From new hires and promotions to industry awards, read on to learn about achievements by businesses and individuals in the greater Ann Arbor area:

• The Ann Arbor Real Estate Brokerage of Prudential Snyder & Co. Realtors recently announced the addition of Jeff Kind to their team. Kind is re-entering the Ann Arbor real estate market after a 30-year career in the computer and communications industry. He has lived with his family in the Plymouth/Canton area for the last 24 years.

• Masco Cabinetry president Karen Strauss was named one of Wood & Wood Products magazine’s Market Leaders for 2011. The Market Leaders represent those who drive the industry’s most “forward-thinking wood products companies,” according to the publication. In related news, Masco recently announce that Brian Covey of Queen Creek, Ariz. is the recipient of its annual Employees Reaching Out Award. Covey, an area manager and sales leader for the company, was recognized by Masco Cabinetry for his dedication and service to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation with a $1,000 donation made in his name. Masco Cabinetry is based in Ann Arbor.

• Six University of Michigan alumni who are leaders in the business world will be honored during an networking event sponsored by the U-M Alumni Association, called Career 360, in Dearborn on the evening of Thursday, Feb. 16. The U-M alumni business leaders are Todd J. Anson, managing director and co-founder of Common Bond Capital Partners LLC based in San Diego, Calif.; Maggie Bayless, managing partner of Zingerman’s Training Inc. in Ann Arbor; Amy Cell, senior vice president of Talent Enhancement and Workforce Development for the Michigan Economic Development Corp.; Tim Davis, director of iLabs at the University of Michigan-Dearborn; Merrill Guerra, executive director of the Michigan Venture Capital Association; and Ken Nisbet, executive director of the University of Michigan Tech Transfer in Ann Arbor.

• The board of directors for the A2Y Regional Chamber has appointed Jeffrey Scott, the sales and marketing manager of the Two Men and a Truck Ann Arbor franchise, to serve on the chamber’s Public Policy Committee.

• The Charles Reinhart Co., Realtors held the company's annual Awards Luncheon on Wednesday, Feb. 8 at Barton Hills Country Club, celebrating the accomplishments of 170 agents and six office managers. The highest earning agents of 2011 were preented with the Charles Reinhart Award. Those earning the award were Elizabeth Brien, Nancy Bishop, Lisa Stelter, Michal Porath, Carolyn Lepard, Rob Ewing, Ed Ridha, Susan Snyder, Patti Eddy, Fran Jones, Dick Mattie, Melissa VanDam, Debbie Leutheuser, Brent Flewelling, Jean Wedemeyer, Jeff Klink, Kim Peoples and Tammi Ebenhoeh. Receiving Rookie of the Year awards were Darby Kolano from the Saline Office and Dana Vespremi from the Ann Arbor South Office.

• Kevin Phillips has been named executive vice president - North America for Thetford Corp., a global supplier of sanitation and refrigeration products for the recreational vehicle, marine and heavy-truck industries. Thetford is headquartered in Ann Arbor. Phillips previously was vice president of sales and marketing for the company's North American operations. A member of the Recreational Vehicle Industry Association board, Phillips currently is chairman of the association's membership committee and also serves on its market information and supplier committees. He is a resident of Dexter.

• James Cleland, a shareholder in the Ann Arbor office of law firm Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione, was named a member of the Intellectual Property Owners Association Trade Secret Committee for 2012-2013. IPO is a trade association for owners of patents, trademarks, copyrights and trade secrets.

• John Tepas was named vice president of engineering for Behr America, a supplier of automotive air-conditioning and engine-cooling systems, headquartered in Troy. Previously a Behr America director and chief engineer, he also is a member of Behr America's Executive Committee. Tepas is a resident of Ann Arbor.

• Ypsilanti mayor Paul Schreiber will join the Second Annual Spelling Bee for Honest Cheaters, Dirty Rotten Spellers, and Mustachioed Heroes — a fund-raising event for area nonprofit writing and tutoring organization 826michigan — as a celebrity guest panelist. Proceeds from the Spelling Bee for Honest Cheaters benefit 826michigan’s free creative writing and tutoring programs for youth 6-18 in Washtenaw County, including residencies in Ypsilanti Public Schools and writing workshops at the Ypsilanti District Libraries. The spelling bee is slated for March 21 at Woodruff’s Bar in Depot Town. To learn more about 826michigan and the Spelling Bee, or to register as a speller, visit www.826michigan.org/spellingbee.

