Longtime friends and competitors Marcel Goneau and Jess Dishner have recently joined creative talents to form a new company.

Goneau Dishner is a full service construction company that will include affiliates in architecture, engineering and master land planning.

"The architectural talents offered through Goneau Dishner specialize in sustainable design principles for functioning, livable homes, which are generated by a team of skilled and talented architects that are passionate about what they do," Goneau says. "We construct each project using green, sustainable and high performance construction principles."

The newly formed company offers a complete package, from creative and conceptual residential and commercial designs to orchestrating the engineering and implementation of master planned commercial and residential communities, helping customers to achieve their residential and commercial design goals, a news release said.

"We don't provide cookie-cutter solutions," Goneau says. "When working with a commercial client, we strive to provide a design that will help their business compete at the highest level and present the exact image they want to convey. Our team listens intently to their needs, ideas and goals and after capturing the true essence of their vision, we execute their project."

Goneau and Dishner say their company's commitment to sustainable architectural design, construction and land development practices can be viewed on its website, www.Goneau-Dishner.com.

"Years of experience have given our team an edge in consistently creating a calculated, positive project experience with consistent on time and on budget results," Dishner says. "Working with a core group of skilled tradesmen, we have created an extended team that allows us to provide the highest level of quality and craftsmanship on each project we manage, eliminating unforeseen hassles."

Goneau and Dishner, both veterans in the industry, have been in the design-build business for more than 30 years. This experience and dedication to the industry has proven to be a solid fit with their new venture.

"We have always respected each other's work ethic and talent and we are excited to bring our best skills to the our customers," Dishner says.

Goneau is a professional member of the American Institute of Building Design (AIBD) and is an unlimited North Carolina general contractor. He spent more than 14 years as executive vice president of a successful Pinehurst design and construction company.

He graduated from Sandhills Community College with a degree in architectural engineering technology and has attended pre-certification seminars for LEED, N.C. Healthy Built Homes and the System Vision Energy Program.

He and his wife, Candice, along with their two children, Sophie and Maximus, enjoy visiting North Carolina beaches, spending time with friends and family and, when possible, visiting their property and long-distance friends in Roatan, Honduras.

Dishner has been a partner in the area's top producing construction companies since moving to the Sandhills. He is a graduate of James Madison University, with a business degree in management and marketing. He is and a former U.S. Army field artillery captain. He spent 10 years in the medical field with Syntex Labs based in Phoenix and Pinehurst.

Dishner says he spends most of his time meeting with clients, listening to their specific needs and then facilitating the selection process from the start of the project to its completion.

He and his wife, Kathee, have been married for 30 years and have two daughters and a son-in-law. The Dishners and their Yorkie, Sedona, enjoy boating at their home on Lake Auman, hiking in the N.C. mountains and cycling at the N.C. coast.

Goneau Dishner can be reached by phone at (910) 528-1568 or by e-mail at jessdishner@gmail.com or structuresbydesign@gmail.com.

Maples Promoted

By First Bank

First Bank has announced the promotion of Timothy S. Maples to executive vice president.

Maples has nearly 20 years of banking experience. He joined First Bank as senior vice president in 2000 as a result of the bank's merger with First Savings Bank. He serves as chief investment officer for the company and as assistant secretary.

"Tim has long been a valuable member of the First Bank team," said First Bank Chief Operating Officer Anna Hollers. "We are happy to recognize his hard work and his experienced banking skills with this much-deserved promotion."

Originally from Southern Pines, Maples graduated from Pinecrest High School. He continued his education at Pitt Community College and East Carolina University, where he earned his bachelor's degree in accounting.

Maples is a certified public accountant and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the North Carolina Association of Certified Public Accountants.

An involved leader in Moore County, Maples is a member of the Sandhills Optimist Club and the Pinecrest Ironman Club, and is actively involved as a youth baseball coach. He is a past director of the Kiwanis Club of the Sandhills.

He and his wife, Tracy, live in Seven Lakes and attend Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Southern Pines. They have four children - Morgan, Dillon, Jackson and Carson.

Drinkwater Named

To Hospice Position

Community Home Care and Hospice has named Lynne Drinkwater to the role of community educator for the Southern Pines office.

Drinkwater has been an active member of the Moore County community for years, serving as an ambassador for the Chamber of Commerce and vice president of the End of Life Coalition.

She has also been a part of the planning committee for the Moore County Memory Walk and College for Caregivers at Sandhills Community College.

"I look forward to providing great service to the residents of Moore County," Drinkwater said. "We're helping to educate the community on what hospice is and what it can provide to those battling a terminal illness," she added.

Community Hospice of Southern Pines' mission is to provide the best care possible to patients facing a life-limiting illness and their families, a news release said. Care is delivered by a qualified team of doctors, professional nurses, social workers, clergy and volunteers.

Services offered include nurses trained in managing pain and symptoms, available, if necessary, 24 hours a day, seven days a week; assistance with personal care and feeding; help in planning for end-of-life issues; grief and loss support; spiritual care; and medication, supplies and equipment related to condition.

Anyone needing more information can call (910) 692-9122.