Local Scene

Does your company have a new hire, promotion, personnel change or important achievement? Is there a business event you would like to promote?

The Bee welcomes submissions to this column. Photos are welcome but cannot be returned. Send items to Business News Desk, The Fresno Bee, 1626 E St., Fresno, CA 93786, fax to (559) 495-6805 or e-mail to wlamar@fresnobee.com.

New Faces

Fresno First Bank has hired Jeanette Gregory as vice president/personal banker, and Lisa Bassill as assistant vice president/personal banker.

TPG Consulting Inc. in Visalia has hired Al Cochran as a technician, splitting his duties between the engineering and transportation divisions.

Dina Ibrahim, M.D., has joined Community Oncology Associates Medical Group. She will provide cancer care services at the California Cancer Center in Fresno.

Astone in Fresno has hired the following new staff: Amber Williams as regional director for the Sacramento office; Scott Smith as director of client services -- he will work in the Fresno and Sacramento offices; and Travis Sheridan as director of public relations.

Mark Tompkins has been hired as general manager for Sunkist Global LLC. He was formally head of Sunkist's domestic sales network.

New York Life Insurance Co. in Fresno has hired the following agents: Marissa Homburg, Roy Calderon and Maurice Williams.

Central Valley Community Bank has hired James Oliver and Autumn Muller-Carrillo. Oliver will serve as vice president, commercial loan officer of the River Park office and Muller-Carrillo as branch manager of the Sunnyside office.

Fresno City College has hired Jothany Blackwood as the new dean of fine, performing and communication arts.

Baker, Peterson & Franklin CPA LLP has hired Nicholas Andrade and Julie Wright. Andrade will work in the accounting and assurance department as staff accountant, and Wright will work in the tax department as a senior II accountant.

Awards

United States Cold Storage recently celebrated eight years of no lost-time accidents.

Honors

Rodney D. Dir has earned membership in the Million Dollar Round Table's Top of the Table.

Promotions

Christopher Louie of The Triple Helix has been promoted to chief internal affairs officer on the executive management team.

Achievements

After an extensive approval process, Berman Communications Inc. has achieved IQ Certification. The IQ Certification program provides consumers with a way to identify security alarm companies that are proactively addressing quality system installations.

Aleksandr Alekseyev, a Modern Woodmen of America representative, has completed a five-day educational program. The program focused on helping families with life insurance plans, annuities and fraternal member benefits.