Now in Market Square off Gilead Road, Allen Tate Public Relations Manager Karen Murray says the new location will cater to a variety of work styles, including agents who prefer to work in an office setting as well as those who work remotely but who may need the occasional workspace to meet with clients.
Allen Tate Huntersville is at 14225 Market Square Drive. For more information, call 704-949-1300 or visit www.allentate.com.
New role at BB&T for local bank exec
Cornelius resident Steve Clement has been promoted to senior vice president with BB&T.
Clement, who joined the bank in 2011, is a strategy and special projects leader in BB&T's Information Technology Services Department. The Garden City, Mich., native earned his bachelor's degree in information systems from Eastern Michigan University.
Warm coats needed for RE/MAX drive
A winter coat drive by the Perri/Hanson Team at RE/MAX Executive Realty is underway, collecting new and gently used coats for distribution to local charities and shelters in the Lake Norman and Charlotte region.
This is the ninth year Steve Perri and Kathy Hanson have sponsored the drive, and the team says donations this year have dropped dramatically. They've made the giving easy, however. Through Dec. 31, donors can send an e-mail or call, and the Perri/Hanson Team will pick up the donated items and deliver them to those in need. Contact Perri at 704-905-1780, Hanson at 704-737-3303 or send an e-mail to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Peoples Bank leader stepping down in '12
Tony Wolfe, President and CEO of Peoples Bancorp of North Carolina Inc., the holding company of Peoples Bank, recently announced his intention to retire in the fourth quarter of 2012. Wolfe has served as the bank's top executive since 1993.
"The bank is performing well and it has a strong leadership team in place," Wolfe said in a press release last week. "I want to spend additional time with my wife and family, do some traveling, and pursue other hobbies and interests. All things considered, now seems like a good time to begin planning for a new phase of our lives."
Robert C. Abernethy, chairman of the board, said as the bank's ninth CEO in its 100-year history, Wolfe has been the driving force behind the bank's continuing growth.
"Since he became chief executive," Abernethy said, "the bank has added 13 new offices, a new headquarters building in Newton, launched a bank holding company, formed three new banking subsidiaries and deployed full-fledged Internet banking for consumers and cash management accounts for businesses. Additionally, the bank introduced banking services to Latino customers in 2004 through Banco de la Gente in four business centers located strategically in Charlotte, Raleigh and Monroe.
"Tony Wolfe has been an effective and dedicated leader for Peoples Bank. He will surely be missed," said Abernethy.
Wolfe has served on many community and industry boards. Most recently, he was awarded the 2011 Charles R. Corriher Vocational Service Award, the most prestigious award presented by the Newton-Conover Rotary Club. Also in 2011, Wolfe was named Lenoir-Rhyne University Business Leader of the Year for 2011.
"I've been privileged to help grow the bank since 1993 and that has been exciting and fulfilling work," Wolfe said. "I have every reason to believe that Peoples Bank's operating philosophy of having a heart for the community and a head for business will serve it well. I'm confident that the bank will continue to build upon its successful heritage as we enter our second century of banking service in our communities."
As far as a replacement for Wolfe is concerned, Abernethy says the search will include candidates from inside and outside the company, and that the board of directors will use the services of Matthews Young of Hillsborough to assist in the evaluation and selection of Wolfe's successor.
Peoples Bank is the wholly owned subsidiary of Peoples Bancorp of North Carolina Inc., with 18 banking centers in Catawba, Lincoln, Alexander, Mecklenburg and Iredell counties — including branches in Cornelius and Mooresville. The company's stock is traded on the Nasdaq National Market System under the symbol of PEBK.
Team Ziegler wins second service award
Brokers-in-charge Jack and Kathy Ziegler have announced for the second time in the last three years, Team Ziegler Luxury Real Estate has received the Five Star Real Estate Agent award for 2011 for outstanding customer service.
The award is determined by a third-party research firm contracted by Five Star Professional, which conducts a survey of recent homebuyers who have purchased a home valued at more than $100,000 within a 12- to 36-month period, as well as readers of Charlotte Magazine and about 250 mortgage and title companies. Respondents evaluated real estate agents with whom they had worked based on nine criteria including integrity, market knowledge, communication and closing preparation.
For more information, contact Kathy Ziegler at 704-987-1590 or visit www.luxurylakenormanhomes.com.
