Scenic Helicopter Tours is offering free 15-minute flights to Knox and Sevier County residents on Sep. 6 from 11 am to 5 pm.

Rides will leave from Eagle's Landing Heliport on Highway 66. The address is 113 Helicopter Ride Blvd. in Sevierville.

For more information, read the flyer.

NOTE: This release was sent from Personal Computer Systems, Inc., a Knoxville Chamber member business.

Personal Computer Systems, Inc. (PCS) announced today that they have invested in a new division dedicated to providing Apple Authorized Repair Services.

“A great many customers have approached us looking for warranty and non-warranty repair services on their Apple products,” stated Trace Thompson, Repair Supervisor for PCS. “We have partnered with several Tier I manufacturers to provide these services, and Apple was a logical addition to address our customers’ needs. This definitely fills a void in the East Tennessee market”

PCS provides repair services on many IT related products, including Apple, Fujitsu, HP, Lenovo, Lexmark, Okidata, Toshiba, and many others. As well, the company offers several other types of service including network planning and troubleshooting services, telephone support, and many others.
Customers who wish to schedule service with PCS may email service@pcsknox.com, visit the company’s web site at www.pcsknox.com, or call 865-273-1960.

Founded in 1996, Personal Computer Systems, Inc. is one of the largest technology providers and computer systems builders in the Southeast, providing products to a wide array of corporations, educational and governmental agencies, and resellers. PCS was recognized in 2007 by Computer Reseller News as the 20th-largest computer systems builder in the United States, and is a Microsoft Platinum OEM Partner and a Premier Member of the Intel Channel Partner Program. PCS is committed to operating in a highly ethical manner and providing superior quality and service to its customers while maintaining competitiveness and creating a secure, satisfying environment for each of its employees. For more information, call 865.273.1960 or visit www.pcsknox.com.

NOTE: The following is from AESSEAL, a Knoxville Chamber member business.

AESSEAL Inc. is moving from its current West Knoxville location to a larger facility in Rockford, TN. AESSEAL Inc. is the North American Headquarters for the AESSEAL plc. group of companies.

Based in Northern England, AESSEAL is one of the leading global specialists in the design and manufacture of mechanical seals, support systems and bearing seals. With operations on six continents, AESSEAL is the world’s 4th largest supplier of mechanical seals. Mechanical seals are used in pumps and rotating equipment to prevent liquids and gases from escaping into the environment.

The company has been in Knoxville since 1992. They needed a larger facility to house its growing US business and found a 36,000 square foot building in the Stock Creek Development in Blount County. AESSEAL’s $5 million total investment includes the construction of 10,000 square feet of additional office space and a state of the art training facility. The building’s size will double their current square footage and will allow the space to further expand the business.

AESSEAL partnered with Hodge Associates, a Knoxville-based design firm, and Richardson-Turner Construction to bring the project from vision to reality.

AESSEAL is scheduled to move in August 2008.

The Chamber's Green Business Recognition Program is continuing to see members apply. The application process is simple, and by completing an application member businesses can better understand their own green programs and receive valuable recognition. The application is a checklist that allows members to see all the various types of green efforts businesses are undertaking and devise a strategy to start or improve a green program.

The Chamber recently received an application from Rapid Refill. Below is a great description of some of the business’ efforts.

“Rapid Refill ‘walks the talk’ by utilizing recycled products in our store layout. The carpet is made of 52% post consumer content – yes, you are walking on milk jugs. The slat walls made from wheat stock, the counter is crushed sunflower seed and the flooring the production area is all reclaimed tile. The mural below the countertop represents six ecospheres and many endangered plants and animals. These endangered plants and animals are a part of our store to point out the importance of recycling not only cartridges, but anything else that can be recycled. By making a conscious effort to recycle, we can help preserve endangered life by reducing waste that goes into the landfills and keep the circle going. Our motto ‘NO TO LANDFILL, YES TO REFILL.’”

HOK Smith Forkner, Fairgrounds Planners and Architects based in Knoxville, Tennessee, recently began the master plan for the relocation and expansion of the Uinta County Fairgrounds Complex located in Evanston, Wyoming.

Shown left to right are Charlie Smith, Principal and Senior Architect with HOK Smith Forkner, Dell Atkinson, Uinta County Director of Economic Development, Wade Lowry, Fairgrounds Supervisor and David Forkner, Principal and Senior Architect of HOK Smith Forkner.

