In Cary, NC
Cary, N.C., June 9, 2019 -- First Heritage Mortgage, LLC (FHM) has announced the
opening of a new branch in Cary, NC. The Cary office is located at 1140 Kildaire Farm Rd., Ste.
104, Cary, NC 27511. The new location opens in response to continued economic growth and
evolving housing needs in Raleigh-Durham and the surrounding markets.
The Cary office (Branch NMLS ID #1872098) is FHM’s third location to open in the Triangle
region within the past five years, joining the company’s Raleigh office, opened in 2014, and a
branch in Wake Forest, opened in 2018.
The Cary branch is led by vice president and branch manager Richard
Riano (NMLS ID #71769), who has been in the mortgage business for
more than 20 years.
“With the Triangle consistently ranking as one of the fastest growing areas
in the country, we are ecstatic to offer mortgage expertise to a community
we deeply care about by partnering with the First Heritage Mortgage
family,” says Mr. Riano about the opening of the new branch.
Also leading the Cary branch is business development manager Sherry
Riano (NMLS ID #71774). Ms. Riano brings with her the power of The
Sherry Riano Team, a group of mortgage experts long established in the
Triangle region.
"Having lived in the Raleigh area for over 30 years, I am honored to
continue our team’s growth with First Heritage Mortgage,” says Ms. Riano.
“We are dedicated to building lasting relationships with our Triangle area
clients and partners for years to come."
To learn more about the Cary branch, customers and business partners can contact Richard
Riano 984-228-6246 or email rriano@fhmtg.com.
May
ABB powers tourists to the Niagara Falls with first US built all-electric vessels
CARY, N.C., May 1, 2019 -- Visitors to the iconic Niagara Falls will soon be able to experience one of the USA’s top landmarks emission-free. Two new Maid of the Mist passenger vessels will be powered entirely by high-capacity battery packs,
becoming the first all-electric vessels ever built in the US.
The new vessels will benefit from ABB’s zero-emission technology when they start operating later this year,
allowing guests to experience Niagara Falls undisturbed by engine noise, vibration or exhaust fumes from a
conventional diesel engine.
Maid of the Mist, one of North America’s oldest tourist attractions, operates from April through to the first week
of November, with boats departing for the base of Niagara Falls every 30 minutes, with an estimated 1.6 million
guests on board annually.
“We are thrilled to be the USA’s first vessel owner to add all-electric ferries to our fleet,” said Christopher M.
Glynn, president of Maid of the Mist Corp. “We have chosen ABB to support us in our journey towards more
sustainable operation based on their unparalleled experience in marine system integration, as well as efficient
and innovative technologies for sustainable transportation.”
“Maid of the Mist’s decisive move towards e-mobility signals a new era in the future of transportation and
complements ABB’s commitment to power the world without consuming the earth,” said Peter Terwiesch,
President of the Industrial Automation business at ABB, which offers solutions for a wide range of industries,
including marine. “Reducing emissions at Niagara Falls is not only important for the natural landmark, but also
proves that the technologies enabling sustainable mobility are already available today.”
Each of the vessels will be powered by a pair of battery packs with a total capacity of 316 kWh, split evenly
between two catamaran hulls. Having two fully independent power systems on board will increase the
resilience of operations by creating a redundancy.
The vessels will charge between every trip while passengers disembark and board. Shoreside charging will
only take seven minutes, allowing the batteries to power the electric propulsion motors capable of a total 400
kW (563 HP) output. The power setup will be controlled by ABB’s integrated Power and Energy Management
System (PEMS), which will optimize the energy use on board.
The batteries will be charged using hydropower – the largest single renewable energy source for electricity
generation in the US, which accounts for 7% of the country’s total utility-scale electricity generation. The use of
locally produced renewable power will make the energy cycle for the operation of the new Maid of the Mist
vessels entirely emission-free.
Sustainable transportation has a crucial role in the fight against climate change, with shipping accounting for 2
to 3 percent of the world’s total greenhouse gas emissions. The International Maritime Organization, a United
Nations agency responsible for regulating shipping, has set a global target to cut annual emissions by at least
50 percent by 2050 from 2008 levels.
In addition to integrating the ship-to-shore battery charging connection, ABB will supply the Maid of the Mist
newbuilding project with switchboards, drives and the integrated control system, as well as the ABB Ability™
Marine Remote Diagnostic System for remote equipment monitoring and predictive maintenance. ABB
Ability™ is ABB’s leading offering of digital solutions and services.
ABB Technology Supports TriMet's Wind-Powered All-Electric buses in Portland, Oregon area
CARY, N.C., May 1, 2019 -- E-bus charging solutions from ABB, a global leader in electrification, will support TriMet's objective to make Portland an even more environmentally friendly city.
TriMet has the eleventh largest bus fleet in the United States, which eliminates more than 210,000 car trips every day in Portland, Oregon metro area. As part of a pilot program, five New Flyer Xcelsior CHARGE™ whisper-quiet electric buses will run along one of TriMet's routes to determine whether all-electric buses can be rolled out across the TriMet system in the near future. The ABB bus chargers will be powered by energy derived from wind power from Portland General Electric.
ABB's electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure was selected to power the five e-buses. "ABB is serious about tackling climate change and we are proud to be a part of TriMet's efforts to reduce the region's air pollution," says Stephanie Medeiros, ABB Electric Vehicle Infrastructure. "ABB will help the transit operator navigate the transition from fossil-fueled vehicles to electric ones by providing TriMet with the bus charging technology, including a 450 kW en-route interoperable opportunity charger and 150 kW sequential bus depot chargers in 2019."
ABB Ability™ enabled EV Charging solutions allow customers to thrive with the Industrial Internet of Things by connecting chargers to the Microsoft Azure cloud-based platform. These chargers will be operated and maintained with the help of ABB's 24/7 managed network operation center, monitoring the connectivity between the charger and the customers' B2C platform.
Scalability is vital as bus networks transition from pilot programs to fully electrified fleets. Having developed its fast-charging technology in partnership with leading vehicle manufacturers, ABB has designed a modular e-bus solution that meets future requirements for EVs. This future-proof design allows for less complex and cost-effective field upgrades for operators to increase power ratings from 150 kW to 450 kW.
ABB, synonymous with electric-transportation breakthroughs during its 130-year history, has become a global leader in connected DC charging systems for electric vehicles. Some 10,500 ABB DC chargers have now been sold across 73 countries, more chargers than any other manufacturer, while ABB's partnership with the FIA Formula E Championship is championing e-mobility for a sustainable future. Fortune Magazine recently ranked ABB #8 on its list of companies that are "changing the world" for the advances it has made in e-mobility and electric vehicle charging.
About ABB
ABB (NYSE: ABB) is a pioneering technology leader in electrification products, robotics and motion, industrial automation and power grids, serving customers in utilities, industry and transport & infrastructure globally. Continuing a history of innovation spanning more than 130 years, ABB today is writing the future of industrial digitalization and driving the Energy and Fourth Industrial Revolutions. As title partner of Formula E, the fully electric international FIA motorsport class, ABB is pushing the boundaries of e-mobility to contribute to a sustainable future. ABB operates in more than 100 countries with about 147,000 employees. www.abb.com
About ABB in the United States
ABB's U.S. and Americas business is headquartered in Cary, North Carolina. Since 2010, ABB has invested $14 billion in the United States, and the company continues to expand and localize its offerings for customers. ABB operates nearly 65 manufacturing facilities and employs approximately 24,000 people across the U.S. ABB is a global leader in industrial technology, and the U.S. represents its largest growth market.
April
Confero Honored as a Recipient of a 2019 Torch BBB Award for Marketplace Ethics Award
CARY, N.C. (April 29, 2019) — Confero was recently honored as a winning midsize business for the 2019 BBB Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics, making it one of 10 companies across BBB’s service area to be recognized for best practices in leadership, character and organizational ethics by Better Business Bureau serving Eastern North Carolina. Honorees were celebrated at an awards ceremony held at Prestonwood Country Club, in Cary, NC on April 18.
“It is truly an honor to receive this Torch Award for Ethics from a highly respected organization such as the Better Business Bureau of Eastern North Carolina. Confero strives to create trusting relationships and foster clear communication with its clients, mystery shoppers and the community. This award recognizes the importance of ethical practices across all areas of the company and its direct impact on serving the business community well. Everyone on our team plays a role in our company’s ethical processes, and the entire team is honored to have earned the Torch Award,” said Elaine Buxton, president of Confero.
Award winners and finalists were selected by an independent panel of judges who evaluated candidates based on leadership commitment to ethical practices; communication of ethical practices; leadership practices to unify the organization; organizational commitment to performance management practices; organizational commitment to ethical human resource practices; and organizational commitment to the community.
“This year’s winners provide proof that success in business does not happen by accident and is not accomplished through short-cuts,” said Steve Fromme, executive director of the BBB Educational Foundation. “It requires a commitment and dedication to ethical leadership, to fairness in the marketplace, and to honesty and trustworthiness in day-to-day operations. Those are the very hallmarks of this year’s BBB Torch Award honorees.”
For more information on BBB’s Torch Awards, visit torchaward.org.
About Confero, Inc.
Confero, Inc. provides customer experience research services to leading national brands, multi-unit and independent growth companies. Customized solutions measure, monitor and report on front line performance and customer satisfaction so clients get the business intelligence needed to grow sales, build brand loyalty and increase bottom line results. Services include onsite mystery shopping, competitive studies, recorded telephone mystery shops, web surveys, compliance audits, on the spot rewards and social media monitoring. Serving all of the United States and Canada, Confero utilizes more than 200,000 independently-contracted mystery shoppers who provide accurate, objective feedback to help companies identify competitive opportunities and increase customer service accountability throughout their organizations. Major clients include Coca-Cola North America, AMC Theatres, Staples and RDU Airport Authority. Confero is accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) with an A+ rating.
About BBB serving Eastern North Carolina
Better Business Bureau serving Eastern North Carolina is a 501(c) (6) not-for-profit corporation serving 33 counties in eastern North Carolina. The organization is funded primarily by BBB Accredited Business fees from over 3,700 local businesses and professional firms. BBB promotes integrity, consumer confidence and business ethics through business self-regulation in the local marketplace. Services provided by BBB include reports on companies and charitable organizations, general monitoring of advertising in the marketplace, consumer/business education programs and dispute resolution services. All services are provided at no cost to the public, with the occasional exception of mediation and arbitration. Visit bbb.org.
Cary Oil Announces Multiple Promotions as it Celebrates 60th Anniversary
CARY, N.C. – April 16, 2019 –– Cary Oil, an industry leading gasoline marketer, is pleased to announce the promotion of several key team members to various new roles. Cary Oil is one of the largest gasoline marketers in the country and this year marks the company’s 60th anniversary. Through its wide network of petroleum producers, Cary Oil supplies nearly 1 billion gallons annually in both the branded gasoline and unbranded gasoline channels.
First, Craig Stephenson has been promoted from Executive Vice President to President and CEO where he will be leading the operations and management of the company. For over 35 years, Stephenson has helped develop and lead the organization in several capacities with Cary Oil.
Cary Oil’s Board of Directors also confirmed the following notable promotions:
Sherri Williams and Adam Stephenson join Mark Maddox, Avery Wagoner, Paul Stephenson and Jason Holt on the leadership team of Cary Oil. These established leaders will position the company to achieve long-term growth, driving the organization to unlock and scale innovation through the integration of processes and the alignment of internal teams.
“While it has been my distinct pleasure to lead Cary Oil through a period of unprecedented growth, the timing is right for these incredible leaders to step into their new roles,” said Don Stephenson, Chairman of the Board. “I could not be more confident in our new leadership team’s ability to creatively solve problems and lead the company to new heights in this evolving market. I cannot wait to see what the future holds for Cary Oil.”
To learn more about Cary Oil, visit www.caryoil.com.
March
Carolina Preserve wins CAI 2019 Community Excellence Award
Cary, NC March 26, 2019 - The Community Association Institute’s (CAI) North Carolina Chapter has awarded Carolina Preserve with the prestigious 2019 Community Excellence Award. CAI awards this honor to communities with Boards and Community Managers that demonstrate outstanding leadership and accomplishments in keeping their communities vibrant and successful. These volunteers and professionals wear dozens of hats as they work to enhance the value and quality of living in their communities, mastering a wide spectrum of business, financial and legal issues plus tactfully dealing with challenging human dynamics. This award recognizes the community that has met these challenges and impressed CAI with their achievements.
“This is a great honor for Carolina Preserve. This recognition reflects the investments and collaboration by the General Manager, Kuester management staff, HOA Board and numerous resident volunteers that have contributed to make our community a vibrant and exciting place to live.” Tom Crotty, HOA President Carolina Preserve.
The Triangle was mentioned as one of the best places to retire in 2019 by US News & World Report.
Carolina Preserve at Amberly is a Del Webb 55+ active adult community with 1360 homes and 2300 residents in Cary, North Carolina. The retirement community is managed by Kuester Management Group and governed by a volunteer Homeowners Association Board of Directors.
February
Cary-based Home Care Agency - Aware Senior Care - Sweeps Top National Awards
CARY, NC (February 6, 2019) – Aware Senior Care announced today that it has won all three of the 2019 Best of Home Care® awards from Home Care Pulse – the Leader in Excellence Award, the Provider of Choice Award and the Employer of Choice Award. These awards are only granted to the top-ranking home care providers, based on client and caregiver satisfaction scores gathered by Home Care Pulse, the leading firm in quality assurance for home care. This is the agency’s ninth major national award in the past twelve months.
Notably, the Leader in Excellence Award is the highest recognition awarded by Home Care Pulse and is given to select home care businesses that consistently rank among the very highest in 10 or more quality metrics. As a Leader in Excellence, Aware Senior Care is now ranked among the top 10 percent of home care providers participating in the nationwide Home Care Pulse Satisfaction Management Program. In addition, they are now ranked among a small handful of home care providers across the country who have proven their ability to provide an exceptional working experience to employees and the highest quality care to clients.
“We want to congratulate Aware Senior Care on receiving all three awards,” says Erik Madsen, CEO of Home Care Pulse. “Since these awards are based on real, unfiltered feedback from clients and caregivers, Aware Senior Care has proven their dedication to providing a great work environment and solid training to employees, while maintaining their focus on client satisfaction. We are pleased to recognize their dedication to quality professionalism and expertise in home care.”
This accomplishment demonstrates Aware Senior Care’s long-term dedication to excellent care and quality improvement. To qualify for this award, 10 percent of the agency’s clients and caregivers were interviewed each month by Home Care Pulse. Over a 12-month period, Aware Senior Care received high client and caregiver satisfaction ratings in areas such as caregiver training, compassion of caregivers, communication, scheduling, client/caregiver compatibility, etc. Using feedback from clients and employees, as well as quality benchmarks from Home Care Pulse, the Aware Senior Care management team set goals to reach the highest level of excellence possible.
“Five years ago, my wife, Gina, and I launched Aware Senior Care and hired our first caregivers with a vision to transform home care in Wake County. Gina’s decades of experience in home care and passion for seniors set us on the right course, and her leadership helped bring us to where we are today,” said Tim Murray, Co-Founder and CEO, Aware Senior Care. “These awards demonstrate our steadfast dedication to that vision. We continue to be inspired by our caregivers and staff who come to work every day with a sense of purpose, joy and professionalism for all of our clients.”
Best of Home Care providers contracted with Home Care Pulse to gather feedback from their clients and caregivers via live phone interviews each month. Because Home Care Pulse is an independent company, it is able to collect honest and unbiased feedback.
“Our goal at Home Care Pulse is to empower home care businesses to deliver the best home care possible,” says Erik Madsen, CEO of Home Care Pulse. “We are happy to recognize Aware Senior Care as an award-winning provider and celebrate their accomplishments in building a team of happy, qualified caregivers who provide outstanding care for their clients.”
Cary Franchise Earns Two Awards with Expansion and New Customers
Cary, NC February 5, 2019 – Last year, Cary’s Pool Scouts franchise earned the award for out-performing all other nationwide locations. This year, not only have they won that award a second time but the local Pool Scouts franchise also added more customers than anywhere else.
Pool Scouts, a pool cleaning and repair service with nationwide locations, opened a franchise in Cary in mid-2016. In that first year, the franchise location for the region earned the “High Dive Award” for the highest revenues per territory. Local owner Tiffiny Consoli said they have been able to maintain high performance through their skilled technicians. “Our technicians are committed to customer service but they are also very qualified to carry out their work,” Consoli said. “Together, that has allowed us to gain trust with our customers.”
This year, Consoli and her team also earned Pool Scouts’ “Pool Net Award,” which goes to the franchise that added the most customers. In 2018, they added nearly 250 new customers. “We have benefited from referrals. We work to ensure customers receive the service they expect,” Consoli said. “Also, our vans are like moving billboards so that helps to spread the word.”
