In brief - November 8, 2009

Wilt joins First United Insurance Group

OAKLAND — Larry E. Wilt Jr. has joined First United Insurance Group as commercial lines account executive. He will be located at 113 S. Centre St., Cumberland.

“Larry comes to us with over 19 years of insurance experience,” said William B. Grant, chairman of the board and chief executive officer of First United Bank & Trust. “His role as a commercial lines account executive will be to deliver customized insurance solutions to businesses in Cumberland and the surrounding areas. Larry’s expertise makes him a tremendous asset to our insurance team in Allegany County.”

“The experience and expertise Larry brings in commercial insurance fits perfectly with our strategy of providing value and advice through dedicated relationship management,” said Val Teagarden, president of First United Insurance Group.

Wilt is a 1990 graduate of West Virginia University with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a 1988 graduate of Potomac State College with an associate of arts degree in business administration. He has obtained these certifications: commercial property casualty underwriter, accredited advisor in insurance, and associate in underwriting.

Before joining First United Insurance Group, Wilt owned and operated Potomac Insurance Center from 2001 to 2009. He is a member of the Keyser Moose Lodge, Davis Lodge AF&AM;, and is the coach for Keyser Youth Wrestling.

He resides in Keyser, W.Va., with his wife, Jana and their two sons, Derek and Dalton.

Wilt can be contacted by calling (301) 777-7970.

First United Insurance Group is a full-service independent agency with seven offices in Maryland and West Virginia.



Lincoln appoints operations manager

SOMERSET, Pa. — Chad Reichhold has been appointed as operations mangaer at Lincoln Supply & Equipment, a retailer and distributor of agricultural, construction and industrial equipment.

Reichhold is responsible for supervising the store’s parts department and personnel, merchandising, inventory control, loss prevention and expanding the store’s product offerings. In addition, he will work with the marketing department in developing advertising and direct mail campaigns that will be aimed at attracting new customers to the store.

Reichhold graduated from Indiana University, where he earned a bachelor of science degree in entrepreneurship and small business management. Lincoln Supply & Equipment, a longtime retailer in Somerset, Pis a subsidiary of Riggs Industries Inc.

Established in 1958, Riggs Industries also operates Somerset Steel Erection, Lincoln Contracting & Equipment, James A. Redding Co., J&J; Truck Bodies & Trailers, J&J; Truck Equipment, and ErReR Hill Farms.



Fairfield Inn & Suites names director of sales

CUMBERLAND — Nicole Alt-Wagoner has been named as director of sales at the new Fairfield Inn & Suites off Industrial Boulevard at Canal Place.

The hotel, which opened in August, has 108 rooms as well as a board room and meeting room.

Alt-Wagoner’s responsibilities include multi-media planning, ad campaign development and budget planning. She comes to Concord with a strong background in sales and marketing, having worked with companies such as Allegany Radio, NBC25, Your Community Phone Book and the Cumberland Times-News.

Co-chairwoman of the Allegany County Chamber of Commerce membership committee, she serves on the boards of the YMCA and MMT. She is a member of the Downtown Cumberland Business Association, The Kiwanis and the Jaycees, and is involved in Allegany High School cheerleading and Knippenberg Insurance Warriors cheerleading. The Fairfield Inn & Suites just kicked off a partnership with the County United Way.

Alt-Wagoner resides in Cumberland with her family.



H&A; Furniture opens at Downtown Armory

CUMBERLAND — Robert Harden, owner of H&A; Furniture, has opened a new location within the Cumberland Downtown Armory Flea Market, 210 S. Centre St.

The business offers a selection of modern furniture and “harder to find” antique style items, including complete bedroom and dining room sets. Customers also will find a selection of architectural items, collectibles and furniture ranging from primitive, Victorian, country and modern.

A current vendor of the Hancock Antique & Flea Market Mall and a vendor of the now closed A to Z Antique Mall at 317 Virginia Ave. in Cumberland, H&A; purchases furniture for resale from estate buy-outs, auctions and other sources.

The flea market is located in the lower level of the armory and is open Sunday from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Besides H&A; Furniture the flea market also offers to the public multiple vendors with a selection of new and used merchandise.



Nominations sought for business recognition

CLARKSBURG, W.Va. — The U.S. Small Business Administration’s West Virginia District Office is seeking nominations for its 2010 Small Business Person and Champions of the Year awards.

Award winners will represent the Mountain State during regional and national competition and will also be honored at the annual West Virginia Small Business Celebration scheduled for late spring in 2010.

National Small Business Week will be held May 23 through May 25, 2010, in Washington. During this week entrepreneurs from every state and national champions will be honored at events coordinated by the SBA.

Small Business Champion awards are made to individuals or organizations dedicated to supporting small businesses. Champions may or may not be small business owners.

The deadline for nominations is Nov. 30. Guidelines and associated forms can be found on the SBA’s West Virginia District Office Web page at www.sba.gov/wv (under the Spotlight section), by telephone at (800) 767-8052 ext. 8, or by e-mailing wvinfo@sba.gov.



Photographs could win vacation guide contest

MCHENRY — The Garrett County Chamber of Commerce is accepting photograph submissions for the sixth annual Garrett County Vacation Guide Photo Contest.

Submitted photos may be used by the Garrett County Chamber of Commerce for two years. Credit will be given to the photographer whenever possible. Entries for this year’s contest should include the photographer’s name, address, phone number and e-mail address and identify the photos as being for the Vacation Guide Photo Contest.

The deadline is Dec. 19. Entries should be sent to Vacation Guide Photo Contest, Garrett County Chamber of Commerce, 15 Visitors Center Drive, McHenry, MD 21541 or e-mailed to photos@garrettchamber.com.