The state's electric cooperatives have formed GreenCo Solutions, a consulting organization that will design energy-efficiency programs and alternative energy options to meet growing demand.

The 26 cooperatives serve 850,000 customers, about a fourth of North Carolina's electricity customers. By state law, they will have to get 10 percent of electricity sales via efficiency programs and renewable resources by 2018. Twenty-two of the co-ops have joined GreenCo Solutions.

The local customer-owned utility co-ops will start proposing efficiency program for renewables programs this fall for approval by the N.C. Utilities Commission. GreenCo Solutions will draw up options for how the co-ops can meet state mandates.

GreenCo will be run by veteran electric utility executive Bob Goodson and will employ three people. GreenCo will work with other co-op-owned companies to perform data analysis and program development.

In addition to his role at GreenCo, Goodson directs energy marketing services and information technology services provided by TSE Services to co-ops and other businesses. TSE Services is owned by the North Carolina electric cooperatives and provides market research and energy and software services.

Deals

SunTech Medical, which manufactures blood-pressure monitoring technology, has opened a manufacturing facility in Shenzhen, China. The facility houses 25 employees under the direction of Peter Zhang, general manager.

Executive search firm Stanton Chase opened a satellite office in Cary. Ajit Thampy, who is based in the Cary office, conducts executive searches for companies nationwide and in this region.

Twins Kitchen is a new personal chef service in Raleigh that specializes in organic and local food. It is owned and operated by twin sisters Lori and Michelle Corso.

The Family Doc Diagnostic and Wellness Center in Sanford opened a pediatric unit with two nurse practitioners. Michelle Watson and Leah Weeks will head the unit.

Technology Associates in Cary will provide the Raleigh office of United Engineering Group with a server, data backup and recovery, remote access installations and network and e-mail management. In addition, SEPI Engineering Group joined Technology Associates' NetAssure Basic Program, which allows Technology Associates to monitor and manage SEPI Engineering's network to prevent problems.

Pfeiffer University in Durham is offering a master's of business administration program designed for the field of banking and financial services.

Express Personnel Services in Durham and Raleigh changed its name to Express Employment Professionals to better reflect its service lines and direction for the future.

When I Grow Up, a Web site that features Earth-friendly children's clothing, has opened for business in Wilmington. The site is www.whenigrowupiwill.com.

The N.C. Biomanufacturing and Pharmaceutical Training Consortium changed its name to NCBioimpact to improve recognition and steamline access to the consortium.

Steve Deaton of Deaton Investment Real Estate has started a company that will offer real estate investors an alternative to the standard sole-ownership platform of real estate investing. Deaton 1031 will offer services related to passive real estate ownership and will assist sellers of multifamily property in eliminating or limiting the effect of capital gains taxes.

The Catevo Group in Raleigh has released www.show-logic.com, a presentation platform that enables sales and marketing professionals to organize, link and easily navigate traditional and interactive media.

Boylan Cos. of Raleigh now has divisions in development, construction, investment, realty and property management with the addition of Boylan Property Management. Jonathan Tucker is the director of the new division.

Digital Switching Systems has named Articulon as its agency of record. Articulon will be responsible for media relations, branding and advertising.

Auction Direct USA is participating in the CarTango program, a female-focused online matchmaking service for vehicle buyers and sellers.