Bangor

Accounting certification

Mindy J. Cyr, a staff accountant for Hollingsworth and Associates, CPA, recently achieved QuickBooks certification from Intuit.

Martin E. Lloyd, corporate tax specialist at the firm, has been QuickBooks certified for the past three years.

The certification process gives in-depth training in QuickBooks, used in computerized accounting systems for small businesses.

Top Lender in Maine

Edwin N. Clift, chairman and chief executive officer of Merrill Merchants Bancshares Inc., the parent company of Merrill Bank, announced that the bank has been recognized as the Small Business Administration’s Top Lender in Maine.

Charles Summers Jr., New England Regional administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration and Mary McAleney, district director of the Maine SBA, presented awards to the bank as:

. Community lender with the highest number of loans.

. Community lender with the highest dollar volume.

. Lender participating in the highest number of loans to veterans.

Summers noted that over the past 10 years, Merrill Bank has made 500 SBA loans for a total of $50 million.

Merrill Bank provides consumer, commercial, trust and investment services through its 11 locations in central and eastern Maine. The bank is a preferred lender of the Small Business Administration.

For information, call 942-4800.

Construction board

WBRC Architects/Engineers announced recently that firm principal Douglas Whitney has joined the board of the Sarasota-Bradenton Suncoast Chapter of the Construction Specifications Institute and has accepted the position of president-elect.

Former Gov. Angus King of Maine appointed Whitney to the Board of Licensure for architects, landscape architects and interior designers in 1994, where he served as board chairman from 1995-2001.

Whitney is a registered architect in Florida. He has more than 25 years of experience specializing in commercial interiors, office fit-outs and retail stores. He has represented WBRC as the firm’s branch manager in its Lakewood Ranch office for three years.

For information, contact Douglas Whitney, 6151 Lake Osprey Drive, Sarasota, FL 34240; doug.whitney@wbrcae.com.

WBRC Architects/Engineers also has announced the opening of its Land Use Studio. The group provides services to those engaged in building projects. It offers permitting, master planning and site design services for commercial and community development. For more information, call 947-4511.

Mortgage certification

Rae Ann Rice, reverse mortgage consultant, has successfully completed certification for reverse mortgages. She is a member of the Wells Fargo mortgage team, One Cumberland Place.

Grand opening

The Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce and the city of Bangor will take part in the ribbon cutting ceremony and grand opening of Hollywood Slots at 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 4.

The racino offers 475 slot machines, dining and entertainment. Business hours are 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. Monday-Saturday, and noon to 2 a.m. Sunday. To learn more about the new business, call 262-6135.

Hampden

Halloween bags

Rent-A-Wreck of Bangor is celebrating its 10th anniversary this month at 602 Main Road in Hampden. David Chandler and Patrick Bouchard Jr. are the owners and operators, having bought the business after 18 years in the automobile business.

Rent-a-Wreck distributed free Halloween bags to area youngsters in October. The brightly colored plastic bags were imprinted with safety tips.

Rent-a-Wreck has remained active in the community by sponsoring a number of local events and sports teams, such as Little League softball and school yearbooks. The company rents new and used cars, vans and trucks. For information, call 942-4600.

Winterport

Unit manager

Jewelry company lia sophia announced that Carrie Newey had been promoted from adviser to unit manager. Newey met or exceeded personal sales and recruiting goals to achieve the new level of leadership.

Lia sophia, formerly Lady Remington, is a direct selling company that offers fashion accessories through in-home shows. For more information, call (800) 487-3323 or visit www.liasophia.com/carrienewey.