Britt Weaver of Empire Hotel to speak at Thursday’s Power in Partnership

Britt Weaver will discuss the Empire Hotel development at the Rowan County Chamber of Commerce’s Power in Partnership breakfast at 7:30 a.m. Thursday at Trinity Oaks. 

Weaver is the developer of the Empire Hotel revitalization project in downtown Salisbury. He is a founding principal of Black Point Investments, a Charlotte-based real estate developer of historic properties.

Before joining Black Point, Weaver managed an asset portfolio valued in excess of $48 million in addition to raising capital for private equity and loan placements.

He also was chief financial officer of Sencera International Corp., a thin-film solar module company, from 2007 through 2010. There, he raised more than $23 million in three equity rounds.

He spent 20 years in marketing and sales management with diverse companies such as Procter & Gamble, Sara Lee, Kellogg’s and Beiersdorf AG. In his last corporate job, he was vice president of marketing and public relations for SonicBlue Inc., a Santa Clara, California, semiconductor company.

Weaver earned a master of business administration degree from Harvard University and a bachelor’s degree in political science at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Reservations are required for non-Power Card members. To register, contact the chamber at 704-633-4221 or info@rowanchamber.com. The deadline is Tuesday

The breakfast will be sponsored by F&M Bank.

Trinity Oaks is at 728 Klumac Road.

Chamber to hold briefing on Greece trip Tuesday

The Rowan County Chamber of Commerce will offer a briefing on a trip to Greece on Tuesday.

The October trip includes a nine-day air and land package from Charlotte to Athens, with first-class hotel accommodations for seven nights. Organizers say 20 meals are included — seven breakfasts, six lunches and seven dinners. Day trips and airfare also are included.

The early-bird price for chamber members is $3,099 per person. Those reservations are due by March 29.

The highlights of the trip include:

• A tour of Athens, including the Acropolis Museum and crossing the Corinth Canal.

• A full-day excursion to ancient sites and mountainside villages of the Peloponnese Peninsula including Mycenae, Epidaurus and Nafplion.

• An optional Santorini extension tour is available.

“Greece is a home to an extraordinary collection of archaeological sites as well as stunning mountain scenery and charming villages where a traditional way of life has remained unchanged for centuries,” said chamber President Elaine Spalding.

The briefing will be at 5 p.m. Tuesday at the Gateway Building, 204 E. Innes St. Representatives of Aventura World will present information about the trip and answer questions.

Pattie Huntington joins Weichert, Realtors — LKN Partners

Weichert, Realtors — LKN Partners, located in Mooresville, has announced that Pattie Huntington joined the office as a Realtor and broker.

Huntington will assist homebuyers and sellers in Mooresville and the surrounding area with their real estate needs.

“We are thrilled to have someone with Pattie’s passion for real estate join our talented team of agents,” said Christie Krantz, the company’s broker owner. “Pattie’s attention to detail and willingness to go the extra mile to satisfy her clients will help our office provide the best real estate service in the area.” 

Huntington has lived in North Carolina for 17 years and currently lives in Mooresville.

Weichert, Realtors — LKN Partners is at 736 Brawley School Road, Suite A, in Mooresville.

Forbes names Sheetz one of ‘100 Best Companies to Work For’

Sheetz is among the 2019 “Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For,” according to the research and consulting firm Great Place to Work and Fortune Magazine.

The list, now in its 22nd year, recognizes companies for exceptional workplace cultures.

Sheetz was ranked 85th and was the only convenience store chain on the list. Companies opt to participate in a selection process that includes an anonymous employee survey and an in-depth questionnaire about employee practices. Great Place to Work then evaluates each company using five dimensions, including credibility, respect, fairness, pride and camaraderie. 

“This is the fifth time in six years we have been named to this prominent list, and that would not be possible without our employees,” said Sheetz CEO Joe Sheetz. “Day in and day out, our company strives to create a place where employees know they are valued and have the opportunity to grow while also instilling a culture of respect and ensuring all employees understand the importance of their job and the role they play in the larger company.”

“Treating our employees as our most valuable asset is a key value my Uncle Bob Sheetz instilled when he founded Sheetz in 1952 and is a value we strongly believe in still today. That’s why we’re excited to announce a starting wage increase for new and recently hired employees,” added Travis Sheetz, president and COO.

Sheetz announced an increase in starting wages this month. Effective Feb. 1, new employees and employees hired within the past six months will earn an additional 50 cents per hour.