Business

Something about the recovery is prodding more full-time workers to volunteer their time outside of work.

Michelle Montez of Intero Real Estate Services, Gilroy, has earned Real Estate’s Premier new home sales certification: Certified New Home Specialist™. Montez completed the real estate industry’s most comprehensive new home sales course to earn her national certification. With this certification, she joins a group dedicated to providing the highest level of professionalism and service to builders and new home buyers.

Kristi Ellington from Ellington Financial recently attended focus13, a financial services industry conference. Held in San Diego, Aug. 18-21, focus13 was one of the industry's premier sales and education events for financial professionals. More than 5,700 total attendees from around the country assembled to learn new strategies and skills, expand knowledge in numerous product areas and network with peers and industry experts. “Attending focus13 provided an exceptional opportunity for me to attend a number of business sessions, technology training sessions and continuing education classes to stay well-informed of financial trends and industry best practices,” Ellington said. “Most importantly, I also discovered strategies to continually improve my communication and engagement with my clients.”

South Valley region sprouts cluster of seed companies

GILROY

Opes Advisors, an innovative residential mortgage bank and wealth management firm, announces the opening of a branch office in Morgan Hill. Under the leadership of Managing Director Mike Gallagher, the new office team includes Ed Arioto and Kim Enderle.

The Morgan Hill Chamber of Commerce invites local businesses to