Business briefs: Standard Process lease at NC Research Campus extends to 2025
Published 12:00 am Sunday, January 19, 2020
- Submitted photo Standard Process Nutritition Innovation Center on the N.C. Research Campus in Kannapolis.
KANNAPOLIS — Standard Process has entered into a five-year lease agreement with the David H. Murdock Research Institute for new lab space for the Standard Process Nutrition Innovation Center (NIC).
An extension of Standard Process’ Palmyra headquarters, the NIC is a first-of-its-kind research and innovation facility. The agreement extends Standard Process’ lease for the NIC by four additional years through March 2025.
It also provides an option for leasing additional lab space in the future, allowing for continued expansion.
“This new lab space and extended lease will allow us to better support ongoing clinical studies, develop innovative food science technologies, and establish cutting edge research programs that elucidate the role of whole food matrix in health and disease and development of new Standard Process products,” said Dr. Bassem F. El-Khodor, PhD, director of discovery science and innovation at Standard Process’ NIC.
The lease includes new lab space and additional features, which is better configured for research needs. The lab contains state-of-the-art equipment for conducting innovative research, including work in nutrigenomics and epigenetics.
The lab is also used for the complete analytical profiling of natural products and plants to define their active components and impact on targeted health conditions. At the NIC, Standard Process develops whole food-based nutritional supplements to improve individual health and well-being, holistic clinical care, and leverages organic and sustainable farming with regenerative practices to improve nutrient density in its products.
The NIC chose the North Carolina Research Campus for its high level of technology and the insights available through partnerships. Standard Process’ on-campus partnerships and collaborations include The David H. Murdock Research Institute, North Carolina State University – Plants for Human Health Institute, Appalachian State University, Harvard T.H. Chan – School of Public Health and the William Harvey Research Institute.
Established in 2018, the NIC is dedicated to impacting and changing healthcare in the United States through nutrition therapy and to continue the legacy of Standard Process’ founder, Dr. Royal Lee, by advancing clinical practices based on the whole food health advantage.
As part of the NIC’s Culinary Medicine nutrition and education program, the kitchen enables people to better understand and adapt whole food nutrition into their lifestyles, providing a healthier way of preparing food. The NIC is also home to a professional media and learning center that provides the most advanced educational tools and capabilities available to advance practitioner education and training.
For more information including a virtual tour of the NIC visit https://www.standardprocess.com/About-Us/Innovation.
Elizabeth Kiser named as vice president of Novant Health Foundations
CHARLOTTE – Elizabeth Kiser has been named vice president of Novant Health Foundations. In this role, Kiser will help design and implement plans for sustainable and integrated philanthropy across all of Novant Health’s markets. She will represent and work to increase the profile of the foundations within the communities Novant Health serves.
The foundations’ philanthropic efforts inspire giving that supports programs and initiatives that have direct patient impact. Novant regional foundations focus on the critical needs in five areas: infants and children; cancer; heart and vascular; stroke and neuroscience; and research and education.
“Novant Health is proud to have Elizabeth this role,” said Ann Caulkins, senior vice president of Novant Health and president of Novant Health Foundations. Kiser was the associate vice president and director of development at Queens University of Charlotte for seven years. Prior to that, she was the associate vice president for development and director of the Game Changers campaign, as well as the director of development and director of the annual fund at Davidson College.
Kiser is a staff adviser to the Connor House, a women’s social group at Davidson College. She previously served on the board of Trinity Episcopal School and was president of the Charlotte Triathlon Club.
Kiser is a graduate of Saint Mary’s College in Notre Dame, Indiana, with a bachelor of arts in communications. She will report to Caulkins.
New officers for NHRMC Auxiliary Board of Directors
The auxiliary was founded in 1936 by 100 women to serve the newly constructed Rowan Memorial Hospital. Presently, the auxiliary raises funds though the hospital gift shop, Tree of Hope project at Christmas, jewelry and uniform sales, and contributions from members.
Medical Center volunteers, men and women, provide approximately 25,000 hours of service each year, and have been major contributors to the Partners In Progress campaign, the Kiser Hospice House and the Wallace Cancer Institute.
Premier Credit Union returns profits
GREENSBORO – For the 10th consecutive year, members of Premier Federal Credit Union received 5% of the interest paid in 2019 on eligible loans. More than 10,400 members received a portion of the $304,825 given back through a deposit to their savings account. Over the past 10 years, $2,599,454 has been returned to members in the form of an annual interest rebate.
“Being a not-for-profit financial cooperative, we are committed to enhancing the benefits of being a member-owner.” stated Lori Thompson, president and CEO.
“Our philosophy is that of ‘People Helping People’ and we are proud to have helped so many of our members save money and get the things they need through our lending products.”
The decision to give the interest rebate was made by the Board of Directors at the meeting held in November with the announcement being made to the membership in the winter newsletter.
Traffic up at Concord airport
CONCORD — In 2019, over 174,000 passengers stepped into Concord by way of Allegiant Air at Concord-Padgett Regional Airport. This was another record-breaking year, with an increase of 23% over 2018.
Commercial services at Concord-Padgett Regional (JQF-USA) began in 2013 with a twice-weekly service to Orlando, Sanford International Airport, for a total of four departures and four arrivals; to now providing service to seven destinations including the newest location in 2019, Palm Beach International Airport, twice weekly.
With these added services, staff welcomed approximately 174,000 passengers to the city of Concord, who arrived on 1,367 flights throughout the 2019 year, as well as bidding safe travels to over 179,000 passengers who were boarding 1,367 departing flights departing from Concord-Padgett.
As 2020 makes its landing, JQF-USA will continue to focus its efforts on the previously approved Capital Rehab Project. This year’s focus involves rehabilitating 22 acres of the airport’s apron area. Ninety percent of the funding for this $5 million project came from the Federal Aviation Administration.
BBB: Auto repair new top complaint generator
CHARLOTTE – Better Business Bureau of Southern Piedmont and Western North Carolina released its 2019 annual report, detailing consumer activity related to businesses located in the BBB’s 37-county service area.
This report includes statistics on consumer complaints, verified customer reviews, website inquiries and the top five types of businesses that generated the most complaints.
Consumer complaints
In 2019, consumers filed more than 16,000 complaints against area businesses, showing an increase of just over 400 complaints from 2018.
“A small increase in customer complaints is certainly not unusual. With new businesses opening regularly, it just means that there are more businesses to work with and more customers to satisfy,” said BBB President Tom Bartholomy. “Business growth is wonderful for our economy, and making sure consumers are satisfied is extremely important.”
Verified customer reviews
In 2019, customers submitted more than 13,000 verified reviews about businesses, showing an increase of 37% from 2018.
“Customer reviews skyrocketed in 2019,” said Bartholomy. “Potential customers always want to know what third parties say about a business they’re considering working with, and the BBB is a great resource for that. We are thrilled to see customers continuing to take advantage of this outlet by sharing positive or negative feedback about their experience with a business.”
Website Inquiries
In 2019, total inquiries were up nearly 6% over 2018, showing a total increase of roughly 130,000.
According to Bartholomy, “It’s great to see the number of inquiries up, as this represents more consumers using our website to vet businesses before making purchases.”
Top Complaint Generators
2019:
1. Auto repair
2. Auto dealers – new
3. Collections agencies
4. Banks
5. Newspapers
2018:
1. Auto dealers – new
2. Collection agencies
3. Auto dealers – used
4. Auto repair
5. Banks
Consumers can visit www.bbb.org to check out a business, file a complaint or leave a review.
