SBWire

Investor Management Services (IMS), the leading investor experience platform for commercial real estate owners and investment firms and the only complete solution for investor management, today announced the grand opening of its new headquarters, which will be celebrated with an invitation-only open house on Thursday, March 28th for employees, their family and friends, industry professionals, Lower South End neighbors, vendors, and partners. IMS will host additional open house events in the future, which will be open to the public.

Blue Gas Marine, Inc. and Dusky Marine partner to introduce natural gas fuel options to the sport fishing boat market. A Dusky Marine 252 featuring the award winning Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) fuel-system technology from Blue Gas Marine, Inc. powering its Suzuki outboard motor will be on display at the Miami International Boat Show, Pier 1/Slip 137 February 11-15th for sea trials. This is the first factory built boat designed from the ground-up to seamlessly integrate the fuel system for the sport fishing market, while maximizing range.

David Finch, president and CEO of ATCOM Business Telecom Solutions (http://www.atcombts.com), a communications solutions provider, has announced that the company has installed a Mitel Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) communications system for Sparians Bowling Boutique & Bistro, an entertainment complex located at 141 Park at North Hills St. in midtown Raleigh. ATCOM provided Sparians with the latest VoIP platform, IP telephones and data network, as well as a dynamic extension application which allows for mobility throughout the 28,840-square-foot complex for the employee on the go.

Johnson Lambert & Co. LLP, completed 25 years and pleased to announce that have two new partners Josh Partlow and Jason Sandner, from January 1, 2011.

Continuing its support of the Triangle community, Hughes Pittman & Gupton, LLP, the largest CPA firm headquartered and staffed in the Research Triangle Park region of North Carolina, has donated funds and toys to North Raleigh Ministries, a nonprofit organization that provides encouragement, food and emergency financial aid to North Raleigh residents.

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 that the institute will be hosting a culinary competition for high school students at the junior and senior grade level. The two-part competition will make use of the institute’s social media presence as well as its brick-and-mortar kitchens. In phase one, applicants will submit their best recipes as well as an original photo of the dish to the institute and will be hosted on The Chef’s Academy official Facebook fan page. In phase two, the 15 entrants who receive the most votes will then compete in a head-to-head cooking competition. The grand prize winner will receive full tuition to The Chef’s Academy, while second and third place contestants will receive $5,000 and $1,000 scholarships respectively.

Lou Jurkowski, FAIA and chief executive officer of BJAC, pa, an architectural firm offering professional services for specialized, complex institutional projects, has announced the release of a podcast on Building Information Modeling (BIM) and 3D imaging. In this podcast, BIM administrator and building modeler, Eric Stewart discusses new technologies that are revolutionizing architectural design and drafting. He discusses in detail how this technology improves product design and communication of design. Stewart explains how BIM benefits the entire life cycling of planning, design, construction, and facility maintenance and operation, as well as how it enhances green and environmentally friendly initiatives.

With this announcement, Prestonwood and MacGregor Downs join a growing list of local country clubs that rely on CSP to manage their information technology assets.

Stein Plastic Surgery is the among the few facial plastic surgery centers in the Raleigh area designed to make the facial plastic surgery experience itself rewarding.

Lee Hortman, vice president of operations at Gray & Creech Water Systems, Inc. (http://www.grayandcreech.com), a distributor of drinking water and coffee systems, has announced that Heather Folden has joined the firm as account manager. In this position, Folden will be responsible for planning, managing, prospecting and closing new and existing client accounts. She has been working in sales for more than two years and has sold a wide variety of products and services.

Never order the expensive checks from bank. With ezCheckPrinting, user can legally print the bank checks from home or office laser printer. And the total cost can be $0.

BodyLase Skin Spa, a medically oriented skin spa (http://www.getbodylase.com), has announced that Karen Albright, president, has been named a 2010 Women Extraordinaire recipient. The Women Extraordinaire Awards are among the Triangle’s most prestigious accolades honoring area businesswomen. Those selected as Women Extraordinaire are recognized for being leaders, innovators, problem solvers and inspirations to other women. These women serve the community by making a difference for worthy causes or by providing leadership, direction or support to service-based professional, civic or charitable organizations. The awards were presented at a luncheon on Dec. 10 at Events at Newton Square in Raleigh.

