• Eric Hobbs, president of Technology Associates in Cary, hired Heather Ficquette as the new office manager. She’ll oversee daily operations and serve as a client-staff liaison.

Ficquette has an associate’s degree in business management from the American Intercontinental University and worked as a property manager for seven years.

Founded in 1997, Technology Associates specializes in network design, implementation, management and support to small to medium-sized businesses in the state. The local team has 63 years combined IT experience and prides itself on responsive customer service. The company is a Microsoft Certified Partner.

For more call them directly at 459-0100 or visit technologyassociates.net.

• Al Sutton joined Coldwell Banker Howard Perry and Walston as a new sales associate at their Cary Parkway office.

Sutton most recently worked as a plant manager in the wood products industry and is a graduate of East Carolina University. He lives in Holly Springs.

“We’re excited to have Al on our team,” said Robbins. “He has a passion for real estate.” For more, visit HPW.com.

Business

• Southern Charm Boutique of Angier is opening a second location in in Carolina Beach.

Both locations carry ladies clothing, jewelry, handbags, gifts, monogrammed items and special-order wedding merchandise. The new location will be at 1206 Lake Pake Blvd. and open the second week of June.

For more, call 331-0111 or visit southerncharmnc.com.

• Cabinets and More opened a showroom in Apex on May 28. It’s the third of four stores opening this year. The company offers low-cost solid wood cabinets with clear grain finishes and soft-close dovetail-corner drawers come standard. They said in most cases they can deliver merchandise in under 24 hours.

The Apex location is at 424 E. Williams St. and is closed on Sundays. For more, call 249-5643 or visit cabinetsandmorestore.com.

Awards

• Coats and Bennett was recognized in the May issue of Intellectual Property Today as a top 200 trademark firm nationwide. It’s the third year in a row for the law boutique to make the list.

Coats and Bennett was the highest-ranked firm headquartered in North Carolina. Rankings are determined according to the number of trademark registrations issued in 2008.

Their office is located in Cary and provides a comprehensive range of intellectual property services. For more, visit coatsandbennett.com.