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 National Center for Manufacturing Sciences announced Jan. 4 that Jon Riley was promoted to vice president of Digital Manufacturing. Riley joined NCMS as executive director of Design and Engineering Programs in March 2009. The National Center for Manufacturing Sciences, a national collaborative research and development consortium, is dedicated to driving innovation in commercial, defense, robotics and environmentally sustainable manufacturing.

• In related news from The National Center for Manufacturing Sciences, five new members have joined the NCMS board of directors: Dianne Chong of The Boeing Co, Doug Dinon of GE-Global Research, David Rich of Microsoft, Anne Tinker of Warner Music Group and Dawn White of Accio Energy.

• Freddy Rosenthal of Ann Arbor joined Farm Bureau Insurance as a new agent serving the greater Ann Arbor area from his office at 6921 Jackson Road, Suite 200.

• The Bouma Group of Keller Williams Realty recently welcomed Linda Ansara as the team’s new leasing specialist. Ansara's past experience includes serving as a buyer with Kmart Corp.

• Tecumseh Products Co., headquartered in Ann Arbor, announced Jan. 4 the appointment of Darlene Knight to the position of vice president of Global Manufacturing and Quality Processes. Tecumseh Products is a global manufacturer of hermetic compressors, condensing units and systems for use in residential and commercial refrigeration and air conditioning applications.

• The management of Blue Tractor recently announced they have acquired additional seating space at Café Habana, the restaurant and brew pub's next-door neighbor in downtown Ann Arbor. Blue Tractor remains open during the renovations, which are schedule to be completed by early February. The owners of Cafeé Habana will begin construction on a new location downtown with an opening date of early summer. At the request of the current occupant, the new Habana address has not been released. Until then, the lower level of Blue Tractor will remain open as Habana Cellar Lounge.

• A total of 68 Butzel Long attorneys have been recognized as Top Lawyers in Metro Detroit 2012 by DBusiness magazine. The Butzel Long attorneys honored included six Ann Arbor area residents: Regan K. Dahle, John H. Dudley, George E. Kuehn, Richard P. Manczak, Claudia Rast and Jordan S. Schreier. DBusiness polled more than 21,000 private attorneys in the five-county region, and lawyers were asked to nominate up to three attorneys among 51 specialized practice areas. Special weight was given to lawyers chosen by attorneys working in firms other than their own, as well as past honorees.

• To celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Dr. Kristin Johnson and the staff at Liberty Dental PLC and Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery of Ann Arbor will provide free dental services to homeless and at-risk youth. Liberty Dental will dedicate Jan. 17 to provide exams, cleanings, X-rays and fillings to young people from Ozone House. Ozone House is a community-based, nonprofit agency that provides support programs, housing and services that provide intervention, training and assistance to run-away, homeless and high-risk youth and their families. Dr. Richard Scott and Dr. Norbert Fernandez and the staff at Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery of Ann Arbor will also be on hand to provide support for clients who may need extractions, including wisdom teeth.

• The University Musical Society has named Margaret “Margie” McKinley the new director of development, effective Jan. 16. McKinley has been fundraising for the University of Michigan for 25 years, having served in the Medical Center; the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts; and most recently as the director of development for the University of Michigan Library.

• Suzanne Klein, founder and common core specialist of WriteSteps, a writing program for elementary school children with headquarters in Ann Arbor, is appearing on The Balancing Act on Lifetime Television on Feb. 7 and 28 at 7a.m. Klein is a former elementary teacher who speaks nationally on the Common Core Standards, which are slated for implementation in elementary and secondary schools in 45 states over the next two years. WriteSteps will be featured on the show's Parent Teacher Corner segment.

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