Education Outfitters Gets New Owner and New Name
Cary, NC February 5, 2019 - Education Outfitters is now owner and operated by a new face, Mitchell Cooper. Mitchell has been the owner only a couple months now, huge strides of improvement. He is updating the brand to "The New Education Outfitters" and is improving the companies product offerings. Check out some updates below!
• New ownership
• Locally owned by former Crown Trophy of Cary founder, Mitchell Cooper
• More than school uniforms including in house design services, embroidery and silk screening
• Promotional products
• Corporate apparel and identification
January
First Bank Names S&A Communications as Agency of Record
Cary, N.C., Jan. 17, 2019 – First Bank, the largest community bank in North Carolina with branches in South Carolina, has selected S&A Communications as its strategic communications agency of record. S&A Communications will provide First Bank with marketing communications services including community involvement, PR and media relations.
Founded in 1935, First Bank provides award-winning financial solutions and support from local teams that offer the resources needed to reach financial goals. Their services include complete banking services, financial planning, asset management and wealth management for individuals and businesses.
First Bank has 102 branches in North Carolina and South Carolina and ranks as the fourth largest bank headquarters in North Carolina. Their mission is to be the best community bank in every community they serve and through every delivery channel they offer.
“We look forward to working with a community-focused company committed to providing an accurate and unique service to each individual,” said Chuck Norman, APR, owner and principal of S&A Communications. “We are excited to leverage our wide experience in the financial industry to help First Bank reach new heights of success.”
For additional information on First Bank, visit www.localfirstbank.com. To learn more about S&A Communications, visit www.sacommunications.com, call 919-674-6020, visit www.facebook.com/SACommunicate or follow @sacommunicate on Twitter.
About First Bank
First Bank is a community bank located in North Carolina and South Carolina that provides banking services, financial planning, asset management, wealth management for individuals and businesses, credit card and debit card products, full line of loans including mortgage lending and home equity lines and complete insurance services. Founded in 1935, First Bank has over 102 branches and has 1,034 full-time employees and 63 part-time employees. They are ranked as the fourth largest bank headquartered in North Carolina and serve over 300,000 customers. For more information, visit www.localfirstbank.com.
About S&A Communications
S&A Communications is an integrated marketing brand that grew from deep-seated PR roots and evolved into a team of strategic marketing professionals whose driving goal is to outthink, outwork and outperform for our clients to help them beat their competition. Our nationwide base of clients looks to us for public relations, marketing, design, digital, advertising, photography, event-planning and custom-publishing services. S&A Communications is also a member of the Public Relations Global Network. For more information, visit www.sacommunications.com or call 919-674-6020.
Lumos Networks and Spirit Communications Rebrand as SEGRASM
Jan. 14, 2019 – Lumos Networks Corp. (“Lumos”) and Spirit Communications (“Spirit”) announced today that the two companies have been rebranded as SEGRASM.
In announcing Segra, CEO Timothy G. Biltz said, “This new brand marks the official launch of a single company with a mission and a culture that are dedicated to providing winning solutions for our customers. We are looking forward to the opportunities this gives us to better serve our customers, our communities and our employees.”
In April 2018, EQT Partners completed the purchase of a majority stake in Spirit Communications and announced it would combine the Spirit assets with Lumos. Since that time, the two companies have integrated operations, have expanded their fiber-optic network and product sets and have made further investments in existing and new markets across nine states in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast. Notable new markets include Raleigh, Greensboro, and Fayetteville, North Carolina.
The company’s Rural Local Exchange Carrier (RLEC) segment will retain the Lumos Networks name and will be supported by a dedicated team of employees led by Diego Anderson, Senior Vice President and General Manger, Residential and Small Business. This segment will continue to focus on delivering product solutions to residential and small business customers within those regulated service areas.
“The management team and employees of the combined company have completed several integration
projects to meet the strong demand we’re seeing for our products and services,” said Doug Gilstrap,
Chairman of the Board for Segra. “As Segra, we look forward to meeting the needs of our customers and
strengthening our company’s leadership position in service, reliability and product innovation.”
The Segra logo represents design elements that signal the modern, trustworthy and bold approach the company stands for in the market. Customer focus groups, market research and employee involvement were all part of the process of choosing the new name and brand. Act 1 Partners of Portland, Ore. worked with the management team to assist in the process of selecting a new name and creating its brand design.
“As part of the branding process, we conducted independent market research which revealed that both Lumos and Spirit had excellent customer service and reliability ratings that led the industry in the markets we serve,” said Grey Humphrey, chief revenue officer of Segra. “Another finding that emerged from our work: Employees and management believed a new name would be the best way launch the combined company to the marketplace. During the search for a new name, the word Segra was suggested by an employee and soon became a popular choice among the team. It fit with all the qualities we were seeking in a name - short, easy to pronounce and distinct. It is derived from an ancient verb meaning to win, as in to prevail or overcome. This aligns with our focus on providing innovative, industry-leading solutions and service for our customers.”
Jan Vesely, a Segra board member as well as Partner at EQT Partners and Investment Advisor to EQT Infrastructure, said, “The new brand represents many attributes that EQT seeks in its infrastructure investments and we look forward to supporting Segra as it expands its world-class fiber-optic network and its portfolio of products and services.”
Customers will begin to see the Segra logo on company vehicles, buildings, and other materials over the next few months. Customer service, rates and network coverage will not change as a result of this re- branding process. “While our name and look will change, our guiding principles of doing business – most importantly putting the customer first – will remain the same,” said Biltz.
National Craft and Home Decor Retailer Prepares for the Opening of its New Store in Cary, North Carolina
Cary, N.C., December 18, 2019 -- Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc., a privately held national retail chain of craft and home decor stores, is set to open a new store in Cary, North Carolina. Construction is underway on the 45,000 square-foot building formerly occupied by Toys “R” Us; located on Claude E. Pope Memorial Highway and Crossroads Boulevard.
Hobby Lobby currently has 32 locations in North Carolina. The Cary store is projected to open in mid-February. The location will bring about 35–50 jobs to the community paying $15.70 per hour for full-time and $10.45 per hour for part-time associates.
“Once you visit Hobby Lobby, you will see that we are very unique, offering the widest variety of merchandise in the craft and home decor market under one roof,” stated Kelly Black, Director of Advertising. “We’re tremendously excited about becoming a part of the Cary community.”
Hobby Lobby has over 850 stores across the nation. Each store offers more than 70,000 crafting and home decor products including floral, fabric, needle art, custom framing, baskets, home accents, wearable art, arts and crafts, jewelry making, scrapbooking and paper crafting supplies. Store hours are Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Hobby Lobby stores are closed on Sunday.
Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc., a major Oklahoma City-based corporation began as Greco, a miniature picture frame company in 1970. When David Green moved his business from the family garage to a 300 square-foot retail space in 1972, Hobby Lobby was born. It is now the nation’s largest privately owned arts and crafts retailer.
For more information about Hobby Lobby, weekly specials, coupon offers, store locations and online shopping, visit hobbylobby.com, download the mobile app or follow on Facebook at facebook.com/hobbylobby
July
First Heritage Mortgage Opens New Branch In Cary, NC
Cary, N.C., June 9, 2019 -- First Heritage Mortgage, LLC (FHM) has announced the
opening of a new branch in Cary, NC. The Cary office is located at 1140 Kildaire Farm Rd., Ste.
104, Cary, NC 27511. The new location opens in response to continued economic growth and
evolving housing needs in Raleigh-Durham and the surrounding markets.
The Cary office (Branch NMLS ID #1872098) is FHM’s third location to open in the Triangle
region within the past five years, joining the company’s Raleigh office, opened in 2014, and a
branch in Wake Forest, opened in 2018.
The Cary branch is led by vice president and branch manager Richard
Riano (NMLS ID #71769), who has been in the mortgage business for
more than 20 years.
“With the Triangle consistently ranking as one of the fastest growing areas
in the country, we are ecstatic to offer mortgage expertise to a community
we deeply care about by partnering with the First Heritage Mortgage
family,” says Mr. Riano about the opening of the new branch.
Also leading the Cary branch is business development manager Sherry
Riano (NMLS ID #71774). Ms. Riano brings with her the power of The
Sherry Riano Team, a group of mortgage experts long established in the
Triangle region.
"Having lived in the Raleigh area for over 30 years, I am honored to
continue our team’s growth with First Heritage Mortgage,” says Ms. Riano.
“We are dedicated to building lasting relationships with our Triangle area
clients and partners for years to come."
To learn more about the Cary branch, customers and business partners can contact Richard
Riano 984-228-6246 or email rriano@fhmtg.com.
May
ABB powers tourists to the Niagara Falls with first US built all-electric vessels
CARY, N.C., May 1, 2019 -- Visitors to the iconic Niagara Falls will soon be able to experience one of the USA’s top landmarks emission-free. Two new Maid of the Mist passenger vessels will be powered entirely by high-capacity battery packs,
becoming the first all-electric vessels ever built in the US.
The new vessels will benefit from ABB’s zero-emission technology when they start operating later this year,
allowing guests to experience Niagara Falls undisturbed by engine noise, vibration or exhaust fumes from a
conventional diesel engine.
Maid of the Mist, one of North America’s oldest tourist attractions, operates from April through to the first week
of November, with boats departing for the base of Niagara Falls every 30 minutes, with an estimated 1.6 million
guests on board annually.
“We are thrilled to be the USA’s first vessel owner to add all-electric ferries to our fleet,” said Christopher M.
Glynn, president of Maid of the Mist Corp. “We have chosen ABB to support us in our journey towards more
sustainable operation based on their unparalleled experience in marine system integration, as well as efficient
and innovative technologies for sustainable transportation.”
“Maid of the Mist’s decisive move towards e-mobility signals a new era in the future of transportation and
complements ABB’s commitment to power the world without consuming the earth,” said Peter Terwiesch,
President of the Industrial Automation business at ABB, which offers solutions for a wide range of industries,
including marine. “Reducing emissions at Niagara Falls is not only important for the natural landmark, but also
proves that the technologies enabling sustainable mobility are already available today.”
Each of the vessels will be powered by a pair of battery packs with a total capacity of 316 kWh, split evenly
between two catamaran hulls. Having two fully independent power systems on board will increase the
resilience of operations by creating a redundancy.
The vessels will charge between every trip while passengers disembark and board. Shoreside charging will
only take seven minutes, allowing the batteries to power the electric propulsion motors capable of a total 400
kW (563 HP) output. The power setup will be controlled by ABB’s integrated Power and Energy Management
System (PEMS), which will optimize the energy use on board.
The batteries will be charged using hydropower – the largest single renewable energy source for electricity
generation in the US, which accounts for 7% of the country’s total utility-scale electricity generation. The use of
locally produced renewable power will make the energy cycle for the operation of the new Maid of the Mist
vessels entirely emission-free.
Sustainable transportation has a crucial role in the fight against climate change, with shipping accounting for 2
to 3 percent of the world’s total greenhouse gas emissions. The International Maritime Organization, a United
Nations agency responsible for regulating shipping, has set a global target to cut annual emissions by at least
50 percent by 2050 from 2008 levels.
In addition to integrating the ship-to-shore battery charging connection, ABB will supply the Maid of the Mist
newbuilding project with switchboards, drives and the integrated control system, as well as the ABB Ability™
Marine Remote Diagnostic System for remote equipment monitoring and predictive maintenance. ABB
Ability™ is ABB’s leading offering of digital solutions and services.
ABB Technology Supports TriMet's Wind-Powered All-Electric buses in Portland, Oregon area
CARY, N.C., May 1, 2019 -- E-bus charging solutions from ABB, a global leader in electrification, will support TriMet's objective to make Portland an even more environmentally friendly city.
TriMet has the eleventh largest bus fleet in the United States, which eliminates more than 210,000 car trips every day in Portland, Oregon metro area. As part of a pilot program, five New Flyer Xcelsior CHARGE™ whisper-quiet electric buses will run along one of TriMet's routes to determine whether all-electric buses can be rolled out across the TriMet system in the near future. The ABB bus chargers will be powered by energy derived from wind power from Portland General Electric.
ABB's electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure was selected to power the five e-buses. "ABB is serious about tackling climate change and we are proud to be a part of TriMet's efforts to reduce the region's air pollution," says Stephanie Medeiros, ABB Electric Vehicle Infrastructure. "ABB will help the transit operator navigate the transition from fossil-fueled vehicles to electric ones by providing TriMet with the bus charging technology, including a 450 kW en-route interoperable opportunity charger and 150 kW sequential bus depot chargers in 2019."
ABB Ability™ enabled EV Charging solutions allow customers to thrive with the Industrial Internet of Things by connecting chargers to the Microsoft Azure cloud-based platform. These chargers will be operated and maintained with the help of ABB's 24/7 managed network operation center, monitoring the connectivity between the charger and the customers' B2C platform.
Scalability is vital as bus networks transition from pilot programs to fully electrified fleets. Having developed its fast-charging technology in partnership with leading vehicle manufacturers, ABB has designed a modular e-bus solution that meets future requirements for EVs. This future-proof design allows for less complex and cost-effective field upgrades for operators to increase power ratings from 150 kW to 450 kW.
ABB, synonymous with electric-transportation breakthroughs during its 130-year history, has become a global leader in connected DC charging systems for electric vehicles. Some 10,500 ABB DC chargers have now been sold across 73 countries, more chargers than any other manufacturer, while ABB's partnership with the FIA Formula E Championship is championing e-mobility for a sustainable future. Fortune Magazine recently ranked ABB #8 on its list of companies that are "changing the world" for the advances it has made in e-mobility and electric vehicle charging.
About ABB
ABB (NYSE: ABB) is a pioneering technology leader in electrification products, robotics and motion, industrial automation and power grids, serving customers in utilities, industry and transport & infrastructure globally. Continuing a history of innovation spanning more than 130 years, ABB today is writing the future of industrial digitalization and driving the Energy and Fourth Industrial Revolutions. As title partner of Formula E, the fully electric international FIA motorsport class, ABB is pushing the boundaries of e-mobility to contribute to a sustainable future. ABB operates in more than 100 countries with about 147,000 employees. www.abb.com
About ABB in the United States
ABB's U.S. and Americas business is headquartered in Cary, North Carolina. Since 2010, ABB has invested $14 billion in the United States, and the company continues to expand and localize its offerings for customers. ABB operates nearly 65 manufacturing facilities and employs approximately 24,000 people across the U.S. ABB is a global leader in industrial technology, and the U.S. represents its largest growth market.
April
Confero Honored as a Recipient of a 2019 Torch BBB Award for Marketplace Ethics Award
CARY, N.C. (April 29, 2019) — Confero was recently honored as a winning midsize business for the 2019 BBB Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics, making it one of 10 companies across BBB’s service area to be recognized for best practices in leadership, character and organizational ethics by Better Business Bureau serving Eastern North Carolina. Honorees were celebrated at an awards ceremony held at Prestonwood Country Club, in Cary, NC on April 18.
“It is truly an honor to receive this Torch Award for Ethics from a highly respected organization such as the Better Business Bureau of Eastern North Carolina. Confero strives to create trusting relationships and foster clear communication with its clients, mystery shoppers and the community. This award recognizes the importance of ethical practices across all areas of the company and its direct impact on serving the business community well. Everyone on our team plays a role in our company’s ethical processes, and the entire team is honored to have earned the Torch Award,” said Elaine Buxton, president of Confero.
Award winners and finalists were selected by an independent panel of judges who evaluated candidates based on leadership commitment to ethical practices; communication of ethical practices; leadership practices to unify the organization; organizational commitment to performance management practices; organizational commitment to ethical human resource practices; and organizational commitment to the community.
“This year’s winners provide proof that success in business does not happen by accident and is not accomplished through short-cuts,” said Steve Fromme, executive director of the BBB Educational Foundation. “It requires a commitment and dedication to ethical leadership, to fairness in the marketplace, and to honesty and trustworthiness in day-to-day operations. Those are the very hallmarks of this year’s BBB Torch Award honorees.”
For more information on BBB’s Torch Awards, visit torchaward.org.
About Confero, Inc.
Confero, Inc. provides customer experience research services to leading national brands, multi-unit and independent growth companies. Customized solutions measure, monitor and report on front line performance and customer satisfaction so clients get the business intelligence needed to grow sales, build brand loyalty and increase bottom line results. Services include onsite mystery shopping, competitive studies, recorded telephone mystery shops, web surveys, compliance audits, on the spot rewards and social media monitoring. Serving all of the United States and Canada, Confero utilizes more than 200,000 independently-contracted mystery shoppers who provide accurate, objective feedback to help companies identify competitive opportunities and increase customer service accountability throughout their organizations. Major clients include Coca-Cola North America, AMC Theatres, Staples and RDU Airport Authority. Confero is accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) with an A+ rating.
