CED, formerly the Council for Entrepreneurial Development (www.cednc.org), a private, nonprofit organization that promotes entrepreneurial efforts in the Triangle region of North Carolina, has announced the formal launch of its new Mentoring Program for Entrepreneurs. The program, a free service available to CED members, establishes a process to match experienced professionals that can bring fresh views to business issues as well as advise new entrepreneurs in need of guidance regarding decisions that will allow them to grow their businesses.

Ken Atkins, executive director of Wake County Economic Development (www.raleigh-wake.org), has announced the release of the second video in its new testimonial series featuring a number of Triangle leaders offering first-hand accounts of why Wake County is a great place to live and work. The video features Ted Mosler, president and chief technical officer of Gilero, a full-service biomedical product development company specializing in high-volume disposables, such as drug and fluid delivery systems, and other medical devices constructed primarily of plastic and silicone materials.

David Finch, president and CEO of ATCOM Business Telecom Solutions (www.atcombts.com), a communications solutions provider, has announced that the company will sponsor Triangle Commercial Real Estate Women’s (Triangle CREW) February meeting. Triangle CREW is a forum for networking and enhancing business opportunities among members within the Triangle region. The meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 4 at noon at the Women’s Club, located at 3300 Women’s Club Drive in Raleigh. Mark Vitner, senior economist at Wells Fargo Economics, will provide an economic update.

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David Finch, president and CEO of ATCOM Business Telecom Solutions (www.atcombts.com), a communications solutions provider, has announced that the company has installed a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) communications system for Union Independent School in Durham, N.C. The VoIP platform was installed at the school, Union Baptist Church and several other campus buildings in downtown Durham. ATCOM provided Union Independent School with the latest VoIP platform, IP telephones and data network, which allows for a seamless voice and data network.

CED, formerly the Council for Entrepreneurial Development (www.cednc.org), a private, nonprofit organization that promotes entrepreneurial efforts in the Triangle region of North Carolina, has announced that it will host the final STREAK showcase of the program’s season Thursday, Jan. 28 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. STREAK is designed to assist early-stage, high-growth life sciences and technology companies in preparing for and reaching fundraising goals through the critique of pitch presentations by a seasoned panel of investors, entrepreneurs and marketing experts.

Sally Webb CSEP, managing director of The Special Event Company (www.specialeventco.com), a strategic event and meeting management company, has announced that the company has been nominated for a Gala Award, presented by Special Events magazine. The Special Event Company has been nominated in the category of “Best Event Entertainment Concept and Execution: Entertainment Budget Under $100,000” for their production, “Cultural Carolina,” a concert produced by The Special Event Company in conjunction with Dallas-based company Bravo Entertainment.

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CED, formerly the Council for Entrepreneurial Development (www.cednc.org), a private, nonprofit organization that promotes entrepreneurial efforts in the Triangle region of North Carolina, has announced that it is offering existing and new members an incentive to participate in their 2010 conference season. Through the promotion, CED’s existing and new members will receive a $50 discount when registering for Biotech 2010 or Venture 2010 if they renew their membership or join CED at the same time.

The Hamner Institutes for Health Sciences has announced that Paul Watkins, M.D., founding director of The Hamner-UNC Institute for Drug Safety Sciences, and David W. Threadgill, Ph.D., Professor and Head of the Department of Genetics at North Carolina State University, have received a $1 million grant from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease to study why some patients can have serious liver reactions to otherwise safe drugs. The money is part of the Challenge Grant Program supported by federal stimulus dollars.

David Finch, president and CEO of ATCOM Business Telecom Solutions (www.atcombts.com), a communications solutions provider, will serve as a featured speaker at CED’s (www.cednc.org) Competitive Advantage through Fundamentals of Entrepreneurs (CAFÉ) Workshop. Finch will speak on the topic of “Sales: Is Your Sales Engine Tuned for Maximum Performance?” and will lead a break-out session on providing a proper support system.

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The Hamner Institutes for Health Sciences has announced that Dr. William F. Greenlee, president and CEO, received the Benjamin Rush Award and delivered the 2009-2010 Rush lecture on Tuesday, Nov. 17, at Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pa. Each year, Dickinson College bestows the prestigious Rush Award to exceptional leaders in business or government who uphold humanistic values and whose accomplishments exemplify the value of a liberal arts education.

Kids ‘R’ Kids Schools of Quality Learning in Cary, Morrisville and Research Triangle Park (www.kidsrkidscary.com) have announced that all three locations have been named Five Star Schools of Excellence by the state of North Carolina. This license signifies the highest level of quality for preschools. To achieve this license, Kids ‘R’ Kids of Cary, Morrisville and RTP were evaluated on classroom curriculum, environment, classroom procedures, teaching methods, teacher education and experience.

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The Hamner Institutes for Health Sciences has announced the release of a podcast that reviews the explosive growth of China’s bioscience industry and discusses how an independent research institute in Research Triangle Park has established new collaborations with Chinese partners such as China Medical City and the Shanghai Center for Disease Control.