Wannasoft Studio, a discount software provider, is glad to offer iPad Converter which is ultimate solution for enjoying high-quality videos and movies on iPad. It is a combination of iPad Video Converter, DVD to iPad Converter and Blu-ray to iPad Converter. The software produces H.264 and MPEG-4 encoded MP4 up to 720p for iPad as well as many popular video and audio formats (MP3, AAC, WAV, lossless FLAC, AIFF, etc). Users are able to rip DVD and blu-ray movies with desired subtitles and audio tracks and get up to 5.1 surround sounds.

Carol Daley, owner of at Ease boutiques in Raleigh and Cary, has announced both store locations are now offering shoppers a tax deduction as well as 50 percent off of their entire purchase with the donation of gently used women’s clothing. The new incentives program aims to benefit the North Carolina Association of Domestic Violence Outreach Stores (NCADVOS), whose mission is to develop earned income strategies to enhance social and community impact for domestic violence programs across North Carolina, while providing outreach opportunities for their communities.

Rich Van Tassel, president of Royal Oaks Building Group, LLC (http://www.royaloaksbg.com), has announced that Kelly Talbot has joined the firm as Marketing Coordinator. In her position, Talbot will work to help build and strengthen the Royal Oaks brand as well as advertise and market the Royal Oaks homes and communities.

President Laura A. Schoppe Also Featured In Interview Discussing Findings and Recommendations Across Government, University And Corporate Offices

Dean Ogan, owner of Rocky Top Hospitality, has announced that Rocky Top Hospitality was a VIP Level Sponsor of the Capital City Clauses’ 17th annual Jingle Ball held on Dec. 9 at Marbles Kids Museum in Raleigh. Rocky Top contributed a significant amount of food and services to the cause.

The Spectacle, Raleigh’s artfully designed luxury eyewear shop, has announced that the store now carries the Philipe Starck eyewear collection. This new collection features some of the most innovative eyewear design from two of Europe’s most influential designers. The basic frame design and manufacturing is handled by famed European designer Alain Mikli, while Starck is responsible for adding nontraditional influences into the final product, including an eight-way hinge and unconventional ergonomic temples. Starck has influenced products in a number of industries including clean energy, furniture, audio equipment and fashion accessories.

MMI Public Relations, a Raleigh-based, full-service public relations firm, has announced that Ryal Curtis has been promoted to senior account director. In his new position, Curtis will handle new business efforts alongside the company president and have an instrumental role in shaping client PR proposals and plans, as well as new client intake. He will be responsible for managing the employee hiring process and growth of the company’s internal departments, including video, social media, internships and traffic, and MMI’s brand. Curtis will maintain his status as the primary point-of-contact for a several high-level client accounts in his new position.

Technology Support Firm Provides Advice On How To Avoid Nasty Recovery Surprises Before It Is Too Late

On Monday, December 6, users from all over the country gathered in Charlotte, NC for the 5th Annual Picture Perfect User Group Conference (PPUG). The two day conference featured the benefits of the latest version of Picture Perfect, keynote speakers from the security industry, and training sessions taught by industry experts.

Sandy Abalos, managing partner of Abalos & Associates, PLLC has announced that the firm has adopted a family of four for the holiday season through the Upward Foundation’s Adopt-A-Family program for the 8th consecutive year. Upward Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of children and families with special needs through education, therapy and loving care.

SalesForce4Hire has announced the formal release of a white paper addressing the considerations vital to a successful launch of a medical device, healthcare or life science product. Authored by Kevin Schimelfenig, founder and managing partner of SalesForce4Hire, LLC, the white paper is intended to serve as an informational guide for medical device companies involved in the critical decision-making effort of when and how best to launch a new product, a non-progressing asset, or a product acquired into a portfolio due to recent merger or acquisition.

The Triangle Multiple Listing Service, Inc. (TMLS) announced that the average sales price for a home re-sale in November for Durham, Johnston, Orange and Wake counties was $235,800, an increase of 12 percent over the same period 12 months earlier. While the current average sales prices are up 14 percent from November 2009, housing affordability is at an all-time high with the combination of prices and interest rates which continue at record lows.

Karen Albright, president of BodyLase Skin Spa, has announced that the medspa now offers the Smartlipo system for laser-assisted lipolysis, or LaserBodySculptingSM, a procedure that disrupts fat cells and causes coagulation of the tissue leading to skin tightening. The Smartlipo system provides aesthetic surgeons a new, less-invasive method for reducing fat cells. SmartLipo is the first body sculpting procedure that uses only a laser to offer a revolutionary and minimally-invasive procedure for the removal of fat.