<h2>Westin Hilton Head Island Resort &amp; Spa hires sales specialist</h2>
In this new role, Chris De Vincentis will focus primary attention on developing relationships that bring groups &amp; meetings requiring less than 25 rooms at their peak occupancy. Chris will also champion the servicing and reservation of wedding room blocks.

Originally from Hilton Head Island, Chris brings a wealth of operational and Convention Services experience garnered from the Columbia Marriott and The Westin Charlotte. His career provides him the in depth knowledge necessary to master all aspects of the sales cycle, a foundational education in key operational drivers of success &amp; a passion for sharing his love of Hilton Head with all those he encounters.
<h2>WEICHERT, REALTORS® - Coastal Properties adds Robert Gilling to sales team</h2>
[caption id="attachment_28695" align="alignright" width="150"]<a href="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/WHOS-NEWS-Joe-Gilling-Web-2-e1464306833139.jpg" rel="attachment wp-att-28695"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-28695" src="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/WHOS-NEWS-Joe-Gilling-Web-2-e1464306833139-150x150.jpg" alt="Robert “Joe” Gilling, Jr." width="150" height="150" /></a> Robert “Joe” Gilling, Jr.[/caption]

WEICHERT, REALTORS® - Coastal Properties Owners/Brokers-in-Charge, Joe and Karen Ryan, welcome Robert “Joe” Gilling, Jr. to the agency's sales team. A native of Green Bay, WI, Joe has lived in the Lowcountry for 30 years. He is a retired firefighter and currently resides in Moss Creek Plantation. Joe is passionate about his family, friends and his rescue puppies, Bam Bam and Bella. When not selling real estate, he enjoys spending time on the water.

Joe is a member of the Hilton Head Association of Realtors®. He is based in the Bluffton office and can be reached at 843-683-9503.
<h2>Penn Center selects Dr. Gibbs as Chair of Heritage Days Celebration</h2>
The Historic Penn Center will celebrate its 34th Annual Heritage Days Celebration November 10—13, 2016 and has selected Dr. Marie Gibbs to lead the Planning Committee.

Dr. Marie Gibbs has strong ties to her beloved St. Helena Island and has touched the lives of many Islanders. As a Gullah native, she taught, inspired and motivated young mind for over 30 years at St. Helena Elementary School, the school she attended as a child and later graduated from St. Helena High School in 1970. Gibbs states, “This was one of my proudest moments in my life, coming back to teach.” During her tenure as a teacher, she furthered her education by receiving her Master’s and Doctoral Degrees in Education.

Dr. Gibbs retired in 2008 and began her second career as a devoted grandmother and volunteer. In her retirement, Gibbs and husband Stanley Gibbs have been a dynamic duo as dedicated volunteers at Penn Center, Taste of Beaufort, and Shrimp Festival. She even finds time to volunteer as a test monitor at St. Helena Elementary School which allows her to get back into teacher mode. Dr. Gibbs also provided her expertise to Penn Center as a Gullah Studies program presenter for Beaufort County School District educators. Gibbs says that she “valued those opportunities and learning experiences because they offered skills and knowledge in being a responsible leader while motivating others.”

“Penn Center is fortunate to have a person such as Dr. Marie Gibbs, an Islander, an educator and 20-year Heritage Days Celebration volunteer,” states Executive Director, Dr. Rodell Lawrence, “We look forward to working with her as Chair of the Planning Committee.” The Heritage Days Celebration, an annual festival that honors the founding of Penn School, recognizes the rich heritage of the Gullah Geechee people and its ties to West Africa is a part of American history that is unique to this region.
<h2>Jacob Scott &amp; Dustin Kline of Beaufort nominated for Rotary Club Law Enforcement Award</h2>
Corporal Jacob Scott and Lance Corporal Dustin Kline were nominated for the Rotary Club of Beaufort's Jessie L. Altman Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award. The letter nominating both for their outstanding work in the arrest of two felony suspects, Kyle Lord and Katie Thibodeau, was read at a recent gathering of the Rotary Club. Both Corporal Scott and Lance Corporal Kline displayed a high degree of courage and resolve in ensuring these dangerous felony suspects were taken off of the streets.

[caption id="attachment_28694" align="aligncenter" width="828"]<a href="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/WHOS-NEWS-SCOTT-AND-KLINE-e1464306793889.jpg" rel="attachment wp-att-28694"><img class="size-large wp-image-28694" src="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/WHOS-NEWS-SCOTT-AND-KLINE-e1464306793889-828x1024.jpg" alt="Corporal Jacob Scott (left) with Lance Corporal Dustin Kline (right)" width="828" height="1024" /></a> Corporal Jacob Scott (left) with Lance Corporal Dustin Kline (right)[/caption]

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