IT biz solutions firm relocates to Cornelius
Managed service provider Apex Technology is settling into its new location on Knox Road in Cornelius, having recently made a relatively local move from Davidson.
Apex specializes in IT business solutions for small- to medium-size companies in the Lake Norman and Charlotte metro areas, monitoring systems with software and technology to detect issues before they become major problems. The company also provides data backup and disaster recovery solutions, including offsite backups to two data centers.
More information on Apex Technology services is available at www.apextechcorp.com or call 704-895-0010.
Steakhouse changes name, adds to menu
A name and menu change was recently announced for a Huntersville restaurant.
Now known as Kabuto Japanese Steakhouse and Asian Kitchen, the restaurant has added the option for diners to create their own stir fry plates. Customers can now choose from a variety of sauces, vegetables and meat for the plates or choose from selections of fried rice, noodles, curry, appetizers and other house specialties.
"For the past two years, our customers have been asking if we have spring rolls or General Tso's Chicken," says Kabuto's Megan Tan. "Now we can say we do."
Kabuto Japanese Steakhouse and Asian Kitchen is at 16516 Northcross Drive in Huntersville.
Realty firm rates high with employees
For the fifth year running, Lake Norman Realty has been recognized by the Charlotte Business Journal in its "Best Places to Work" contest.
Placing second in the mid-sized business category for the Charlotte metro region, it was honored as successfully creating a workplace valued by its employees.
"This year's award was especially meaningful due to the economy's effect on the real estate industry," says Lake Norman Realty President Abigail Jennings. "Many firms have had to close their doors due to market changes over the past few years.
"The reason we attract and retain the bet talent is our family atmosphere of real support," says Jennings. "It's really not rocket science; it's about making an effort to understand what each individual needs and wants in a workplace."
Lake Norman Realty has nearly 90 associates and staff, with offices in Cornelius, Mooresville, Davidson, Denver and Statesville.
Kinzler to build new commercial clients
NewDominion Bank has announced the appointment of Steve Kinzler as senior vice president, commercial relationship manager at its Lake Norman branch.
In his new position, Kinzler will be responsible for acquiring new business in the Lake Norman area, where he has lived and worked for the majority of his career. He joined NewDominion Bank in September.
Kinzler has more than 25 years of experience in the banking industry, including business, retail and mortgage banking as well as wealth management. Kinzler graduated from N.C. State University with bachelor's degrees in economics and forestry. He is president-elect of the Lake Norman Rotary and is involved in many community outreach opportunities.
NewDominion Bank is a community bank headquartered in Charlotte, with a Lake Norman-area branch on Trade Court in Mooresville. For more information, visit www.newdominionDIRECT.com or call 704-235-6678.
— Compiled by Lori Helms
Local home builder: there's an app for that
M/I Homes Charlotte has created an iPhone app that allows users to connect, search and share information on M/I Homes communities in Charlotte and surrounding cities. The free app is geared toward both consumers and brokers, and provides information regarding move-in-ready homes, available plans, current promotions and pricing, and maps to any M/I Homes community in Charlotte, Stallings, Concord, Huntersville, Cornelius and Mooresville.
The app includes photos of M/I Homes plans, communities and available inventory, as well as one-touch directions and easy ways to contact M/I Homes with questions. Users can follow communities for updates about them, get current interest rates and find out the latest news from local real estate brokers.
The more a user checks in to M/I Homes Charlotte through the app, the more reward points can be earned toward items such as gift cards, gas cards or movie tickets.
"The app is a cross between Yelp and Foursquare for M/I communities," says Tamara Lynch, vice president of sales and marketing for M/I Homes Charlotte. "People can check in for events, interact with others, and let friends know what homes they are looking at."
Brokers will be able to access events and promotions just for them, and become the points leader to win prizes. Brokers and firms can stay up-to-date on the current market leader through the Leader Board in the app. Get the free app at the iPhone App Store and in the Android Market.
M/I Homes Charlotte is one of the top five residential builders in the region. The company builds townhomes from the $100s and single-family homes from the $120s in 11 locations in Charlotte, Huntersville, Concord, Mooresville, Cornelius and Stallings. For more details, visit www.mihomes.com/charlotte.
— PRNewswire
