Biz Report

ON THE MOVE

« Rhonda Giles of Giles Realty/Metro Brokers has earned the Accredited Staging Professional designation. Giles completed a detailed course and passed an examination on preparing homes for sale. Homes that are staged or are listed for sale by an accredited staging professional look better than others on the market by being clean, clutter-free, and ready to show to prospective buyers. Staged homes traditionally sell faster and/or for more money in local real estate markets. Giles may be reached at 336-3134.

« Anne Van Arsdall has been named executive director of Stepping Stones of Windsor. Stepping Stones of Windsor is a faith-based, non-profit organization dedicated to connecting people with resources to improve their quality of life through affordable housing. Founded in 2003, Stepping Stones offers resources for economic and quality of life skills to people in the Windsor area with an annual household income of $45,000 or less. Van Arsdall also is an instructor with Colorado State University's Department of Human Development and Family Studies.For further information on the association, contact Deborah Blom at 491-3772.

« Betsy Hanft of Evans and Misty Khachatrian and Michaela Feagler, both of Windsor, have started their own AtHome America businesses, a direct seller of home decorating accents.AtHome America has been decorating homes through home shows for more than 20 years with an extensive collection of stylish and affordable home decorating accessories, designed with family in mind.

« Tom Miller of Greeley has earned the Certified Retirement Planner CRP designation.Miller joins 237 professionals from across the country that have fulfilled the requirements for the designation. He is an associate with Elite Investments and CBS Advisors in Greeley.

« Tara Radke of Greeley, a representative with Signature HomeStyles, is donating all or a portion of her product proceeds during May to Homes for Our Troops, a nonprofit organization that builds specially adapted homes for severely wounded veterans.Signature HomeStyles hopes to raise more than $10,000 in products during May for the charity. Radke said for every Razzle Dazzle Tealight Set sold during 2006, the company also donates $1 to the charity. Radke may be contacted at mommamea30@hotmail.com or through www.signaturehomestyles.biz/TaraRadke.

« Debbie Reynolds has opened Executive Detailing at 1502 7th Ave.She specializes in interior and exterior cleaning of autos and commercial trucks and will pick up and deliver vehicles free of charge within the city limits of Greeley. She and two employees work by appointment only and may be reached at 324-6361. The business is open on the weekends.

PORTFOLIO

« U.S. Sen. Wayne Allard, R-Colo., is co-sponsoring a landmark bill introduced by Sen. Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., that would make it easier and more affordable for small businesses to provide health insurance for their employees.The Health Insurance Marketplace Modernization and Affordability Act -- S.1955 -- will allow small businesses and trade associations to band their members together to obtain affordable group health insurance.A report prepared by the Milwaukee firm of Mercer Oliver Wyman, Inc. for the National Small Business Association found that the legislation would reduce the cost of health insurance for small employers by 12 percent -- or $1,000 per employee. The bill also would cover more than 1 million uninsured Americans in working families -- or one out of every 12 people who live in a family headed by someone who works for a small company.

« The Group, Inc. Real Estate was ranked 110th in the nation in sales volume for the year 2005 by RIS Media Real Estate Magazine.The magazine's 18th annual report gave a detailed breakdown of year-end production numbers for the 500 most successful real estate companies nationwide. The Group, Inc.'s 202 sales associates closed 5,594 transaction sides totaling $1.5 billion in 2005. The Group, Inc. Real Estate is locally owned by its sales associates and managers. It has seven offices in Fort Collins, Loveland, Greeley and Windsor.

UPCOMING

« ADVERTISING SUCCESS ... David Theimann of the Greeley Tribune and Damon Sasso of KFKA-Radio, will present a Greeley Chamber of Commerce Professional Development series from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Friday at the chamber office, 902 7th Ave.Theimann and Sasso will discuss changing the way business people see advertising and provide expertise on advertising plans for small businesses. They also will discuss the importance of marketing in print and on radio.Cost for the seminar and lunch is $10. Reservations are requested at 352-3566.

« HUMAN RESOURCES ... The Northern Colorado Human Resources Association will meet from 11:15 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesday at the Cottonwood Club, 6813 S. College Ave., in Fort Collins.Heather Myers, an investment representative with the Fort Collins branch of Edward Jones will present a program on staying on course as a retirement plan fiduciary. Registration and other information is available at www.nchra.com

« CAPITAL CAMPAIGN... The Technical Assistance Partnership is offering "How to Know if You're Ready for That Capital Campaign" taught by Art Bavoso, 6-8:30 p.m. Thursday at the Loveland Public Library. This class will assist nonprofits in conducting an honest appraisal of their readiness to commit to a capital campaign. Cost is $38 for TAP member organizations, and $58 non-members. Deadline to register is Monday. To register please go to www.firstcall211.org/ technical_assistance/cla ss_info/documents/TAPApplicationSpring2006_000.pdf

Submissions for the Business Report should be sent to Bill Jackson, bjackson@greeleytribune.com, 392-4442 or to Sharon Dunn, sdunn@greeleytribune.com, 392-4439. Deadline is 4 p.m. Wednesdays. Any submission after that time will run the
following week.