• Dr. William G. Bithoney is joining the healthcare business of Thomson Reuters as the national provider business medical leader. Most recently, Dr. Bithoney served as interim president and CEO, COO and chief medical officer at Sisters of Providence Health System in Springfield, Mass. Thomson Reuters healthcare division is based in Ann Arbor.

• The Huron Valley Ambulance board of trustees has elected the following new officers for 2012: Chair - Jacalyn Liebowitz, vice president for Patient Care Continuum at Allegiance Health in Jackson; Vice Chair - Richard B. Lundy, community leader from Dexter; and Secretary/Treasurer - Joseph Dulin, retired principal of the Roberto Clemente Center, Ann Arbor Public Schools. Additionally two community leaders were added to the board as new trustees: Robert Casalou, president and CEO of St. Joseph Mercy Health System, and John Thorhauer, president and CEO of United Methodist Retirement Communities in Chelsea.

• Jeff Riley, the CEO and chairman of Ann Arbor-based Adeona Pharmaceuticals Inc., was the featured presenter at the Harvard Investors Group forum. Riley provided an overview of the company's synthetic biologics program, its collaboration with Intrexon Corp. for pulmonary arterial hypertension and its funded clinical trial programs at the Feb. 13 event in New York City.

• Edward Surovell Realtors, a real estate company headquartered in Ann Arbor, announced the company’s top-producing real estate agents of 2011 at the company's annual awards lunch Feb. 9. The Top Company Sales Award went to Alex Milshteyn, who has been with the company for 13 years. In 2011, he closed 161 transactions for a total of $26.5 million. Also honored were Washtenaw County agents who achieved sales of $5 million or more in 2011, attaining the Leadership Award: Allison Fishwick, 116 transactions, $12.1 million; Ron Herman, 61 transactions, $10.2 million; Victoria and Paul Evans, 59 transactions, $8.3 million; Tammy Lehman, 74 transactions, $8 million; JoAnn Barrett, 30 transactions, $7.9 million; Candy Mitchell, 31 transactions, $6.8 million; Ellen Cimmino, 31 transactions, $6.6 million; Gordon Taylor, 35 transactions, $6.1 million; Maryanne Telese, 36 transactions, $5.9 million; Alison V. Holcombe, $5.9 million; Jack Brown, 66 transactions, $5.6 million; Christine Fitzsimons, 27 transactions, $5.4 million; and Anne Gilbert, 24 transactions, $5.2 million. The Sales Achievement Award was presented to recognize agents who achieved sales of $3 million or more in 2011: Dave Rukkila, 39 transactions, $4.4 million; Suzanne and John Arndt, 25 transactions, $4.3 million; Pam Krogness, 18 transactions, $3.9 million; Andra Anteau, 52 transactions, $3.8 million; Zak Mohler, 42 transactions, $3.8 million; Miriam Weininger, 15 transactions, $3.2 million; Dan Tashjian, 33 transactions, $3.1 million; Karen Bellers, 19 transactions, $3.1 million; Pat Fielder, 34 transactions, $3 million; and Cheryl Latshaw, 15 transactions, $3 million. Also recognized at the luncheon were Leading Real Estate Companies of the World Relocation bronze certificate awardees Milshteyn, Telese, Steve Easudes, Weininger, Heather Herndon and Kay Prong. The American Home Shield top warranty producer was Susan Park.

• Saline area residents and business people are encouraged to send in nominations and take advantage of the opportunity to recognize their favorite citizens at the “Saline Salutes” Awards. Nominations are due by Feb. 29 and may be obtained from the Saline Area Chamber of Commerce. Among the awards to be given out again will be “Citizen of the Year,” “Lifetime Achievement” and the “George Anderson Vision Award.” The evening will include entertainment, a strolling buffet by high school students of the South and West Washtenaw consortium and a short awards program. Interested Saline residents may make reservations for the ceremony or download nomination forms on the chamber’s website, www.salinechamber.org, or by calling 734-429-4494.

• The Eastern Michigan University College of Business has produced the first professional journal ever published by the college. The new "Global Advances in Business Communication Journal" was overseen by David A. Victor, a professor of Management and director of EMU's International Business Programs. The journal was published jointly with the University of Antwerp (Belgium) and the Technological University of Malaysia. Victor served as editor-in-chief, with Paul Verluyten of the University of Antwerp and Hadina Habil of the Technological University of Malaysia serving as associate editors. The GABC Journal publishes original research on interdisciplinary business practices that shape and are shaped by the changing nature and level of global business communication. The journal can be found at http://commons.emich.edu/gabc/.

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