Kimani Crawford, kitchen supervisor in the Health Center at St. Joseph of the Pines (SJP), was honored at a recent board of trustees meeting for his commitment and dedication to the organization.

Crawford joined SJP in December 2008 as a dietary aide. After gaining experience and demonstrating exemplary performance in the kitchen, Crawford was promoted to kitchen supervisor in April 2010, a news release said.

“Kimani is a man of few words, but a lot of action,” said Josh Threatt, assistant administrator at the Health Center. “He truly desires to serve each and every resident to his utmost ability, and compels that compassion from his staff. The small touches that he adds throughout the day provide our residents with a sense of love and respect that they deserve.”

Born and raised in New York, Crawford moved to Sanford in 1993. After attending Lee County High School, he enrolled in Central Carolina Community College, where he studied facilities maintenance.

In his spare time, Crawford enjoys spending time with his daughter and family.

“I enjoy being a family man,” he said.

Crawford received the organization’s President’s Award through SJP’s Values in Practice program, which recognizes outstanding professionalism, initiative and empathy. Candidates are nominated by their co-associates.

St. Joseph of the Pines is an aging service network offering a full continuum of retirement housing, health care and community-based services for older adults as well as community outreach to those in need.

Shoemaker Joins

Weichert Firm

Realtor Lisza M. Shoemaker has joined the sales team at Weichert, Realtors-Larose & Co.

She serves clients throughout Moore County as a new member of the Pinehurst-Southern Pines Association of Realtors.

Prior to joining the Weichert agency, Shoemaker served as executive director of a nonprofit organization. She relocated to the area after living for more than 20 years in San Diego. She was raised in Missoula, Mont., and attended college in Salt Lake City, where she earned two associate degrees in interior design and marketing/merchandising.

Shoemaker says she is “more than familiar with the relocation process, having lived in several states.” She and her husband raised six children and “know from experience” that there are many facets to moving a family, which she considers an asset to her service to clients.

“I’m so impressed with all that Weichert has to offer its new associates that will help me greatly in my new career,” she said, elaborating on the ongoing training, mentoring and marketing support.

Weichert, Realtors-Larose & Co. is located at 190 Turner St., Suite D, in Southern Pines. The telephone number is (910) 693-3300.

Little River Names

Conner Sales Director

Little River Golf & Resort has named Tom Conner as it’s new director of marketing and sales.

“The search for this integral position was far reaching and we happened to find the perfect fit in our own backyard,” said General Manager Marvin Waters. “We are so pleased that Tom is onoard and we truly value his entrepreneurial background given the exciting plans for growth and expansion at Littler River.

“The sales team is geared up to broaden our presence in the social, corporate, association and military arenas. We want everyone to know what we know — what a special and memorable experience Little River provides.”

Prior to Little River Golf & Resort, Conner worked at Pine Needles and Mid Pine resorts in sales for the legendary golf icon Peggy Kirk Bell.

Conner, along with his wife, Victoria, moved to Pinehurst in 2008 from his native city of Dallas, where he owned a business centered on sales development and client care. Conner is a graduate of Southern Methodist University.

Conner can be reached at tom.conner@littleriver.com or (888) 766-6538.

Bernett Selected

For UNCP Post

Tom Bernett, local musician, entertainer, bandleader and private teacher, has been selected to join the adjunct faculty of the University of North Carolina at Pembroke for the spring semester.

He is teaching jazz drumming to percussion students at the campus, as well as helping with special events such as the upcoming UNCP jazz festival. In addition, his position means he will be playing drums with the faculty jazz quartet in their various performances throughout the region.

“I’m honored to have been asked to be a part of the growing jazz program at UNCP,” Bernett said. “It is a validation of my long-held beliefs regarding the importance of fundamentals and basic skills development for my younger students, and a payback of sorts for several decades of living the sometimes difficult life of a professional musician.”

In addition to being a working musician and entertainer, Bernett teaches private drum and percussion lessons to beginners through adults in his studio at the Sandhills Academy of Music in Pinehurst.

He is also the leader of the popular Swing Street Band, as well as playing with the nonprofit Heart of Carolina Jazz Orchestra in Sanford, the professional Moonlighters Big Band in Raleigh, and other various freelance playing and singing assignments in the region.

Anyone interested in private lessons can call Bernett directly at (910) 692-8839 or contact the Sandhills Academy of Music at (910) 280-5386.