Personnel
-- Ethan Smith, of Traverse City, has joined C & M Insurance Services Inc. as a commercial producer. He graduated from Olivet College in 2004 with a business administration degree with a concentration of insurance, and holds insurance licenses in property and casualty, life and health insurance. He specializes in small to large commercial accounts and Farm Insurance.
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Certification
-- Holly Gallagher, an investment adviser representative with Commonwealth Financial Network, is studying to become a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst. Gallagher's practice, Horizon Financial, is located at 12935 S. West Bayshore Drive Suite 220, Traverse City; www.horizonfinancialtc.com. She can be reached at (231) 941-6669 or hollyg@cfnmail.com.
Promotion
-- Jill Saarela has been named president and CEO of WBPN-TV and WGTU-TV, Traverse City, a division of Barrington Broadcasting Group, LLC. Prior to her position as vice president and general manager, she was previously with the station as the general sales manager.
Declaration
-- Honor Bancorp, Inc., the holding company for The Honor State Bank, headquartered in Honor, has declared a quarterly cash dividend of .12 cents per share, payable to shareholders on record Sept. 18, 2008, and payable Sept. 29, 2008.
Associations
-- Steven L. Barney of Plunkett Cooney in Petoskey was elected president of the Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel 2008-09 Board of Directors. Founded in 1936, the FDCC is an international organization composed of leaders in the legal community.
Events
-- Northwest Chapter of Medical Assistants is holding a Medical Assistants Recognition Week celebration dinner at El Dorado restaurant Oct. 15 at 5:45 p.m. RSVP via e-mail to msmanorthwest@myway.com.
-- Evola Music - Traverse City will hold a grand opening for its new store at Garfield and South Airport roads in Traverse City on Oct. 17. The event will feature performances at 1, 3 and 5 p.m., a free beginning keyboard class for seniors and other events. The local affiliate is owned and operated by Chris Selby, and more information is available from the store at 947-3730.
Mergers/Expansions
-- Fleis & VandenBrink Engineering Inc., which operates a branch office in Traverse City, merged with Bartow and King Engineers in Midland. Company officials said the newly merged company will have more than 100 employees and will provide for expanded engineering, architectural and construction management services to its clients in Michigan and Indiana.
-- Grand Traverse Pie Co. of Traverse City is expanding into Indianapolis, Ind., in December after doubling its number of franchise locations over the past 14 months. The company's restaurant chain employs more than 400 Michigan residents, utilized more than one million pounds of Michigan fruit for its products in 2007, and grossed more than $15 million in sales. It also rolled out a new "Culinary Creations" menu this month featuring gourmet sandwiches and new salad selections.
