The CIO Utilities Summit team is pleased to announce that Warren Causey, well known independent analyst and current Vice President of Strategy, Research and Analysis at Five Point Partners, LLC, will preside as the event’s Master of Ceremonies. The CIO Utilities Summit will gather the nation’s CIOs, analysts and industry thought-leaders for a three-day, strategy-driven utilities conference on April 18-21, 2010. As Master of Ceremonies, Causey will help develop agenda content and will lead several sessions including the summit welcome address.

Donald Pierce, President of Pierce Group Benefits, a full service provider of employee benefits packages, has announced that Paula Mitchell has recently joined the team as service specialist. In this position, Mitchell provides phone support for Pierce Group Benefits’ North Carolina Service Center, assisting many of Pierce Group’s 140,000+ public sector employees each year. Mitchell is also responsible for educating employees on available benefits and enrolling individuals interested in benefits offered though their employer. Mitchell joined Pierce Group Benefits in October of 2009.

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 a partnership with the Edward Lowe Foundation to bring a unique awards program, Companies to Watch, to North Carolina. North Carolina Companies to Watch recognizes second-stage companies that are innovative in thinking and demonstrate a high performance within their industry. CED will host the awards ceremony on Thursday, Sept.

Gutenberg Communications, a global strategic communications firm offering public and investor relations services, has been selected as the public relations Agency of Record (AOR) for Connectiva Systems, a leading provider of revenue and risk management solutions for the telecommunications industry.

taraneon Consulting Group, specialists in business process management have today launched the Process TestLab, a unique facility to test and validate business processes before their implementation.

Stroller and car seat manufacturer Combi USA, launches the Adventure Walker—an all-in-one walker, bouncer and entertainment center.

Stroller and car seat manufacturer Combi USA, launches the Adventure Walker—an all-in-one walker, bouncer and entertainment center.

Education Online Services Corporation (EOServe Corp.) announced today the execution of a marketing agreement with HBCU Today to develop the publication as an online portal to facilitate educational marketing and recruitment initiatives. Under the provisions of the Agreement, the HBCU Today Online portal will prominently feature a different institution each week as well as provide marketing and recruitment opportunities for all participating colleges and universities.

Marlborough Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) hosted a downtown Meeting on March 2 which saw important city figures including Mayor Stevens and Chief of Police Mark Leonard, downtown business owners and interested citizens gathering to discuss and tackle key downtown issues. The meeting was held at Main Street Café in Downtown Marlborough thanks to restaurant owners Randy and Mary Scott who opened the café after hours for this meeting. Their establishment has been a landmark on Main Street for over 25 year.

Riverside corporate, business and real estate attorney Elio Palacios, Jr., announced today that he has been appointed to the Riverside Metropolitan Museum Board. The Riverside City Council, at its January 19, 2010, meeting, approved the recommendation of the Mayor’s Nominating and Screening Committee and appointed Palacios to the Museum Board. Palacios took the oath of office at the March 2, 2010, City Council meeting and will serve for a term of four years.

BRANDX GROUP, the leader in cutting edge marketing and branding solutions today announced its latest project with the UCLA Hospital Division of Dermatology. Hired for a complete website overhaul, BRANDX GROUP is tasked with both enhancing the marketability of the site through design and content improvements, while programming a more functional and content management focused back end. “For a school that undergoes such frequent changes, it’s important that we place an equal focus on the sites look and functionality”, says BRANDX GROUP Creative Director Andrew Modlin.

International Merchant Advisors, Inc. (PK: IMAI) www.imaiinc.com announced today that the company has reached an agreement in principal to acquire its first operating business in the clinical medical marijuana space. IMAI has agreed to acquire Organic Science, Inc. for $15 million in the restricted common stock of IMAI. Organic Science, Inc. is in the business of managing medical marijuana operations and dispensaries. The purchase price is subject to the completion of a valuation opinion by an independent third party and may be adjusted upward or downward based on the valuation received.

Sepideh Asefnia, president of SEPI Engineering & Construction (www.sepiengineering.com), has been appointed by Gov. Bev Perdue to the 2010 North Carolina Department of Commerce Economic Development Board. The North Carolina Economic Development Board oversees state economic development research and planning and makes policy recommendations to the Secretary of Commerce, the Governor and the General Assembly. Comprised of 37 members, the board includes state government officials, Governor-appointed business and nonprofit representatives, as well as members of the N.C.

On October 9, 2009, William Soady was appointed President of Bluestone America, a corporation specializing in asset management, asset based project securitization and funding and alternative funds acquisition. "Having been with Bluestone for over a year, Mr. Soady has strengthened the company at a time when the organization is experiencing rapid growth and transition due to sustained high demand for securitized funding, and asset management services," states Charles Nam CEO.

With offices in the UK, Europe and the USA, FDM specialises in five core service areas: Development, Application Support, Testing, Infrastructure and Training. However, it is "how" they do it rather than "what" they do that differentiates this company from other global IT services providers. FDM employs IT graduates, who are trained through their award-winning academy programme to become professional IT Consultants (known as “Mounties”). Mounties are placed at various client sites on a contract basis, typically lasting 1-2 years.