About BBB serving Eastern North Carolina
Better Business Bureau serving Eastern North Carolina is a 501(c) (6) not-for-profit corporation serving 33 counties in eastern North Carolina. The organization is funded primarily by BBB Accredited Business fees from over 3,700 local businesses and professional firms. BBB promotes integrity, consumer confidence and business ethics through business self-regulation in the local marketplace. Services provided by BBB include reports on companies and charitable organizations, general monitoring of advertising in the marketplace, consumer/business education programs and dispute resolution services. All services are provided at no cost to the public, with the occasional exception of mediation and arbitration. Visit bbb.org.
Cary Oil Announces Multiple Promotions as it Celebrates 60th Anniversary
CARY, N.C. – April 16, 2019 –– Cary Oil, an industry leading gasoline marketer, is pleased to announce the promotion of several key team members to various new roles. Cary Oil is one of the largest gasoline marketers in the country and this year marks the company’s 60th anniversary. Through its wide network of petroleum producers, Cary Oil supplies nearly 1 billion gallons annually in both the branded gasoline and unbranded gasoline channels.
First, Craig Stephenson has been promoted from Executive Vice President to President and CEO where he will be leading the operations and management of the company. For over 35 years, Stephenson has helped develop and lead the organization in several capacities with Cary Oil.
Cary Oil’s Board of Directors also confirmed the following notable promotions:
- Craig Stephenson’s predecessor and older brother, Don Stephenson, has been promoted to Chairman of the Board. Don served as President and CEO for 25 years and will remain active within the company in his new role.
- Sherri Williams has been promoted to Vice President, Credit and Financial Services where she is responsible for credit, underwriting and risk management. Sherri is the company’s liaison between internal business partners and customers and is accountable for mitigating credit risk.
- Adam Stephenson has been promoted to Vice President, Strategy and Innovation. In his new role, he will be formalizing the company’s commitment to becoming the supplier of choice for retailers, helping them realize their highest potential through progressive and personalized solutions.
- Mark Bevill has been promoted to Senior Director of Branded Operations. As an industry veteran, Mark has the combination of experience, vision and determination necessary to deliver the value of Cary Oil to our branded retailers. He will continue to operate out of Cary Oil’s Atlanta office.
Sherri Williams and Adam Stephenson join Mark Maddox, Avery Wagoner, Paul Stephenson and Jason Holt on the leadership team of Cary Oil. These established leaders will position the company to achieve long-term growth, driving the organization to unlock and scale innovation through the integration of processes and the alignment of internal teams.
“While it has been my distinct pleasure to lead Cary Oil through a period of unprecedented growth, the timing is right for these incredible leaders to step into their new roles,” said Don Stephenson, Chairman of the Board. “I could not be more confident in our new leadership team’s ability to creatively solve problems and lead the company to new heights in this evolving market. I cannot wait to see what the future holds for Cary Oil.”
To learn more about Cary Oil, visit www.caryoil.com.
March
Carolina Preserve wins CAI 2019 Community Excellence Award
Cary, NC March 26, 2019 - The Community Association Institute’s (CAI) North Carolina Chapter has awarded Carolina Preserve with the prestigious 2019 Community Excellence Award. CAI awards this honor to communities with Boards and Community Managers that demonstrate outstanding leadership and accomplishments in keeping their communities vibrant and successful. These volunteers and professionals wear dozens of hats as they work to enhance the value and quality of living in their communities, mastering a wide spectrum of business, financial and legal issues plus tactfully dealing with challenging human dynamics. This award recognizes the community that has met these challenges and impressed CAI with their achievements.
“This is a great honor for Carolina Preserve. This recognition reflects the investments and collaboration by the General Manager, Kuester management staff, HOA Board and numerous resident volunteers that have contributed to make our community a vibrant and exciting place to live.” Tom Crotty, HOA President Carolina Preserve.
The Triangle was mentioned as one of the best places to retire in 2019 by US News & World Report.
Carolina Preserve at Amberly is a Del Webb 55+ active adult community with 1360 homes and 2300 residents in Cary, North Carolina. The retirement community is managed by Kuester Management Group and governed by a volunteer Homeowners Association Board of Directors.
February
Cary-based Home Care Agency - Aware Senior Care - Sweeps Top National Awards
CARY, NC (February 6, 2019) – Aware Senior Care announced today that it has won all three of the 2019 Best of Home Care® awards from Home Care Pulse – the Leader in Excellence Award, the Provider of Choice Award and the Employer of Choice Award. These awards are only granted to the top-ranking home care providers, based on client and caregiver satisfaction scores gathered by Home Care Pulse, the leading firm in quality assurance for home care. This is the agency’s ninth major national award in the past twelve months.
Notably, the Leader in Excellence Award is the highest recognition awarded by Home Care Pulse and is given to select home care businesses that consistently rank among the very highest in 10 or more quality metrics. As a Leader in Excellence, Aware Senior Care is now ranked among the top 10 percent of home care providers participating in the nationwide Home Care Pulse Satisfaction Management Program. In addition, they are now ranked among a small handful of home care providers across the country who have proven their ability to provide an exceptional working experience to employees and the highest quality care to clients.
“We want to congratulate Aware Senior Care on receiving all three awards,” says Erik Madsen, CEO of Home Care Pulse. “Since these awards are based on real, unfiltered feedback from clients and caregivers, Aware Senior Care has proven their dedication to providing a great work environment and solid training to employees, while maintaining their focus on client satisfaction. We are pleased to recognize their dedication to quality professionalism and expertise in home care.”
This accomplishment demonstrates Aware Senior Care’s long-term dedication to excellent care and quality improvement. To qualify for this award, 10 percent of the agency’s clients and caregivers were interviewed each month by Home Care Pulse. Over a 12-month period, Aware Senior Care received high client and caregiver satisfaction ratings in areas such as caregiver training, compassion of caregivers, communication, scheduling, client/caregiver compatibility, etc. Using feedback from clients and employees, as well as quality benchmarks from Home Care Pulse, the Aware Senior Care management team set goals to reach the highest level of excellence possible.
“Five years ago, my wife, Gina, and I launched Aware Senior Care and hired our first caregivers with a vision to transform home care in Wake County. Gina’s decades of experience in home care and passion for seniors set us on the right course, and her leadership helped bring us to where we are today,” said Tim Murray, Co-Founder and CEO, Aware Senior Care. “These awards demonstrate our steadfast dedication to that vision. We continue to be inspired by our caregivers and staff who come to work every day with a sense of purpose, joy and professionalism for all of our clients.”
Best of Home Care providers contracted with Home Care Pulse to gather feedback from their clients and caregivers via live phone interviews each month. Because Home Care Pulse is an independent company, it is able to collect honest and unbiased feedback.
“Our goal at Home Care Pulse is to empower home care businesses to deliver the best home care possible,” says Erik Madsen, CEO of Home Care Pulse. “We are happy to recognize Aware Senior Care as an award-winning provider and celebrate their accomplishments in building a team of happy, qualified caregivers who provide outstanding care for their clients.”
Cary Franchise Earns Two Awards with Expansion and New Customers
Cary, NC February 5, 2019 – Last year, Cary’s Pool Scouts franchise earned the award for out-performing all other nationwide locations. This year, not only have they won that award a second time but the local Pool Scouts franchise also added more customers than anywhere else.
Pool Scouts, a pool cleaning and repair service with nationwide locations, opened a franchise in Cary in mid-2016. In that first year, the franchise location for the region earned the “High Dive Award” for the highest revenues per territory. Local owner Tiffiny Consoli said they have been able to maintain high performance through their skilled technicians. “Our technicians are committed to customer service but they are also very qualified to carry out their work,” Consoli said. “Together, that has allowed us to gain trust with our customers.”
This year, Consoli and her team also earned Pool Scouts’ “Pool Net Award,” which goes to the franchise that added the most customers. In 2018, they added nearly 250 new customers. “We have benefited from referrals. We work to ensure customers receive the service they expect,” Consoli said. “Also, our vans are like moving billboards so that helps to spread the word.”
Education Outfitters Gets New Owner and New Name
Cary, NC February 5, 2019 - Education Outfitters is now owner and operated by a new face, Mitchell Cooper. Mitchell has been the owner only a couple months now, huge strides of improvement. He is updating the brand to "The New Education Outfitters" and is improving the companies product offerings. Check out some updates below!
• New ownership
• Locally owned by former Crown Trophy of Cary founder, Mitchell Cooper
• More than school uniforms including in house design services, embroidery and silk screening
• Promotional products
• Corporate apparel and identification
January
First Bank Names S&A Communications as Agency of Record
Cary, N.C., Jan. 17, 2019 – First Bank, the largest community bank in North Carolina with branches in South Carolina, has selected S&A Communications as its strategic communications agency of record. S&A Communications will provide First Bank with marketing communications services including community involvement, PR and media relations.
Founded in 1935, First Bank provides award-winning financial solutions and support from local teams that offer the resources needed to reach financial goals. Their services include complete banking services, financial planning, asset management and wealth management for individuals and businesses.
First Bank has 102 branches in North Carolina and South Carolina and ranks as the fourth largest bank headquarters in North Carolina. Their mission is to be the best community bank in every community they serve and through every delivery channel they offer.
“We look forward to working with a community-focused company committed to providing an accurate and unique service to each individual,” said Chuck Norman, APR, owner and principal of S&A Communications. “We are excited to leverage our wide experience in the financial industry to help First Bank reach new heights of success.”
For additional information on First Bank, visit www.localfirstbank.com. To learn more about S&A Communications, visit www.sacommunications.com, call 919-674-6020, visit www.facebook.com/SACommunicate or follow @sacommunicate on Twitter.
About First Bank
First Bank is a community bank located in North Carolina and South Carolina that provides banking services, financial planning, asset management, wealth management for individuals and businesses, credit card and debit card products, full line of loans including mortgage lending and home equity lines and complete insurance services. Founded in 1935, First Bank has over 102 branches and has 1,034 full-time employees and 63 part-time employees. They are ranked as the fourth largest bank headquartered in North Carolina and serve over 300,000 customers. For more information, visit www.localfirstbank.com.
About S&A Communications
S&A Communications is an integrated marketing brand that grew from deep-seated PR roots and evolved into a team of strategic marketing professionals whose driving goal is to outthink, outwork and outperform for our clients to help them beat their competition. Our nationwide base of clients looks to us for public relations, marketing, design, digital, advertising, photography, event-planning and custom-publishing services. S&A Communications is also a member of the Public Relations Global Network. For more information, visit www.sacommunications.com or call 919-674-6020.
Lumos Networks and Spirit Communications Rebrand as SEGRASM
Jan. 14, 2019 – Lumos Networks Corp. (“Lumos”) and Spirit Communications (“Spirit”) announced today that the two companies have been rebranded as SEGRASM.
In announcing Segra, CEO Timothy G. Biltz said, “This new brand marks the official launch of a single company with a mission and a culture that are dedicated to providing winning solutions for our customers. We are looking forward to the opportunities this gives us to better serve our customers, our communities and our employees.”
In April 2018, EQT Partners completed the purchase of a majority stake in Spirit Communications and announced it would combine the Spirit assets with Lumos. Since that time, the two companies have integrated operations, have expanded their fiber-optic network and product sets and have made further investments in existing and new markets across nine states in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast. Notable new markets include Raleigh, Greensboro, and Fayetteville, North Carolina.
The company’s Rural Local Exchange Carrier (RLEC) segment will retain the Lumos Networks name and will be supported by a dedicated team of employees led by Diego Anderson, Senior Vice President and General Manger, Residential and Small Business. This segment will continue to focus on delivering product solutions to residential and small business customers within those regulated service areas.
“The management team and employees of the combined company have completed several integration
projects to meet the strong demand we’re seeing for our products and services,” said Doug Gilstrap,
Chairman of the Board for Segra. “As Segra, we look forward to meeting the needs of our customers and
strengthening our company’s leadership position in service, reliability and product innovation.”
The Segra logo represents design elements that signal the modern, trustworthy and bold approach the company stands for in the market. Customer focus groups, market research and employee involvement were all part of the process of choosing the new name and brand. Act 1 Partners of Portland, Ore. worked with the management team to assist in the process of selecting a new name and creating its brand design.
“As part of the branding process, we conducted independent market research which revealed that both Lumos and Spirit had excellent customer service and reliability ratings that led the industry in the markets we serve,” said Grey Humphrey, chief revenue officer of Segra. “Another finding that emerged from our work: Employees and management believed a new name would be the best way launch the combined company to the marketplace. During the search for a new name, the word Segra was suggested by an employee and soon became a popular choice among the team. It fit with all the qualities we were seeking in a name - short, easy to pronounce and distinct. It is derived from an ancient verb meaning to win, as in to prevail or overcome. This aligns with our focus on providing innovative, industry-leading solutions and service for our customers.”
Jan Vesely, a Segra board member as well as Partner at EQT Partners and Investment Advisor to EQT Infrastructure, said, “The new brand represents many attributes that EQT seeks in its infrastructure investments and we look forward to supporting Segra as it expands its world-class fiber-optic network and its portfolio of products and services.”
Customers will begin to see the Segra logo on company vehicles, buildings, and other materials over the next few months. Customer service, rates and network coverage will not change as a result of this re- branding process. “While our name and look will change, our guiding principles of doing business – most importantly putting the customer first – will remain the same,” said Biltz.
2018
November
The Special Event Company - The Special Event Company Makes 50 Top Global Event Companies List
For the second year in a row, The Special Event Company joins Special Events magazine’s 17th annual list of the 50 Top Event Companies. The magazine is the oldest and most highly respected journal in the international live event community. Its list ranks event companies by average annual revenue from producing special events, the number of special events organized, and their expertise in the events industry.
“We are honored to once again be included in Special Events’ prestigious list, which distinguishes the leading global agencies in the event management and production industry,” said Chief Executive Officer, Sally Webb, CSEP. “We couldn’t have accomplished this without the support and trust of our clients and a tremendous team that consistently produces exceptional meetings and events.”
The Special Event Company has continued to grow throughout 2018 on local, national and international levels. The Raleigh, N.C.-based company, which averages 100 events per year, works with a diverse list of clients and events. The year has seen the company deliver events for customers spanning the country from North Carolina to California, including First Citizens Bank, Boy Scouts of America, Credit Suisse, Pepsi Bottling Ventures, BASF, International Society for Neuroscience Research, and NC Museum of History. The company also celebrated 30 years since its foundation this year.
“I’m so proud that The Special Event Company has earned its place among the best event companies in the world and look forward to remaining there by continuing to deliver outstanding customer service with innovative and engaging experiences,” continued Webb.
Prime Mortgage Lending - Cindy Prince Earns Certified Mortgage Planning Specialist (CMPS) Designation
Cindy Prince, a mortgage banker with Prime Mortgage Lending, Inc., has passed the qualifying exams to earn the Certified Mortgage Planning Specialist (CMPS®) designation granted by the CMPS Institute. The CMPS Institute is a national organization that certifies mortgage bankers and brokers to help borrowers choose the right mortgage strategies.
“CMPS certification helps me to compare loan options for borrowers in the context of their overall financial situation," says Cindy. "This is especially important to homeowners and homebuyers in the Triangle Market because "inventory levels are low and home buyers are prone to making quick decisions without thinking through all the implications".
The CMPS curriculum incorporates five essential skill sets including:
"Your mortgage is most likely your single largest debt, and your home is most likely your single largest asset," says Gibran Nicholas, Chairman of the CMPS Institute. "That's why mortgage planning should be conducted with a mortgage professional who is properly trained and certified."
Cindy Prince can be reached at CPrince@GoPrime.com, or call 919.632.4810.
October
Living Joy Photography - Put a Note in a Pocket
We at Living Joy Photography are so excited to be hosting our first charity event! We are working with Note in the Pocket, a local charity that provides school clothes to impoverished children in Wake County. We love how each child is given a note when they receive their donation that tells them that they are loved! We are hoping to be able to help put a “Note in the Pocket” of as many children as possible through is event!
To raise money for this charity, Living Joy Photography is giving a portion of all proceeds from our “White Christmas” Limited Edition Sessions to Note in the Pocket. Therefore, we are seeking families with wonderful children (and since all children are wonderful that means you!) to come join us for some fun, hot chocolate and marshmallows, and capturing Christmas memories. Not only will you receive artwork displaying your child’s joy, but you will be helping give back to our community at the same time. We are also collecting clothing donations at several businesses in Cary and Raleigh to help clothe these children, as Note in the Pocket says, “with Dignity and Love.” The owner of Living Joy Photography, Sarah Foulke, says she is “hoping to make the community aware of this awesome charity.” For information on booking a session and/or donating clothing items, visit us at http://livingjoyphotography.com/ and view our blog posts about “White Christmas” Sessions and Note in the Pocket.
