BNI is a referral-driven networking organization, committed to helping its members build their businesses through "word-of-mouth" marketing.
Chapter membership is limited to one person per profession. Prospective members are screened by a membership committee and must also agree to adhere to BNI's Professional Code of Ethics before being allowed to join, according to a news release.
There are two chapters in Southern Pines, and recently the decision was made to launch another in Pinehurst to better serve the community and meet growing demand.
By year end of 2005 there were 4,100 BNI chapters in 26 countries. Members passed more than 4.4 million referrals to one another, generating a reported total value of $1.7 billion in new business for participating members, the news release said.
More information about BNI is available on its Web site at www.bni.com.
Persons wanting more information on this new chapter can contact Wayne Gomillion at 585-2400.
Lester Joins Agency
First Casualty Insurance Group Inc. has announced that Reggie Lester has joined the independent agency as account executive and agent.
In this role, he will be responsible for production of commercial and personal lines of property and casualty insurance, said Gary Kunce, agency vice president.
"We are fortunate to have a professional of Reggie's talent and stature to join our agency and help move our business forward," Kunce said. "His initial concentration in commercial lines will be in the municipal, funeral home, mini-storage warehouse units, automotive business, manufactured homes, motels/hotels and apartment and condominium association markets."
Lester brings more than 30 years business experience to First Casualty Insurance Group, including sales, marketing, public relations, government affairs, journalism and association management.
"We feel Reggie's background as executive director of the state's largest automotive service association and president of an insurance agency that focused on garages and other automotive facilities will be especially helpful to our clients in these fields," Kunce added.
Lester was born in Sanford and grew up in Fayetteville. He graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a bachelor's degree in political science.
