Blu Zeus expands team
Marketing and technology company Blu Zeus hired Kelly Struble to its account management team. As part of the team, Struble works primarily with web marketing campaigns as well as a variety of interactive projects. Before joining Blu Zeus, Struble served clients nationwide in various industries through her work as a freelance consultant. Her freelance work focused on brand and business development, strategy and graphic design, according to a news release. Struble also worked in the real estate and property management industry.

Insurance company hires HR director
Wells Insurance has hired Cheryl Morlote as its director of human resources. Morlote has worked in human resources for more than 19 years, with experience in company consulting. Previously, she worked with a web-based insurance company. Morlote also spent time at the N.C. Department of Commerce Division of Workforce Solutions. “This is a new position for Wells Insurance,” Steve Wells, the firm’s COO, said in a statement. “We are looking to maintain an atmosphere that provides our employees with a consistent and professional workplace along with being able to provide HR services to our clients at some point in the future.”  

Coldwell Banker Commercial adds 3
Coldwell Banker Commercial hired three employees. Mark A. Johnson joined the firm, bringing 22 years of management, business and real estate consulting experience. As an Indiana University graduate, Johnson started his career at Hecht’s, a division of May Department Stores, where he became vice president of divisional merchandise manager. In 2006, he joined and helped begin two successful companies, MA Consulting and Creative StoneScapes. After regular vacations to Wrightsville Beach, Johnson and his family relocated to Wilmington last fall. Wendy Miller also recently relocated to Wilmington and joined the realty firm. She previously worked as a landlord’s agent for Cassidy Turley in New York. In addition, Miller was responsible for tenant representation for several Fortune 500 firms. Janet Rose brings more than 30 years in both the commercial and residential industry to Coldwell Banker. Before her new position, Rose was president of a large development company in New York and owner of a real estate firm in New Jersey. She has also recently joined Sea Coast Residential office.

Hospice hires new physician
The Lower Cape Fear and & LifeCareCenter hired Ted R. Winneberger as its new hospice and palliative care physician. Most recently, he worked as an emergency physician at New Hanover Regional Medical Center. As a hospice and palliative care physician, Winneberger serves as a medical director for patients.  His responsibilities include performing counseling services to patients and families with advanced illnesses, helping to determine and implement hospice and palliative care policies and serving as an end-of-life care resource to the New Hanover County community. 

Longley expands staff
Longley Supply Company hired three members to its Wilmington headquarters.
Longley, a distributor of bath and kitchen, plumbing, electrical and heating and air conditioning products added Brandon Holt, Alton Thompson and Brent Bunn.
The company hired Holt as branch manager. In the position, he is responsible for sales and operations at the company’s largest facility, according to a news release. He was previously branch manager of Longley’s heating and air conditioning branch in Myrtle Beach. Thompson was named showroom sales associate to direct sales in the company’s recently renovated bath and kitchen showroom. And Bunn was hired as an outside sales associate, focusing on expanding the heating and air conditioning as well as plumbing and contractor markets.

Blanton joins White and Hearne law firm
James Blanton of Wilmington joined the law firm of White and Hearne. With nearly 10 years of courtroom experience, Blanton’s work is concentrated on state and federal criminal defense as well as serious personal injury cases, according to a news release. He previously worked as assistant district attorney for the Fifth District as well as a federal prosecutor for the U.S. District Court of the Eastern District of North Carolina.
Blanton also served as an active duty captain for the U.S. Marine Corps.

Woodmen of the World hires field rep
The nonprofit organization Woodmen of the World hired recent University of North Carolina Wilmington graduate and Wilmington native Thomas Jones as a field representative. At his position, Jones will offer Pender and New Hanover County residents the Woodmen of the World life insurance products and annuities, according to a news release.