Elizabeth Brewer has been named a McDonald’s Five-Star Employee Am-bassador in Salisbury for her outstanding work ethic and dedication to giving customers five-star quality service every day.
Brewer, an eight-year employee at the Salisbury McDonald’s at 601 Jake Alexander Blvd., was selected from hundreds of nominees from North and South Carolina restaurants to receive the recognition.
The award honors employees who exemplify the characteristics of five-star spirit and service: Teamwork, Community Involvement, Work Ethic, Leadership and Lovin’ the Golden Arches. Recipients are recognized with cash awards, radio advertising and promotional materials at their restaurants.
Potter promoted
Sheila M. Potter of Linwood has been promoted to the position of president and chief operating officer of Coates Com-munications Corp.
Potter previously was senior vice president and general manager. She joined the company in 2004 after 15 years in the banking industry. In her new position, she is the senior management over all operations of the company and its divisions.
Coates Communications is a 28-year-old company with more than $2 million in sales annually. It has three divisions, retail cellular sales and accessories, commercial two-way radio sales and service and Lakeview Oil Co., which was acquired over a year ago.
It has two retail locations. One is in Lexington on Fairview Drive. The other is at 1105 Statesville Blvd. in Salisbury along with the installation facility and corporate headquarters. The oil company facilities remain in Linwood.
Timothy H. Coates is CEO and chairman of the board.
Key Associate award
Jeff Baynard of Linn-Honeycutt Funeral Home has been named 2008 Key Associate of the Year by the Keystone Group.
With more than 2,300 employees, Keystone is one of the largest providers of funeral home services in North America with 200 funeral homes in 31 states and Ontario, Canada, including Linn-Honeycutt.
The award is based on loyalty, outstanding performance and commitment and dedication to the funeral home, families they serve and Keystone. It was presented to Baynard at Keystone’s annual leadership conference in Tampa, Fla., in September.
Baynard is a licensed funeral director, embalmer and pre-need counselor who has been in the funeral service business since 1986.
Service training
Brian Kelley, service technician for S.A. Sloop Heating and Air Conditioning Inc., completed training Oct. 2 for Mitsubishi ductless air conditioners, heat pumps and ceiling recessed units.
The training is required for a company to be a Diamond Dealer for Mitsubishi. S.A. Sloop Heating and Air Conditioning has achieved the Diamond Dealer status and is a leading provider of sales and service of ductless comfort systems.
Shoe model winners
Frank Daniel, a mechanic who builds trucks for Freightliner, and his wife, Starla, a hairstylist who has gone back to school to study radiology, are winners in Rack Room Shoes 2008 model search.
They were recently selected as two of 45 customers in Rack Room Shoes 2008 model search to be featured in Rack Room print advertisements.
Starla Daniel entered herself and her family in the model search contest at the Salisbury store. They participated in a photo shoot at Rack Room’s Charlotte headquarters.
All the 2008 winners are also featured on Rack Room’s Website at www.rackroomshoes.com. Some will also appear on life-sized posters in Rack Room stores and in national consumer magazine ads.
The 2009 contest was launched in mid-September and runs through Dec. 31. Entrants can sign up at any of Rack Room’s 378 stores in 26 states.
F&M hires Swink
William W. Swink Jr. has joined F&M Bank as its newest vice president in the position of senior commercial development officer. He will work from the 635 N. Church St., Concord location.
Swink has more than 15 years of commercial banking experience and was most recently with SunTrust Bank as first vice president of commercial real estate lending in Concord.
A Cabarrus County native, he has a bachelor of arts degree in business management and economics from N.C. State University. He is also a graduate of the N.C. School of Banking at Chapel Hill Mid-Management Program.
RCCC advice course
The Small Business Center at Rowan-Cabarrus Commu-nity College will offer “Business Start-Up Essentials” 6-9 p.m. Tuesdays, Nov. 11-Dec. 2, at the Cabarrus Business and Technology Center, 660 Concord Parkway, Concord.
The course is designed for persons in the beginning stages of starting a small business. Topics will include how to find a niche for your small business, analyzing the competition, creating a start-up budget and developing a business plan.
Cost is $55. To reserve a seat, call 704-216-3512 or visit www.rowancabarrus.edu/ sbc.
Colorist joins shop
Marcy Nary has joined the staff at Hair by Teresa Blackburn, 304 Shinn St., Rockwell.
A native of China Grove, Nary graduated with honors and the highest grade-point average and is now studying for her cosmetology teaching certificate. She is also a Master Colorist.
Looking Glass hours
The Shop at the new Looking Glass Artist Collective, 405 N. Lee St., is now open Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and during special events.
The shop features works by members of the collective, all of whom are Rowan County residents. Items for sale include art, crafts, books, DVDs and CDs.
Member works are also on exhibit during the hours it is open.
The collective is currently accepting new members. For more information, call 704-245-2302 or visit www.salisburyartists.org.
Consignfast opens
Ron Bacelo, a sign shop business owner for 15 years, reopened his downtown business Tuesday as Consignfast, a consignment shop at 105B N. Main St.
The shop offers consigned items at a 60/40 split as well as an eBay option for customers looking for more than one outlet for their consigned items.
Bacelo has teamed up with Donna Boccanfuso from Port Charlotte, Fla., who will manage the shop and is currently accepting items by appointment only.
“We hope that you will stop by and check out the shop,” Bacelo said. “If you’re looking for anything in particular and you don’t see it, let us know. We’ll find it.”
Store hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday with special times for drop-offs. All kinds of items will be accepted. Lists are available at the store or by email or mail.
The store also has signage for banners, magnetics, yard sale signs, rubber stamps or business cards.
For more information, call 704-633-7746, visit www.consignsfast.com or e-mail consignfast@gmail.com.
nnn
Linda Braswell compiles the Rowan Roundup of companies, organizations and individuals. You can submit information about new businesses, honors and management promotions to her at the Salisbury Post, P.O. Box 4639, Salisbury, NC 28145-4639; fax it to 704-639-0003; or e-mail lbraswell@salisburypost.com. Please include a daytime phone number.