The Moore County Home Builders Association has named Meredith Sledz as its new executive officer.

She was previously administrative assistant and most recently interim executive officer for the organization.

"In the short time Meredith served as interim, she convinced us of her capabilities," said Pat Falvey, president of the association. "We looked at several other candidates. What we like about Meredith is her enthusiasm and great work ethic. She's been active in our association for several years and has first-hand knowledge of the building industry as a whole, as well as locally."

Sledz brings great organizational skills and large event knowledge to the table, according to Falvey. She has been in the construction business for 16 years, most notably with Big Sky Construction and Pinehurst Homes, in Moore County.

She also served as private organization coordinator with the 374th Services Division at Yakota Air Base in Japan, where she organized and oversaw every special interest group event.

Falvey said that is one asset the association will really appreciate.

"I'm really excited to have this opportunity, especially at a time like this," she says. "The home builders are about to put on a new face and become more community-oriented and involved on many levels.

"They have committed to doing more service projects, providing education opportunities for the public as well as their members, being more civically involved in planning our county's future, and just becoming a more vibrant, viable association. They have a strong desire to become a positive force in the community. I look forward to helping them do that."

Later Makes Presentation

Stephen F. Later, a partner at Robbins May and Rich in Pinehurst, presented a seminar at a continuing legal education program for the North Carolina Bar Association in Cary on May 15 on the organization and operation of corporations.

He addressed topics including North Carolina and Delaware incorporation, capital and management structure, and shareholder agreements.

The program was attended by more than 100 attorneys from North Carolina and Florida.

Later is a member of the Business Law Council of the North Carolina Bar Association. The 12 members of the Business Law Council serve as the Board of Directors for the Business Law Section of the North Carolina Bar Association.

Later represents corporations, partnerships, limited liability companies and other business associations, and advises clients in matters including mergers and acquisitions, asset and equity sales, private equity placements and "blue sky" securities offerings.

He also assists business clients in the creation of succession planning strategies (including tax-efficient plans for transfers of ownership and control of businesses) for owners of privately held businesses that anticipate generational change.

Later represents employers in related business matters, including confidentiality agreements, noncompetition agreements, employment contracts, employment terminations, employee handbooks, sexual harassment, and compliance with state and federal employment laws.

The Business Law Council oversees review of the business statutes of North Carolina and recommends changes to these laws to ensure that the business statutes of North Carolina remain updated and applicable to the business and legal environment in the state.

First Bancorp Declares Dividend

The Board of Directors of First Bancorp, the parent company of First Bank, has declared a cash dividend of 19 cents per share payable July 25 to shareholders of record as of June 30.

First Bancorp is a bank holding company headquartered in Troy, with total assets of more than $2.5 billion.

Its principal activity is the ownership and operation of First Bank, a state-chartered community bank that operates 74 branch offices, with 63 branches in a 21-county market area in the central Piedmont and coastal regions of North Carolina, six branches in South Carolina, and five branches in Virginia, where First Bank does business as First Bank of Virginia. First Bank also has a loan production office in Blacksburg, Va.