Certification
-- Vaughn Seavolt, owner of Life Story Funeral Home in Traverse City, qualified for re-certification of the designation of Certified Funeral Service Practitioner by the Academy of Professional Service Practice.
-- Gail Stoops, Karen Peck, Suzanne Schubert and Ardana Titus, all Master Tax Advisors at H&R; Block in Traverse City, have earned the Enrolled Agent designation from the Internal Revenue Service.
Associations
-- Law firm Smith Haughey Rice & Roegge recently elected a new Chief Executive Officer, William J. Hondorp; President, Patrick F. Geary; five new shareholders: Scott D. Harvey, Jason R. Sebolt, Steven K. Stawski, Melissa E. Whitman and Shawn C. Worden; and a new Board of Directors: Charles F. Behler, Peter J. Boyles, David J. DeGraw, William L. Henn, Todd W. Millar and Craig S. Neckers. The firm has offices in Ann Arbor, Grand Rapids and Traverse City.
-- The Northport Community Arts Center elected its 2010 officers: Joan Jackson, President; Dick Koenig, Vice President for Development; Doug Scripps, Vice President for Programming; Curt Leece, Vice President for Facilities; Ann Brow, Treasurer; Board of Trustees, Ed Arnfield, Henrietta Barnes, Ken Bloomquist, Denise Branch, Carol Borzymowski, Janet Crane, Patty DeYoung, Steve Gilbreath, Dick Grout, Sharon Hall, Kent Holton, Kathy Kovas, Phil Mikesell, Don Myers, Bonnie Shiner, Dorothy Schobel, Karen Schulte, Bob Walker, Betsy Wilson, and Don Wilcox.
-- The Northern Michigan Chapter of the American Institute of Architects has elected its 2010 Chapter Board: Sarah Bourgeois, President; Mark Humitz, Vice President; Michael T. Callahan, Secretary; Robert C. Stow, Treasurer; John Kerridge, Michigan Director/Past President; Eric Mansuy, Associate Director.
-- Edward O'Keefe Sr. of Chateau Grand Traverse winery in Peninsula Township was named to a job and prospertity task force for the citizen action network "American Solutions for Winning the Future" founded by former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich. The group will meet in Washington for strategy sessions on improving the U.S. economy.
-- State House Republican Leader Rep. Kevin Elsenheimer of Kewadin is among 24 politicians from around the country selected for the Rodel Fellowship program sponsored by The Aspen Institute. It's a two-year fellowship designed to foster broad, non-partisan approaches to government and political issues.
New Business
-- Blue Star Polishing is a new company based in Traverse City providing grind and polished finishes for concrete flooring. The company is a division of Boride Engineered Abrasives and is located in the Boride building at 2615 Aero Park Drive. More information is available at www.bluestarpolishing.com or by calling (231) 932-2456.
Personnel
-- Ross Richardson, Jordan Riness, and Andrea Galloup have joined Century 21 Northland in Traverse City as Realtors, specializing in residential property sales in the area. Galloup currently serves on the Traverse Area Association of Realtors Board of Directors.
-- Richard P. Martel Jr. has joined the law office of Bethany C. Warner & Associates in downtown Traverse City. Martel will be focusing his practice on estate planning, while also practicing in the areas of business representation and real estate.
-- Greg Baldwin has been hired as Vice-President of News at WPBN/WTOM TV 7&4. He spent the last four years at WAGT-TV in Augusta, Ga.
-- Maurice "Mike" Borden has become a member in Sondee, Racine & Doren, PLC, a civil law firm with offices in Traverse City and Gaylord. His practice is concentrated on litigation, including insurance, commercial litigation and general liability. Borden specializes in insurance coverage and appeals. He is an Elmwood Township resident working in the firm's Traverse City office.
New technology
-- The American Proficiency Institute in Traverse City now offers Paperless Proficiency Testing, electronic reporting of proficiency test results will allow food laboratories to assess their quality more rapidly. The technology was initially used in clinical laboratories.
-- Great Northern Roasting Co., a certified organic coffee processor based in Traverse City, is utilizing Natural Kraft Bags that are 100 percent compostable and recyclable. The bags are made from 40 percent recycled paper and lined with a plant-based polymer made from renewable plants.
Donations
-- Grand Traverse Pie Co. based in Traverse City launched a "Lend-a-Hand" fund-raising campaign on Saturdays through Feb. 27. Each slice of pie sold on Saturdays at the company's participating locations will result in a 25-cent donation to local food banks in their communities. The company's cherry pie is also featured in the February edition of "O The Oprah Magazine", and it was also recognized in the Jan. 22 USA Today among the top 10 destinations to observe "National Pie Day" on Jan. 23.
-- Best Western Four Seasons motel in Traverse City donated 6,500 pounds of dog and cat food to the Cherryland Humane Society. The food was purchased with proceeds from a $10 fee collected from guests with pets at the motel.
-- Edward's Home Furnishings in Suttons Bay donated $850 to the Leelanau Christian Neighbors Food Pantry in conjunction with the with the Ekornes Furniture Charity Donation promotion.
Recognition
-- American Recycler Newspaper's January edition highlighted the pilot recycling project in downtown Traverse City coordinated by the Grand Traverse County Resource Recovery Department and the city's Downtown Development Authority. Fourteen recycling bins were placed along E. Front Street allowing downtown shoppers and visitors to recycle paper products, glass and plastic bottles and metal containers.
-- Marathon Automotive in Traverse City was named among the top 10 automotive repair shops in the nation in the December edition of Motor Age Magazine. Shops were judged in 15 categories including customer service and satisfaction, employee relations, training, management standards and more. It's the first Michigan shop recognized in the 5-year history of the contest. The business is located at 845 South Airport Road.
-- Natalie Foisie of VanDrie Home Furnishings was named January Affiliate of the Month for the Traverse Area Association of Realtors.
-- Compiled by Alison Widmer and Bill O'Brien
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