Meridian Kiosks, a leading provider of self-service solutions, was recently recognized as a winner of the Triangle Business Journal's Fast 50.

"There is greater competition for the consumer's dollar, and companies have to expand services and offerings as well as create differentiated customer experiences," said company Chief Executive Nick Van Wyk. "Self-service allows them to achieve all these goals without a significant increase in overhead."

Meridian Marketing Director Sheridan Orr added, "The global trend is that customers are demanding more self-service. Just recently, SITA released a study where 70 percent of travelers said they want more self-service. Because the airline deployments have been so successful we are seeing these numbers reflected across other industries."

When asked how the company plans to continue its growth trajectory, Van Wyk said, "We will focus on building a vibrant ecosystem of partners to ensure that we can offer complete solutions across various verticals. Also, the demand that we are seeing in the U.S. is even greater abroad. Therefore, we'll be looking at global expansion to address this market opportunity."

The company plans to fuel this growth by continuing to invest in its operations in Aberdeen, according to Chris Gilder, Meridian founder and chief innovation officer.

"We are pleased to be recognized as one of the fastest growing companies in the area," Gilder said. "With our growth, we are able to employ more people and bring manufacturing back to this part of the state."

To be eligible for the Fast 50, a company must be privately held and have revenues exceeding $4 million dollars in 2009. Local businesses are then ranked based upon their revenue growth and profitability growth factors.

Bank Names Foyles VP

First Bank recently named Kirsten Ellefson Foyles as vice president in its legal division.

Foyles has 12 years of experience practicing real estate law in Moore County.

"We are very excited to welcome Kirsten to the First Bank team," said Jennifer Smith, First Bank legal division senior vice president. "Her extensive expertise in real estate law makes her a valuable asset as we work to provide the very best services to our customers."

A native of Waukesha, Wis., Foyles graduated from Waukesha North High School and went on to earn a bachelor's degree in economics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She earned her law degree at the University of Louisville.

Foyles is a North Carolina State Bar certified specialist in real property-residential transactions.

She also serves as chair of the Consumer Protection Committee for Real Property Section Council of the North Carolina Bar Association.

She and her husband, Jody, live in Southern Pines with their children, Keegan, Kayden and Lauren. The family attends Community Presbyterian Church.

For more about First Bank, visit www.FirstBancorp.com.