Business news

Ballroom, wellness center

BREWER – The Wilson Street Ballroom and Wellness Center held a grand opening and open house on June 3 on outer Wilson Street.

The event featured dance demonstrations, drawings, informational booths by various vendors and seated massages. Refreshments were provided by the Make a Wish Foundation.

Participants included yoga instructor Bunny Barclay, Kathie Cote from Northern Lights Dance Arts, fencing instructor Mickey Creeley, physical therapist Anne Knowles and aerobics instructors Claudia Ricker and Rick Canard.

The Back Door Dance Studio has taken over the lease to the former Well Forms building, said Jeff McKay, manager of the complex.

“We have a couple of large ballrooms and we’ll be hosting dances every Friday and most Saturday nights,” McKay said in a press release. “The space is also ideal for wedding receptions and banquets, so we’ll be offering competitive rates to rent time here, as well.”

For more information, call the Back Door Dance Studio at 843-5638 or e-mail swingtime34@aol.com.

Insurance award

BANGOR – Cross Insurance has been named the New England Region President’s Cup award winner by the Hanover Insurance Group Inc.

The award is presented for commitment to customers, growth and exemplifying what it means to be a partner.

“Cross Insurance is a world-class insurance agency,” said Michael Christiansen, president of Hanover’s Northeast region. He added that “the needs of Cross’ agents and customers naturally align with our own capabilities and our way of doing business.”

Royce Cross, president of Cross Insurance, based in Bangor, said, “Hanover Insurance has been in Maine for a number of years. We represent Hanover on all of their lines, and the competition to get this award is really rugged. We’re very pleased and proud they selected us.”

Since 1954 the Cross Agency has served customers with coverage, strength and financial security. With 20 locations in Maine and New Hampshire, it is northern New England’s largest insurance agency. For information, call 947-7345 or visit www.crossagency.com.

Information officer

OLD TOWN – James W. Sewall Co. announced that information systems specialist David Hannington has joined the company as chief information officer. Hannington has 24 years of experience in strategic planning and operations, quality control and training for the U.S. Air Force, with expertise in geospatial data management and aerial navigation.

Hannington spearheaded and managed training in the use of GPS, multiple GIS applications and mission planning software, contributing to successful operations in support of homeland defense and the global war on terror.

A quality expert, he led teams of officer instructors in program effectiveness assessment and provided quality control for offensive systems officer in-flight mission training. He assisted in maintaining and supporting Global Reach for America, including coordination and support for flight planning on worldwide aerial missions, the development of aircrew training programs, and the provision of tactics and intelligence support for aircrews and senior staff. Among his assignments was to lead efforts supporting the North American Air Defense Command’s contribution to Operation Noble Eagle in its mission against terrorist aggression.

Hannington holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Maine, where he was the Distinguished Graduate AFROTC; and a master’s degree in management information systems from Friends University, Wichita, Kan. He has received numerous awards for meritorious military service, combat readiness and national defense service.

Sewall President and CEO James Page said, “David Hannington brings an impressive record of overall excellence with special accomplishment in the areas of geospatial technology management and quality assurance control. He possesses exceptional ability in the field of strategic planning and combines his knowledge of technology and teamwork to produce superior results. His addition to our management staff will further ensure our ability to provide the highest value of service to our clients.”