From new hires and promotions to industry awards, here's a roundup of achievements by businesses and individuals in the greater Ann Arbor area:

• Washtenaw Literacy has named David E. Cole, founder and board chair of AutoHarvest, as honorary chair of its annual fundraiser “World in a Basket.” The annual gala evening of live and silent auctions plus strolling dinner raises 20 percent of the group’s annual budget. This year’s event will be held Oct. 5 at the Morris Lawrence Building at Washtenaw Community College. Begun in 2010, AutoHarvest is nonprofit marketplace that supports an advanced manufacturing ecosystem through collaboration. Cole is also former chairman of the Center for Automotive Research.

• Carlisle/Wortman Associates has been chosen to develop the zoning strategy for the Detroit Works project. The strategy will be a bridge between the plan’s general concepts and the final language of the zoning ordinance. In 2010, Detroit Works began developing a blueprint that would redefine the physical, social, and economic landscape of the city. In that process, the group has identified the likeliest areas for investment, and the Carlisle/Wortman team will recommend zoning tools in a form that is compatible with the plan’s overall goals. Based in Ann Arbor, CWAalso has offices in Clarkston and Mt. Clemens.

• The City of Ann Arbor recently launched a transportation blog that will run throughout the summer and into the winter of 2012 on http://a2nonmoto.tumblr.com. The blog focuses on the city’s existing non-motorized transportation culture and educating community members on non-motorized transportation options — such as walking and cycling — within the City of Ann Arbor. Bike-helmet videos, photos from bicycling commuters, pedestrian photos and news clippings from local and wider non-motorized circles will be posted on the blog. For more information on the blog, or how to submit bicycling or pedestrian photos, email kknapp@a2gov.org.

• Amy Kilbourne, associate director of the Serious Mental Illness Treatment Resource and Evaluation Center, part of the VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System’s Center for Clinical Management Research, as well as associate professor of psychiatry at the University of Michigan Medical School, was named a recipient of the 2012 Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers. Kilbourne's research focuses on improving medical and psychiatric outcomes for persons with mood disorders through integrated care models. Kilbourne is one of 96 recipients for this year’s PECASE awards. She will receive the award from the President in Washington, D.C. this week.

• Omari Rush, education manager at University Musical Society, has been appointed chair of the Ann Arbor Public Schools Educational Foundation for a two-year term, as of July 1. Other executive committee appointments include Andy Paterson to a two-year term as vice chair. Paterson is business development manager at Industrial Tectonics and president/CEO at Michigan Energy Generation. Rob Marschall, senior business banking RM/vice president at Key Bank, will continue to serve as treasurer. Christy Perros, co-owner of Absolute Title, will serve as secretary. Helen Starman, consulting analyst with Richner & Richner, will serve on the executive committee as immediate past-chair. Alison Narayan, Jason Robinson and Dan Schairbaum join the AAPSEF board for three-year terms.

• Ultra Electronics, AMI recently delivered 45 of its fuel cells for use by the U.S. military in unmanned aerial systems. All branches of the U.S. military have tested AMI fuel cells. Based in Ann Arbor, Ultra Electronics Adaptive Materials Inc. is the developer of a portable and fuel flexible solid oxide fuel cell system.

• Intalytics recently formed an exclusive partnership with Jim Stone, principal consultant of Chain Store Advisors. Stone will be primarily responsible for cultivating new relationships within the restaurant and retail client communities. In addition to his new role, Stone will continue his role at Chain Store Advisors, a consulting firm in Reading, Mass. Chain Store Advisors works with businesses that operate chain stores including retailers, restaurants, and service businesses. Intalytics, headquartered in Ann Arbor, provides analysis and consulting services to clients in the retail, restaurant, health care and financial services industries.

• DCS Corp. announced July 26 that the company has completed its acquisition of OptiMetrics Inc., a specialized research and engineering services firm headquartered in Ann Arbor. OptiMetrics is a privately held, employee-owned company with specialties in chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosives defense, electro-optical evaluation and development, training and simulation and combat vehicle survivability for the Department of Defense. The acquisition will enhance DCS's support of Army, Air Force, and Navy customers. OptiMetrics Inc. will operate as a wholly owned subsidiary.

• Ann Arbor SPARK July 25 announced that Terumo Cardiovascular Systems Corp. has been awarded a 12-year property tax abatement by Scio Township for $4.9 million in investments for capital improvements at its Ann Arbor-area facility. Ann Arbor SPARK provided assistance to Terumo CVS in identifying and applying for the tax incentives. Terumo manufactures products for cardiac and vascular surgery to hospitals worldwide. SPARK officials said the incentives will help support improvements that will directly support the retention of the company's current 600-person workforce.

• Ann Arbor-based real estate firm Edward Surovell Realtors recently added two to its staff. Rusty Kalmbach and Jetaun Robinson have joined the Ann Arbor office as sales associates.

• The Ann Arbor Office of Real Estate One recently added eight new sales associates: Kim Albashir, Carl Allwood, Rhonda Copas, Drew Goddard, Ashley Grasshoff, Raymond Hoot, Quinn Nash and Brandi Shaw. Real Estate One has Washtenaw county offices in Ann Arbor, Dexter, Milan and Saline.

• Ann Arbor-based NSF International — an independent global public health and safety organization that develops standards along with testing and certifying products for the food, water, health and consumer products industries — has acquired Becker & Associates Consulting Inc., a clinical, regulatory and scientific consulting firm that specializes in U.S. Food and Drug Administration-regulated industries, specifically medical devices, pharmaceuticals and biologics. Becker will become part of NSF’s Health Sciences Division.

• Advance Urgent Care & Walk-In-Clinic opened Wednesday, Aug. 1 at 1785 West Stadium Blvd. in Ann Arbor. Advance Urgent Care is open 7 days a week and will have a board certified doctor, medical assistant and receptionist on duty at all times during business hours. Advance Urgent Care & Walk-In Clinic has other locations in Brighton, Howell, South Lyon, Hartland and Saline.

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