Communications Resources Inc. (CRI), a Chattanooga-based communications infrastructure specialist, is the recipient of the 2008 ShoreTel Circle of Excellence Award. The award recognizes CRI as one of the top ShoreTel channel partners.

CRI received the honor at ShoreTel’s Annual Partner Conference in Las Vegas.

Alan Burdine, vice president of the 28 year-old company, described the conference as having “An amazing atmosphere…the partner appreciation is genuine and the excitement contagious. As a ShoreTel circle of excellence partner we are amongst the top ten of all ShoreTel partners based on customer satisfaction. CRI is passionate about the satisfaction of our customers and we truly appreciate how ShoreTel’s customer service focus parallels our own.”

“This award is a result of the dedication and effort of each and every CRI employee and is attributed to a team who dedicated themselves in reaching this achievement” continued Burdine. “We have the most amazing group of professionals working with us, and one of the proudest moments of my business career was accepting this award on behalf of them. At CRI, team stands for Together Everyone Achieves More and this award proves it.”

Created in 2004, the ShoreTel Circle of Excellence Award is the highest partner award bestowed. ShoreTel has raised the standard in business connectivity and is recognized as a leader with world-class customer satisfaction. Circle of Excellence partners are judged based on delivering this same level of world-class satisfaction as well as achieving strong revenue performance. CRI representatives say they are proud to have received this honor because it is based on some of the core values that CRI fosters.

CRI professionals bring significant experience to their clients in the design, deployment and management of customers’ networks. The company is proud to offer engineering services as well. CRI has capitalized on the challenges of IP platforms, in which ShoreTel is an innovation leader by creating strategic partnerships that reach multiple markets.

In 2006 CRI added the ShoreTel product line as a complement to its current telephony services and product portfolio that includes Adtran, APC, HP, Multitech, Nortel, Polycom and EnGenius Durafon.

“The decision for CRI to adopt the ShoreTel product and solutions set has been a delightfully easy one for me,” said CRI President Phil Burkett. “Our diligence in investigating and analyzing both the products and ShoreTel has revealed nothing but solid performance and commitment to the market needs, and to delivering end-user value. ShoreTel is focused on developing strategic Unified Communications solutions. This is all they do, and they are committed to delivering best-in-class solutions that are easy to manage.”

CRI’s addition of the ShoreTel product line has provided the foundation for a complete portfolio of services that address all of a potential customer’s converged network needs.

“We feel that we now have a cost-effective and easy-to-manage solution for any customer environment.” Burdine said. “The addition of the ShoreTel portfolio and other network support services has already created the need for five additional support engineers” says Burdine. “The total cost of ownership (TCO) of a ShoreTel Unified Communications (UC) system is much lower than many other IP Telephone systems. In an economic climate where customers are constantly looking for ways to save money, we see more and more clients choosing to implement a ShoreTel UC system because of both the short- term and long-term savings."

CRI serves Tennessee, Georgia and Alabama. Its headquarters are located in Chattanooga, TN. The company’s growth is rapid, with another office opening in Mobile, AL.

For more information about CRI, call Alan Burdine at 423.899.9350 or visit www.crionline.biz.

Katharine Seaton, a marketing and advertising professional and active community volunteer, recently joined Moxley Carmichael public relations firm as an account executive.

Prior to joining Moxley Carmichael, Seaton had a seven-year career with the News Sentinel, the largest newspaper in East Tennessee. Seaton’s career at the News Sentinel was marked by multiple promotions in recognition of her strong work ethic and accomplishments. Most recently, she served as community relations manager in the marketing department.

“Katharine is a valued addition to our staff because she has handled literally hundreds of special events for the News Sentinel and really knows our community, the media and community leaders,” said Cynthia Moxley, co-president of Moxley Carmichael. “These attributes will be very helpful to Moxley Carmichael and our clients.”

Seaton will be working with Moxley Carmichael clients on a variety of communications activities and projects.

While serving as community relations manager at the News Sentinel, Seaton created partnerships among media, corporations and the community; planned, promoted and implemented major charity campaigns; directed award and educational programs; and developed awareness of the organization’s corporate citizenship.

