Automotive technician receives national award

Chris Beasley, an Automotive Service Excellence-certified automotive technician from Salisbury, was honored Nov. 14 with a national award as the Nissan/ASE Master Automobile Technician of the Year.

Fifty-two automotive professionals were recognized at the fall board of governors meeting of the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence, held at Pier 66 Hotel and Marina in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

The annual awards spotlight top scorers on the ASE certification tests of professionals nationwide. Paul Mathias, western area technical training manager for Nissan; Ted Hayes, chairman of the ASE board of directors; and Timothy Zilke, ASE president & CEO, presented the award to Beasley.

“Chris, who is the shop foreman at Ben Mynatt Nissan in Salisbury, is one of the outstanding ASE-certified professionals recognized annually by different segments of the automotive service and repair industry,” Zilke said. “Each of these elite technicians is presented with an industry-specific award recognizing their achievement.

ASE has honored industry professionals from across the nation for more than 40 years.

“This is made possible by the support of our many award sponsors, whose ranks include some of the best-known names in the industry,” Zilke said. “We are proud to partner with Nissan to recognize Chris’ commitment to excellence in providing the very best in vehicle repair service to his extended community. This dedication is reflected in the talented professionals we recognize each year, and Chris represents the best of the best.”

Lutheran Services Carolinas named to LeadingAge Ziegler 200 list

Lutheran Services Carolinas was ranked 63rd on the LeadingAge Ziegler 200 list. LeadingAge and Ziegler Capital Markets Group LSC operates Trinity Oaks in Salisbury.

Lutheran Services Carolinas moved up a spot from 64 last year among the largest multisite living organizations. It is the largest North Carolina organization in the top 200. It also ranked 34th among not-for-profit multisite senior living organizations ranked by nursing care beds category.

“LSC is humbled to now be No. 63 and the largest in the Carolinas,” said Ted Goins, president and CEO of Lutheran Services Carolinas. “But what is more significant than ranking is continued growth in the number of lives touched by LSC every day.”

NASCAR drivers to appear at Stocks for Tots

The 30th annual Stocks for Tots, which collects toys and donations to increase awareness of child abuse in North Carolina, will feature several NASCAR Hall of Famers and drivers.

Stocks for Tots will be from 5 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at NASCAR Technical Institute in Mooresville.

NASCAR Hall of Famers Bobby Allison, Rusty Wallace, Rex White, Ned Jarrett and Jerry Cook as well as current drivers Ryan Newman, Paul Menard, Joe Nemechek, John Hunter Nemechek and Brandon McReynolds are scheduled to attend.

Other notable legends will join them, including Don Miller, Humpy Wheeler, Renee Parks, former NASCAR crew chief Waddell Wilson, former Cup drivers Bobby Labonte, Harry Gant, Ricky Rudd, Donnie Allison, Kevin LaPage, “Tiger” Tom Pistone, Bobby Dotter, Neil Castle, Randy LaJoie, and Ronnie Thomas.  

“Stocks for Tots is my favorite program, and it’s the most worthy thing we do,” said Don Miller, chairman of the Stocks for Tots Foundation and the North Carolina Auto Racing Hall of Fame. “We’ve been collecting toys at our hall of fame and other locations in the area.”

“I am as excited as Don to once again host the Stocks For Tots event at NASCAR Technical Institute,” said John Dodson, vice president of Business Alliances & NASCAR for Universal Technical Institute. “With all the great drivers who will be here signing autographs, the fans will be in for a special treat while helping a truly worthwhile cause.”

Money raised will support Stop Child Abuse Now.

Deanna Belk named office leader for Pinnacle Financial Partners

Deanna Belk has joined Pinnacle Fiancle Partners as an office leader for the firm’s Mooresville-Lake Norman location.

Belk brings 30 years of financial services experience to Pinnacle. She was most recently with First National Bank, where she was a branch manager. She spent 25 years with Wells Fargo Bank in a variety of roles including teller, customer service representative, customer relationship manager and senior financial center manager.

“Deanna has spent her entire career in the Charlotte market, and those deep roots and her commitment to this community are what make her a perfect fit for Pinnacle,” said Katie Elder, Pinnacle’s area manager in the Charlotte region. “She is an excellent addition to our team.”

Pinnacle entered the North Carolina market in 2017 when it acquired BNC Bancorp, known locally as Bank of North Carolina. 

Angie Silver appointed sales administrator for Chroma Color Corp.

Angie Silver was named sales administrator for Chroma Color Corp.

She will oversee the new DRM system and support the sales team with sales and marketing tasks.

Silver has more than 20 years of business experience to Chroma Color. She has extensive experience managing databases and supporting teams. She earned her bachelor of science degree in industrial and organizational psychology from High Point University.

She will support the sales team out of the Salisbury office.

Chroma Color Corp. is a specialty color and additive concentrate supplier. 

Sheetz begins donation drive to help families in need

Sheetz for the Kids has kicked off its 26th annual holiday donation drive to help underprivileged kids in the mid-Atlantic region.

Customers can donate at Sheetz stores, and all donations will directly support children in the community. Every Sheetz store will support 16 children in its community through a partnership with the Salvation Army.

“We are proud to help make a difference in the lives of families in need throughout the communities Sheetz serves,” said Sarah Piper, executive director of Sheetz for the Kidz. “Our thanks go out to our dedicated employees and customers who support our efforts, year after year, as we work to make the holiday season a bit more cheerful for families who need it most.”

As many as 9,500 children will be served by the donation drive.

Customers can donate at checkout throughout December; purchase a Sheetz for the Kids water, with 25 cents for every bottle sold going to the charity; purchase a two-pack of Sheetz for the Kidz Sugared Cookies, with 20 cents from each purchase supporting the charity; and as well as donate online at sheetzforthekidz.org.