Business briefs

Land Rover sends two on cruiseSales guide Mark Murray and technician Jeremiah Allen, of Land Rover Roaring Fork in Glenwood Springs, were recently awarded Master Guild status by Land Rover North America; they now enter the competition for the highly coveted Marque of Distinction Award.The Master Guild comprises Land Rover employees who, through an extensive training and competition process, have made it to one of the top 15 spots in the country. All top 15 Master Guild finalists receive an all-expenses-paid, seven-day cruise in December to the South Caribbean called the “Journey to Paradise.” On that cruise, the Master Guild member with the highest overall score will receive the Marque of Distinction Award.Murray has been a sales guide with Land Rover Aspen and then Land Rover Roaring Fork since May 1998. Allen also started with Land Rover Aspen and then moved to Land Rover Roaring Fork as an apprentice technician in October 1997.New staff at Backbone MediaCarbondale-based Backbone Media, a full-service media buying and public relations firm, announced the hiring of two new staff, Ian Anderson and H. Mavis Fitzgerald. Both will work as public relations account executives in the outdoor, fitness and lifestyle markets.”We are ecstatic to have both Mavis and Ian join our team,” states Backbone founder Penn Newhard. “Recently, Backbone has grown in periphery active lifestyle markets and adding Mavis and Ian adds firepower to Backbone and the clients we serve.”Ian comes to Backbone from Vail, where he was the director of marketing and communications for the Vail Valley Chamber and Tourism Bureau. A University of Virginia graduate, he is also on the board of First Descents, a nonprofit kayak camp for young adults with cancer.Mavis is a longtime Carbondale resident. Her eight years at the town’s Montessori school, including six as a head primary teacher, make her a favorite among local children aged 2-5. A graduate of the University of Colorado, Mavis is also a popular local artist.For more information, visit http://www.backbonemedia.net.Bishop adds environmental filtration productsBishop Plumbing and Heating Inc. recently announced that they have acquired Environmental Filtration Products. In addition, Marty Finkelstein is being retained as vice president of sales, and Rany Johnson will continue as service manager.Bishop’s technical team provides services in Pitkin, Garfield and Eagle counties.”We are excited to use our strengths to enhance the services and the Hague products provided by Environmental Filtration Systems, and we look forward to providing quality service for water filtration needs,” said Kristin Ferreira, the company’s vice president.Hotel Colorado welcomes new banquet managerThe Hotel Colorado recently welcomed Michelle Miller as the new banquet manager. Miller joined the management team and will oversee implementation of all events and banquet rooms services. “I am excited to be part of a wonderful team and a historical environment,” Miller said. “I look forward to bringing some new levels of training and service to the banquet area of the property, as well as the new private dining room which truly opens up several additional options for our groups.” Most recently with a private catering company for four years in Denver, Miller is knowledgeable in all aspects of event coordination. The historic Hotel Colorado is located at 526 Pine Street in Glenwood Springs. For more information, call 800-544-3998 or visit http://www.hotelcolorado.com.Michael Sailor adds two to growing staff Michael Sailor Insurance has added two new employees to its growing staff in anticipation of its move to a new location at Obermeyer Place later this fall.Anre Niehaus has joined the local health, term life and employee benefits insurance company as its executive assistant. She was formerly with Triumph International, Europe’s largest manufacturer of women’s lingerie, in London, England, and came to the States from South Africa to expand her career, and to meet new and interesting people. “There’s a lot to learn, and it’s very exciting,” she said.Melissa Miller recently moved to Aspen from Brainerd, Minn., fresh from St. Cloud State University to improve her people skills and gain life experience as the new health administrator at Michael Sailor Insurance, Inc. “She is a completely competent assistant, and with her double major in Spanish and Latin American studies, her education will help better serve our Spanish-speaking clients,” said Sailor.