Kids ‘R’ Kids Schools of Quality Learning in Cary, Morrisville and Research Triangle Park (www.kidsrkidscary.com) have announced that “Care Fest,” a family festival that took place at NetSports in Morrisville on Oct. 17, raised more than $7,500 to benefit a Durham child through the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Eastern North Carolina, exceeding the original goal of $5,500. The event featured the Carolina Hurricanes’ mascot, Stormy, and the Durham Bulls’ mascot, Wooly, as well as a fire truck, clowns, and a variety of games and food.

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Sally Webb CSEP, president of The Special Event Company (www.specialeventco.com), a strategic event and meeting management company, has announced that the firm received a Texas Star Award from the Dallas Chapter of the International Special Events Society, presented on Aug. 23.

The Triangle Technology Executives Council (TTEC) (www.ncttec.net), a nonprofit organization dedicated to the economic development of technology companies in the Research Triangle region of North Carolina, has announced it will hold its Scholarship Golf Classic on Tuesday, Oct. 6 at 10 a.m. at Brier Creek Country Club, located at 10404 Lumley Road. Event proceeds will provide scholarships to students at universities in the Research Triangle Park area who have interned with TTEC member companies. There will be 15 four-man teams competing for a number of prizes.

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The Knowledge Group/The Knowledge Congress Live Webcast Series, the leading producer of regulatory focused webcasts announced today that David R. Cohen, Partner, Co-chair e-Discovery Analysis & Technology Group, K&L Gates LLP will speak at The Knowledge Congress’ upcoming webcast entitled: “Legal Ethics and E-Discovery LIVE Webcast”. This two-hour event is scheduled on Thursday, October 22, 2009, at 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM ET. (For further details of the event and an updated list of panelists, please visit: http://www.knowledgecongress.org/event_2009_E-discovery.html)

Joan Siefert Rose, president of the Council for Entrepreneurial Development (CED) (www.cednc.org), a private, nonprofit organization that promotes entrepreneurial efforts in the Triangle region of North Carolina, has announced the next installment of its popular STREAK program, to be held Thursday, Sept. 10. STREAK is designed to assist early-stage, high-growth life sciences and technology companies in preparing for and reaching fundraising goals through the critique of pitch presentations by a seasoned panel of investors, entrepreneurs and marketing experts.

Sally Webb CSEP, managing director of The Special Event Company (www.specialeventco.com), a strategic event and meeting management company, has announced that the company received two ISES Esprit International Awards from the International Special Events Society, presented on Aug. 8 in San Francisco.

David Finch, president of ATCOM Business Telecom Solutions (www.atcombts.com), a communications solutions provider, has announced that the company has installed a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) communications system for TriSure, one of the Triangle’s largest independently owned insurance brokerage and consulting firms, headquartered in Raleigh. The system includes a Unified Messaging application which provides the ability to have voicemails delivered to e-mail for ease of sharing and storing client correspondence.

ASAP Office Supply, (www.asapofficesupply.com), has announced that Carrie Mitchell, president of the company, was recognized as one of the Triangle’s most successful businesswomen by the Triangle Business Journal at the “Women In Business Awards” event on August 6 at the Sheraton Imperial Hotel in Research Triangle Park. Mitchell was honored as one of the 25 Triangle female executives who has succeeded in her business profession and remained involved in serving the community.

Joan Siefert Rose, president of the Council for Entrepreneurial Development (CED) (www.cednc.org), a private, nonprofit organization that promotes entrepreneurial efforts in the Triangle region of North Carolina, has announced the launch of the Competitive Advantage through Fundamentals of Entrepreneurs (CAFÉ) Workshop Series. The new breakfast program, which is scheduled to run from August 2009 to December 2010, was crafted in response to feedback obtained from CED’s recently-completed member survey.

David Finch, president and CEO of ATCOM Business Telecom Solutions (www.atcombts.com), a communication solutions provider, has announced that the company has been ranked No. 28 on Business Leader magazine’s 2009 Top 100 N.C. Small Businesses list. Celebrating the top small businesses in North Carolina, Business Leader magazine’s Top 100 List ranks companies based on revenue growth, percentage of business conducted within North Carolina and the total number of employees.

Research Triangle Park (RTP) July 4th, 2009 -- With the release of new pricing on the current inventory of lofts, townhomes and condominiums, Davis Park Realty has seen a jump in real estate sales. New prices at Davis Park reflect today’s real estate market when value is the first priority to buyers. Evidently the strategy is working, with with sales already up 25% less than a week after the release of new pricing starting at $129,900.

Presented 40 Under 40 Award by The Triangle Business Journal.

Hughes Pittman & Gupton, LLP (www.hpg.com), the largest locally owned and managed, independent CPA firm in North Carolina, congratulates Heather Dean on receiving 40 Under 40 recognition from the Triangle Business Journal as one of the area's most influential and highly accomplished young leaders.

"Heather continually provides timely and personalized service to her clients leading to her being named the youngest partner at HPG in 2008," says Brooks Malone, HPG partner on behalf of the firm.

Joan Siefert Rose, president of the Council for Entrepreneurial Development (CED) (www.cednc.org), a private, nonprofit organization that promotes entrepreneurial efforts in the Triangle region of North Carolina, has announced the results of an online member survey conducted by the organization earlier this year. The purpose of the survey was to understand what entrepreneurs think about CED and to solicit feedback about how the organization can better respond to the needs of its members.