Living Joy Photography is about just that - Joy! We want every family to be able to not only create joyful memories, but to be able to capture those memories and turn them into beautiful artwork to enjoy for a lifetime. As Living Joy Photography is passionate about blessing children and families, what better charity to partner with than one that clothes precious children with Dignity and Love!
Friends of the Page-Walker - The Friends of Page-Walker Preservation Series: More Mysteries and Secrets - Exploring Cary-Area Cemeteries
Tuesday, October 30, 2018
7:30 pm
Page-Walker Arts & History Center
119 Ambassador Loop, downtown Cary
Clyde Edgerton, noted novelist, a Guggenheim Fellow and the recipient of the NC Award for Literature, will present a program about the Warren-Haley Cemetery located in Umstead State Park. The cemetery, which is still active, is where many of Edgerton’s ancestors are interred. Edgerton will share intriguing stories about his family and their lives in the area that would become the park. Please join the Friends of the Page-Walker as they welcome this special guest who will stir and entertain us with the passion he feels about his ancestors buried here in Cary.
Ticket Info: This event is free and open to the public as part of the Friends of Page-Walker’s Historic Preservation Series.
For More Info: www.friendsofpagewalker.org or 919-460-4963
S&A Cherokee - Publishers of Award-Winning Cary Magazine Announce New Publication
Cherokee Media Group, the publishers of Cary Magazine and LookWest, are expanding their regional media titles with Main & Broad, a bi-monthly magazine focusing on the Holly Springs and Fuquay-Varina communities.
Main & Broad will be led by Publisher Kris Schultz with former Cary Magazine Editor Emily Uhland as Senior Editor, Account Executive MaryAnn Kearns, Chief Photographer Jonathan Fredin, Events & Marketing Director Mor Aframian and Events & Marketing Assistant Alexa Blazevich. Main & Broad will feature the same award-winning designs, engaging content and original photography as Cary Magazine.
Main & Broad, named for the two main streets in the fast-growing Holly Springs and Fuquay-Varina areas, will be a lifestyle publication focusing on the heart and soul of the two towns. Every issue will feature local restaurants, shopping, fashion trends, travel, local events and much more. The inaugural February/March issue is set to be released mid-January 2019.
“Holly Springs and Fuquay-Varina have long been go-to areas to live and raise a family in the Triangle,” said Emily Uhland, senior editor of Main & Broad. “Both are exploding with residential and commercial growth and their own unique personalities. Main & Broad will be a showcase to the amazing people, opportunities and way of life in these two towns.”
Main & Broad will provide local businesses with the opportunity to market and promote their products and services to the residents of these vibrant communities.
“It is exciting to see someone recognize the need for a lifestyle publication for Fuquay-Varina and Holly Springs,” said Vanessa Jenkins, executive vice president of Preston Development Company. “Preston Development has successfully partnered with Cherokee Media Group’s Cary Magazine for the past 15 years and is confident they will provide Fuquay-Varina and Holly Springs residents with a high quality local lifestyle publication that engages residents with great content.”
Aware Senior Care - Aware Senior Care Announces New Nursing Scholarship at Wake Technical Community College
Aware Senior Care is pleased to announce the launch of a new $2,000 nursing student scholarship at Wake Technical Community College. The “Gina Murray/Cary Kildaire Rotary RN Nursing Scholars Award” will honor one deserving nursing student with the financial support to continue pursuing their dream of a career dedicated to helping others. Gina Murray is the co-founder and director of Aware Senior Care, an award-winning in-home care services company in Cary.
“It has been one of the greatest honors of my life to dedicate my career to caring for others as a nurse,” said Gina Murray, director and co-founder of Aware Senior Care. “So many people mentored me as I began my nursing career, and I am thrilled to pay it forward to help another future nurse pursue their dream through this scholarship.”
Murray has spent more than 30 years working with seniors and their families, including 15 years at one of the top skilled nursing facilities in North Carolina. As co-founder and director of Aware Senior Care, she brings a
very personal perspective to her role after caring for both of her parents as they struggled with illness and home care needs. During this time, she confronted the same sense of guilt and confusion faced by so many looking at options for their aging loved ones and committed herself to doing better for others who need support. Soon after that experience, she co-founded Aware Senior Care with her husband, Tim, and their company quickly became one of the top-rated home care agencies in the region.
“Gina Murray has spent a lifetime caring for others. The Gina Murray/Cary Kildaire Rotary RN Nursing Scholars Award is a fitting tribute to her dedication as a nurse and co-founder of Aware Senior Care. We are all deeply appreciative of Tim and Gina’s work and what this new scholarship offers,” said Dr. Bill Aiken, Interim President at Wake Tech.
The selection time for applications from Nursing and other Allied Health program students runs until November 7. The scholarship committee will review all applications and choose a student winner by December 7.
For more information or to apply for the scholarship, please visit https://waketech.academicworks.com/.
Elliott Davis - Stella Chen Joins International Tax Practice of Elliott Davis as Senior Tax Manager
Elliott Davis, a leading business solutions firm with nine offices across the Southeast, announces that Stella Chen, CPA, has joined the firm’s International Tax practice as a senior tax manager. She’s based in the company’s Raleigh, North Carolina, office.
“We’re thrilled to have Stella join Elliott Davis,” says Ben Romeiser, a shareholder and member of the Raleigh leadership team. “She brings a wealth of experience and has a proven track record of excellent client service. We view Stella as a key addition to our practice and will contribute greatly to our trajectory of growth.”
In her role, Chen provides international and domestic tax compliance and advisory services to companies across a variety of industries. She also works closely with the firm’s Chinese-inbound tax clients to navigate the complexities associated with unfamiliar tax and regulatory rules and business customs, as well as language and cultural differences.
Prior to joining Elliott Davis, Chen served more than 13 years at Dixon Hughes Goodman, the last three of which as a senior tax manager and leader of the firm’s Chinese Business Services. In this role, she worked with both foreign and domestic companies in the manufacturing and distribution, textile, construction, and real estate industries, providing tax advisory services to foreign inbound companies and businesses with multi-state operations. Chen also previously served as senior manager and leader of Inbound International Services at Bernard Robinson & Company, where she offered business entity structuring and guidance, tax planning and compliance services, and due diligence for companies investing in the United States.
After earning a bachelor of economics in international accounting from Central University of Finance & Economics, PR China, Chen received a master of science in accountancy from Wake Forest University. She’s a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the North Carolina Association of Certified Public Accountants. Chen also serves as vice chair of the Wake County Economic Development Foreign Investment Committee and as an executive board member for North America Chinese Chamber of Commerce.
Lane & Associates Family Dentistry - Stop & Smell the Lavender at your next Dental Visit
Complimentary spa dentistry services and a “Free Teeth Whitening for Life” Program are now available at Lane & Associates Family Dentistry in Cary at Tryon Rd! Starting in October, their offices will be offering complimentary spa amenities such as Paraffin wax hand treatment, Massage chairs, aromatherapy, calming relaxation room with soft music, hot towels, warm blankets, and exfoliating sugar hand scrub. This is always free of charge and completely accessible to all patients. Simply check off which treatments you are interested in trying while waiting in the lobby & their assistants will prepare your services before or during your appointment.
Their offices in Cary are also offering VIP 5 Star Access to Patients who call to make an appointment during regular business hours. They will automatically be given an appointment within 24 hours guaranteed! Please visit their website at lanedds.com/vip-cary-dentistry for more information or to schedule your appointment today!
August
Shop Local Raleigh - Shop Local Raleigh Presents Love Local Small Business Fair
Energize your business and employees at the Love Local Small Business Fair! Shop Local Raleigh will be hosting a small business fair on Thursday, September 20th at The Royal Banquet & Conference Center from 11am to 4pm. Whether you are a business owner in need of professional services or simply a shopper who loves supporting local, this fair is made for you.
The fair will be comprised of locally owned and independent businesses. Attendees will be able to visit different vendors like local spas and salons, shop handmade goods and local boutiques, get IT help, have their website reviewed and discounted head-shots will be offered. When not visiting the different vendors, plan to attend the business workshops offered throughout the event.
Business workshops will start at 11am with topics including small business startup, time management and organization, web design for less, hiring and retaining the age of millennials, and real estate challenges for small business owners. Find a complete list of topics and speakers at www.shoplocalraleigh.org. Admission is free and open to the public. Parking is readily avaliable and free at The Roal building.
Locally owned, independent businesses are the backbone of Wake County. Local businesses re-circulate more money per dollar back into our local economy - providing more jobs, money for schools and roads and create our sense of culture and community. PLan to attend #ShowSomeLocalLove at this year's Shop Local Raleigh, Love Local! Small Business Fair.
To stay informed about the latest news and events related to the fair, RSVP on the Love Local events Facebook Page. For more information about this event, visit Shop Local Raleigh's website.
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. - Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Sigma Rho Zeta Chapter (Cary, NC) - 2nd Annual Majorette Dance Explosion
On September 22, 2018, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Sigma Rho Zeta Chapter is teaming up with the Finer Womanhood Foundation of North Carolina to host the “Go Hard or Go Home” Majorette Dance Explosion at the Herbert Young Community Center in Cary, NC. In an effort to promote community and healthy competition, this annual event will feature youth dance teams throughout North Carolina and surrounding areas as they compete in several dance categories that will highlight unity, creativity, and poise.
The primary purpose for this event is to provide a showcase for talented youth while raising capital to support various community service projects, including the provision of college scholarships to graduating high school seniors in Wake County. The generosity of sponsors will play an integral part in making the 2018 Majorette Dance Explosion a success. For more information about sponsorship levels, please visit www.fwfnc.org/mde. For questions about the event, email dance@sigmarhozetazphib.org. To purchase tickets for the event, visit https://fwfnc.ticketleap.com/mde.
About Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. and Sigma Rho Zeta Chapter
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. was founded on January 16, 1920 at Howard University in Washington, DC. by five phenomenal women. The purpose is to foster the ideals of service, scholarship, sisterhood and Finer Womanhood. These ideas are reflected in the sorority’s national programs for which its members and auxiliary groups provide countless hours of volunteer services, community outreach programs, fund scholarships, support organized charities, and promote legislation for social and civic change. On June 1, 2002, the Sigma Rho Zeta Chapter was established in Cary, NC by ten esteemed women. The mission of the chapter is to constantly strive to implement the principles of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. and model excellence by exceeding our commitments to the Sorority and the Cary, NC community through energetic, innovative, and collaborative ideas and events. For more information, please visit www.sigmarhozetazphib.org.
About Finer Womanhood Foundation of North Carolina
Finer Womanhood Foundation of North Carolina is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization whose purpose includes actively supporting community outreach and service programs, providing resources, and aiding in funding an annual scholarship for students in pursuit of higher education through the generosity of its donors. It was established in 2008 with the intention of having a membership and mutual-sponsor relationship with the Sigma Rho Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. For more information, please visit www.fwfnc.org.
Murphy Business & Financial Corporation LLC Welcomes South Raleigh Office
Murphy Business & Financial Corporation LLC, North America’s leading, full-service business brokerage firm with more than 170 offices in the United States and Canada, recently announced the opening of a new Raleigh office. The business serves Raleigh and surrounding communities in central North Carolina from Zebulon to Apex, and offers a full range of services and support for local business owners seeking professional brokerage counsel.
Don Emmett launched the new Murphy Business office to provide one of the state’s most comprehensive business brokerage services. The Raleigh-South Murphy Business office will support entrepreneurs with the sale of their businesses, purchases, valuations and mergers and acquisitions.
“There’s a definite need for business brokerage services here in Raleigh,” said Emmett. “We’re looking forward to filling the void we’ve seen. Murphy’s pace in the industry, growth and development and overall position it currently holds in the brokerage space is impressive, and our team looks forward to being a trusted partner to area business owners and interested buyers with the help of Murphy Business’ support and resources.”
Prior to his work with Murphy Business, Emmett previously held the role of owner and managing director of Entrust Associates, a business transaction firm that served the Raleigh/Triangle market since 2006. Emmett has over 25 years of small business ownership experience, and has been involved in business brokerage for over 10 years.
As he looks at today’s marketplace, Emmett sees an increase in demand for business brokerage services – a growing pool of qualified buyers is emerging. Plus, Emmett has seen an increase nationally, as well as locally, over the last 12 months of businesses being sold and at higher prices – the industry expects the upward trend to continue through 2018.
To learn more about the new Raleigh Murphy Business office and its unique collection of business brokerage services, contact Don Emmett directly by emailing d.emmett@murphybusiness.com or visit http://raleighsouthbusinessbroker-donemmett-murphy.com/.
July
S&A Communications - S&A Communications Receives Two APEX Awards for Publication Excellence
Full-service communications firm S&A Communications has won two APEX Awards for Publication Excellence. The agency’s digital content marketing platform, The North Carolina 100, won in the category of newsletters, electronic and email, and its website design for the Hope for Haiti Foundation won in the category of most improved website.
The APEX Awards are sponsored by Communications Concepts Inc. and recognize excellence in writing, publications, campaigns, programs, design and media. This international competition is held annually for corporate and nonprofit publishers, editors, writers and designers who create print, web, electronic and social media.
“It is an honor to see the efforts of our team recognized by these awards,” said Chuck Norman, APR, owner/principal. “Our firm is very proud of our digital team for the work they create and for the collaboration of everyone in publishing The North Carolina 100. Receiving these accolades only further increases our desire to keep delivering great service to our clients.”
To learn more about S&A Communications, visit www.sacommunications.com or call 919-674-6020. Also, visit www.facebook.com/SACommunicate or follow@sacommunicate on Twitter. To learn more about the APEX Awards, visit www.apexawards.com.
Aware Senior Care - Aware Senior Care Co-Founder Joins Dementia Alliance of North Carolina Board of Directors
Aware Senior Care is pleased to announce that its president and co-founder, Tim Murray, has been elected to join the Dementia Alliance of North Carolina’s Board of Directors, beginning July 1. Tim is the co-founder and president of Aware Senior Care, an award-winning in-home care services company in Cary.
“Tim brings the strength of both professional – and personal – experience with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease to our board,” said Lanier Cansler, Chairman of the Board for the Dementia Alliance of North Carolina. “His knowledge of dementia, relationships with key people and organizations in elder care in our community, and compassion for families affected by this disease will be a great asset to our board, and we are thrilled to have him join us!”
1 in 10 people over the age of 65 are diagnosed with dementia. More than 170,000 North Carolinians are impacted by all forms of dementia, and these numbers are expected to increase to 210,000 by 2025.
“I’ve admired the work of the Dementia Alliance of North Carolina for a long time, and I am honored to play a part in bringing greater awareness, support, and resources for families in our community struggling with this disease,” said Murray.
The Murrays started their family-run business out of necessity. Both Tim and Gina needed to find quality, compassionate home care services for their aging parents, including Tim’s mother who battles dementia. After struggling to find the right services and caregivers for their loved ones, they knew there must be a better way. They co-founded Aware Senior Care in 2015 with a commitment to provide the very best in-home care for families in our community. Both of them bring personal experience and compassionate care to every client relationship they have.
Aware Senior Care has been recognized over and over again for top-quality, professional in-home care. In fact, in 2017, Aware Senior Care won both the Cary Chamber of Commerce “Small Business of the Year” award as well as the Cary “Small Business Excellence Award.” Nationally, the company has won four top awards in the past six months for its care and service.
June
Lucy Daniels Center - The Lucy Daniels Center receives $ 408,000 grant from The Duke Endowment
The Lucy Daniels Center of Cary has received a $408,000 grant from The Duke Endowment to pilot Circle of Security® Parenting™, an evidence-informed parenting program for at-risk families.
Founded 26 years ago, the Lucy Daniels Center is the largest provider in the Triangle of mental health services for children from birth to age 11, the time of life when the most effective interventions are possible. Our multi-disciplinary team, which includes recognized experts in mental health and education, works together with families to provide a uniquely comprehensive approach, delivering individualized treatment to each child. Services include the Lucy Daniels School, a therapeutic educational program, SecurePath which provides therapy in the home, and Family Guidance Service, an on-site therapy program for children and their families.
The Endowment grant will be used to fund implementation in a variety of community settings
of the Circle of Security® Parenting™ program. Circle of Security® is rooted decades of attachment research, and current affective neuroscience. As parenting training, it has forged the missing link between attachment theory and practical application with caregivers providing parenting education or counseling to parents of young children.
