News

BUSINESS BRIEFS: Lake Pointe exec, Ecusta Trail endorsed, Bar president

By Bill Moss, Published: June 25, 2015

Here are this week's business briefs:

Corporation honors Lake Pointe’s Hood

Pictured from left are Forrest Preston, chairman and founder of Life Care Centers of America; his wife, Kathleen Preston; Rita Hood, senior executive director at Lake Pointe Landing; and JoAnna Crooks, Century Park representative.Rita Hood, senior executive director at Lake Pointe Landing in Hendersonville, received the Century Park Associates 2015 Chairman’s Award during the company’s annual management meeting on May 3 in Tampa.
During the ceremony, Hood was praised for her ability to manage Lake Pointe Landing’s three distinct populations: independent living, assisted living and patio homes owned by the residents.
“The rewards that I gain from my job are many, but I gain the most from knowing that I can make a positive difference in someone’s life,” said Hood, who has worked for the company for more than nine years. “I was shocked to win the award because there are so many successful communities in the Century Park family.”
“Rita is a compassionate, driven leader who strives to provide the highest quality of service to her residents each day,” said JoAnna Crooks, Century Park Associates representative. “We are blessed to have her leadership on our Lake Pointe campus.”
Headquartered in Cleveland, Tenn., Century Park Associates manages more than 40 senior living communities in 21 states. For more information about Century Park, visit CenturyPa.com.

Transylvania TDA endorses greenway

Transylvania County Travel Development Authority recently endorsed the development of the Ecusta Trail.
In the letter, TDA Chairman Randy Burgess said that the TDA believes the Ecusta Trail would enhance the Brevard-area visitor experience and be an asset to the marketing and promotional efforts of Transylvania County. “Transylvania County is so fortunate to have unique outdoor assets like Pisgah Forest, the Cradle of Forestry, Dupont State Forest and Cascade Lake,” Hunter Marks, president of the Friends of Ecusta Trail, said in a statement. “The Ecusta Trail will be another incredible asset to draw tourists, businesses and industry into the county, all of which will give the TDA the all important result of more lodging stays and more jobs.”
The proposed 20-mile greenway has received the endorsement or statements of support from the cities of Brevard, Hendersonville, Fletcher, Flat Rock and Laurel Park, the Henderson County Board of Commissioners, Henderson County Chamber of Commerce and the Henderson County TDA.

Rising Leaders deadline is near

The deadline to apply for the 2015/2016 United Way Rising Leader Program is Friday, June 26. Applications are still being accepted, and space is limited.
Successfully launched in 2011, the Rising Leaders Program is a year-long leadership course sponsored by Friday Staffing. United Way of Henderson County (UWHC) created the free program to identify and train the next generation of board members and key volunteers.
Rising Leaders participants receive training in the essential knowledge and skills needed for board service, including the demographics and needs of our community; the principles of governance and management of a non-profit; the rights and responsibilities of board members; best practices of financial and legal leadership; the basics of fundraising; and the power of advocacy.
For more information, and application materials, visit the UWHC website at www.liveunitedhc.org or click this link.

Ellis re-elected as Bar president

Anderson EllisThe Henderson County Bar Association held its annual meeting and elected officers for the 2015-2016 year. The legal organization re-elected Anderson Ellis, attorney with Prince, Youngblood & Massagee law firm, as president for a third term. Beth Stang, attorney with the Public Defender’s Office, was elected vice president. Tyler Ray, attorney with Stepp and Associates in Hendersonville, was elected secretary. Edward Harrelson, attorney with Coiner, Harrelson and Shelton, was elected treasurer for a fifth term.

Apple Festival redesigns website

The North Carolina Apple Festival has gone live with a new website that should be more useful for festival visitors and is mobile friendly.
The enhancements include:

• Daily Schedule – Click on each day and see that day’s events and entertainment.
• Participate. Contains information on how to be a sponsor, volunteer, vendor or entertainer and how to participate in the King Apple Parade.
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ). Answers to common questions about the festival.
• Growers –Information on each of the 15 growers that sells at the festival.
• Brochure – When the 2015 brochure is completed, users can download it directly from our website.

The upgraded website was developed by Integritive Inc., the same vendor that originally designed the festival’s website.