HIRES/PROMOTION
LEAH G. MICHALAK
New job title: Preservation planner
Company: Chatham County-Savannah Metropolitan Planning Commission
Duties: Michalak will review applications for certificates of appropriateness in Savannah’s four historic districts and specific projects that assist the MPC Historic Preservation department.
Related work experience: Michalak’s background is in private practice with architectural, preservation and interior design firms. She is a Georgia registered interior designer.
Education: Michalak holds a bachelor of fine arts degree in interior design from Rochester Institute of Technology and a master of fine arts degree in historic preservation from SCAD.
GARY PLUMBLEY
New job title: Interim development services director
Company: Chatham County-Savannah Metropolitan Planning Commission
Duties: Plumbley will assist the public and applicants with development in the city and county and managing the department.
Related work experience: Plumbley’s professional career has been with the MPC.
MARCUS LOTSON
New job title: MPC representative to the Savannah City Council and the Chatham County Commission
Company: Chatham County-Savannah Metropolitan Planning Commission
Duties: Lotson will represent the planning commission actions at council and commission public meetings.
Related work experience: Lotson has served as a planner in the development services department since 2008 following a professional internship.
Education: Lotson received a bachelor degree in history and a master’s degree in public administration from Savannah State University.
LARA HALL
New job title: Senior GIS analyst
Company: Chatham County-Savannah Metropolitan Planning Commission
Duties: As senior GIS analyst with SAGIS (Savannah Area Geographic Information System), Hall is project manager on the parcel project and the regional imagery project.
Related work experience: Hall began her career with the MPC as a GIS Technician in 2008 and has had a key role in making GIS Day Savannah the largest GIS Day educational even within the state of Georgia.
Education: Hall has a Bachelor of Science degree in environmental geography from Ohio University and is pursuing her master’s degree in GIS from Penn State University.
CLAUDIA RAYE KLARER
New job title: Associate veterinarian
Company: Case Veterinary Hospital
Duties: Veterinarian
Education: Klarer graduated in 2004 from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine.
CHARISSE BENNETT
New job title: Program director
Company: The Creative Coast
Duties: Bennett will develop and manage programs, events and workshops that support the individuals and businesses providing creative and technology-focused services throughout the Savannah region. She will also manage The Creative Coast’s website, support its various social media and PR platforms and help connect entrepreneurs with private and governmental resources.
Related work experience: Bennett is an architect by training with four years of professional experience designing high-rise towers and office complexes.
Education: Bennett received a Master of Art in design for sustainability from SCAD and earned a bachelor’s in architecture from Oklahoma State University.
BRITT WHEELER
New job title: Realtor
Company: EXIT Realty
Duties: Wheeler will assist those buying, selling and renting properties in Hinesville and Coastal Georgia.
DIANE WOODS
New job title: Account manager, Employee Benefits Practice
Company: Seacrest Partners, Inc.
Duties: Woods specializes in administering health and welfare benefit programs for middle-market and large corporate clients, trend reporting and plan performance evaluation and client service responsibilities.
Related work experience: Woods has more than 30 years experience in the group employee benefits industry. She most recently served as an account manager with Wells Fargo Insurance Services in Savannah.
Education: Woods has earned the Group Benefit Associate (GBA) professional designation from the International Society of Certified Employee Benefit Specialists.
HONORS/AWARDS
Local hairstylist earns certification
James Whitfield recently attended The Bumble and Bumble University in New York City for the first in a three-course program that equips stylists with tools and techniques to teach and lead other stylists. Whitfield is a board certified haircolorist at Greener Grass Hair Color and Designs, Inc.
Local hairstylist completes design course
Heather Rozar recently attended a design workshop at the Bumble and Bumble University in New York City. The workshop was centered on classic cutting, styling and consultations skills. Rozar is a colorist and stylist at Greener Grass Hair Color and Designs, Inc.
Realtor earns designation
Stephen Clementi of Coldwell Banker Platinum Partners was recently awarded the Graduate, REALTOR® Institute designation by the Georgia and National Associations of REALTORS®. Clementi, a member of Savannah Board of REALTORS, completed the 90-hour curriculum required to achieve the designation.
Local students named scholarship winners
Three Savannah-area students have been named 2012 Great Dane college scholarship winners in recognition of their academic achievements. An impartial third-party committee judges applications based on a combination of high school grade point average, Scholastic Aptitude Test scores and extracurricular activities.
Lauren Ashley won a four-year scholarship, and Mishea’la Russell and Michael Durkee won two-year scholarships.
Valuation expert to present seminar
Brad Whitfield, CPA, CVA, will present “How A Financial Valuator Helps Your Case” at the Georgia State Bar’s Family Law Section Seminar. This presentation will take place Aug. 17 at the Marriott Riverfront.
Driver of the month
NLaws Produce has named Anthony Green Driver of the Month.
The Landings salesperson of the month
Carolyn McInerney of The Landings Company has been named the Salesperson of the Month for July.
Realtor earns designation
Pat Ewaldsen of The Landings Company recently completed the 90-hour curriculum required to achieve the REALTOR GRI Designation. Ewaldsen attended a series of instructions covering a variety of subjects including contract law, professional standards, sales and marketing, finance and risk reduction.