Sold-out Rowan Chamber Disney Institute is Thursday

The Rowan County Chamber of Commerce’s Disney Institute on Thursday is sold out.

The one-day training session at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College will teach area professionals about leadership values, establishing customer loyalty and strengthening organizational culture.

Disney Institute training uses business insights and time-tested examples from Disney parks and resorts worldwide to inspire individuals and organizations to enhance the customer experience using Disney principles as a guide.

To be put on a waiting list, contact the chamber. Registration is $349 for chamber members and $449 for nonmembers. Registration includes course materials and parking. 

For more information or to register, call 704-633-4221, email info@rowanchamber.com, or visit www.rowanchamber.com.

Chroma Color names Bishop Beall vice president of sales

Bishop Beall has joined Chroma Color Corp.’s executive team as vice president of sales and business development.

“As our company moves forward with our aggressive growth plans, we are thrilled to have talented individuals like Bishop Beall to join our organization,” said CEO Tom Bolger. “He has already brought a new energy and strategic focus to our team.”

“During his most recent role at Technimark, Bishop was instrumental in executing new go-to-market strategies and growth platforms for consumer packaging and products, resulting in more than $200 million in new business for the company,” Bolger added. “Our team is confident that Bishop’s previous accomplishments and three decades of experience will translate into significant new business for our company in 2019 and beyond.”

Beall was director of global business development at Technimark LLC, an industry-leading custom injection molding and contract manufacturing company focused on global brand owners. Before joining Technimark, Bishop also founded and managed a specialty resin sales, compounding and distribution company that he sold in 2004. 

He holds a bachelor of science degree in international studies from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio.  

Rowan EDC marketing blitz continues with consultant meeting in Dallas

The Rowan County Economic Development Commission recently joined the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance for a marketing mission to Dallas.

Kendall Henderson, director of business services for the EDC, traveled with Marvin Price and Kati Hines. Henderson said it was a great opportunity to build on established relationships while cultivating new ones with members of the site-selection consultant community.

“While working to facilitate the growth of our existing industries is vital to our success, we also recognize the importance of playing offense and inviting new companies to take a look at the many opportunities available in Rowan County,” said Henderson. “Our primary way to reach these targets is through their site-selection consultants who assist their clients with their location strategies.”  

“We are proud members of the Alliance and take every opportunity available to market Rowan County in conjunction with them,” Henderson continued. “This has proven to be one of our greatest assets as it allows the Rowan EDC to be top of mind when these consultants are seeking out new opportunities within the Charlotte region.  It also allows us to share the many strengths of Rowan County including our workforce resources, competitive wages and all the amenities our community has to offer.”

Henderson visited with 18 consultants during the two-day visit including those from location strategy consultant firms including JLL, Site Selection Group, Newmark Knight Frank, Maximus Alliance, Colliers International, Mohr Capital, Barber Business Advisors and Deloitte. 

Share the Love with local nonprofits at Belk Charity Sale

The Belk Charity Sale returns to offer customers exclusive discounts on top designer brands and provide the opportunity to support charities in Salisbury.

The sale will be from 7 a.m. to closing Saturday. The first 100 customers in each store will receive a Belk gift card ranging in value from $5 to $1,500.

 Since 2012, the Belk Charity Sale has contributed nearly $60 million to more than 6,000 nonprofit groups across the South.

Customers must purchase a $5 ticket, and $5 will be deducted from their total purchase when they return to shop Saturday. Tickets are available from partnering charities, and all proceeds will stay with that organization. Tickets can also be purchased directly from Belk, and those proceeds will be divided among partner charities.

All stores across Belk’s 16-state footprint are participating in the sale, each partnering with community organizations. Belk Salisbury’s charity partners include Novant Health Foundation, Family Crisis Council and South Rowan High School.

Atrium Health welcomes chief marketing officer

Atrium Health said Tuesday that Michael Parkerson will join the system as the new senior vice president and chief marketing officer, effective Wednesday.

Parkerson will lead the branding, consumer engagement, awareness and growth efforts that are part of the marketing and communications strategy at Atrium Health, a not-for-profit health care system with nearly 14 million patient interactions each year in 42 hospitals and more than 900 care locations.

Parkerson spent nearly 20 years with Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina, most recently as chief strategy and innovation officer. In this role, he established a division with accountability for enterprise strategy, business transformation, corporate development, innovation and consumer experience.

Parkerson additionally served as chief marketing officer and business transformation leader at Blue Cross.

“I am extremely honored to be part of Atrium Health’s patient-centered and compassionate mission of providing health, hope and healing for all,” Parkerson said. 

Parkerson holds a master’s degree in business administration from James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia, and graduated summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from Hampden-Sydney College in Virginia with a bachelor’s degree in economics and mathematics.

Mandral Blackmon opens local office of Oxi Fresh

Oxi Fresh, recognized as one of the nation’s greenest and fastest-growing carpet cleaning franchises, has opened in the Piedmont area. The location serves Salisbury, Lexington, Kernersville, Gum Tree, Colfax, Piedmont Triad, High Point and Greensboro.

The new location is led by local entrepreneur Mandral Blackmon.

Before opening the Oxi Fresh location earlier this year, Blackmon worked in school systems in Virginia and North Carolina as an education consultant, school principal, science teacher and football coach. Most recently, he was the national director of school turnaround, helping develop an improvement model for struggling schools.

“I have loved the past 20-plus years in the school system working with tomorrow’s future leaders,” Blackmon said. “Most people assume working with Oxi Fresh means I’ve stopped working with kids. However, the truth is that Oxi Fresh gives me the tools to further help the children in my community. Not only am I providing a needed service in my community, but the funds also go toward mentoring programs and camps, such as a coed flag football team that focuses on teaching kids the core values of life and entrepreneurship.”

The Colorado-based franchise, which has more than 370 locations in the United States and Canada, offers oxygen-powered, green cleanings that dry in about one hour.

Blackmon is looking for a location for an office in Salisbury.

To contact Oxi Fresh of the Piedmont, call 336-494-5757 or visit www.oxifresh.com/locations/nc/kernersville-carpet-cleaning.