“Our years of community work, with its lessons learned and credibility established, made possible not only the organizational knowledge base for us to be positioned to do this major undertaking, but was also instrumental in making the case to Duke Endowment that Lucy Daniels Center is the right organization to lead this pilot program. This is an exciting moment in our history, both a culmination of all the community work that has proceeded, as well as a harbinger of new and exciting possibilities for the future,”
The Duke Endowment spoke of the grant in this way: “The evidence documenting the importance of a secure attachment between parent and child is well known – and so are the negative consequences of missing out on those strong bonds, including behavior and mental health problems in children,” said Phil Redmond, director of the Endowment’s Child Care program. “That’s why we’re pleased to help the Lucy Daniels Center bring this promising intervention to underserved areas of North Carolina.”
Based in Charlotte and established in 1924 by industrialist and philanthropist James B. Duke, The Duke Endowment is a private foundation that strengthens communities in North Carolina and South Carolina by nurturing children, promoting health, educating minds and enriching spirits. Since its founding, it has distributed more than $3.6 billion in grants. The Endowment shares a name with Duke University and Duke Energy, but all are separate organizations.
For more information on the Lucy Daniels Center and its programs, please call 919-677-1400 or visit our website at www.lucydanielscenter.org.
Aware Senior Care - Waltonwood Lake Boone Announces Partnership with Cary-Based Aware Senior Care
Waltonwood Lake Boone (a premier senior living community in Raleigh) is pleased to announce its partnership with Aware Senior Care, an award-winning home care agency. The partnership will allow the senior living community to provide additional services to independent living residents. Waltonwood Lake Boone went through an extensive interview process before selecting the Cary-based company as its partner. They were looking for a company which aligned with their brand and mission of redefining senior living, and that is exactly what they found in Aware Senior Care. The senior living community (located at 3550 Horton Street) will have 121 independent living apartments, 39 assisted living apartments and 23 memory care apartments. The community is currently under construction and expected to open later this summer.
“We are thrilled to partner with Aware Senior Care to provide additional quality care for residents of Waltonwood Lake Boone,” said Allison O’Shea, executive director. “As we were searching for a partner to provide home care services, Aware Senior Care stood out. They truly look at home care in a different way, and that appealed to our team. As we gear up to open, we have the residents’ best interest in mind. The independent living portion of the community is the largest, and we know our partnership with Aware Senior Care will help meet their needs. We hope to grow our partnership to allow additional services for all residents in the future.”
Independent living residents at Waltonwood Lake Boone will enjoy spacious rooms, restaurant-style dining, fitness programs and other amenities and services. The community wants residents to maintain their independence and provides a lifestyle without the worry of home maintenance. The partnership with Aware Senior Care allows residents to age in place by offering companion and personal care services such as medication reminders, light housekeeping and assistance with mobility. Aware Senior care is looking forward to matching the quality care Lake Boone provides.
"The Waltonwood communities are known for providing top-quality senior care across the country," said Tim Murray, president and co-founder of Aware Senior Care. "Aware Senior Care also holds itself and its caregivers to the highest standards of excellence, professionalism, and compassion, so this partnership is a natural fit for both of us. We are honored to be selected as Waltonwood Lake Boone's independent care provider."
If you are a member of the media interested in covering this story, please contact Chelsi Smith at (214) 378-7970 ext. 238 or csmith@thepointgroup.com, or Amy Jones at (214) 378-7970 ext. 302 or ajones@thepointgroup.com.
About Aware Senior Care
Aware Senior Care provides award-winning, in-home companion care, personal care and nursing services to seniors and those who are disabled or chronically ill. We are a veteran-owned business serving Cary, Raleigh and Apex, and we believe in taking a holistic approach with every client by considering the whole person, not just the services we can provide. To learn more, visit www.awareseniorcare.com or call 919-436-1871.
North State Bank - North State Bank's 2018 Summer Salute Presents Check for $125,000 to Transitions LifeCare
At a celebration for the Summer Salute planning committee, North State Bank executives presented a check for $125,000 to members of Transitions LifeCare’s management team, the net proceeds of Summer Salute 2018, shared Sandra A. Temple, event co-chair and retired North State Bank executive.
“Thanks go to our committee, volunteers, sponsors and attendees for making May 5th a wonderful evening and for being generous with their time and resources,” Temple said. “This event holds a special place in the hearts of many people who have been touched by the care and services provided by Transitions LifeCare. After witnessing what they do, many people feel led to support them in helping others. Summer Salute gives people a way to do just that and have fun at the same time.”
Held at North Ridge Country Club in Raleigh with “The Embers” with Craig Woolard, North Carolina’s premier beach music band, providing entertainment, the event wowed attendees with food, dancing and more.
According to Transitions LifeCare CEO John Thoma, “North State Bank is a true community bank, as they help the people and communities they serve. Summer Salute gets the Transitions LifeCare name in front of people who may not be aware of who we are and what we do. The value of this event and the funds it raises is immeasurable, as it allows us to serve those who otherwise may not be able to afford the level of care we offer. The impact will resonate for years to come.”
Along with many committee members, on hand for the presentation of the check were Co-Chairs Sandra Temple and Jim Branch, Transitions LifeCare CEO John Thoma, North State Bank President and CEO Larry Barbour, Transitions LifeCare Vice President of Philanthropy Kristye Brackett and Transitions LifeCare Founder Dr. Billy Dunlap.
Jim Branch shared with the group: “Our biggest challenge each year is to try to top the year before, but we keep doing it. Summer Salute has been both fun and successful for 15 years. That’s quite a track record.” Summer Salute 2019 will be held on Saturday evening, May 4.
In addition to North State Bank, top event sponsors included: Diane and Larry Barbour; Liz and Jim Branch; Caddell Communications; Comfort Monster Heating & Air; PPM, Inc.; Shanahan McDougal, PLLC; Virginia Watson; and, Wake Med.
S&A Communications - S&A Communications Wins Eight Hermes Awards, Most in One Year
S&A Communications recently won eight Hermes Creative Awards out of nine total submissions entered by the full-service communications firm. This marks the greatest number of Hermes Creative Awards — awarded by the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals — that the firm has ever received in one year.
The Hermes Creative Awards are an international competition showcasing concept, writing and design work from various communications, marketing and public relations firms. Entries are judged in three main categories: Print Media, Public Relations/Communication and Electronic Media/Social Media/Interactive Media.
S&A Communications received awards primarily in the Electronic Media/Social Media/Interactive Media category, as well as one in the Pro Bono category for its public relations work. Following are the firm’s winning entries:
Platinum – Pro Bono
Rock Your World Benefit Concert Public Relations
Gold – Electronic Media/Social Media/Interactive Media, Social Media: Instagram Site
The North Carolina 100 Instagram
Gold – Electronic Media/Social Media/Interactive Media, E-Communication: E-Newsletter
The North Carolina 100 Newsletter
Gold – Electronic Media/Social Media/Interactive Media, Social Media: Facebook Engagement
Sunrock Job Fair Facebook Engagement
Gold – Electronic Media/Social Media/Interactive Media, Website Overall: Association
British American Business Council North Carolina Website
Honorable Mention – Electronic Media/Social Media/Interactive Media, Website Overall: Nonprofit
Hope for Haiti Foundation Website
Honorable Mention – Electronic Media/Social Media/Interactive Media, Website Overall: Interactive
Cary Economic Development Website
Honorable Mention – Electronic Media/Social Media/Interactive Media, E-Communication: E-Newsletter
Precision Tune Auto Care Newsletter
Entries are independently judged by the AMPC and awarded Platinum, Gold or Honorable Mention for scores of, respectively, 90-100, 80-89 or 70-79.
“We are thrilled to have been recognized in so many areas, particularly for not one but three websites produced by our digital and creative team,” said Chuck Norman, APR, owner and principal of S&A Communications. “These awards reflect our staff’s continued collaborative efforts, and I couldn’t be happier to be part of such a talented group.”
S&A Communications also recently won four InSpire Awards from the North Carolina Chapter of Public Relations Society of America in a variety of categories, including Best in Category for The North Carolina 100 newsletter. The firm’s other winning entries include the Cary Economic Development website, a guest articlefor DealersLink in Auto Remarketing, and a consumer research study for Precision Tune Auto Care.
To learn more about the Hermes Creative Awards, visit www.hermesawards.com. For more information on S&A Communications, visit www.sacommunications.comor call 919-674-6020. Also, visit www.facebook.com/SACommunicate or follow @sacommunicate on Twitter.
About S&A Communications
S&A Communications is an integrated marketing brand that grew from deep-seated PR roots and evolved into a team of strategic marketing professionals whose driving goal is to help our clients outthink, outwork and outperform their competition. Our nationwide base of clients looks to us for public relations, marketing, design, digital, advertising, photography, event-planning and custom-publishing services. For more information, visit www.sacommunications.com or call 919-674-6020.
May
CALYX Engineers and Consultants - Zack Brown of CALYX Engineers and Consultants Earns his NC PE License
CALYX Engineers and Consultants, a leading Southeastern civil and environmental engineering firm, is pleased to announce that Zack Brown of their structure design group has earned his Professional Engineer License.
“Zack has been with CALYX for six years and is an integral member of our structures group,” said Kevin Austin, P.E., CALYX’s structures group manager. “He’s designed numerous structures on transportation and land development projects across the Southeast. We’re very proud of his accomplishments and happy to have another P.E. on our team.”
Zack graduated with a B.S. in Civil Engineering from North Carolina State University. He lives in Raleigh with his wife and one-year-old daughter, and in his spare time, races Legend Cars at the Wake County and Carteret County Speedways.
About CALYX Engineers + Consultants
For the past 25 years, CALYX Engineers and Consultants has developed a reputation for providing quality services in the areas of roadway and structure design, site and civil engineering, land surveying, building structure design, subsurface utility engineering, construction engineering inspection, transportation planning, traffic services, water resources, cultural resources, and environmental services. Founded on the premise that every project, regardless of size or complexity, deserves unmatched expertise and quality assurance from concept to completion, CALYX has grown from an entrepreneurial startup to one of the most well respected civil engineering firms in the Southeast. In 2018 alone, CALYX has been named an Engineering News Record Top 500 Design Firm (national and Southeast) and was ranked #26 in the Zweig Group’s “Hot” 100 Firms (U.S. and Canada). Headquartered in Raleigh, NC, CALYX has 200 employees with offices in metro Atlanta and Columbus, GA; and Charlotte, N.C.; and Rock Hill, S.C. To learn more, please visit www.CALYXengineers.com<http://www.CALYXengineers.com> or follow us on Twitter or Facebook.
Murphy Business & Financial Corporation LLC - Murphy Business & Financial Corporation LLC Welcomes South Raleigh Office
Murphy Business & Financial Corporation LLC, North America’s leading, full-service business brokerage firm with more than 170 offices in the United States and Canada, recently announced the opening of a new Raleigh office. The business serves Raleigh and surrounding communities in central North Carolina from Zebulon to Apex, and offers a full range of services and support for local business owners seeking professional brokerage counsel.
Don Emmett launched the new Murphy Business office to provide one of the state’s most comprehensive business brokerage services. The Raleigh-South Murphy Business office will support entrepreneurs with the sale of their businesses, purchases, valuations and mergers and acquisitions.
“There’s a definite need for business brokerage services here in Raleigh,” said Emmett. “We’re looking forward to filling the void we’ve seen. Murphy’s pace in the industry, growth and development and overall position it currently holds in the brokerage space is impressive, and our team looks forward to being a trusted partner to area business owners and interested buyers with the help of Murphy Business’ support and resources.”
Prior to his work with Murphy Business, Emmett previously held the role of owner and managing director of Entrust Associates, a business transaction firm that served the Raleigh/Triangle market since 2006. Emmett has over 25 years of small business ownership experience, and has been involved in business brokerage for over 10 years.
As he looks at today’s marketplace, Emmett sees an increase in demand for business brokerage services – a growing pool of qualified buyers is emerging. Plus, Emmett has seen an increase nationally, as well as locally, over the last 12 months of businesses being sold and at higher prices – the industry expects the upward trend to continue through 2018.
To learn more about the new Raleigh Murphy Business office and its unique collection of business brokerage services, contact Don Emmett directly by emailing d.emmett@murphybusiness.com or visit http://raleighsouthbusinessbroker-donemmett-murphy.com/.
About Murphy Business & Financial Corporation LLC
Clearwater, Florida-based Murphy Business & Financial Corporation LLC is a full-service business brokerage firm facilitating business sales, purchases, consulting, valuations, mergers and acquisitions. Closing deals at a higher ratio than the business brokerage industry average, several accolades have been bestowed upon the company including appearing as a “Top 50 Franchise” according to Franchise Business Review.
Transitions LifeCare - Transitions HospiceCare Named a 2018 Hospice Honors Elite Recipient
Transitions HospiceCare, a division of Transitions LifeCare has been named a 2018 Hospice Honors Elite recipient by HEALTHCAREfirst, the leading provider of Web-based home health and hospice software, billing and coding services, CAHPS surveys, and advanced analytics. Hospice Honors is a prestigious program that recognizes hospices providing the highest level of quality as measured from the caregiver’s point of view.
“We are excited to recognize the 2018 Hospice Honors recipients for their hard work and dedication to providing exceptional care,” said J. Kevin Porter of HEALTHCAREfirst. “I congratulate Transitions HospiceCare on its success in achieving this highest of honors.”
Award criteria were based on Hospice CAHPS survey results for an evaluation period of October 2016 through September 2017. Award recipients were identified by evaluating performance on a set of 24 quality indicator measures. Performance scores were aggregated from all completed surveys and were compared on a question-by-question basis to a National Performance Score calculated from all partnering hospices contained in the HEALTHCAREfirst’s Hospice CAHPS database. Hospice Honors recipients include those hospices scoring above the HEALTHCAREfirst National Performance Score on 20 of the evaluated questions. HEALTHCAREfirst holds a special recognition, Hospice Honors Elite, to honor hospices scoring above the HEALTHCAREfirst National Performance Score on all 24 of the evaluated questions. Please visit HEALTHCAREfirst’s website at www.healthcarefirst.com to learn more about HEALTHCAREfirst Hospice CAHPS survey program as well as the Hospice Honors awards.
Transitions LifeCare’s CEO John Thoma credits the excellent staff, teamwork, and leadership of Transitions HospiceCare. In addition, staff education and after-hours support ensure the care teams have the resources they need to respond to complex patient and family needs. He said, "We are very humbled by this award from HEALTHCAREfirst that acknowledges the excellent service from patients and families. Our highest priority is to provide the best possible experience for our patients."
S&A Communications - Marcey Rader, Inc. Names S&A Communications as Agency of Record
Raleigh-based Marcey Rader Coaching, LLC has engaged S&A Communications as its official agency of record. As a full-service communications firm, S&A will assist Marcey Rader with securing speaking engagements and media appearances.
After spending more than 13 years in various roles in pharmaceutical research, Rader decided to change course. She became a certified productivity coach and a certified health coach. In 2013 she founded Marcey Rader Coaching, LLC, combining years of speaking and coaching into a service focused on personal care through wellness and productivity.
Rader is also the founder of the Work Well. Play More! Institute, consulting with and providing workshops to global companies, and has a self-paced online course for the improvement of health, career, business and relationships. Additionally, she is the best-selling author of two books, “Beyond Travel: A Road Warrior’s Survival Guide” and “Hack the Mobile Lifestyle: 6 Steps to Work Well and Play More!”
Her corporate clients have included Cisco, SAS, Biogen, RTI International, Syngenta and Emaar Properties. Rader’s wellness and productivity advice has been featured in Money, Inc., Living Healthy, Business Travel News, Shape, Eating Well and Training Edge. She recently won the Terry R. Alexander Award from the North Carolina Association of Certified Public Accountants for earning the highest average speaking score as a first-time presenter.
Rader’s expertise is backed by her credentials:
For more information on Marcey Rader, visit www.marceyrader.com and www.workwellplaymore.com. For more information on S&A Communications, visitwww.sacommunications.com or call 919-674-6020.
About S&A Communications
S&A Communications is an integrated marketing brand that grew from deep-seated PR roots and evolved into a team of strategic marketing professionals whose driving goal is to help our clients outthink, outwork and outperform their competition. Our nationwide base of clients looks to us for public relations, marketing, design, digital, advertising, photography, event-planning and custom-publishing services. S&A Communications also publishes The North Carolina 100, and is a member of the Public Relations Global Network. For more information, visit www.sacommunications.com or call 919-674-6020.
Elliott Davis, PLLC - Brian Kirk Named Lead of Elliott Davis’ Cybersecurity Practice
Elliott Davis, one of the largest accounting, tax and consulting services providers in the Southeast, announces that Brian Kirk has been named practice lead of the firm’s growing Cybersecurity division. He is based in the company’s Greenville headquarters, and will serve clients across the Elliott Davis network of nine offices in four states.
