Fuentek, LLC (www.fuentek.com) has announced that president Laura A. Schoppe has been selected to judge the NCFIRST Robotics Competition Regional Tournament. The event, which will be held at Dorton Arena in Raleigh April 1-3, will showcase the work of teams of high school students, who have six weeks to design and build a robot from a “kit of parts” provided by the competition. Each team is paired with professional mentors to guide them through the process.

Ken Atkins, executive director for Wake County Economic Development (www.raleigh-wake.org), has announced the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce’s EDGE4 steering committee. EDGE4 is a five-year economic development program of the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce to shape the future of business and expansion within the Wake County area. The program benefits Raleigh, Wake County and the Research Triangle region. It aims to raise $12 million for local business development and bring 50,000 jobs to the Triangle.

The EDGE4 steering committee includes:

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.

Nancy McFarlane, president of MedPro Rx, Inc. (www.medprorx.com), a provider of specialty pharmacy services to clients with chronic illnesses who need clotting factor, IVIg and other medication, has announced that the pharmacy served as “Jack of Hearts” sponsor for the 2010 “Hearts For Hemophilia” Casino Night on Jan. 23 at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences. The casino-themed event benefited Hemophilia North Carolina, an organization that promotes hemophilia awareness and education.

Quotes:

Nancy McFarlane, president of MedPro Rx, Inc. (www.medprorx.com), a provider of specialty pharmacy services to clients with chronic illnesses who need clotting factor, IVIg and other medication, has announced the release of a podcast detailing the 2010 “Education is Power” scholarship program. In the podcast, Kathy Robinette-Stoneberg, scholarship coordinator for the pharmacy, explains the history of the program and how students can apply. MedPro Rx’s “Education is Power” program is open to U.S.

Ken Atkins, executive director of Wake County Economic Development (www.raleigh-wake.org), has announced the release of the first video in its new testimonial series from a number of Triangle leaders offering first-hand accounts of why Wake County is a great place to live and work. The first video features Chip Bullock, CEO of CC Intelligent Solutions, a Raleigh-based IT solutions company that works primarily with defense, national security and eGovernment sectors.

Kristine Mayberry, president of Second Chance Pet Adoptions (www.secondchancenc.org), has announced that the organization is sponsoring a Holiday Bazaar on from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5 and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6 in Brier Creek Commons. More than 25 vendors will be selling items such as candles, jewelry, and handmade quilted and carved items. Event attendees can also participate in a Chinese raffle, with a chance to win a 27-inch TV. All proceeds will benefit the animals of Second Chance.

Quotes:

Ken Atkins, executive director of Wake County Economic Development (www.raleigh-wake.org), has announced that Carl Zeiss Optronics USA, LLC will establish its U.S. headquarters in Wake County, N.C. In the initial phase, Carl Zeiss Optronics will hire five employees and lease office space in Wake Forest, N.C. The headquarters will support a current naval contract and an additional anticipated contract with the U.S. Navy. In addition, the company will partner with the N.C.

Jeff Majewski, president and owner of TCG Graphics (www.tricg.com/), has announced that Mark Gauley has been promoted to serve as the company’s vice president and director of sales. In this position, Gauley helps generate sales leads for TCG Graphics and manages the company’s sales team division. Gauley has ten years of experience as a sales representative with TCG Graphics.

Quotes:

Jeff Majewski, president and owner of TCG Graphics (www.tricg.com/), has announced that the company was a bronze sponsor for the WakeMed Foundation Society of 1961 Gala, held on Oct. 19. The gala is held annually to recognize members of the Society of 1961, which consists of donors who contribute $1,350 or more on an annual basis to WakeMed. Each year, the WakeMed Foundation board of directors and administration select a specific expansion project or an enhancement to a specific area of care for financial support from the foundation’s annual fund proceeds.

Ken Atkins, executive director of Wake County Economic Development (www.raleigh-wake.org), has announced the release of the third video profile in the “Raleigh-Wake County Business Showcase,” a video series profiling locally-based companies that continue to grow and remain competitive during the nation’s current economic slowdown. The video features Protochips, a Raleigh semiconductor technology company. As a center of education, research and innovation, the Wake County region provides photonics companies with numerous resources.

John Idler, president and general manager of ABC11 Eyewitness News (www.abc11.com), has announced a program to make All Hazard Weather Alert Radios available at a reduced cost to North Carolina residents. Through this Severe Weather Radio Giveaway promotion, residents have the opportunity to purchase a severe weather radio at local Walgreens stores for a reduced rate. The radios sound an alarm and provide life-saving information from the National Weather Service and the Department of Homeland Security by warning you of tornadoes, floods, hurricanes and other local emergencies.

Laura A. Schoppe, president of Fuentek, LLC (www.fuentek.com), has announced that the company has been selected as a finalist for the 2009 North Carolina Technology Association (NCTA) 21 Awards in the category of most innovative technology company. Winners will be recognized at the annual awards gala on Thursday, Nov. 12 at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Cary, N.C., presented in conjunction with title sponsor Grant Thornton.

Jeff Majewski, president and owner of TCG Graphics (www.tricg.com/), has announced that Brant Chesner has joined the company as its operations manager. In his role as operations manager, Chesner supervises all manufacturing jobs and ensures that all production employees and supervisors are functioning as a team and produce work that exceeds customer expectations.

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.

Quotes:

Ken Atkins, executive director of Wake County Economic Development (www.raleigh-wake.org), has announced that EMC Corp. will add 100 jobs at its Apex facility over the next five years. The jobs are part of EMC’s plans for a $280 million expansion that will ultimately add almost 400 jobs in the Triangle. The investment will be focused in Durham County where the company will build a new research facility and data center.

Quotes:

Jeff Majewski, president and owner of the printing company formerly known as Triangle Communication Group, has announced the change of the company’s name to TCG Graphics. TCG Graphics was established in 1986 and operates as the region’s most technologically advanced print shop, utilizing the industry’s most modern equipment. The company offers sheetfed printing, digital pre-press, bindery, mailing and fulfillment services.

Quotes: