Business in brief - July 1, 2012

Val Fogg of Mystic has been named merchandising manager at Clad in, whose flagship store is at 24 W. Main St. in Mystic.

Fogg is responsible for styling, display, merchandise allocation, buying, website and e-commerce development, photography and advertising. Fogg previously was design director for Ralph Lauren in New York City, lead designer for Luli Design in Stonington and developed her own line of clothing and bags.

In addition, Kim Clark has been named manager of the Mystic Clad in. Clark, whose family has been in the Mystic area for generations, returns after working in design for 30 years in New York City and Atlanta. She will be involved in store management, customer development and events planning.

Mystic's Clad in features a new storefront design, showcasing the shop's latest fashions and more than 100 styles of shoes.

Clad in also has two shops in Stonington at 152 Water St. and 158 Water St., and two in Rhode Island at 32 Friendship St., Westerly, and 497 Angell St., Providence.

For more information, call 866-290-8442 or go to www.cladin.com.

For more than 20 years, Cardinal Honda has flown a 25-by-40-foot American flag that welcomes those driving by on Route 12.

The car dealership's owner, Stan Cardinal, has since implemented a Flag Loaner Program that provides American flags, in various sizes, for loan at no charge. Flags have been loaned for memorial services for fallen soldiers, military and school functions and local parades.

Last month, Cardinal received a "Certificate of Appreciation" from Christian Porter, president of Connecticut Micro Computers, for his efforts.

Colliers International has announced that Westport resident Joseph Harbert has joined the real estate company as the president of its Eastern Region. Harbert will report to Dylan Taylor, chief executive of the U.S. operations of Colliers International.

Most recently, Harbert was the chief operating officer for Cushman & Wakefield in the New York Region and its area leader for the Northeast.

The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut will hold three upcoming noon-time seminars as part of its continuing Brown Bag Seminar, an educational program at the chamber office, 914 Hartford Tpke., Waterford.

The on-going programs, offered free to chamber members, are: Social Media, presented July 11 by Maria Miranda; Microsoft Office, presented July 18 by CCI, Inc.; and Adobe CS for Design, July 25, A-OK Consulting.

Space is limited, so early registration is advised. Call 860-701-9113, or visit www.ChamberECT.com and click on chamber events.

The Eastern Connecticut Association of Realtors has announced a "summer savings special" for its 60- and 30-hour real estate pre-licensing course, "Principles & Practices." Participants who register between July 1 and Sept. 30 will save $59 on the registration total.

Each session is made up of 12 classes and each class is taught independent from the others allowing the course to be held on a revolving schedule and participants the flexibility of joining during any week. Week 1 will begin July 21. Classes are held on Saturday's from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Eastern Connecticut Association of Realtors office in North Franklin.

For more detailed information and a course registration form, contact Kathryn O'Leary at ECAR by phone at 860-892-2595 or by email at kathryn.oleary@easternctrealtors.com.

The Mystic Marriott Hotel & Spa in Groton recently appointed Christopher Allen as Director of Operations. In his new role, Allen is responsible for overseeing all rooms and food and beverage departments of the hotel, including budgeting, scheduling, associate training and development, inventory, as well as strict adherence to all Marriott and Waterford Hotel Group standards.

With nearly 25 years of food, beverage and hospitality experience, Allen joins the Mystic Marriott from his most recent position as Resident Hotel Manager at the Boston Cambridge Marriott.

He had also previously served as Food and Beverage Director for several properties within the Marriott franchise

Allen holds a Certificate from the Executive Education General Manager's Program at the Cornell University School of Hotel Administration in Ithaca, N.Y., a Bachelor of Science, Hotel, Restaurant and Travel Administration Degree from the University of Massachusetts, and an Associate's Degree in Occupational Sciences-Culinary Arts from Johnson and Wales University in Rhode Island.

Sandra Wheeler, owner of For Peace of Mind, LLC in Waterford, has been elected Immediate Past President of the Connecticut Chapter of the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO-CT). She has been a member of NAPO since 2008 and has served as the Director of Communication & Technology, the Vice President and two terms as President. Wheeler is also a member of the Eastern Connecticut Chamber of Commerce.

She can be reached through her website www.ForPeaceofMind.biz or e-mail forpeaceofmind@sbcglobal.net.

NAPO-CT is a not-for profit association dedicated to making the lives of their clients easier by transferring organizing skills.

Heidi Bruno has joined ERA Property as a real estate salesperson.

She graduated with honors from Bryant College in 2002, with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. She previously manageed Wallach's Inc., her family's retail floor covering business, for eight years.

She can be reached at 860 839-0851 or email Heidi.Bruno@ERA.com.

The speaker for the July 5 meeting of BNI will be Nancy Trostler, doctor of audiology at ENT Associates of Southeastern Connecticut. She is a clinical audiologist with more than 30 years experience in the field of audiology.

She will will be speaking about the issue of hearing loss, effects of aging on hearing , and the effects of loud noise exposure on hearing as well as solutions available for hearing loss and how to protect hearing from further damage.

Meetings are held at Fairview Odd Fellows Home of Connecticut, 235 Lestertown Road, Groton.

Ledge Light BNI meets Thursday at 7:15 a.m. If interested, e-mail pamela_gracey@us.aflac.com.