Dr. Isioma Okonmah has joined Dr. Bryant Norman’s general dentistry practice.
Okonmah is a graduate of New York University College of Dentistry, and completed a year of postgraduate general practice dentistry training in the Oral Medicine Department of the University of Medicine and Dentistry, Newark, N.J. She also holds a master’s degree in public health leadership, and is a Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry.
Okonmah has been practicing dentistry collectively for 18 years, with five years in North Carolina. Born in Nigeria, Okonmah earned her British degree before earning her American degree. She has a dual degree in dentistry.
Drs. Norman and Okonmah are accepting new patients, and hope to extend hours on weekdays and to Saturdays in January. National Starch to acquire starch business in AustraliaNational Starch, a subsidiary of AkzoNobel, has entered into an agreement to acquire Penford’s Australian specialty grain wet milling and manufacturing facility based in Lane Cove and certain other intellectual property and assets of Penford’s Australian specialty starch business. Terms were not disclosed.
The former National Starch site in Salisbury is split between Akzo-Nobel (surface chemistry, personal care polymers) and Henkel (adhesives and electronic materials).
National Starch is based in Bridgewater, N.J.
The acquisition will expand National Starch’s regional capability to supply specialty corn starches into food applications in the Asia-Pacific region.
The acquisition will add two new product lines to National Starch’s specialty food starches. These include Penford’s “clean label” starch product technology and additional resistant starch products.
The acquisition is currently in final review and is expected to close by the end of the month.
Agent recognized by Travelersinsurance groupJoanne Brown of Central Carolina Insurance Agency was among a select group of employees at local independent insurance agencies to be recognized as a High Achiever by Travelers Personal Insurance.
The Travelers High Achiever award is designed to recognize insurance agency employees who display superior levels of customer service, demonstrate leadership skills, encourage teamwork among their peers and contribute to the overall success of their agencies.
Jay Whittington, president of Central Carolina Insurance Agency, said “Joanne is an outstanding performer who contributes every day to the success of our agency and to the high level of personalized service we provide for our customers. We’re proud that Joanne has been recognized by Travelers and we appreciate her contributions to our agency.”
Brown has been with Central Carolina for 39 years holding positions in personal lines, commercial lines, bookkeeping, systems administration and now office manager. She and her husband, Guy, live in Salisbury and are members at North Main Baptist Church.
Travelers is a leading property casualty insurer selling primarily through independent agents and brokers.
Four State Farm agents taking part in charity driveSalisbury State Farm agents are partnering with Rowan Helping Ministries and Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots for the holiday season. The goal is to create awareness and reach out to the needs in the community.
Rowan Helping Ministries has been providing services such as shelters, soup kitchens and the crisis network since 1967. In addition to nonperishable items, they are in desperate need of bigger-sized diapers and baby care items. Marine Corps Toys for Tots have been distributing toys for needy children who otherwise would not have a Christmas.
They will take new, unwrapped toys (no toy weapons) for children and teens of all ages. You can use any local Salisbury State Farm Agent office as a drop off for these items. They have four convenient locations.
– Mark Byrd, 425 Faith Road.
– Cindy Morgan, 530 E. Innes St.
– Greg Edds, 638 States-ville Blvd.
– John Leatherman, 706 Jake Alexander Blvd. West.
AT&T’s 3G mobile network in Concord
CONCORD ó AT&T has announced the availability of its third generation (3G) mobile broadband network in Concord, opening the door to a new era of mobile services, devices and feature-rich audio and video content for customers in the area.
More than 800 square miles of new 3G network coverage including coverage along I-77 north from Huntersville to Statesville, Interstate 85 north toward Greensboro, Kannapolis, Salisbury and Mooresville
The network extension is part of AT&T’s ongoing efforts to drive innovation and investment to deliver the benefits of smartphones and mobile broadband for customers.
“We are committed to providing North Carolinians access to the advanced wireless broadband services that help drive economic growth and make a difference in people’s lives,” said Cynthia Marshall, president of AT&T North Carolina. “Continuing to enhance and expand our networks is the result of ongoing work by the state’s leaders to foster a business climate that encourages investment and welcomes new technologies.”
AT&T offers a wide variety of devices from more than a dozen manufacturers, including handsets that are compatible with six different operating systems and five different e-mail applications.
Recently, AT&T announced plans to further upgrade its 3G network nationwide with HSPA 7.2 technology to deliver considerably faster mobile broadband speeds. The upgrades are planned to begin in the fourth quarter, with completion expected in 2011.
Caregiver of Month at Home Instead
Michele Obeid has been named Caregiver of the Month for November at Home Instead Senior Care, 625 W. Innes St.
“Michele does a terrific job with her clients, her patience and loving nature makes her the wonderful Caregiver that she is,” said Ashley Sheley, staffing coordinator for Home Instead.
Obeid has been with Home Instead since July.
A native of Orlando, Fla., she has lived in Salisbury 13 years.
Salisbury Therapeutic Massage locationSalisbury Therapeutic Massage’s new location was listed incorrectly in an earlier business roundup. It is at 118 East Council St., Suite 6.
Submit information about new businesses, honors and management promotions to bizbriefs@salisburypost.com. Include a daytime phone number.