Business Buzz: 7/6/23

July 6, 2023

Accomplishment:

  • Champion Credit Union (CCU) recently announced it has been named to the Great Employers to Work for in North Carolina 2023 list by Best Companies Group, a BridgeTower Media Company. Champion Credit Union ranked 5th in the Medium company category and was selected based on a detailed survey of its employees. This year marks the sixth year in a row that the credit union has been named to the list. Best Companies Group’s annual award program identifies and honors the best places of employment in North Carolina. The ranking is based on an anonymous employee survey and an analysis of their responses about corporate culture, training and development, salary and benefits, and overall employee satisfaction. “A supportive, vibrant, and inclusive organizational culture is consistently at the top of our strategic priorities because we realize its impact on overall success,” said Jake Robinson, President/CEO of Champion Credit Union. “We are blessed to have an exceptional group of employees who care for one another as if they are family. Receiving this distinction is an honor and something we are proud to share with our community.” See the complete list of the Great Employers to Work for in North Carolina 2023 and learn more about CCU.
  • Mountain Credit Union (MCU), along with the Southeast Regional Credit Union Schools (SRCUS), recently announced that Suzie Shook, Vice President of Risk Management and Operations, graduated from the Southeast CUNA Management School. This is a three-year program held on the campus of the University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia. Suzie’s career at Mountain Credit Union began in July 1993 as a Member Service Representative. Before joining the Executive Team, she held several positions at MCU, including management, consumer lending, and compliance. “We appreciate Suzie’s invaluable contribution to our credit union’s leadership over the years and the knowledge she has gained throughout her three-year journey in the SRCUS curriculum,” stated Amy Woody, CEO of MCU. “Moreover, Suzie’s designation will enhance the credit union movement as she fulfills a mentoring role, guiding fellow professionals in the industry.” Learn more.

Hire:

  • After an extensive search, Literacy Together has announced the selection of its new Executive Director, Amanda Wrublewski. Amanda is a Western North Carolina native. She was a Peace Corps volunteer in Zambia when she powerfully connected with the importance of literacy and the inequity of access. Amanda was most recently the Vice President of Programs at Big Brothers Big Sisters of WNC, coordinating an 18-county region. Before that, she was the Program Supervisor at Swannanoa Correctional Facility, developing service plans to support and connect incarcerated women with needed assistance. Amanda is succeeding Cindy Threlkeld, who has served as Literacy Together’s Executive Director since 2019. Cindy is retired on June 30, leaving Literacy Together an expanded organization through her experience and guidance. Read more.

Happenings:

  • Posana, the contemporary American restaurant located in downtown Asheville, is hosting a Wine Education Class with Advanced Sommelier, Cara De Lavallade. Cara’s exceptional skill for sharing her vast knowledge of wine inspires a deep appreciation of all aspects of wine, from the the land on which it is grown to the subtle nuances of its taste. “Crisp Whites” will be held on Tuesday, July 18th, from 4 -5:30 pm. This class explores sun-drenched regions such as Chile and Greece which produce vibrant, cool, and invigorating white wines that are perfect for summer. Participants will learn how to identify grape varieties known for producing the freshest, most thirst-quenching wines and look at how the influence of acidity, alcohol, body, and sweetness play into the final product. Cara shares captivating stories and discusses the cultures behind these wine regions and the producers that make them unique. Participants will be introduced to a selection of wines with six, 2 oz wine pours, accompanied by cured meats and cheeses. Tickets are available at $75 per person/ per class (including tax and gratuity). Classes are limited to 12 guests per session and is instructive to both seasoned wine enthusiasts and curious beginners alike. We kindly request that guests refrain from wearing strong perfumes or scents. Learn more and purchase your ticket

Partnership:

  • AdventHealth Hendersonville has announced a partnership with Mountain Area Pregnancy Services (MAPS) to bring prenatal care resources to women at the MAPS location in Asheville. Developing ways to provide health care when and where you need it is one of the driving forces behind AdventHealth Hendersonville’s commitment to community wellness. This new partnership means MAPS clients will now be able to meet with an AdventHealth Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) on-site. The client will be able to ask questions and establish prenatal care. The CNM will also help the client avoid scheduling issues and wait times as well as line up future appointments at one of the AdventHealth OB/GYN locations close to the client. MAPS provides compassionate care to women dealing with issues surrounding an at-risk pregnancy. Our client advocates are specially trained to deal with these distinctive problems for those facing this issue at their point of crisis. The OB/GYN team at AdventHealth guides and supports women through their pre- and post-natal care, labor and delivery, postpartum, and beyond. The teams of board-certified providers and specially trained nurses provide a nurturing environment for patients to experience the best pregnancy and delivery possible. Read more.