SBWire

The economic recovery has arrived and is in full swing. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the total number of individuals filing for unemployment benefits has plummeted to the lowest level in more than four decades. In addition, private employers have added jobs to the workforce for seven straight years in a row.

The economic recovery has arrived and is in full swing. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the total number of individuals filing for unemployment benefits has plummeted to the lowest level in more than four decades. In addition, private employers have added jobs to the workforce for seven straight years in a row.

ABC11 Eyewitness News (abc11.com) has announced four appearances by anchors to commemorate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, which recognizes the birthday of the civil rights leader and activist on Monday, Jan. 17.

Bill Horne, CEO of Laser Spine Institute (laserspineinstitute.com), the leader in endoscopic spine surgery, has announced that the company has transitioned its recently opened consult center in Oklahoma City into a full-service surgery center. Located at 13825 Quail Pointe Drive in Oklahoma City, the facility will offer minimally invasive spine surgery in an outpatient setting with Dr. Michael Weiss, an orthopedic spine surgeon with Laser Spine Institute.

Rich Van Tassel, president of Royal Oaks Building Group, LLC (royaloaksbg.com), has announced the company is now building in the residential neighborhood of Holland Farm. Located within walking distance of Apex Nature Park, Holland Farm features homes with a third-floor, walk up attics, three-car garages, first-floor owner’s suites and guest suites. All homes are ENERGY STAR® Certified. The homes, with prices starting from the $290s, come equipped with granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, hardwood flooring and screened porches.

Nancy McFarlane, president of MedPro Rx, Inc. (medprorx.com), a provider of specialty pharmacy services to clients with chronic illnesses who need clotting factor, IVIg and other medications, has announced the release of a new Memory Match game on the MedPro Rx Kids website (http://www.medprokids.com). In Memory Match, players click on a shape to reveal its hidden colors and then must match shapes that have the same colors. More shapes are added each round and players receive points for correct guesses. In addition to Jigsaw Jam, Marble Mania, Bubble Fishing and Quick Math, Memory Match is a game designed for children with blood disorders.

Patty Briguglio, president of MMI Public Relations (mmipublicrelations.com), a Raleigh-based full-service public relations firm, has announced that the firm has been named the public relations agency of record for SalesForce4Hire (http://www.salesforce4hire.com/), a premier full-service source for custom sales solutions in the medical device, life science and healthcare industries, from investor-driven start-ups, to multi-billion dollar global segment leaders. MMI will assist SalesForce4Hire in developing and implementing a public relations campaign, including media relations, strategic planning and community relations.

Jennifer and Ed Schrage, owners of Pronto Pasta (prontopasta.com), a locally owned and operated restaurant, have announced that the restaurant has joined the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce. The Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce is the Triangle’s largest business membership organization, with more than 2,500 member firms representing two-thirds of the private sector employment in Wake County.

David Finch, president and CEO of ATCOM Business Telecom Solutions (atcombts.com), a communications solutions provider, has announced that Jessica Hoskin has joined the firm as project manager. In this role, Hoskin manages the implementation of various communication systems throughout the Triangle, which involves coordinating with the sales team, the customer and the technicians to ensure that ATCOM’s customers experience a seamless installation. She also works with customers to program their communication systems and applications to best fit their company’s specific needs.

The Chef’s Academy, the Culinary Division of Harrison College, a 108-year-old, nationally accredited institution that offers more than 30 degree programs in five schools of study, has announced the release of an iPhone application. The app was designed for students and prospective students of the academy, as well as food enthusiasts interested in weekly updates on recipes, and wine and beer pairings. Students who download the app will have career services, the student handbook and campus directory all in one convenient location. The app also includes campus news, polls, checklists and links to social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter and Youtube.

David R. Rhode, managing partner of Vaco Raleigh, LLC, an executive placement and consulting firm, has announced that Troy Knight, managing director of Vaco’s design and media division, will address members of the Research Triangle Park chapter of the Association of Information Technology Professionals at the organization’s Gaming and Immersive Learning event on Thursday, Jan. 13 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the NC State University Club, located at 4200 Hillsborough St. The event will cover the local gaming industry and how companies are using gaming technologies to enrich the communication channels with their clients.

SalesForce4Hire®, a provider of custom sales solutions to the medical device, life science and healthcare industries, has announced the official release of a white paper at the OneMedForum conference occurring Tuesday, Jan. 11 through Thursday, Jan. 13. The white paper addresses the need for healthcare companies engaged in mergers and acquisitions to diversify and implement innovative business models to ensure continued revenue growth. Authored by Kevin Schimelfenig, founder and managing partner of SalesForce4Hire, LLC, the white paper is intended to serve as an informational guide for healthcare companies involved in the critical decision-making effort of when and how best to launch a product that has been acquired into a portfolio due to recent merger or acquisition.