Seaton is involved in the Knoxville community, serving on the boards of Imagination Library and News Sentinel Charities. She served on the Great Schools Partnership’s Engaged Community Committee, the Buddy’s Race Against Cancer Public Relations Committee, and as a United Way loaned executive. She chaired the Community Outreach Committee and is a charter member of the Young Professionals of Knoxville organization.

A Knoxville native, Seaton graduated summa cum laude from the University of Tennessee Knoxville with a bachelor’s degree in communications.

Located in First Tennessee Plaza, Moxley Carmichael provides public relations expertise to many major East Tennessee businesses and organizations.

NOTE: This release was sent by New Horizons of Knoxville, a Knoxville Chamber member business.

Joanna McCormick has recently joined New Horizons of Knoxville as Instructor, responsible for delivering instructor-led Microsoft and Adobe classroom computer training.

McCormick brings with her more than 5 years of IT experience. Prior to joining New Horizons of Knoxville she was Project Coordinator and Executive Assistant for Healthcare 21 Business Coalition for 3 years, and proved to be a valuable asset. She was responsible for all IT logistics of the organization including hardware and software maintenance, networking, database and website development.

Joanna shares New Horizons of Knoxville's commitment to efficient learning through high technology and stellar customer service," said Glenn Frazier, Owner/GM of New Horizons of Knoxville. She is exactly the type of Instructor we are seeking as we continue to grow the company and increase our presence in the community.

To find out more about the training courses and certifications offered by New Horizons, contact your local New Horizons center or visit us at www.nhknoxville.com.

Since 1979 New Horizons Computer Learning Center has been part of the Knoxville Community helping thousands of people each year start, change to, or enhance their careers in Information Technology. In the past year we conducted over 80,000 training hours for over 4,700 students at New Horizons Knoxville. In addition to working with both traditional and non-traditional students, we serve a diverse roster of corporate and government clients including Sprint, ORNL, University of Tennessee, ORISE, HGTV, Pilot Corporation, Denso, Tennessee State Government, Goody's Family Clothing and Baptist Health System. We work closely with many different educational training programs including the GI Bill, Workforce Investment Act (WIA) and Vocational Rehabilitation. New Horizons is a member of The Knox Area Chamber Partnership and the West Knox Chamber of Commerce.

Lattimore Black Morgan & Cain, PC (LBMC), one of the Southeast’s largest accounting and business consulting firms, has added Holly R. Gibson in its Knoxville office.

Holly R. Gibson joined the accounting firm in an administrative assistant position with LBMC. Holly, previously office manager with Gibson Court Reporting, attended the University of Tennessee Knoxville. In her new role, Holly will be assisting with tax processing and various other tasks related to the administrative needs of the accounting firm. She is a volunteer for the Salvation Army, and enjoys reading, knitting and spending time with her family.

Lattimore Black Morgan & Cain, PC, and The LBMC Family of Companies has more than 400 employees, with offices in Chattanooga, Nashville (Brentwood), and Knoxville, Tenn. Founded in 1984 as a traditional accounting firm, LBMC has expanded its focus to meet a broad range of financial, human resources and technology needs for its diverse client base. Specific services offered by the LBMC “Family of Companies” include: accounting assurance services, business and personal tax consulting, investment advisory services, professional staffing, human resources outsourcing, payroll services, technology solutions, healthcare consulting, planning services, litigation support, business valuations, and mergers and acquisitions. For more information on LBMC, visit its Web site at www.lbmc.com.

LBMC Technologies, LLC, a member of the LBMC (Lattimore Black Morgan & Cain, PC) Family of Companies, is pleased to announce that Stephanie Rathburn has been added to its Knoxville office.

Stephanie Rathburn will be a business systems consultant in the Knoxville office focusing primarily on Microsoft Dynamics GP. A resident of Oak Ridge, Stephanie previously served as purchasing manager for Direct IS. She is an honors graduate of Tusculum College with a bachelor’s degree in organizational management.

LBMC Technologies, LLC, is the Southeast’s leading technology firm, with offices in Nashville, Knoxville, and Chattanooga. LBMC Technologies provides a variety of products and services including Network Engineering, Business Systems (Microsoft Dynamics GP and SL,) Microsoft Dynamics CRM, Software Development, Document Management, Business Intelligence, Project Management, Business Analysis Services, and Training. LBMC Technologies is a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner and has the only Microsoft Dynamics certified training center in Tennessee. For more information on LBMC Technologies, visit our Web site at www.lbmctech.com/ .