The International Affairs Council (IAC) has appointed Jeff Frazier, senior director, Internet Business Solutions Group, public sector practice, Cisco, to the 2010 board of directors. Frazier, along with 19 other local business leaders, will continue the mission of the IAC throughout the 2010 year by concentrating on the organization’s initiative for encouraging interactions with foreign dignitaries and professionals visiting North Carolina, as well as educating communities on world affairs.

Quotes:

www.Groupola.com promises users up to 90% off the price of the best things to do, see, eat and buy across the UK.

Groupola.com works because of "group buying power," a new-to-the-UK way to save money, that will give users the ability to save money on restaurants, spa days, beauty and hairdressing, experience days, sport and leisure activities, theatre, concerts and much more.

Here’s how it works:

Las Vegas Carnival, Inc – a USA / Trinidad based operation, announced today that it has allowed other masquerader bands from other countries to compete in its carnival event on October 10th 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The competition will occur as part of the all-day concert / music festival in Las Vegas called the “VegasFest” and the carnival competition event which includes the masquerader parade of bands is now open to other countries wishing to enter, with cash and other prizes to the winning bands.

CPX Interactive has named Gary Bembridge, industry veteran and former sales manager for MSN, as Executive Vice President of Sales. Bembridge’s hiring is part of CPX’s mission to provide market-specific service to major brands and agencies across the globe. Bembridge will focus on developing new sales and support teams in major North American markets, including Detroit, Chicago, Miami and San Francisco.

Two well-known Southern California coaches are teaming up to address this with a powerful One Day Web Makeover event on April 15th. Branding expert and author Libby Gill and Internet guru Deborah Gallant will run the intensive workshop in Sherman Oaks to educate and empower clients to put the web to work to build business and make money.

“More than 80% of consumers research purchases online,” says Gallant. “The business owner needs to know they are putting their best foot forward. No one can afford to drive potential business away. This is mission critical.”

Under the programme, certain low income families without access to a computer and/or the internet can apply for a Home Access Grant. Once accepted, a grant card will be issued which can be used to redeem a compliant computer and internet package from a range of suppliers, including Comet, which is the only multi-channel electrical retailer to have approved supplier status.

Absolute Tenant Check Pvt. Ltd. today unveiled its growth plans for the Delhi NCR region. The company led by its three directors will actively pursue to acquire the Indian tenancy segment through strategic partnerships with property consultants, real estate associations and direct contact with the end consumer.

The International Olympic Committee released the evaluation report of three cities vying for the 2014 Summer Youth Olympic Games on February 11. Nanjing China overwhelmed Guadalajara Mexico and Poznan Poland, and is successfully selected to host 2014 Summer Youth Olympic Games.

Tressa Cioffi has been named Sales Representative at Home-Tech’s Fort Myers appliance showroom. In this role, she is responsible for the store’s sales department, merchandising efforts, customer service and service agreement sales.

Axede is offering U.S. based, Alcatel-Lucent partners nearshore development support.

Axede, a Latin American based telecommunications company, announces its new strategy to support U.S. based Alcatel-Lucent providers. As market share grows for Alcatel-Lucent products, U.S. based partners will be looking for resource solutions.

In an intimate and candid interview with journalist Allison Kugel, Golden Globe winner and Oscar ® nominated actress Mo’Nique talks to PR.com about her childhood dreams of movie-stardom, surviving childhood sexual abuse, embracing the film role of a lifetime in Precious, and bringing inspiration to late night with The Mo’Nique Show on BET.

Some notable quotes from Mo’Nique’s PR.com interview:

Phoenix Design and Manufacturing, LLC. out of Oklahoma City has taken the new role as the market leader in aftermarket and lighting accessories in the trucking industry. With the closing of Panelite a hole has been left in the lighting needs of customers and manufacturers. Phoenix Design and Manufacturing has stepped up to make sure that all of these customers needs can be met and filled in a timely fashion.

Stroller and car seat manufacturer Combi USA, launches the updated Twin Sport with a wider seating area. The side-by-side stroller maintains a lightweight, compact and portable size.

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 sponsors for CED’s Biotech 2010 conference, scheduled for Monday, Feb. 22 and Tuesday, Feb. 23 at the Raleigh Convention Center, located at 500 S. Salisbury St. The Biotech conference – now in its 19th year – serves as a premier life science event to network and learn about industry trends and opportunities in global health, personalized medicine, and the current funding environment.

A All Animal Control is pleased to announce the grand opening of their new Northwest Louisiana office on March 1, 2010. A All Animal Control of Northwest Louisiana will be providing ARK-LA-TEX area with the most complete and gentle wildlife control service available, preserving the balance between people and nature.

"I suspect great things from this new office and welcome Michael and his staff to the A All Animal Control family," states A All Animal Control CEO Mark E. Dotson. "Michael is a seasoned field technician who really cares about wildlife and his community."