“The need for solutions that mitigate the risk of cyber threats has never been greater,” says Jimmy Buddenberg, director of Elliott Davis’ Risk Advisory and Cybersecurity Practice. “Brian brings more than two decades of experience building, implementing and overseeing cyber security programs for companies in a variety of industries. He’ll use this knowledge to help clients identify vulnerabilities and create strategies to protect their enterprise.”
As the lead for Elliott Davis’ Cybersecurity team, Kirk will partner with organizations to develop and implement comprehensive cybersecurity solutions to safeguard their businesses, as well as their customers’ critical assets and data. He will work with clients to assess and improve their security posture through areas such as security and vulnerability assessments, IT budget and staffing reviews and advisory services associated with technology and sourcing solutions.
“Competition aside, cyber-attacks are now one of the most formidable challenges facing today’s businesses,” says Kirk, who has more than 25 years of IT experience, the last 10 of which were in cybersecurity. “The impact of even a single data breach can be devastating, both to a company’s finances and its reputation. We’ll work with clients to develop tools, policies and procedures that minimize exposure and, enabling them to focus on running their business rather than worrying about a potential cyber-attack.”
Prior to joining Elliott Davis, Kirk most recently served as Chief Information Security Officer for CH2M, a Fortune 500 engineering firm that provides consulting, design, construction and operations services for corporations and federal, state and local governments. In this role, he led the establishment and growth of the company’s Information Security practice and directed all day-to-day information security operational activities for the global organization.
Kirk graduated with a B.S. in computer information systems from Clemson University. He is a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) and a member of the Information Systems Security Association (ISSA).
About Elliott Davis
Elliott Davis provides comprehensive assurance, tax, and consulting solutions to diverse businesses, organizations and individuals. With a network of forward-thinking professionals in major U.S. domestic markets and alliance resources across the globe, Elliott Davis ranks among the top 40 and fastest-growing accounting firms in the United States. Visit www.elliottdavis.com for more information.
April
North Carolina Swimming Hall of Fame - Chamber member Hill Carrow, CEO of Sports & Properties, Inc., is a 2018 inductee into the North Carolina Swimming Hall of Fame
Chamber member Hill Carrow, CEO of Sports & Properties, Inc., is a 2018 inductee into the North Carolina Swimming Hall of Fame. Carrow joined fellow inductees Jilen Siroky Bouwer, Frank Comfort, Eugene Godsoe, and Chip Peterson as the Class of 2018, the ninth class of inductees into the hall. The North Carolina Swimming Hall of Fame recognizes major achievements in, and contributions to, aquatic sports in North Carolina including Diving, Masters Swimming, Open Water Swimming, Swimming, Synchronized Swimming, and Water Polo. In addition to his swimming record, Carrow was cited for founding the Raleigh Area Masters Swim Team and helping launch North Carolina Masters Swimming, one of the largest adult swim teams in the country. Carrow directs the annual US Masters Swimming High Performance Camp and has organized and led numerous premier aquatics competitions including USA Swimming, US Masters Swimming, USA Diving, and US Synchronized Swimming national championships.
Capital Area Workforce Development - CAWD Launches CATALYST 20/20: Grants of up to $20,000 to Train Existing
Workers
Capital Area Workforce Development Board is pleased to announce the immediate launch of CATALYST 20/20, a program offering up to $20,000 to eligible businesses in Wake and Johnston counties for the training and development of their existing workforce.
CATALYST 20/20 seeks to fuel growth, productivity and profitability of our regional businesses by strengthening the knowledge and skills of their employees. “Many of our training dollars have been used to upskill those who are looking for work, but enhancing the skills of current employees is a must. Otherwise, the business won’t be able to keep up with global competition and everybody loses. Being able to offer CATALYST 20/20 to business customers is how we fulfill our vision of economic development through workforce
excellence,” said Pat Sturdivant, Executive Director of CAWD.
“Research shows that continuing education reduces employee turnover and directly impacts an organization’s bottom line. CATALYST 20/20 provides a mechanism for spurring a level of employee engagement that some businesses haven’t been able to offer. Launching this program is another way of connecting employers with solutions that meet their talent needs,” said Kimberly Wheeler, CAWD’s Director of Business Engagement.
Companies may use these funds to train individual contributors, leaders, departments and/or teams. Training may include technical training, certifications, leadership development, soft skills, professional development and more, ultimately aligning efforts with what’s needed for their future growth and success. Businesses interested in learning more are encouraged to contact CAWD at catalyst2020@wakegov.com or call (919)856-6046.
Tillis & Burr Announce Additional $189 Million for Hurricane Matthew Recovery
North Carolina Senators Thom Tillis and Richard Burr announced that North Carolina has been awarded an additional $189 million to go towards Hurricane Matthew recovery. These funds were secured by the North Carolina delegation in the Senate budget agreement passed in February. The Department of Housing and Urban Development announced today that North Carolina would receive $168 million in disaster mitigation grants and the Department of Transportation announced North Carolina would receive $21 million in disaster assistance.
In total, North Carolina has been awarded over $1.4 billion in federal funds through Congressional appropriations and grants.
“Hurricane Matthew caused billions of dollars in damages and forced many families across Eastern North Carolina from their homes. I have worked with Senator Burr and the state’s Congressional delegation on a bipartisan basis to ensure North Carolina receives the federal assistance it needs for ongoing recovery efforts,” said Senator Thom Tillis. “I want to thank the Department of Housing and Urban Development and Department of Transportation for allocating nearly $190 million in additional funds, which will go a long way in helping our local communities recover and ensure North Carolina’s families are not forgotten.”
“Today’s announcements from both these agencies are another step forward to getting North Carolinians back on their feet after the devastating effects of Hurricane Matthew,” said Senator Richard Burr. “Our congressional delegation came together to urge Washington to meet its responsibility to our citizens and I’m pleased with what we accomplished.”
These funds are provided through HUD’s Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) Program and U.S. Department of Transportation Emergency Relief Program and will address seriously damaged housing, businesses and infrastructure most affected from Hurricane Matthew.
CDBG-DR grants support a variety of disaster recovery activities including housing redevelopment and rebuilding, business assistance, economic revitalization, and infrastructure repair. Grantees are required to spend the majority of these recovery funds in the “most impacted” areas as identified by HUD. HUD will issue administrative guidelines shortly for use of the funds to address grantees’ long-term recovery needs, particularly in the area of housing recovery.
The Special Event Company - The Special Event Company Makes 50 Top Global Event Companies List
For the second year in a row, The Special Event Company joins Special Events magazine’s 17th annual list of the 50 Top Event Companies. The magazine is the oldest and most highly respected journal in the international live event community. Its list ranks event companies by average annual revenue from producing special events, the number of special events organized, and their expertise in the events industry.
“We are honored to once again be included in Special Events’ prestigious list, which distinguishes the leading global agencies in the event management and production industry,” said Chief Executive Officer, Sally Webb, CSEP. “We couldn’t have accomplished this without the support and trust of our clients and a tremendous team that consistently produces exceptional meetings and events.”
The Special Event Company has continued to grow throughout 2018 on local, national and international levels. The Raleigh, N.C.-based company, which averages 100 events per year, works with a diverse list of clients and events. The year has seen the company deliver events for customers spanning the country from North Carolina to California, including First Citizens Bank, Boy Scouts of America, Credit Suisse, Pepsi Bottling Ventures, BASF, International Society for Neuroscience Research, and NC Museum of History. The company also celebrated 30 years since its foundation this year.
“I’m so proud that The Special Event Company has earned its place among the best event companies in the world and look forward to remaining there by continuing to deliver outstanding customer service with innovative and engaging experiences,” continued Webb.
Prime Mortgage Lending - Cindy Prince Earns Certified Mortgage Planning Specialist (CMPS) Designation
Cindy Prince, a mortgage banker with Prime Mortgage Lending, Inc., has passed the qualifying exams to earn the Certified Mortgage Planning Specialist (CMPS®) designation granted by the CMPS Institute. The CMPS Institute is a national organization that certifies mortgage bankers and brokers to help borrowers choose the right mortgage strategies.
“CMPS certification helps me to compare loan options for borrowers in the context of their overall financial situation," says Cindy. "This is especially important to homeowners and homebuyers in the Triangle Market because "inventory levels are low and home buyers are prone to making quick decisions without thinking through all the implications".
The CMPS curriculum incorporates five essential skill sets including:
- Mortgage & Real Estate Taxation - how and why to understand the tax implications of various mortgage strategies.
- Housing, Financial & Mortgage Markets - why interest rates fluctuate, and how to understand the housing, financial and mortgage markets.
- Cash Flow Planning - how to reduce debt, improve cash flow & compare your options in the context of retirement planning, college funding, elder care, and other important life events.
- Real Estate Investment Planning - how to reduce your risk, and compare the impact of various mortgage options on your rate of return
- Ethics and Compliance - how to experience the highest level of professional care, competence and communication during the mortgage and home buying process
"Your mortgage is most likely your single largest debt, and your home is most likely your single largest asset," says Gibran Nicholas, Chairman of the CMPS Institute. "That's why mortgage planning should be conducted with a mortgage professional who is properly trained and certified."
Cindy Prince can be reached at CPrince@GoPrime.com, or call 919.632.4810.
October
Living Joy Photography - Put a Note in a Pocket
We at Living Joy Photography are so excited to be hosting our first charity event! We are working with Note in the Pocket, a local charity that provides school clothes to impoverished children in Wake County. We love how each child is given a note when they receive their donation that tells them that they are loved! We are hoping to be able to help put a “Note in the Pocket” of as many children as possible through is event!
To raise money for this charity, Living Joy Photography is giving a portion of all proceeds from our “White Christmas” Limited Edition Sessions to Note in the Pocket. Therefore, we are seeking families with wonderful children (and since all children are wonderful that means you!) to come join us for some fun, hot chocolate and marshmallows, and capturing Christmas memories. Not only will you receive artwork displaying your child’s joy, but you will be helping give back to our community at the same time. We are also collecting clothing donations at several businesses in Cary and Raleigh to help clothe these children, as Note in the Pocket says, “with Dignity and Love.” The owner of Living Joy Photography, Sarah Foulke, says she is “hoping to make the community aware of this awesome charity.” For information on booking a session and/or donating clothing items, visit us at http://livingjoyphotography.com/ and view our blog posts about “White Christmas” Sessions and Note in the Pocket.
Living Joy Photography is about just that - Joy! We want every family to be able to not only create joyful memories, but to be able to capture those memories and turn them into beautiful artwork to enjoy for a lifetime. As Living Joy Photography is passionate about blessing children and families, what better charity to partner with than one that clothes precious children with Dignity and Love!
Friends of the Page-Walker - The Friends of Page-Walker Preservation Series: More Mysteries and Secrets - Exploring Cary-Area Cemeteries
Tuesday, October 30, 2018
7:30 pm
Page-Walker Arts & History Center
119 Ambassador Loop, downtown Cary
Clyde Edgerton, noted novelist, a Guggenheim Fellow and the recipient of the NC Award for Literature, will present a program about the Warren-Haley Cemetery located in Umstead State Park. The cemetery, which is still active, is where many of Edgerton’s ancestors are interred. Edgerton will share intriguing stories about his family and their lives in the area that would become the park. Please join the Friends of the Page-Walker as they welcome this special guest who will stir and entertain us with the passion he feels about his ancestors buried here in Cary.
Ticket Info: This event is free and open to the public as part of the Friends of Page-Walker’s Historic Preservation Series.
For More Info: www.friendsofpagewalker.org or 919-460-4963
S&A Cherokee - Publishers of Award-Winning Cary Magazine Announce New Publication
Cherokee Media Group, the publishers of Cary Magazine and LookWest, are expanding their regional media titles with Main & Broad, a bi-monthly magazine focusing on the Holly Springs and Fuquay-Varina communities.
Main & Broad will be led by Publisher Kris Schultz with former Cary Magazine Editor Emily Uhland as Senior Editor, Account Executive MaryAnn Kearns, Chief Photographer Jonathan Fredin, Events & Marketing Director Mor Aframian and Events & Marketing Assistant Alexa Blazevich. Main & Broad will feature the same award-winning designs, engaging content and original photography as Cary Magazine.
Main & Broad, named for the two main streets in the fast-growing Holly Springs and Fuquay-Varina areas, will be a lifestyle publication focusing on the heart and soul of the two towns. Every issue will feature local restaurants, shopping, fashion trends, travel, local events and much more. The inaugural February/March issue is set to be released mid-January 2019.
“Holly Springs and Fuquay-Varina have long been go-to areas to live and raise a family in the Triangle,” said Emily Uhland, senior editor of Main & Broad. “Both are exploding with residential and commercial growth and their own unique personalities. Main & Broad will be a showcase to the amazing people, opportunities and way of life in these two towns.”
Main & Broad will provide local businesses with the opportunity to market and promote their products and services to the residents of these vibrant communities.
“It is exciting to see someone recognize the need for a lifestyle publication for Fuquay-Varina and Holly Springs,” said Vanessa Jenkins, executive vice president of Preston Development Company. “Preston Development has successfully partnered with Cherokee Media Group’s Cary Magazine for the past 15 years and is confident they will provide Fuquay-Varina and Holly Springs residents with a high quality local lifestyle publication that engages residents with great content.”
Aware Senior Care - Aware Senior Care Announces New Nursing Scholarship at Wake Technical Community College
Aware Senior Care is pleased to announce the launch of a new $2,000 nursing student scholarship at Wake Technical Community College. The “Gina Murray/Cary Kildaire Rotary RN Nursing Scholars Award” will honor one deserving nursing student with the financial support to continue pursuing their dream of a career dedicated to helping others. Gina Murray is the co-founder and director of Aware Senior Care, an award-winning in-home care services company in Cary.
“It has been one of the greatest honors of my life to dedicate my career to caring for others as a nurse,” said Gina Murray, director and co-founder of Aware Senior Care. “So many people mentored me as I began my nursing career, and I am thrilled to pay it forward to help another future nurse pursue their dream through this scholarship.”
Murray has spent more than 30 years working with seniors and their families, including 15 years at one of the top skilled nursing facilities in North Carolina. As co-founder and director of Aware Senior Care, she brings a
very personal perspective to her role after caring for both of her parents as they struggled with illness and home care needs. During this time, she confronted the same sense of guilt and confusion faced by so many looking at options for their aging loved ones and committed herself to doing better for others who need support. Soon after that experience, she co-founded Aware Senior Care with her husband, Tim, and their company quickly became one of the top-rated home care agencies in the region.
“Gina Murray has spent a lifetime caring for others. The Gina Murray/Cary Kildaire Rotary RN Nursing Scholars Award is a fitting tribute to her dedication as a nurse and co-founder of Aware Senior Care. We are all deeply appreciative of Tim and Gina’s work and what this new scholarship offers,” said Dr. Bill Aiken, Interim President at Wake Tech.
The selection time for applications from Nursing and other Allied Health program students runs until November 7. The scholarship committee will review all applications and choose a student winner by December 7.
For more information or to apply for the scholarship, please visit https://waketech.academicworks.com/.
Elliott Davis - Stella Chen Joins International Tax Practice of Elliott Davis as Senior Tax Manager
Elliott Davis, a leading business solutions firm with nine offices across the Southeast, announces that Stella Chen, CPA, has joined the firm’s International Tax practice as a senior tax manager. She’s based in the company’s Raleigh, North Carolina, office.
“We’re thrilled to have Stella join Elliott Davis,” says Ben Romeiser, a shareholder and member of the Raleigh leadership team. “She brings a wealth of experience and has a proven track record of excellent client service. We view Stella as a key addition to our practice and will contribute greatly to our trajectory of growth.”
In her role, Chen provides international and domestic tax compliance and advisory services to companies across a variety of industries. She also works closely with the firm’s Chinese-inbound tax clients to navigate the complexities associated with unfamiliar tax and regulatory rules and business customs, as well as language and cultural differences.
Prior to joining Elliott Davis, Chen served more than 13 years at Dixon Hughes Goodman, the last three of which as a senior tax manager and leader of the firm’s Chinese Business Services. In this role, she worked with both foreign and domestic companies in the manufacturing and distribution, textile, construction, and real estate industries, providing tax advisory services to foreign inbound companies and businesses with multi-state operations. Chen also previously served as senior manager and leader of Inbound International Services at Bernard Robinson & Company, where she offered business entity structuring and guidance, tax planning and compliance services, and due diligence for companies investing in the United States.
After earning a bachelor of economics in international accounting from Central University of Finance & Economics, PR China, Chen received a master of science in accountancy from Wake Forest University. She’s a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the North Carolina Association of Certified Public Accountants. Chen also serves as vice chair of the Wake County Economic Development Foreign Investment Committee and as an executive board member for North America Chinese Chamber of Commerce.
Lane & Associates Family Dentistry - Stop & Smell the Lavender at your next Dental Visit
Complimentary spa dentistry services and a “Free Teeth Whitening for Life” Program are now available at Lane & Associates Family Dentistry in Cary at Tryon Rd! Starting in October, their offices will be offering complimentary spa amenities such as Paraffin wax hand treatment, Massage chairs, aromatherapy, calming relaxation room with soft music, hot towels, warm blankets, and exfoliating sugar hand scrub. This is always free of charge and completely accessible to all patients. Simply check off which treatments you are interested in trying while waiting in the lobby & their assistants will prepare your services before or during your appointment.
Their offices in Cary are also offering VIP 5 Star Access to Patients who call to make an appointment during regular business hours. They will automatically be given an appointment within 24 hours guaranteed! Please visit their website at lanedds.com/vip-cary-dentistry for more information or to schedule your appointment today!
August
Shop Local Raleigh - Shop Local Raleigh Presents Love Local Small Business Fair
Energize your business and employees at the Love Local Small Business Fair! Shop Local Raleigh will be hosting a small business fair on Thursday, September 20th at The Royal Banquet & Conference Center from 11am to 4pm. Whether you are a business owner in need of professional services or simply a shopper who loves supporting local, this fair is made for you.
The fair will be comprised of locally owned and independent businesses. Attendees will be able to visit different vendors like local spas and salons, shop handmade goods and local boutiques, get IT help, have their website reviewed and discounted head-shots will be offered. When not visiting the different vendors, plan to attend the business workshops offered throughout the event.
Business workshops will start at 11am with topics including small business startup, time management and organization, web design for less, hiring and retaining the age of millennials, and real estate challenges for small business owners. Find a complete list of topics and speakers at www.shoplocalraleigh.org. Admission is free and open to the public. Parking is readily avaliable and free at The Roal building.
Locally owned, independent businesses are the backbone of Wake County. Local businesses re-circulate more money per dollar back into our local economy - providing more jobs, money for schools and roads and create our sense of culture and community. PLan to attend #ShowSomeLocalLove at this year's Shop Local Raleigh, Love Local! Small Business Fair.
To stay informed about the latest news and events related to the fair, RSVP on the Love Local events Facebook Page. For more information about this event, visit Shop Local Raleigh's website.
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. - Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Sigma Rho Zeta Chapter (Cary, NC) - 2nd Annual Majorette Dance Explosion
On September 22, 2018, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Sigma Rho Zeta Chapter is teaming up with the Finer Womanhood Foundation of North Carolina to host the “Go Hard or Go Home” Majorette Dance Explosion at the Herbert Young Community Center in Cary, NC. In an effort to promote community and healthy competition, this annual event will feature youth dance teams throughout North Carolina and surrounding areas as they compete in several dance categories that will highlight unity, creativity, and poise.
The primary purpose for this event is to provide a showcase for talented youth while raising capital to support various community service projects, including the provision of college scholarships to graduating high school seniors in Wake County. The generosity of sponsors will play an integral part in making the 2018 Majorette Dance Explosion a success. For more information about sponsorship levels, please visit www.fwfnc.org/mde. For questions about the event, email dance@sigmarhozetazphib.org. To purchase tickets for the event, visit https://fwfnc.ticketleap.com/mde.
About Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. and Sigma Rho Zeta Chapter
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. was founded on January 16, 1920 at Howard University in Washington, DC. by five phenomenal women. The purpose is to foster the ideals of service, scholarship, sisterhood and Finer Womanhood. These ideas are reflected in the sorority’s national programs for which its members and auxiliary groups provide countless hours of volunteer services, community outreach programs, fund scholarships, support organized charities, and promote legislation for social and civic change. On June 1, 2002, the Sigma Rho Zeta Chapter was established in Cary, NC by ten esteemed women. The mission of the chapter is to constantly strive to implement the principles of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. and model excellence by exceeding our commitments to the Sorority and the Cary, NC community through energetic, innovative, and collaborative ideas and events. For more information, please visit www.sigmarhozetazphib.org.
About Finer Womanhood Foundation of North Carolina
Finer Womanhood Foundation of North Carolina is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization whose purpose includes actively supporting community outreach and service programs, providing resources, and aiding in funding an annual scholarship for students in pursuit of higher education through the generosity of its donors. It was established in 2008 with the intention of having a membership and mutual-sponsor relationship with the Sigma Rho Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. For more information, please visit www.fwfnc.org.
Murphy Business & Financial Corporation LLC Welcomes South Raleigh Office
Murphy Business & Financial Corporation LLC, North America’s leading, full-service business brokerage firm with more than 170 offices in the United States and Canada, recently announced the opening of a new Raleigh office. The business serves Raleigh and surrounding communities in central North Carolina from Zebulon to Apex, and offers a full range of services and support for local business owners seeking professional brokerage counsel.
Don Emmett launched the new Murphy Business office to provide one of the state’s most comprehensive business brokerage services. The Raleigh-South Murphy Business office will support entrepreneurs with the sale of their businesses, purchases, valuations and mergers and acquisitions.
“There’s a definite need for business brokerage services here in Raleigh,” said Emmett. “We’re looking forward to filling the void we’ve seen. Murphy’s pace in the industry, growth and development and overall position it currently holds in the brokerage space is impressive, and our team looks forward to being a trusted partner to area business owners and interested buyers with the help of Murphy Business’ support and resources.”
Prior to his work with Murphy Business, Emmett previously held the role of owner and managing director of Entrust Associates, a business transaction firm that served the Raleigh/Triangle market since 2006. Emmett has over 25 years of small business ownership experience, and has been involved in business brokerage for over 10 years.
As he looks at today’s marketplace, Emmett sees an increase in demand for business brokerage services – a growing pool of qualified buyers is emerging. Plus, Emmett has seen an increase nationally, as well as locally, over the last 12 months of businesses being sold and at higher prices – the industry expects the upward trend to continue through 2018.
To learn more about the new Raleigh Murphy Business office and its unique collection of business brokerage services, contact Don Emmett directly by emailing d.emmett@murphybusiness.com or visit http://raleighsouthbusinessbroker-donemmett-murphy.com/.
July
S&A Communications - S&A Communications Receives Two APEX Awards for Publication Excellence
Full-service communications firm S&A Communications has won two APEX Awards for Publication Excellence. The agency’s digital content marketing platform, The North Carolina 100, won in the category of newsletters, electronic and email, and its website design for the Hope for Haiti Foundation won in the category of most improved website.
The APEX Awards are sponsored by Communications Concepts Inc. and recognize excellence in writing, publications, campaigns, programs, design and media. This international competition is held annually for corporate and nonprofit publishers, editors, writers and designers who create print, web, electronic and social media.
“It is an honor to see the efforts of our team recognized by these awards,” said Chuck Norman, APR, owner/principal. “Our firm is very proud of our digital team for the work they create and for the collaboration of everyone in publishing The North Carolina 100. Receiving these accolades only further increases our desire to keep delivering great service to our clients.”
To learn more about S&A Communications, visit www.sacommunications.com or call 919-674-6020. Also, visit www.facebook.com/SACommunicate or follow@sacommunicate on Twitter. To learn more about the APEX Awards, visit www.apexawards.com.
Aware Senior Care - Aware Senior Care Co-Founder Joins Dementia Alliance of North Carolina Board of Directors
Aware Senior Care is pleased to announce that its president and co-founder, Tim Murray, has been elected to join the Dementia Alliance of North Carolina’s Board of Directors, beginning July 1. Tim is the co-founder and president of Aware Senior Care, an award-winning in-home care services company in Cary.
“Tim brings the strength of both professional – and personal – experience with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease to our board,” said Lanier Cansler, Chairman of the Board for the Dementia Alliance of North Carolina. “His knowledge of dementia, relationships with key people and organizations in elder care in our community, and compassion for families affected by this disease will be a great asset to our board, and we are thrilled to have him join us!”
1 in 10 people over the age of 65 are diagnosed with dementia. More than 170,000 North Carolinians are impacted by all forms of dementia, and these numbers are expected to increase to 210,000 by 2025.
“I’ve admired the work of the Dementia Alliance of North Carolina for a long time, and I am honored to play a part in bringing greater awareness, support, and resources for families in our community struggling with this disease,” said Murray.
The Murrays started their family-run business out of necessity. Both Tim and Gina needed to find quality, compassionate home care services for their aging parents, including Tim’s mother who battles dementia. After struggling to find the right services and caregivers for their loved ones, they knew there must be a better way. They co-founded Aware Senior Care in 2015 with a commitment to provide the very best in-home care for families in our community. Both of them bring personal experience and compassionate care to every client relationship they have.
Aware Senior Care has been recognized over and over again for top-quality, professional in-home care. In fact, in 2017, Aware Senior Care won both the Cary Chamber of Commerce “Small Business of the Year” award as well as the Cary “Small Business Excellence Award.” Nationally, the company has won four top awards in the past six months for its care and service.
June
Lucy Daniels Center - The Lucy Daniels Center receives $ 408,000 grant from The Duke Endowment
The Lucy Daniels Center of Cary has received a $408,000 grant from The Duke Endowment to pilot Circle of Security® Parenting™, an evidence-informed parenting program for at-risk families.
Founded 26 years ago, the Lucy Daniels Center is the largest provider in the Triangle of mental health services for children from birth to age 11, the time of life when the most effective interventions are possible. Our multi-disciplinary team, which includes recognized experts in mental health and education, works together with families to provide a uniquely comprehensive approach, delivering individualized treatment to each child. Services include the Lucy Daniels School, a therapeutic educational program, SecurePath which provides therapy in the home, and Family Guidance Service, an on-site therapy program for children and their families.
The Endowment grant will be used to fund implementation in a variety of community settings
of the Circle of Security® Parenting™ program. Circle of Security® is rooted decades of attachment research, and current affective neuroscience. As parenting training, it has forged the missing link between attachment theory and practical application with caregivers providing parenting education or counseling to parents of young children.
“Our years of community work, with its lessons learned and credibility established, made possible not only the organizational knowledge base for us to be positioned to do this major undertaking, but was also instrumental in making the case to Duke Endowment that Lucy Daniels Center is the right organization to lead this pilot program. This is an exciting moment in our history, both a culmination of all the community work that has proceeded, as well as a harbinger of new and exciting possibilities for the future,”
The Duke Endowment spoke of the grant in this way: “The evidence documenting the importance of a secure attachment between parent and child is well known – and so are the negative consequences of missing out on those strong bonds, including behavior and mental health problems in children,” said Phil Redmond, director of the Endowment’s Child Care program. “That’s why we’re pleased to help the Lucy Daniels Center bring this promising intervention to underserved areas of North Carolina.”
Based in Charlotte and established in 1924 by industrialist and philanthropist James B. Duke, The Duke Endowment is a private foundation that strengthens communities in North Carolina and South Carolina by nurturing children, promoting health, educating minds and enriching spirits. Since its founding, it has distributed more than $3.6 billion in grants. The Endowment shares a name with Duke University and Duke Energy, but all are separate organizations.
For more information on the Lucy Daniels Center and its programs, please call 919-677-1400 or visit our website at www.lucydanielscenter.org.
Aware Senior Care - Waltonwood Lake Boone Announces Partnership with Cary-Based Aware Senior Care
Waltonwood Lake Boone (a premier senior living community in Raleigh) is pleased to announce its partnership with Aware Senior Care, an award-winning home care agency. The partnership will allow the senior living community to provide additional services to independent living residents. Waltonwood Lake Boone went through an extensive interview process before selecting the Cary-based company as its partner. They were looking for a company which aligned with their brand and mission of redefining senior living, and that is exactly what they found in Aware Senior Care. The senior living community (located at 3550 Horton Street) will have 121 independent living apartments, 39 assisted living apartments and 23 memory care apartments. The community is currently under construction and expected to open later this summer.
“We are thrilled to partner with Aware Senior Care to provide additional quality care for residents of Waltonwood Lake Boone,” said Allison O’Shea, executive director. “As we were searching for a partner to provide home care services, Aware Senior Care stood out. They truly look at home care in a different way, and that appealed to our team. As we gear up to open, we have the residents’ best interest in mind. The independent living portion of the community is the largest, and we know our partnership with Aware Senior Care will help meet their needs. We hope to grow our partnership to allow additional services for all residents in the future.”
Independent living residents at Waltonwood Lake Boone will enjoy spacious rooms, restaurant-style dining, fitness programs and other amenities and services. The community wants residents to maintain their independence and provides a lifestyle without the worry of home maintenance. The partnership with Aware Senior Care allows residents to age in place by offering companion and personal care services such as medication reminders, light housekeeping and assistance with mobility. Aware Senior care is looking forward to matching the quality care Lake Boone provides.
"The Waltonwood communities are known for providing top-quality senior care across the country," said Tim Murray, president and co-founder of Aware Senior Care. "Aware Senior Care also holds itself and its caregivers to the highest standards of excellence, professionalism, and compassion, so this partnership is a natural fit for both of us. We are honored to be selected as Waltonwood Lake Boone's independent care provider."
If you are a member of the media interested in covering this story, please contact Chelsi Smith at (214) 378-7970 ext. 238 or csmith@thepointgroup.com, or Amy Jones at (214) 378-7970 ext. 302 or ajones@thepointgroup.com.
About Aware Senior Care
Aware Senior Care provides award-winning, in-home companion care, personal care and nursing services to seniors and those who are disabled or chronically ill. We are a veteran-owned business serving Cary, Raleigh and Apex, and we believe in taking a holistic approach with every client by considering the whole person, not just the services we can provide. To learn more, visit www.awareseniorcare.com or call 919-436-1871.
North State Bank - North State Bank's 2018 Summer Salute Presents Check for $125,000 to Transitions LifeCare
At a celebration for the Summer Salute planning committee, North State Bank executives presented a check for $125,000 to members of Transitions LifeCare’s management team, the net proceeds of Summer Salute 2018, shared Sandra A. Temple, event co-chair and retired North State Bank executive.
“Thanks go to our committee, volunteers, sponsors and attendees for making May 5th a wonderful evening and for being generous with their time and resources,” Temple said. “This event holds a special place in the hearts of many people who have been touched by the care and services provided by Transitions LifeCare. After witnessing what they do, many people feel led to support them in helping others. Summer Salute gives people a way to do just that and have fun at the same time.”
Held at North Ridge Country Club in Raleigh with “The Embers” with Craig Woolard, North Carolina’s premier beach music band, providing entertainment, the event wowed attendees with food, dancing and more.
According to Transitions LifeCare CEO John Thoma, “North State Bank is a true community bank, as they help the people and communities they serve. Summer Salute gets the Transitions LifeCare name in front of people who may not be aware of who we are and what we do. The value of this event and the funds it raises is immeasurable, as it allows us to serve those who otherwise may not be able to afford the level of care we offer. The impact will resonate for years to come.”
Along with many committee members, on hand for the presentation of the check were Co-Chairs Sandra Temple and Jim Branch, Transitions LifeCare CEO John Thoma, North State Bank President and CEO Larry Barbour, Transitions LifeCare Vice President of Philanthropy Kristye Brackett and Transitions LifeCare Founder Dr. Billy Dunlap.
Jim Branch shared with the group: “Our biggest challenge each year is to try to top the year before, but we keep doing it. Summer Salute has been both fun and successful for 15 years. That’s quite a track record.” Summer Salute 2019 will be held on Saturday evening, May 4.
In addition to North State Bank, top event sponsors included: Diane and Larry Barbour; Liz and Jim Branch; Caddell Communications; Comfort Monster Heating & Air; PPM, Inc.; Shanahan McDougal, PLLC; Virginia Watson; and, Wake Med.
S&A Communications - S&A Communications Wins Eight Hermes Awards, Most in One Year
S&A Communications recently won eight Hermes Creative Awards out of nine total submissions entered by the full-service communications firm. This marks the greatest number of Hermes Creative Awards — awarded by the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals — that the firm has ever received in one year.
The Hermes Creative Awards are an international competition showcasing concept, writing and design work from various communications, marketing and public relations firms. Entries are judged in three main categories: Print Media, Public Relations/Communication and Electronic Media/Social Media/Interactive Media.
