On the Move

Kelly Benish joined Search Influence as vice president of marketing and sales.

David Brown Jr. joined the Charlotte office of McNair Law Firm, P.A.

Fran Doceti was appointed assistant manager of imports for Troy Container Line Ltd.

Tasnim Shamma and Michael Tomsic joined the WFAE local news staff as reporters.

Travis Teague joined Wingate University as dean and professor of the School of Sport Sciences.

Notable Items

David Batty, Thomas Cottingham III, Jack Knight Jr., Wood Lay, René LeBlanc-Allman, Molly McGill and Nash Long III of Winston & Strawn’s Charlotte office were recognized in the 2013 Edition of Best Lawyers in America.

McCall Nokovich of Abbott Enterprises Inc. has been designated a Certified Manager of Community Associations (CMCA) by the National Board of Certification for Community Association Managers (NBC-CAM).

Nexsen Pruet Charlotte attorneys John Cole, Steve Coles, James Smith and Richard Wilson were named to the 2013 edition of Best Lawyers.

Charlotte’s chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists has won the organization’s Circle of Excellence award for the most outstanding training and professional-development program in the nation. SPJ is the country’s largest journalism group, with more than 8,000 members. To join, contact Charlotte SPJ president Frank Barrows at fcbarrows@aol.com.

Wilkinson & Associates ERA Powered, a real estate firm in Charlotte, acquired ERA Knight Realty in Cornelius. ERA Knight Realty sales associates will operate under the banner of Wilkinson & Associates ERA Powered. The firm, which consists of 30 agents, accounted for $40 million in residential sales volume in the last 12 months.

James E. Teddy, a financial adviser in the South Park office of Wells Fargo Advisors, has been named a Five Star Wealth Manager by Charlotte Magazine.

John Zimmer, an associate attorney in Smith Moore Leatherwood’s Charlotte office, was named 2012 recipient of the Council for Children’s Rights’ Pro Bono Service Award. The annual award recognizes a volunteer attorney for his/her pro bono work on behalf of the Charlotte-based nonprofit organization.

This week

Tuesday

Eastland Mall update

Now that Eastland Mall has been purchased, hear future plans for the space at Charlotte Chamber’s East Chapter Luncheon, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., at The VanLandingham Estate, 2010 The Plaza. Details: www.charlottechamber.com

Wednesday

‘Engage Charlotte Mixer’

Network with Charlotte’s young professionals at the Engage Charlotte Mixer, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m., at Strike City, 210 E. Trade St. Details: www.charlottechamber.com

‘Meet & Greet’

Maximize connections at Charlotte’s speed networking event, 7:30- 9 a.m., Costco, 500 Tyvola Road. Free for Chamber members; $25 for nonmembers (includes continental breakfast). Details: www.charlottechamber.com

Thursday

‘Business After Hours’

Charlotte Chambers’ networking event features business networking in a relaxed atmosphere, 5:30-7:30 p.m., at Springhill Suites Charlotte Ballantyne, 12325 Johnston Road. Details: www.charlottechamber.com

Thursday

‘Meet & Vote For the Green Award Finalist’

Meet the finalists for the 2012 Green Awards at Charlotte Chamber’s NorthWest Chapter Luncheon. Each finalist will tell the organizations story and, at the end, you can cast your ballot for the most worthy Green initiatives, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., at Drury Inn & Suites, 415 West W. T. Harris Blvd. Details: www.charlottechamber.com

Send us your news

Email information about management promotions, honors, area business developments or changes in operations to the Business news department: obsbiz@charlotteobserver.com. Photos of individuals will be published only if submitted as JPEG attachments. Include your identifying information, with a phone number, in the body of the email. Emails that only include an attachment will not be opened. Limit submissions to 100 words. Deadline: Items must be submitted by 5 p.m. Monday to be considered for publication the following Sunday.