New business? Expansion? Promotions? E-mail information to weekly@bangordailynews.net, or mail it to The Weekly, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor, ME 04402; or drop it off at the front desk of Buck Street entrance of the Bangor Daily News, 491 Main St. Bangor.

Bangor

Branch office

Gary Friedmann & Associates, a fund-raising and consulting firm with offices in Bar Harbor and Bangor, has opened an office on Main Street in Blue Hill.

New banking duties

Matt Watkins has been named retail banking officer and relationship manager for the KeyBank Bangor retail team. Watkins is responsible for small-business, consumer banking sales and business development activities. Previously, he was relationship officer at KeyBank Commercial Banking.

KeyBank awards

KeyBank has recognized Rick Fournier and T.J. Stymiest with Key’s Community Service Award for participating in outside activities that support the bank’s commitment to communities. Fournier is a vice president in the bank’s Bangor office, and Stymiest is a client relations leader in the bank branch in the Bangor Mall.

A Maine Achiever award, for going above and beyond what is expected, was presented to Tom Babineau, area retail leader in the Bangor office.

New partner, promotions

Richard Graves II was promoted to firm partner for WBRC Architects/Engineers, the firm announced at a celebration of its 100th year at the Sheraton Inn in Bangor. WBRC now employees 60 people.

“As pleased as we are about our growing numbers to better serve our quality clients, as partners we are more excited with the high caliber of individuals and the innovative designs that we are creating.” said John Rohman, WBRC’s chief executive officer.

Graves, associate and project manager, has been promoted to the ninth partner in the firm as the director of the education studio. He is a graduate of Virginia Tech with a bachelor of architecture degree, and Rice University with a master of architecture degree. He has more than nine years of experience on projects such as Winthrop High School, The Jackson Laboratory Building No. 51, and Dorward Residence Hall at Maine Maritime Academy.

Originally from Ellsworth, Graves began his career in 1993 as a draftsman for Dimensional Images in California. He spent two years as an intern in Houston, Texas, at Harry Golemon Architects Inc., and four years with Ken R. Harry Associates Inc. as an associate and project architect. He moved back to Maine in 2000 to work as a project manager with WBRC Architects/Engineers. He became an associate early in 2002 and a partner by the end of the year.

Donna Allen, Tim Carson, Charles Earley, Paul Brody, Ron Rideout and Dave Witham have been promoted to firm associates at WBRC

Donna Allen of Hermon, has been with WBRC for more than 13 years as administrative assistant, and recently became director of the specifications department.

Tim Carson, from Illinois, has been with the firm since 2001 as a project architect, project manager and director of the WBRC’s health care studio.

Charles Early, who earned a degree in architecture in Virginia, has had work experience in Switzerland, Thailand and Japan. He has been a project architect with the WBRC since 2000. Recently, he became a project manager.

Paul Brody holds a degree in landscape architecture and has been with WRBC since 2001. He was recently registered as a landscape architect.

Ron Rideout, a University of Maine graduate with more than 11 years of experience, has been with the firm since 2000 as a structural engineer.

A. David Witham, a graduate of the University of Maine, has 32 years of experience. He has worked for WBRC as site representative department head since 2000.

Hampden

Account coordinator

Hampden native Chris Knickerbocker has joined Wolfe Public Relations, a Portland firm that specializes in news releases and distribution, as account coordinator. Knickerbocker will be responsible for a variety of tasks relating to account services, including news release distribution, press clippings and press kit organization.

Before joining the firm, Knickerbocker served as an intern with the Portland Seas Dogs, where his duties included assisting with promotions and public relations efforts. He is a graduate of Hampden Academy.

Orono

Credit union service

Four employees of the Orono office of University Credit Union were honored recently, each for 15 years of service: Patricia Smith, assistant vice president for operations; Betsy Wright, senior accountant; Sandy Martin, assistant supervisor, member services; Karen O’Clair, loan officer.

Orrington

New karate school

Sensei Stephen Apsega, owner of the Orrington Dojo, says there’s more to the discipline of karate than learning high kicks.

“When you kick high,” he said, “your body loses its center of gravity, making it much easier for a person to knock you down.” Instead, he focuses on keeping the moves practical.

The Okinawan form of karate originated in 14th century Japan when local villagers were forced to develop ways to defend themselves during an era when weapons were banned, Apsega said. They created a system where hands and simple farm tools were the only means of protection. Apsega said he teaches this traditional form, which combines disciplining both body and mind.

His school at 50 Bouchard Drive is a chartered member of the Okinawa Shorin-Ryu Seito Karate and Kobudo Association and the All Okinawa Shorin-Ryu Karate and Kobbudo Federation. Classes are offered from late afternoons to early evenings; for youth beginners, intermediate youths and adults. For information, call 825-4048 or visit www.aoskkf.com.

Compiled by Ardeana Hamlin