BJAC pa (http://www.bjac.com/), an architectural firm offering professional services for specialized, complex institutional projects, has announced that Lou Jurkowski, FAIA, managing principal, will be featured in Woodbury University’s WUHo exhibit in Los Angeles titled 13.3%... This exhibit recognizes the work of women architects, who represent a low 13.3 percent of the profession. The exhibition will be on display through January 2011.

Crystal Suazo, partner at Vaco Raleigh, LLC, an executive placement and consulting firm, has announced that Laura Byron has joined the firm as a sales support specialist. Byron will be responsible for administrative work, front desk duties, social media and event planning. Prior to joining Vaco, Byron worked as director of recruitment for Beacon Hill Nannies in Cambridge, Mass. She earned her degree in journalism and mass communications with a concentration in public relations from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Security Management Consulting designed the Security System/Security Control Center for the Duke Energy Center in Charlotte, NC.

Wake County Business Alliance Chair And Owner of North Raleigh Florist Connects Local Students With Industry Professionals

Locally Owned Raleigh Restaurant Joins Campaign To Promote Local Economic Growth

Patty Briguglio, president of MMI Public Relations, a Raleigh-based full-service public relations firm, has announced that the firm has been named the public relations agency of record for Academy Solar. Academy Solar is a solar energy system design and installation company based in Chapel Hill, N.C. With a focus in the Triangle and Charlotte markets, the company installs both residential and commercial systems. MMI Public Relations will work with Academy Solar to develop and implement a strategic public relations campaign that incorporates media relations, social media and community relations.

Local MedSpa Introduces New Permanent Hair Removal Treatment

Lewis Finch, president of MSA (MarketSmart Advertising), a full-service marketing and communications agency, has announced that Todd Prichard has joined the agency as regional account executive. With more than four years of industry experience, Prichard returns to MSA to manage 11 SUBWAY® restaurants markets across the Southeast. He will be responsible for developing and implementing marketing strategies, monitoring internal account services and overseeing day-to-day client communication.

Regency Office Products, an independently owned office supply company and print and promotional products distributor, announces today the addition of Herb Newton as director of value optimization. Newton will lead the national sales team, concentrating on print and promotional products services.

The RTP CFO Forum (rtpcfos.com) will hold its monthly meeting on Friday, January 7, 2011. The organization serves as a peer-to-peer networking and discussion opportunity for more than 200 senior financial executives in the Triangle area. The meeting will focus on sales, use, and local tax updates.

Hughes Pittman & Gupton, LLP, the largest CPA firm headquartered and staffed in the Research Triangle Park region of North Carolina, announces today that firm partner and executive committee member Tim Gupton has joined the board of directors of Southeast BIO. SEBIO fosters the growth of the life sciences industry across the Southeastern United States.

SalesForce4Hire’® has announced that Managing Partner Kevin Schimelfenig will lead a workshop on Building Revenue as a Virtual Company – Creative Distribution and Sales Strategies at the OneMedForum Conference held at the Sir Francis Drake Hotel, Union Square, located at 450 Powell in San Francisco. Schimelfenig will present on Tuesday, Jan. 11 from 1:30 p.m. to 2:20 p.m. and Jan. 12 from 3:30 p.m. to 4:20 p.m. The presentation will focus on overcoming challenges of commercialization and how to keep overhead costs to a minimum while earning revenue and increasing your company’s value.

The Chamber Orchestra of the Triangle announces today that pianist Andrew Tyson will be the featured soloist at its January 16 concert. Tyson is a Durham, N.C. native and a 2005 graduate of the Durham Academy. This is his first performance with The COT.

Your Door & More (http://www.yourdoorandmore.com) owner and illustrator Brenda Priest has donated a custom illustration of their Texas home to Maj. Jason Railsback and his wife, Maj. Greta Railsback, both of whom are currently deployed on their second tour of duty in Iraq. Jason Railsback is the Battalion Executive Officer for the 20th Engineer Battalion, which is in charge of route clearance patrols for his region, daily activities of the battalion, and supervision of all battalion staff sections. Greta Railsback works at United States Forces – Iraq (USF-I) Headquarters, located in Baghdad at Camp Victory as part of the Force Headquarters. She conducts general, flag officer and senior leader management for USF-I and personnel planning and operations for the Iraq Theater.

The Spectacle, Raleigh’s artfully designed luxury eyewear shop, has added the Maybach line to its offerings. The Maybach collection features some of the most high-end eyewear designs inspired by the Mercedes Luxury Maybach car line. The glasses are hand created by professionals and are meant to mimic the company’s cars, utilizing the metal, wood and carbon fiber materials used to create the Maybach. The arms of the glasses each reflect the finish and trim strips used in the vehicles’ interiors. The glasses are available in an Individual collection, which creates lenses more specific to the customer’s needs. The Individual line offers various tints and materials, as well as other specific requests.