Business roundup: Luncheon with the governor

Barnes

Corby

Zimmerman

Gillespie

Salisbury businesswoman Traci Williams, who owns Crescent Construction Services, was invited to a luncheon hosted by Gov. Beverly Perdue for female company presidents.

Williams sits on the Greater Women’s Business Council.

Thrivent honors Salisbury rep

Brad Brady, a financial representative with Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, has qualified for the organization’s Sierra level for 2009 achievements by demonstrated outstanding sales and service to members.

Brady, of Salisbury, is with Thrivent Financial’s Southeast Regional Financial Office, serving Lutherans and their family members in Salisbury and the surrounding communities by providing financial guidance and solutions to help them achieve their financial goals.

Brady has been with Thrivent Financial for four years and has been recognized for his performance four times.

Designers attend rally

Four designers from Salisbury took part in Celebrating Home’s national rally, held last month in Dallas.

Celebrating Home, headquartered in Marshall, Texas, specializes in direct sales of home decorating and entertaining products.

Salisbury designers at the rally were Susan Lohr, Kim Morris, Naomi Poole and Shellie Stubbs.

Salisbury Therapeutic’s 10th year

Salisbury Therapeutic Massage will celebrate 10 years in business next month.

Owner Mary Zimmerman started a massage business in Concord in January 1998, which became Salisbury Therapeutic Massage in 2000. Zimmerman is certified in a variety of massage techniques and soon will offer facial reflexology, including Japanese Cosmo Facelift.

The business has moved to 120 E. Council St. Suite 400 and added a fourth therapist. Missy Barnes is certified in the Alexander Technique and Somatic Movement.

Other therapists are Mary Gillespie and Cindy Corby. Appointments are available Monday through Saturday at 704-633-7623. Take $10 off a one-hour session from Sept. 1 to 17 for the anniversary.

Third round of master’s students

MOORESVILLE – Mountain State University Mooresville welcomed its third round of students in the master of science in strategic leadership program this past week.

“All organizations need leaders,” said Dallas Bragg, MSU executive director for North Carolina. “Our master’s degree in leadership prepares students to lead in an ever-changing world.”

The program provides students with real-life leadership training and knowledge to enhance skills in team building, communication and negotiation. The format allows students to learn from one another as they complete the program together. M.S.S.L. students attend class meetings once a week, participate in online chats, engage in research and complete group projects and individual assignments during the 18-month program.

MSU is offers leadership degrees from the bachelor’s degree to the doctorate, at campus locations and online. Since 1999, more than 2,500 students have earned leadership degrees from Mountain State University.

For more information about MSU’s leadership programs in North Carolina, contact Mary Beth Huskey, Mooresville enrollment coordinator, at 704-664-2012.

Mountain State University, founded in 1933, is a not-for-profit independent institution based in Beckley, W.Va., serving more than 8,700 students a year. Besides sites in Mooresville and Hickory, it has other campuses in Center Township, Pa.; Martinsburg, W.Va.; Orlando, Fla.; and Washington, D.C.

Party for Stitchin’ Post cat will raise funds for Faithful Friends

Stitchin’ Post Gifts is holding a birthday party for Sasha, the cat, with a portion of proceeds going to Faithful Friends animal sanctuary.

The party is Saturday, Sept. 11, from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. and will feature give-aways, drawings, prizes and birthday cake.

Those who bring a bag of pet food for Faithful Friends also will receive a gift.

Kannapolis Walmart reopens after three months of remodeling

KANNAPOLIS — The Kannapolis Walmart celebrated a grand re-opening Friday after a three-month remodeling project.

Changes include an expanded electronics department, additional seasonal space, new digital photo lab and new layout, color scheme and signage.

The store presented $9,000 in grants to local organizations including A.L. Brown High School, Cabarrus Literacy Council, Cabarrus Pet Society, Concord Fire Department, Kannapolis Fire Department, Kannapolis Cares Day, Kannapolis City Schools, Mount Mitchell Volunteer Fire Department and China Grove Fire Department.

The store employs about 450 people, including about 30 hired with the remodel.

Harvard Business School Club offers management program

The Harvard Business School Club of Charlotte will offer a 14-week management development program aimed at mid-career executives starting Sept. 13.

Volunteer faculty are alumni from the program, including retired CPA John Burke of Salisbury. Fifty companies have sent executives through the program, from Bank of America to Duke Energy.

Tuition is $1,800, which includes materials, and profits are donated to charity. In seven years, the program has given away 80 percent of its revenue, which is about $165,000.

Lymphedema presentation Wednesday at Oak Park

Oak Park Retirement is holding a presentation on lymphedema at 3 p.m. Wednesday.

Pam Roseman, physical therapist with Gentiva home health and certified lymphedema therapist, specializes in the evaluation and treatment of swelling of the arms and legs due to post-surgical procedures, venous insufficiency, mastectomy or unknown causes.

The presentation at 2240 Enon Church Road is open to the public. Call 704-636-4600 for more information.

Franchise group behind Applebee’s hits $1 million raised

The Apple Gold Group, franchisee of Applebee’s restaurants in North Carolina, Oklahoma and Arkansas, has helped raise more than $1 million for charities and nonprofit groups over the last year.

With the help of their 72 area restaurants, including their Salisbury-based location, the Apple Gold Group has helped raise funds for The V Foundation for Cancer Research, Susan G. Komen for the Cure and more than 1,000 nonprofits.

“This accomplishment is nothing short of incredible. It is amazing to see the efforts from our dedicated employees and guests pay off in a tremendous way,” said Michael Olander, president and CEO of the Apple Gold Group.

Launched officially in October 2009, the Apple Gold Group’s Flapjack Fundraiser program has proven to be its most successful grassroots fundraising initiative in the franchise’s history.

Submit information about new businesses, honors and management promotions to bizbriefs@salisburypost.com. Include a daytime phone number.