Business Briefly Aug. 14

Dave Pappas has joined Heritage Bank as chief financial officer

Pappas had worked since 1999 as director of accounting for Harley-Davidson Financial Services.

He also has held positions as vice president and controller for Pioneer Citizens Bank of Nevada, vice president of finance and operations for Washoe Credit Union, and financial analyst at First Interstate Bank of Nevada and Utah.

He earned a bachelor's degree in business and finance from the University of Nevada, Reno.

Fire Puck wins spot on Home Depot shelves

Glacier Ice Development, the Minden-based developer of the Fire Puck matchless fire starter, landed its signature product in Home Depot stores in late July. The home improvement retailer lists a six-pack of Fire Pucks for $22.97.

Real estate agent Leslie Cain finishes training

Leslie Cain of RE/MAX Realty Affiliates Carson City has earned the prestigious Certified Investor Agent Specialist Designation, having completed extensive training to understand the different real estate investor types, and the investment opportunities, financing options and calculations needed to provide solutions for each.

Over the past 12 months, investment and second-home properties totaled more than $300 billion in sales, representing approximately 27 percent of all residential real estate transactions. In addition, in market conditions affected by mortgage industry challenges, 48 percent of investors made all-cash purchases.

Leslie is a member of the Sierra Nevada Association of Realtors. For more information about the association, visit www.snar.org.

The Distressed Property Institute provides live and online CIAS Courses to train real estate professionals how to address the needs of all real estate investors. For more information about the CIAS Designation, visit www.cias.com.

NIREC names Walt Borland president and CEO

The Board of Trustees of the Nevada Institute for Renewable Energy Commercialization (NIREC) has named Walt

Borland president and CEO of the organization. Borland was president and CEO of Windspire Energy Inc., a vertical-axis wind turbine company based in Reno. He replaces James A. Croce, who has served as NIREC's president and

CEO since June 2009 and who will remain an executive-in-residence with NIREC.

Borland is also founder of the Clean Energy Foundation, a nonprofit organization focused on accelerating the development of Nevada's clean-energy resources.

NIREC is a 501(c)3 independent nonprofit organization that provides strategic consulting and venture assistance to early-stage technology innovators, energy project developers and economic development agencies to accelerate the commercialization of clean-energy solutions. Visit www.nirec.org.

Sean Kiernan joins Wells Fargo

Sean Kiernan has joined Wells Fargo Home Mortgage as home mortgage consultant and will be building and maintaining relationships with customers and serving as central point of contact with borrowers. He has over 25 years of experience in the housing and real estate market and the expertise and knowledge to place customers into the right loan for their circumstances. "We are very pleased that Sean has joined our team," said Don Garrett, Branch Manager with Wells Fargo Home Mortgage. Wells Fargo Home Mortgage provides home mortgage, loan pre-approvals and home equity loans throughout the region. For more information, contact Sean at 775-883-3905 or Sean.P.Kiernan@wellsfargo.com and also visit www.wfhm.com/sean-kiernan.

City National Bank receives award from Navy

City National Bank, Nevada's Premier Private and Business Bank®, was recently recognized by the U.S. Navy for its support of reserve sailors in their civilian employment. The Navy Reserves designated the month of July as Employer Appreciation Month and is recognizing companies all across the U.S. for their support of the Navy and its mission to defend America.

In a brief ceremony held at City National's Las Vegas Regional Center in Summerlin, Lt. Cmdr. Ross Dobson of the Navy Operational Support (Reserve) Center in Las Vegas presented several executives from the bank with letters of appreciation. Joining Dobson for this presentation was Ens. Lee Pullan, an active Navy Reservist who also serves as vice president and senior private banker for City National.

"City National is a great example of companies all across the country that support reservists in all branches of our military," said Dobson. "It takes a tremendous amount of support and sacrifice on behalf of companies that employ reservists, and we appreciate City National's ongoing support of Ensign Pullan and the dedicated men and women who serve in the Navy Reserves."

Pullan has been with the Navy Reserves for about a year and received the full support of City National when he made the decision early last year to pursue a military path like his father, who was a U.S. Marine Corps Officer. Pullan applied and was accepted into the Navy Reserves' Supply Corps Officer program last year and is on track to complete this training in about half the time it normally takes. Pullan, who has more than 18 years of experience in the banking industry, joined City National as a private banker in June 2008.

"We are honored to receive this recognition and feel very proud to have Lee representing City National in the Navy Reserves," said Larry Charlton, Nevada regional executive. "Lee and other reservists at City National are providing a great service to our communities and our country."

For more information about City National, visit the company's Website at cnb.com.

Workshop offers job search help

Job Opportunities in Nevada will host two series of workshops on life skills and employment preparation. The classes are from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the JobConnect office, 1929 N. Carson St.

Aug. 23 - Session 1: Life Skills

The goal is to impart basic life, workplace, job search and employment preparation skills to ensure participant success during job acquisition and retention phases. We include a variety of classroom techniques, including lecture, small and large group discussion, role playing and one-on-one assistance. Learn techniques in self-esteem building, time management, and financial planning. Develop decision-making skills, set and define personal and professional goals. Participate in instruction on business perspectives. Develop the qualities that employers are looking for.

Aug. 24 - Session II: The 60-Second Me

A verbal description of your "features and benefits." It is essentially your response to the employer's inquiry, "Tell me about yourself." Apply fundamental marketing principles to your job search. Identify, memorize and recall your achievements, skills and strengths. Use effective presentation skills to paint a brief verbal picture of yourself.

Aug. 25 - Session III: Resumes

This session empowers the client with all the necessary components for obtaining the job interview: writing a resume, the appropriate components, and effective types and styles. Master the application and get answers to the tough questions. Learn how important first impressions and appropriate business attire are to acquiring the desired position.

Aug. 26 - Session IV: Interviews

Gain the necessary techniques for successful interviewing. Arrive early, be prepared, and smile your way to employment. Learn interviewing self-confidence. Be able to identify and avoid the psychological pitfalls involved in interviewing. Gain the necessary confidence by participating in practice interviews. Learn the importance and effectiveness of the follow-up correspondence.

The program is sponsored by JOIN in conjunction with Nevada Works. Auxiliary aids are available upon request.

Bubbles and BBQ Business Recognition dinner set for Aug. 31

The Northern Nevada Development Authority's Bubbles and BBQ Business Recognition dinner is scheduled for Aug. 31 at Genoa Lakes Golf and Country Club on Genoa Lakes Drive. This event is meant to welcome new businesses to to the Sierra region and to recognize the expansion of existing businesses. The event starts at 5:30 with a no host reception followed by a barbecue dinner. Cost is $60 per person or $600 for a table of 10, $75 at the door. For more information call Judi Bishop at 775-883-4413, or email jbishop@nnda.org.

PUC economist Knecht to speak at business meeting

The Nevada Business Connections breakfast meeting will be at 8 a.m. Aug. 24. Doors open at 7:30 a.m. at the Atlantis Casino Resort, 3800 S. Virginia St., Reno. The breakfast will feature Ron Knecht, senior economist in the RMA Division of the Nevada Public Utilities Commission, and regent for the Nevada System of Higher Education; and Chris Lynch, director of the Business Environmental Program at the University of Nevada, Reno. Knecht will address power rates in Nevada, and Lynch will talk about BEP. David Toll will emcee the event. The meeting lasts for one hour and the cost is $20 for members and $30 for guests. Reservations, 775-882-8306 or email Kris@nevadabusinessconnections.com