Career moves

Kelley L. Erstine has been named chief executive officer of the Independent Insurance Agents of North Carolina. Erstine replaced Bob Bird, who retired after 25 years of service. Neil T. Annas, president of Granite Insurance Agency, was elected as president of the association for the 2008-09 term.

Brent Reel was promoted to chief financial officer at Spectrum Properties, a leasing, management and development company. Jessica F. Brock was promoted to vice president of leasing in Raleigh, and Gordon Fleming was hired as new marketing representative in Charlotte.

Pat Morrah joined the FWA Group as project architect, and Jim Palmieri joined as project manager. FWA Group, which has an office in Research Triangle Park, specializes in the sustainable design of education and research facilities.

Amy Abernethy has been named acting director of the Duke Comprehensive Cancer Center's cancer prevention, detection and control research program.

R. Edward Davis was hired as a senior project mechanical engineer at O'Brien/Atkins Associates, a design services firm in Research Triangle Park.

Greg Sallee was named director of construction services at the John R. McAdams Co., an engineering, land planning and surveying firm in Research Triangle Park. Mike Sanchez was named director of land development.

Campus police officer George Boykin was promoted to sergeant at Saint Augustine's College in Raleigh.

Amy Boaz was named interactive media supervisor at Media Research Planning and Placement, a media agency in Cary.

ML Mueller has been promoted to assistant vice president of land acquisition at Landquest Development, a residential development firm in Raleigh.

Julie J. Clark was hired as a business insurance agent at Jones Insurance Agency in Garner.

Nicholas J. LaHowchic joined Tompkins Associates of Raleigh as executive associate. Tompkins Associates provides supply chain services.

David Stogner and Harry Sempeles joined the Freelon Group Architects in Research Triangle Park as architects.

Joe Komenda was hired as Web developer/programmer at Flywheel Design, a graphic design studio in Durham.

Dauna Bartley joined law firm Moore & Van Allen as an attorney in the Research Triangle Park office.

Kelly Romisher has been hired as an account manager at the employee benefit advisory firm JRW Associates in Raleigh.

On the boards ...

Livian Jones, vice president at John S. Clark Co., has been appointed to the Wilmington Housing Authority Board of Commissioners.

Josh Swindell, managing broker at the Coldwell Banker Howard Perry and Walston Kildaire office, was named president of Me Fine Foundation board of advisers. The organization provides financial help for medical treatment at Duke and UNC Children's Hospitals.

Hardin Construction Co. is now a member of the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce board of advisers.

Cynthia Marshall, president of AT&T North Carolina, will serve as chairman of the Wake Education Partnership's 2008-2009 annual fundraising campaign to support public education.

Diane Kuehn, president and chief executive officer of VisionPoint Marketing in Raleigh, was appointed to the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce executive committee as vice chair of communications.

Anthony Poillucci, vice president of strategy and creative for the firm, was named to the board of directors for the United Arts Council.

Steve Humes, coordinator for the Region IV North Hemophilia Treatment Center Network, has been named to the board of directors for Hemophilia of North Carolina. Humes joined the Hemophilia Diagnostic and Treatment Center at UNC-Chapel Hill in 2005.

Urban Ministries of Wake County has the following new board members: Andy A. Bonin of Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina, Debbie Cottrell of Peace College, Peter Curtice of Blue Line Innovations, Joelyn Harrington of Wachovia, Tricia Phoenix and Celia Poole, community volunteers and Jared Wilkins of Wake Chapel Church.

News about people who have been named or promoted to positions and news about business activities in North Carolina should be sent to Business News Desk, The News & Observer, 215 S. McDowell St., Raleigh, N.C. 27601 or e-mail amy.rue@newsobserver.com.