S&A Communications received awards primarily in the Electronic Media/Social Media/Interactive Media category, as well as one in the Pro Bono category for its public relations work. Following are the firm’s winning entries:
Platinum – Pro Bono
Rock Your World Benefit Concert Public Relations
Gold – Electronic Media/Social Media/Interactive Media, Social Media: Instagram Site
The North Carolina 100 Instagram
Gold – Electronic Media/Social Media/Interactive Media, E-Communication: E-Newsletter
The North Carolina 100 Newsletter
Gold – Electronic Media/Social Media/Interactive Media, Social Media: Facebook Engagement
Sunrock Job Fair Facebook Engagement
Gold – Electronic Media/Social Media/Interactive Media, Website Overall: Association
British American Business Council North Carolina Website
Honorable Mention – Electronic Media/Social Media/Interactive Media, Website Overall: Nonprofit
Hope for Haiti Foundation Website
Honorable Mention – Electronic Media/Social Media/Interactive Media, Website Overall: Interactive
Cary Economic Development Website
Honorable Mention – Electronic Media/Social Media/Interactive Media, E-Communication: E-Newsletter
Precision Tune Auto Care Newsletter
Entries are independently judged by the AMPC and awarded Platinum, Gold or Honorable Mention for scores of, respectively, 90-100, 80-89 or 70-79.
“We are thrilled to have been recognized in so many areas, particularly for not one but three websites produced by our digital and creative team,” said Chuck Norman, APR, owner and principal of S&A Communications. “These awards reflect our staff’s continued collaborative efforts, and I couldn’t be happier to be part of such a talented group.”
S&A Communications also recently won four InSpire Awards from the North Carolina Chapter of Public Relations Society of America in a variety of categories, including Best in Category for The North Carolina 100 newsletter. The firm’s other winning entries include the Cary Economic Development website, a guest articlefor DealersLink in Auto Remarketing, and a consumer research study for Precision Tune Auto Care.
To learn more about the Hermes Creative Awards, visit www.hermesawards.com. For more information on S&A Communications, visit www.sacommunications.comor call 919-674-6020. Also, visit www.facebook.com/SACommunicate or follow @sacommunicate on Twitter.
About S&A Communications
S&A Communications is an integrated marketing brand that grew from deep-seated PR roots and evolved into a team of strategic marketing professionals whose driving goal is to help our clients outthink, outwork and outperform their competition. Our nationwide base of clients looks to us for public relations, marketing, design, digital, advertising, photography, event-planning and custom-publishing services. For more information, visit www.sacommunications.com or call 919-674-6020.
May
CALYX Engineers and Consultants - Zack Brown of CALYX Engineers and Consultants Earns his NC PE License
CALYX Engineers and Consultants, a leading Southeastern civil and environmental engineering firm, is pleased to announce that Zack Brown of their structure design group has earned his Professional Engineer License.
“Zack has been with CALYX for six years and is an integral member of our structures group,” said Kevin Austin, P.E., CALYX’s structures group manager. “He’s designed numerous structures on transportation and land development projects across the Southeast. We’re very proud of his accomplishments and happy to have another P.E. on our team.”
Zack graduated with a B.S. in Civil Engineering from North Carolina State University. He lives in Raleigh with his wife and one-year-old daughter, and in his spare time, races Legend Cars at the Wake County and Carteret County Speedways.
About CALYX Engineers + Consultants
For the past 25 years, CALYX Engineers and Consultants has developed a reputation for providing quality services in the areas of roadway and structure design, site and civil engineering, land surveying, building structure design, subsurface utility engineering, construction engineering inspection, transportation planning, traffic services, water resources, cultural resources, and environmental services. Founded on the premise that every project, regardless of size or complexity, deserves unmatched expertise and quality assurance from concept to completion, CALYX has grown from an entrepreneurial startup to one of the most well respected civil engineering firms in the Southeast. In 2018 alone, CALYX has been named an Engineering News Record Top 500 Design Firm (national and Southeast) and was ranked #26 in the Zweig Group’s “Hot” 100 Firms (U.S. and Canada). Headquartered in Raleigh, NC, CALYX has 200 employees with offices in metro Atlanta and Columbus, GA; and Charlotte, N.C.; and Rock Hill, S.C. To learn more, please visit www.CALYXengineers.com<http://www.CALYXengineers.com> or follow us on Twitter or Facebook.
Murphy Business & Financial Corporation LLC - Murphy Business & Financial Corporation LLC Welcomes South Raleigh Office
Murphy Business & Financial Corporation LLC, North America’s leading, full-service business brokerage firm with more than 170 offices in the United States and Canada, recently announced the opening of a new Raleigh office. The business serves Raleigh and surrounding communities in central North Carolina from Zebulon to Apex, and offers a full range of services and support for local business owners seeking professional brokerage counsel.
Don Emmett launched the new Murphy Business office to provide one of the state’s most comprehensive business brokerage services. The Raleigh-South Murphy Business office will support entrepreneurs with the sale of their businesses, purchases, valuations and mergers and acquisitions.
“There’s a definite need for business brokerage services here in Raleigh,” said Emmett. “We’re looking forward to filling the void we’ve seen. Murphy’s pace in the industry, growth and development and overall position it currently holds in the brokerage space is impressive, and our team looks forward to being a trusted partner to area business owners and interested buyers with the help of Murphy Business’ support and resources.”
Prior to his work with Murphy Business, Emmett previously held the role of owner and managing director of Entrust Associates, a business transaction firm that served the Raleigh/Triangle market since 2006. Emmett has over 25 years of small business ownership experience, and has been involved in business brokerage for over 10 years.
As he looks at today’s marketplace, Emmett sees an increase in demand for business brokerage services – a growing pool of qualified buyers is emerging. Plus, Emmett has seen an increase nationally, as well as locally, over the last 12 months of businesses being sold and at higher prices – the industry expects the upward trend to continue through 2018.
To learn more about the new Raleigh Murphy Business office and its unique collection of business brokerage services, contact Don Emmett directly by emailing d.emmett@murphybusiness.com or visit http://raleighsouthbusinessbroker-donemmett-murphy.com/.
About Murphy Business & Financial Corporation LLC
Clearwater, Florida-based Murphy Business & Financial Corporation LLC is a full-service business brokerage firm facilitating business sales, purchases, consulting, valuations, mergers and acquisitions. Closing deals at a higher ratio than the business brokerage industry average, several accolades have been bestowed upon the company including appearing as a “Top 50 Franchise” according to Franchise Business Review.
Transitions LifeCare - Transitions HospiceCare Named a 2018 Hospice Honors Elite Recipient
Transitions HospiceCare, a division of Transitions LifeCare has been named a 2018 Hospice Honors Elite recipient by HEALTHCAREfirst, the leading provider of Web-based home health and hospice software, billing and coding services, CAHPS surveys, and advanced analytics. Hospice Honors is a prestigious program that recognizes hospices providing the highest level of quality as measured from the caregiver’s point of view.
“We are excited to recognize the 2018 Hospice Honors recipients for their hard work and dedication to providing exceptional care,” said J. Kevin Porter of HEALTHCAREfirst. “I congratulate Transitions HospiceCare on its success in achieving this highest of honors.”
Award criteria were based on Hospice CAHPS survey results for an evaluation period of October 2016 through September 2017. Award recipients were identified by evaluating performance on a set of 24 quality indicator measures. Performance scores were aggregated from all completed surveys and were compared on a question-by-question basis to a National Performance Score calculated from all partnering hospices contained in the HEALTHCAREfirst’s Hospice CAHPS database. Hospice Honors recipients include those hospices scoring above the HEALTHCAREfirst National Performance Score on 20 of the evaluated questions. HEALTHCAREfirst holds a special recognition, Hospice Honors Elite, to honor hospices scoring above the HEALTHCAREfirst National Performance Score on all 24 of the evaluated questions. Please visit HEALTHCAREfirst’s website at www.healthcarefirst.com to learn more about HEALTHCAREfirst Hospice CAHPS survey program as well as the Hospice Honors awards.
Transitions LifeCare’s CEO John Thoma credits the excellent staff, teamwork, and leadership of Transitions HospiceCare. In addition, staff education and after-hours support ensure the care teams have the resources they need to respond to complex patient and family needs. He said, "We are very humbled by this award from HEALTHCAREfirst that acknowledges the excellent service from patients and families. Our highest priority is to provide the best possible experience for our patients."
S&A Communications - Marcey Rader, Inc. Names S&A Communications as Agency of Record
Raleigh-based Marcey Rader Coaching, LLC has engaged S&A Communications as its official agency of record. As a full-service communications firm, S&A will assist Marcey Rader with securing speaking engagements and media appearances.
After spending more than 13 years in various roles in pharmaceutical research, Rader decided to change course. She became a certified productivity coach and a certified health coach. In 2013 she founded Marcey Rader Coaching, LLC, combining years of speaking and coaching into a service focused on personal care through wellness and productivity.
Rader is also the founder of the Work Well. Play More! Institute, consulting with and providing workshops to global companies, and has a self-paced online course for the improvement of health, career, business and relationships. Additionally, she is the best-selling author of two books, “Beyond Travel: A Road Warrior’s Survival Guide” and “Hack the Mobile Lifestyle: 6 Steps to Work Well and Play More!”
Her corporate clients have included Cisco, SAS, Biogen, RTI International, Syngenta and Emaar Properties. Rader’s wellness and productivity advice has been featured in Money, Inc., Living Healthy, Business Travel News, Shape, Eating Well and Training Edge. She recently won the Terry R. Alexander Award from the North Carolina Association of Certified Public Accountants for earning the highest average speaking score as a first-time presenter.
Rader’s expertise is backed by her credentials:
- Master of Education in health and exercise promotion and management, University of Cincinnati
- Bachelor of Science in exercise science and wellness, Ball State University
- Certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, Institute for Integrative Nutrition
- Certified Personal Trainer, Behavior Change Specialist and Fitness Nutrition Specialist, National Academy of Sports Medicine
For more information on Marcey Rader, visit www.marceyrader.com and www.workwellplaymore.com. For more information on S&A Communications, visitwww.sacommunications.com or call 919-674-6020.
About S&A Communications
S&A Communications is an integrated marketing brand that grew from deep-seated PR roots and evolved into a team of strategic marketing professionals whose driving goal is to help our clients outthink, outwork and outperform their competition. Our nationwide base of clients looks to us for public relations, marketing, design, digital, advertising, photography, event-planning and custom-publishing services. S&A Communications also publishes The North Carolina 100, and is a member of the Public Relations Global Network. For more information, visit www.sacommunications.com or call 919-674-6020.
Elliott Davis, PLLC - Brian Kirk Named Lead of Elliott Davis’ Cybersecurity Practice
Elliott Davis, one of the largest accounting, tax and consulting services providers in the Southeast, announces that Brian Kirk has been named practice lead of the firm’s growing Cybersecurity division. He is based in the company’s Greenville headquarters, and will serve clients across the Elliott Davis network of nine offices in four states.
“The need for solutions that mitigate the risk of cyber threats has never been greater,” says Jimmy Buddenberg, director of Elliott Davis’ Risk Advisory and Cybersecurity Practice. “Brian brings more than two decades of experience building, implementing and overseeing cyber security programs for companies in a variety of industries. He’ll use this knowledge to help clients identify vulnerabilities and create strategies to protect their enterprise.”
As the lead for Elliott Davis’ Cybersecurity team, Kirk will partner with organizations to develop and implement comprehensive cybersecurity solutions to safeguard their businesses, as well as their customers’ critical assets and data. He will work with clients to assess and improve their security posture through areas such as security and vulnerability assessments, IT budget and staffing reviews and advisory services associated with technology and sourcing solutions.
“Competition aside, cyber-attacks are now one of the most formidable challenges facing today’s businesses,” says Kirk, who has more than 25 years of IT experience, the last 10 of which were in cybersecurity. “The impact of even a single data breach can be devastating, both to a company’s finances and its reputation. We’ll work with clients to develop tools, policies and procedures that minimize exposure and, enabling them to focus on running their business rather than worrying about a potential cyber-attack.”
Prior to joining Elliott Davis, Kirk most recently served as Chief Information Security Officer for CH2M, a Fortune 500 engineering firm that provides consulting, design, construction and operations services for corporations and federal, state and local governments. In this role, he led the establishment and growth of the company’s Information Security practice and directed all day-to-day information security operational activities for the global organization.
Kirk graduated with a B.S. in computer information systems from Clemson University. He is a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) and a member of the Information Systems Security Association (ISSA).
About Elliott Davis
Elliott Davis provides comprehensive assurance, tax, and consulting solutions to diverse businesses, organizations and individuals. With a network of forward-thinking professionals in major U.S. domestic markets and alliance resources across the globe, Elliott Davis ranks among the top 40 and fastest-growing accounting firms in the United States. Visit www.elliottdavis.com for more information.
April
North Carolina Swimming Hall of Fame - Chamber member Hill Carrow, CEO of Sports & Properties, Inc., is a 2018 inductee into the North Carolina Swimming Hall of Fame
Chamber member Hill Carrow, CEO of Sports & Properties, Inc., is a 2018 inductee into the North Carolina Swimming Hall of Fame. Carrow joined fellow inductees Jilen Siroky Bouwer, Frank Comfort, Eugene Godsoe, and Chip Peterson as the Class of 2018, the ninth class of inductees into the hall. The North Carolina Swimming Hall of Fame recognizes major achievements in, and contributions to, aquatic sports in North Carolina including Diving, Masters Swimming, Open Water Swimming, Swimming, Synchronized Swimming, and Water Polo. In addition to his swimming record, Carrow was cited for founding the Raleigh Area Masters Swim Team and helping launch North Carolina Masters Swimming, one of the largest adult swim teams in the country. Carrow directs the annual US Masters Swimming High Performance Camp and has organized and led numerous premier aquatics competitions including USA Swimming, US Masters Swimming, USA Diving, and US Synchronized Swimming national championships.
Capital Area Workforce Development - CAWD Launches CATALYST 20/20: Grants of up to $20,000 to Train Existing
Workers
Capital Area Workforce Development Board is pleased to announce the immediate launch of CATALYST 20/20, a program offering up to $20,000 to eligible businesses in Wake and Johnston counties for the training and development of their existing workforce.
CATALYST 20/20 seeks to fuel growth, productivity and profitability of our regional businesses by strengthening the knowledge and skills of their employees. “Many of our training dollars have been used to upskill those who are looking for work, but enhancing the skills of current employees is a must. Otherwise, the business won’t be able to keep up with global competition and everybody loses. Being able to offer CATALYST 20/20 to business customers is how we fulfill our vision of economic development through workforce
excellence,” said Pat Sturdivant, Executive Director of CAWD.
“Research shows that continuing education reduces employee turnover and directly impacts an organization’s bottom line. CATALYST 20/20 provides a mechanism for spurring a level of employee engagement that some businesses haven’t been able to offer. Launching this program is another way of connecting employers with solutions that meet their talent needs,” said Kimberly Wheeler, CAWD’s Director of Business Engagement.
Companies may use these funds to train individual contributors, leaders, departments and/or teams. Training may include technical training, certifications, leadership development, soft skills, professional development and more, ultimately aligning efforts with what’s needed for their future growth and success. Businesses interested in learning more are encouraged to contact CAWD at catalyst2020@wakegov.com or call (919)856-6046.
Tillis & Burr Announce Additional $189 Million for Hurricane Matthew Recovery
North Carolina Senators Thom Tillis and Richard Burr announced that North Carolina has been awarded an additional $189 million to go towards Hurricane Matthew recovery. These funds were secured by the North Carolina delegation in the Senate budget agreement passed in February. The Department of Housing and Urban Development announced today that North Carolina would receive $168 million in disaster mitigation grants and the Department of Transportation announced North Carolina would receive $21 million in disaster assistance.
In total, North Carolina has been awarded over $1.4 billion in federal funds through Congressional appropriations and grants.
“Hurricane Matthew caused billions of dollars in damages and forced many families across Eastern North Carolina from their homes. I have worked with Senator Burr and the state’s Congressional delegation on a bipartisan basis to ensure North Carolina receives the federal assistance it needs for ongoing recovery efforts,” said Senator Thom Tillis. “I want to thank the Department of Housing and Urban Development and Department of Transportation for allocating nearly $190 million in additional funds, which will go a long way in helping our local communities recover and ensure North Carolina’s families are not forgotten.”
“Today’s announcements from both these agencies are another step forward to getting North Carolinians back on their feet after the devastating effects of Hurricane Matthew,” said Senator Richard Burr. “Our congressional delegation came together to urge Washington to meet its responsibility to our citizens and I’m pleased with what we accomplished.”
These funds are provided through HUD’s Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) Program and U.S. Department of Transportation Emergency Relief Program and will address seriously damaged housing, businesses and infrastructure most affected from Hurricane Matthew.
CDBG-DR grants support a variety of disaster recovery activities including housing redevelopment and rebuilding, business assistance, economic revitalization, and infrastructure repair. Grantees are required to spend the majority of these recovery funds in the “most impacted” areas as identified by HUD. HUD will issue administrative guidelines shortly for use of the funds to address grantees’ long-term recovery needs, particularly in the area of housing recovery.
