Names & notes

Friday, July 11, 2008

American Community Properties Trust announced that Cynthia L. Hedrick, executive vice president and chief financial officer, will leave the company effective Aug. 14.

The company has not yet selected a replacement for Hedrick, and will make an announcement once her successor has been named.

‘‘Cyndi has been a valuable contributor to ACPT, and we wish her well,” Edwin L. Kelly, president and chief operating officer of ACPT, said in a company press release. ‘‘We appreciate the leadership, expertise, and dedication she has provided since the company was established in 1998.”

Hedrick has been with ACPT and its predecessor for 24 years.

‘‘My tenure with the company has provided me with an invaluable and enjoyable experience,” Hedrick said in the release. ‘‘I look forward to watching ACPT continue to succeed in the future.”

Famous Dave’s wins award at BBQ battle

Local Famous Dave’s restaurants participated in the Safeway Barbecue Battle in downtown Washington, D.C. on June 21 and 22.

For the second year in a row, Famous Dave’s was the winner of the Chinet People’s Choice Award. Many more attendees once again voted for Famous Dave’s from among the top barbecue restaurants and caterers offering barbecue at the contest.

The event hosts the country’s best barbecue chefs, offering every type of barbecue, along with cooking demonstrations and more than 35 rock, R&B, jazz, and blues bands performing on three stages.

Safeway’s Barbecue Battle has been voted a ‘‘Top 10 BBQ Event” by The Travel Channel and Discovery.com.

Edward Jonesranks highas advocatefor clients

The financial services firm Edward Jones is among the best advocates for its clients, according to a study by an independent research group.

Edward Jones was the highest-ranking brokerage named on the client advocacy list, released in June by Forrester Research Inc., an independent research company that identifies and analyzes trends in technology and their impact on business, according to an Edward Jones press release.

This is Forrester’s fifth client advocacy ranking. Edward Jones has consistently landed at the top of the rankings for five consecutive years, according to Forrester, the release said.

Based on a survey of nearly 5,000 consumers, the rankings rated 41 leading U.S. financial services firms according to the key driver of client loyalty: client advocacy.

Client advocacy is the perception on the part of consumers that their financial services firm does what’s best for its clients, not just the firm’s own bottom line, according to the study.

The three Charles county Edward Jones financial advisors are: John Jilek, David Bird and Ernie Espejo.

Payne is top producer at Coldwell Banker

Kathi Payne was recently recognized by the Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage firm in Waldorf as the office’s top producers for May. Jay Lilly, branch vice president, made the announcement.

Melwood, State Farmteam up on evacuation plan

Melwood and State Farm Insurance have announced an emergency evacuation plan to ensure the health and safety of people with disabilities who live in homes operated by Melwood in Charles and Prince George’s counties.

‘‘One of Hurricane Katrina’s tragic lessons learned was the lack of planning and support systems to accommodate a large number of individuals with disabilities,” said Janice Frey-Angel, president and CEO of Melwood, in a press release. ‘‘State Farm’s support will prepare people with disabilities to overcome natural environmental or human disasters.”

State Farm contributed $8,500 to purchase emergency evacuation kits for each home. The goal is to prepare homes to evacuate before an environmental or human disaster adversely affects the homes’ operation.

The kits will contain a prescription lock box, first aid supplies, blankets, map, water, flashlight, disinfectant kits, contact information and other basic supplies.

The plan involves training staff to evacuate the 24 homes, providing each home with an emergency evacuation ‘‘grab bag,” relocating the residents, supporting their daily living needs and communicating with their families. The 79 residents would return when their homes are determined to be safe.

Business networkchanges meeting places

The Southern Maryland Business Network has moved its weekly Tuesday morning meetings to the new Regency Furniture Stadium’s Legends Club.

Three years ago the group moved from the Town Mouse in La Plata to Southwinds, an adult active community in White Plains. The group has enjoyed the three-year relationship with Southwinds, but has now once again outgrown the available meeting space, according to a press release from the business group.

SMBN membership presented a gift package to Ruth Ann Shlagel, leasing associate for the Southwinds facility, sponsored by Ordermygift.com. Membership also hosted a breakfast for Southwinds residents sponsored by Apple Spice Junction in La Plata.

SMBN is an independent, nonprofit, self-directed organization.

For more information, go to www.smbn.org.