The seminar will be led by Cy Freeman and will meet from 6:30 to 9 p.m. in room 102 of Van Dusen Hall.

According to SBC Director Marilyn Neely, the session is designed to help participants “learn basic and easy to apply leadership skills and strategies that will improve your effectiveness and acceptance in every mode of business, work and personal life.” Freeman will encourage seminar members to evaluate their desires to be leaders, and he will discuss the leadership ability acquired at birth.

Freeman has many years of business experience in international marketing and general management. He lives in Southern Pines and is a consultant and SCORE counselor.

To register for this class, contact Neely at 910-695-3937.

Opens New Office

Peter Cox of the financial-services firm Edward Jones, opened his new office July 18 at 295 Olmsted Blvd., Mellon Building, Suite 6, Biltmore Professional Office Park.

Cox, who has been serving the people of the Sandhills since 1992, said it provides space to accommodate his growing business.

“We are excited about our new location, and we’re eager for our clients to visit us,” Cox said.

Edward Jones, the only major financial-services firm advising individual investors exclusively, traces its roots to 1871 and currently serves more than 5 million clients. The firm offers its clients a variety of investments, including certificates of deposit, taxable and non-taxable bonds, stocks and mutual funds.

The largest firm in the nation in terms of branch offices, Edward Jones currently has more than 8,300 offices in the United State and, through its affiliates, in Canada and the United Kingdom. Plans call for expansion to 10,000 offices by 2003.

Cox can be reached at 295-8353.

Hiscott Joins Firm

Key Mortgage announces the addition of local resident Brenda C. Hiscott as a office executive and lender in their new expanded Southern Pines location.

“After spending many years in corporate lending, I am anxious to return to the industry,” Hiscott says. It’s an exciting time to be in banking as refinancing mortgage rates are the lowest they have been in 32 years. “

A former banking executive before relocating to Pinehurst, Hiscott is a United Way board member who has served as board chairman and has twice served as campaign chairman.

She is also on the board of the Moore County Red Cross and a member of the capital campaign for the Boys and Girls Club of the Sandhills. Also, she is on the board of the North Carolina Tar Heel Golf Association.

In addition, Hiscott had served as manager of Hawkins and Harkness Fine Jewelery for the past five years and is a board member of both the Southern Pines Business Association and the Moore County Board of Realtors.

She is a graduate of the University of North Carolina where she earned a bachelor’s degree in business management.

Active in her church, Hiscott was recently elected to serve as an elder at Brownson Memorial Presbyterian Church in Southern Pines.

She and her husband, Don, are residents of Pinewild Country Club.

Key Mortgage has offices in Pinehurst, Southern Pines and Atlantic Beach.

For more information, contact Hiscott at (910) 693-0040 or stop by the office at 115 E. Pennsylvania Ave., Suite 16.

Stokes Certified

Ranse Stokes, a financial adviser in the Pinehurst office of Merrill Lynch Pierce, Fenner and Smith Inc., has been awarded the title of certified financial manager.

Stokes earned the designation of certified financial manager by successfully completing the Merrill Lynch Certified Financial Manager Program offered by the College of Financial Planning. The program was developed jointly by Merrill Lynch and the College of Financial Planning in Denver, Colo., and consists of a systematic curriculum that helps financial advisors master a planning-based approach to client service at Merrill Lynch.

Stokes joined Merrill Lynch in November 1999. He studied at Carolina University where he received his bachelor’s and MBA degrees. Stokes began his career in banking, working with business owners and high net worth individuals as a business financial services officer.

He resides in Southern Pines with his wife, Lillian, and their two children.

“We are dedicated to meeting the needs of our investors in an ever-changing financial environment and the certified financial manager designation is just one way we strive to meet this principle,” said a spokesman.