Norton Agency expands by opening Winder office
The Norton Agency of Gainesville is opening a new regional service center at 76 Broad St. in Winder.

The new branch initially will house a full service commercial and acreage division and provide residential services. In future months, it will add services for insurance, both property and casualty, and property management services.

"While the market correction undoubtedly will continue for some months, The Norton Agency believes that it's a perfect time to open a new regional service center and grow our market penetration," said Frank K. Norton Jr., Norton Agency president. " We believe in Barrow."

The new office will extend Norton's reach into Barrow, Oconee and Walton counties and reinforce its commercial acreage and brokerage efforts along Ga. 316 and Interstate 85.

The Norton Agency operates 14 offices in two states.

Bates, Carter & Co. promote 2
Rebekah Galyean has been promoted to audit senior in the Government Audit Department by Bates, Carter & Co.
Galyean joined the company in June 2007 as a staff accountant in the Government Audit Department.

She earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Georgia College & State University in 2002. She received an MBA in accounting from Brenau University in May 2008, and was a member of the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi.

Melissa Gramling was promoted to Technical Tax Director. She joined Bates, Carter & Co. in July 2002 as a staff accountant in the tax department.

Gramling earned her Bachelor of Business Administration degree in 2000 with a double major in accounting and marketing from Mercer University in Macon. In 2002, she earned her Master of Accountancy from the University of Georgia.

Gainesville's Betancourt earns dentistry award
Dentist Marlyn Betancourt of Gainesville was honored by the Georgia Academy of General Dentistry with the Fellowship Award during the Academy of General Dentistry's Convocation ceremony July 11 in Baltimore, Md.

Betancourt received the award along with more than 220 other recipients. The Fellowship Award is presented to dentists looking to provide the highest quality of dental care. To qualify, Betancourt completed 500 hours of continuing dental education, plus other requirements.

"The AGD is proud to honor Dr. Betancourt for her commitment to continuing education and dedication to providing her patients with exceptional oral health care," AGD President David F. Halpern said. "Dr. Betancourt has gone above and beyond her professional responsibilities, distinguishing herself amongst her peers and exemplifying her allegiance to the dental community."

Betancourt graduated from the University of Puerto Rico in 1989, received her Masters in Public Health from Emory School of Public Health in 1997, and is undergoing residency for Dental Public Health at the Center for Disease Control. She operates a private practice in Atlanta.

She has two sons, Ian and Sean.

Stover, Bettis elected to lead Braselton authority
The newly sanctioned Braselton Downtown Development Authority recently held its organizational meeting and elected Marvin Stover as its chairman and Robbie Bettis as vice-chairwoman. Both are downtown business owners.

The authority adopted working by-laws in addition to electing officers. It also set a standing meeting of 11 a.m. each second Thursday in the town's police and court building.

The authority will facilitate the planned makeover of the historic downtown as an initial project.

Crow to head marketing for real estate firm
Heidi M. Crow has been chosen as marketing director and administrative assistant for Kim Waters of Century 21 Community Realty of Gainesville.

Crow, an associate broker, has experience in sales and marketing collateral, investor presentations and administrative and project support. She will be working on a variety of new marketing pieces, office organization and transaction management.