GCS of Salisbury (Global Contact Services), an integrated provider of customer acquisition, retention and care solutions, has named a Maine resident vice president of business development.
Bernie Huckestein of Veazie, Maine, will serve as lead sales representative for all of GCS’s 13 locations, according to Greg Alcorn, CEO. He is responsible for new business development to achieve revenue and market expansion goals. GCS (www.GCSagents.com) provides contact center services to place products, service requests and strengthen customer relationships for clients in the insurance, banking, financial, telecom, energy, membership and political markets. Non-voice activities include data entry, social media monitoring and data processing.
Huckestein has more than 20 years of experience in consultative solution sales. He has a bachelor of science degree in computer science, with a minor in math, from Edinboro University, Edinboro, Pa.
Myers honored by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans
Jennifer Myers, a financial associate with Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, has qualified for Sierra level for 2010 sales and service, one of 700 to qualify. Myers has been with Thrivent Financial for 10 years and this is the first time she has been recognized.
She is with Thrivent Financial’s Southeast Regional Financial Office, serving Lutherans and their family members in Salisbury and surrounding communities. She was recognized by peers from across the country at Thrivent Financial’s sales conference in April.


Hough honored by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans
Boyd Hough, a wealth advisor with Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, has qualified for Summit Circle for 2010. This is the organization’s second-highest recognition level for sales and service. Eight percent of Thrivent Financial’s approximately 2,400 financial representatives qualified for this honor. 
 Hough has been with Thrivent Financial for 29 years and has been recognized for his performance 29 times.
He is with Thrivent Financial’s Southeast Regional Financial Office, serving Lutherans and their family members in Salisbury and surrounding communities. He was recognized by peers from across the country at Thrivent Financial’s sales conference in April.
Hill offers reflexology course in Salisbury/Rowan area
Cynthia B. Hill of Shalom Regel Reflexology, 4010 Oak St., has completed training as a certified instructor of the Sorensensistem.
The concept of foot reflexology affects the meridian, nervous and vascular systems to relieve the source of the symptoms. The certification course includes 150 contact hours.
Students who complete the course will be eligible to sit for the national certification exam (American Reflexology Certification Board – ARCB):
Hill has served the Salisbury/Rowan area in the field of reflexology for the past 24 years. She is outgoing president of the North Carolina Reflexology Association (NCRA) and has spent the pst four years working to raise the level of education for reflexologists across the nation.
Information regarding enrolment may be obtained by contacting Hill at 704-636- 4153 or emailing cyndihill@att.net.
Maurices names Gee new manager in Albemarle
Maurices specialty store has named Jenny Gee as manager in Albemarle. Gee is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the store, including sales performance, visual presentation, and personnel recruitment and training.
Maurices operates more than 760 stores in 44 states.
Concord JCPenney recognized with Chairman’s Award
The Concord JCPenney’s was among the chain’s 160 stores recognized with the Chairman’s Award at a celebratory banquet in Dallas on April 29. The Chairman’s Award, the company’s highest honor for performance excellence, was presented to the those selected out of 1,110 stores nationwide.
The manager at the Carolina Mall Penney’s is William K. Green.
Another $500,000 to tornado victims from Lowe’s
MOORESVILLE — Lowe’s will donate an additional $500,000 to the American Red Cross National Disaster Relief Fund to help with recovery after the severe weather from Alabama to Virginia.
Lowe’s already had donated $250,000 to the American Red Cross in honor of the employees at the damaged Lowe’s store in Sanford, and to aid in disaster relief nationwide.
Lowe’s stores nationwide will continue to accept customer donations through May 22.
In addition, Lowe’s stores in the affected areas are donating critically needed supplies for residents. Lowe’s Employee Relief Fund also will continue to assist the company’s own employees faced with rebuilding nationwide. The Lowe’s Employee Relief Fund, which was created in 1999, has contributed $12 million in assistance to more than 11,000 employees and their families. Lowe’s matches such contributions dollar for dollar.
Salomon opens Homewatch CareGivers in Concord
Tom Salomon has just opened Homewatch CareGivers in Concord, serving greater Concord area, including Kannapolis, Salisbury and Mooresville.
“Homewatch CareGivers has a deep commitment to service and is a company of people with heart who remain true to the core principles that makes the company a premier home care provider — treating every client like family. Bringing this much-needed service and high caliber of care to the Concord community is something I am truly honored to do,” Salomon said.
Since 1980, Homewatch CareGivers has provided in-home companion, personal and comprehensive care services.
Salomon has worked as a chemist, environmental engineer and in technology support and project management. His wife is Maureen.
For more information, call 704-788-2353, or visit www.homewatchcaregivers.com/concord
Time Warner, News 14 raise $268,000 for tornado relief
The Time Warner Cable and News 14 Carolina Community Recovery Drive raised $268,000 for American Red Cross tornado relief efforts in North Carolina through donor contributions and a Time Warner Cable match. Including the Community Recovery Drive, the total support generated by Time Warner Cable including cash and in-kind services now stands at $542,000.
News 14 Carolina featured the telethon every hour April 29, including special appeals from NASCAR stars and Carolina Panthers Coach Ron Rivera.
Charlotte Regional Partnership a Top 10 economic developer
For the second year in a row, the Charlotte Regional Partnership has been named by Site Selection magazine among its Top Economic Development Groups of the year. Both the Partnership and the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce were presented awards during a ceremony at the Industrial Asset Management Council’s spring 2011 Professional Forum in Albuquerque, N.M.
“Although we are being honored, our success is the result not only of our efforts, but of those of the economic development professionals in our 16 counties,” said Ronnie Bryant, president & CEO of the Charlotte Regional Partnership. “Our team aggressively markets our region throughout the world to keep it top of mind, but it is our state, county and city partners who close the deals. So, we all have a share in our regional success.”
North Carolina and South Carolina were deemed the fourth and fifth most competitive, respectively. The Competitiveness Award goes to the state with the most points earned in a 10-factor index based mainly on Site Selection publisher Conway Data Inc.’s New Plant Database of new and expanded facilities. For 2010 performance, Louisiana Economic Development was the top state, with Virginia and Texas second and third.
Carolina Bank net income at $324,000 for quarter
GREENSBORO — Carolina Bank Holdings Inc. reported net income available to common shareholders of $324,000 in the first quarter of 2011 compared to $14,000 in the first quarter of 2010.
Diluted net income is 10 cents per share.
Net interest income was $6 million, up 7.1 percent from the first quarter of 2010.
Bank of North Carolina has new SBA lending division
Bank of North Carolina has established a Small Business Administration (SBA) lending division in Raleigh. It will provide SBA loans under the 7(a), 504, and SBA Express loan programs.
The department will be managed by Dave White, a senior vice president.
Concord publisher wins national award
Concord-based Comfort Publishing, an independent general trade publisher, has been named a recipient of Silver Independent Publisher Book Award (IPPY) for Days of Yore: Jack and the Giant Killer by Arin Kambitsis in the fantasy/science fiction category.
The IPPYs are named after receiving thousands of book submissions from hundreds of publishers across the country. These books are examples of independent publishing at its finest.
Kambitsis is a novelist and screenwriter who lives in the Pittsburgh area.
“We are so thrilled to have won our third IPPY award,” said Jason Huddle, Comfort Publishing vice president and co-owner. “It is a testament to the quality of books our house produces.”
In March, another title from Comfort, “The Time of Eddie Noel,” was named a finalist for ForeWord Magazine’s Book of the Year award.
The IPPY’s will be awarded on May 23 in New York City. For more information, visit www.comfortpublishing.com.
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