Business Briefs Jan. 17

Area Jeep parts maker wins national recognition

Dr. Smash Design, a custom fabrication shop for Jeeps in Carson City, was named one of the nation's top 23 shops in JP Magazine's March issue.

Owner Eric Beavens, 41, works on custom bumpers and roll cages for Jeeps and other 4X4 vehicles in his 3,000 square foot shop at 6369 U.S. 50. He also does custom bike work.

A reader told the magazine that Beaven's business, "is a smaller shop, but that allows him to keep his prices reasonable for things like bumpers and cages."

Beavens, a Reno native, opened his shop five years ago, but was displaced in 2007 when a fire closed the building that housed his business.

He said with the help of his insurance, he was able to move into his new location, "and thank goodness because things are great. I've got plenty of stuff to do and people that are calling me from all over. And the national recognition is nice."

Business Connection to meet over breakfast

The next Nevada Business Connections breakfast meeting will be on Thursday, 8 a.m. Jan. 21.

Two speakers will be featured, including Glen Atkinson, an economics professor emeritus who address Nevada's economic history, and Tammy Westergard, deputy manager of the Carson City Office of Business Development, who will present an update on the Carson City Redevelopment Project.

Doors will open at 7:30 a.m. at the Carson Nugget Casino, 507 N. Carson Street. The meeting should last an hour.

Cost is $20 for members and $25 for guests.

RSVP by contacting 775-882-8306 or kris@nevadabusinessconnections.com.

Area bank employees donate to charities

City National Bank contributed monetary and in-kind support of more than $125,000 to 70 nonprofit and community organizations in 2009, the bank announced last week.

Bank employees donated more than 1,300 hours in volunteer service, which included serving on nonprofit boards, reading to students at various elementary schools and staffing charitable events.

Among the charities supported was Capital City Circles Initiative in Carson City.

The bank has a branch at 1811 College Parkway.

Data business relocates

Offsite Data Depot moved its operations to a 30,000 square foot location at 550 Mallory Way in Carson City, the business announced last week.

"We have a lot of new business coming in in the next six months...it gives us a lot of room for growth," said Brian Olson, co-owner of the business.

The company stores records and other vital data for government agencies, gaming, health care and other organizations in the region.

Olson said the company was renting 6,000 square feet at its former location, adding the company is expecting more clients this year with about half of the business coming from Reno.

Networking rally for business women tn Reno

WE of the World, a business networking group for women, will stage a rally Jan. 29 and Jan. 30 at the Atlantis Casino Resort.

The event is open to non-members. More information is available at www.weoftheworld.com/pages/rally.

NNDA announces real estate committee

The Northern Nevada Development Authority announced the founding members of its Regional Real Estate and Advisory Committee on Thursday. They are:

Angie Smith of Coldwell Banker Best Sellers, Barbe Seal of Coldwell Banker Best Sellers, Bert Pollitt of Realty Executives, Bob Fredlund of Coldwell Banker Best Sellers, Brian Alexander of RE/MAX Realty, Carolan Harris of Development Dynamics, Carole Lee Challender of US Bank - Mortgage Division, Carrie Richardson of Gillmor Coons Real Estate Group, Cynthia Failor of First American Title, Dan Smith of Coldwell Banker Best Sellers, Debra Nevins of Sierra Valley Mortgage, Ed Noel of Alderus Funding & Investment, Gina Gillmor Coons of Gillmor Coons Real Estate Group, Joan Zadny of Charles Kitchen Realty, Jody Foley of Coldwell Banker Best Sellers, Ron Peterson of Northern Nevada Title, Victoria Williams of Coldwell Banker Best Sellers and William Shattuck of Comstock Mortgage.

River Wranglers founder nominated for conservation award

Linda Conlin will receive the 2010 Andy Aldax Carson River Watershed Award for her service in conservation and protection of the Carson River Watershed, the Carson Water Subconservancy District announced last week.

Conlin was nominated for founding the River Wranglers program, which helps mentor high school students about environmental stewardship in the Carson River watershed.

This award was created in 2007 to recognize individuals or organizations for significant contributions in promoting and achieving the Carson River Watershed's vision statement.

The award will be presented to Conlin at the CWSD board meeting at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 20 in Room 1214 of the Nevada State Legislative Building, 401 S. Carson St., Carson City.

The public is invited to attend the meeting and presentation. For more information, call Toni Leffler at 887-7450.