Layne Fitts Nelson has been promoted to Design Director with Herlong & Associates Architects + Interiors. Nelson has been with the company since 1998 and leads a team focused on Interior Architecture and Design. She is also active in the design and development of the firm's work in St. Kitts, British West Indies. Herlong & Associates is a full-service residential architecture and interiors firm specializing in the design of site-responsive custom new homes and renovations.

In addition Rodd Heinlen has been promoted to Associate with Herlong & Associates Architects + Interiors. Heinlen has been with the firm since 1999, and has served as Project Manager on many of the firm's award-winning homes on Daniel Island, Sullivan's Island, and surrounding areas. Herlong & Associates is a full-service residential architecture and interiors firm specializing in the design of site-responsive custom new homes and renovations.

For more information call 843.886.9199 or visit www.herlongarchitects.com

Plantation Partners, the developers of Belle Hall Plantation and Hibben, have named William Means Real Estate as the exclusive agency to market and sell home sites and new custom homes in the neighborhood. Hibben's master plan calls for approximately 300 custom-built homes, with only a limited number of home sites yet to be developed. The current home site offerings start at $85,000 and include waterfront sites overlooking Rat Hall Creek and sites surrounding a planned lake modeled after the Colonial Lake area in Historic Charleston. Buyers can also tour newly built homes that are available for sale.

This new relationship between Hibben and William Means represents an exciting opportunity for both organizations. William Means is Charleston's exclusive affiliate of Christie's Great Estates, representing some of the area's most beautiful, quality homes since 1933. The arrangement will expand Hibben's exposure and sales representation. Plantation Development President Sloan Wright remarked, "I chose to make William Means a part of the team for the contributions I believe their organization can make to our neighborhood. Families love living in Hibben and William Means will help us share this experience for those desiring a beautiful neighborhood among caring neighbors."

A new Hibben Sales Center has been opened at the main Belle Hall Clubhouse at 652 Belle Hall Parkway. A team of William Means agents - lead by Dylan Jones - will be staffing the center Monday-Friday (10 a.m. - 5 p.m.), Saturday (11 a.m. - 4 p.m.) and Sunday (1 p.m. - 5 p.m.). Before joining William Means, Jones handled on-site sales and marketing for Hibben for over three years, successfully selling over 75 homes and helping to develop and sell over 100 residential lots.

"I'm excited about coming back to Hibben. My real estate career began in the neighborhood and I got to know many of the families as they built and moved into their new homes," said Jones. "Our team will also include Will Dammeyer - a new William Means agent who has been running the Hibben sales efforts at Crescent Real Estate for the past several years. The history that Will and I have in Hibben - combined with the incredible knowledge and experience of the other agents - will benefit everyone. We encourage potential buyers and current residents to stop by the new Sales Center and learn more about William Means and how we plan to market the neighborhood. "

Sewee Entertainment and "Raising the Roof: Celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr. in Song" has been recognized nationally as the best locally-produced "artistic, creative and inspirational media presentation" in the "Arts" category of the prestigious Gabriel Awards.

The program, hosted by Academy Award-winning actor Louis Gossett, Jr., features the Boston Children's Chorus and the Young People's Chorus of New York City as they interpret the life and work of Dr. King in song and with remembrances. The program was produced in partnership with Artistic Director Anthony Trecek-King and the Boston Children's Chorus and syndicated nationally by Sewee Entertainment. "Raising the Roof" aired on broadcast TV outlets in over 80 percent of the U.S. including the ABC Owned TV Group, Hearst TV Stations and more.

The Gabriel Awards were founded in 1965 to "recognize outstanding artistic achievement in a television or radio program or series which entertains and enriches with a true vision of humanity and a true vision of life."

The awards will be presented in New Orleans in June by the Catholic Academy for Communication Arts Professionals.

The national 2010 Gabriel honor arrives on the heels of six regional RTNDA Edward R. Murrow Awards, two Headliner Awards, a Gracie Award and 10 regional AP Awards bestowed on WCVB-TV in the last two months. Sewee was awarded three Emmys in 2009 for quarterly series Andrew Young Presents.

The program was produced by Stella Gould and directed by Dorothy Will. Dave Gardiner served as sound engineer. Elizabeth Cheng is the executive producer. Bill Fine is President and General Manager of the station, which is owned by Hearst Stations, Inc, one of the most honored broadcast groups in America. Sewee Entertainment is headed by industry veteran Tim Voit.

Contact: Tim Voit - President Sewee Entertainment 843-224-3444 tim@sewee.net

Barnett Greenberg, Posey Haynie, Jennie Hood, B.V. Messervy, Danielle Nichols, Lisa O'Keefe and Michelle Scarafile of Carolina One Real Estate's Coleman Blvd. office have been awarded the National Association of REALTORS (NAR'S) Green Designation, the only green real estate professional designation recognized by NAR.

The group achieved this prestigious designation after completing 18 hours of course work designed specifically for REALTORS. The courses were created in collaboration with a multidisciplinary team of industry experts from across the country; ensuring that designees gain comprehensive knowledge of green homes and buildings and issues of sustainability in relation to real estate.

More specifically, these agents were trained in understanding what makes a property green, helping clients evaluate the cost/benefits of green building features and practices, distinguishing between industry rating and classification systems, listing and marketing green homes and buildings, discussing the financial grants and incentives available to homeowners, and helping consumers see a property's green potential.

"As energy costs rise along with concern for the environment, homeowners are looking for innovative ways to save money and live responsibility," said Dick Gaylord, NAR's immediate past president. NAR's Green Designation was developed in response to a growing consumer awareness of the benefits of resource-efficient homes and buildings. The designation helps consumers who care about energy efficiency and sustainable building practices identify REALTORS who can help them realize their green real estate and lifestyle goals.

As a NAR Green Designee, Posey, Barnett, Jennie, B.V., Danielle, Lisa and Michelle have gained the knowledge and the tools necessary to become a trusted green resource for the Metro Charleston area.Waterstone Mortgage Corp. is a wholly owned subsidiary of WaterStone Bank SSB (NASDAQ: WSBF), a well-capitalized FDIC depository representing assets of nearly $2 billion. With 31 offices in 9 states, Waterstone is strategically expanding its national footprint and is optimistic about the growth and positive housing trends in South Carolina.

The partnership was led by Gary Harwyn, former president of Daniel Island Mortgage, and now branch manager of Waterstone Mortgage Carolinas, who selected the firm after more than a year of national research.

Harwyn notes, "In today's shifting real estate market and economy, we have essentially delivered an industry-leading, value-based company with Wall Street capital to Main Street".

The primary benefits for consumers include access to a solid and stable capital pool, local appraisal management, direct Fannie Mae seller/servicing capabilities, NYLX automated loan pricing engine, and the flexibility to underwrite and fund on behalf of the nation's top investors.

Building on Daniel Island Mortgage's nationally recognized success in the energy-efficient housing market, Waterstone will also continue to support the green real estate market with the adoption of myEnergyLoan, the nation's leading green mortgage discount program.

(Send your business news to news@moultrienews.com.)