The official homepage of the United States Army has a story reporting on a gunnery evaluation by an air defense unit in South Korea. Among the soliders interviewed is Spc. Mary Mott '08 CIS, who recently marked her first anniverssary in the Asian post. She's recently signed up for one more year.

Only a couple of blocks down the road, Spc. Mary Mott could not fall to sleep. She was excited but also anxious. It was a mixture of emotions all rolled into one.

As the team leader for the Antenna Mast Group under the Fire Direction Section, Mott was responsible for training new Soldiers on the team. Only a couple months prior that Mott herself was considered the new Soldier, but Mott has matured so quickly that she was able to earn the spot of team leader.

This week marked the one year mark for Mott's tour in Korea. She has since enrolled in the Army Incentive Program to stay one more year with her team. She knew in her heart that it was the right decision.

The 24-year-old Appalachian State University graduate had a sound training plan for his Soldiers.

"The training took months ... and it took place in three phases," explained Mott. "I first had the new crew study the technical manuals, and then I have them observe the experienced crews conducting their drills, and finally I have them execute drills themselves under my close supervision."

"It was a good training plan and I knew my crews were ready," Mott added.

The Charlotte Business Journal today profiles the young company 3tailer, started by Jon West ‘06 CIS and Chad Ledford ‘06 MGT. 3tailer is named No. 2 on the publication’s Fast 50 list, a compilation of “the region’s fastest-growing privately held companies.” Earlier this year the company was named a “NC Company to Watch” by CED.

From the Charlotte Business Journal –

Today, the online retailer sells more than 500,000 products on 45 niche websites, adding more items every day. Revenue has grown 200% to 500% per year. The business has moved from an apartment in Boone to a 3,000-square-foot office in uptown Charlotte.

Not bad for a couple of 26-year-olds from Cherryville.

“We sell boring things people need,” says Chad Ledford, who co-founded the company with Jon West. The products range from socks for diabetics, cushions for wheelchair seats and covers for futons. …

Next year, they hope to add suppliers and a additional [sic] websites, West says. They also expect to grow the product catalog significantly — maybe by a factor of three. They have an exclusive agreement to sell the first FDA-approved Bluetooth glucose meter.

The company now has 15 full- and part-time employees, including Ledford and West. The oldest is 26.

As the article notes, as students West and Ledford won the annual Pitch Your Idea in 90 Seconds contest, overseen by the Center for Entrepreneurship with Walker College. 3tailer sponsored the 2010 contest.

JT Barnhart '03 MGT has been named CEO of Walton Regional Medical Center in Monroe, Ga. Barnhart was working as chief operating officer at Dallas Regional Medical Center in Mesquite, Texas since August 2009, and before that spent almost four years as associate administrator of Midwest Regional Medical Center in Midwest City, Okla.

Al Davis '91 MGT has opened Davis Financial Planning, a financial planning firm in Asheville. Davis has been a certified planner since 2007, and holds a business degree from Appalachian State and an MBA from the University of Tennessee. He has worked at Bank of America, SunTrust and Capital Bank.

Rusty Andrews '80 IS has been named chief information officer with Wastequip, one of North America's leading manufacturers of waste and recycling equipment. Andrews' previous experience includes roles as director of information systems/chief information officer at Coca-Cola Bottling Company and most recently, senior vice president of hosting and CIO at TITAN Technology Partners.

David B. Baxter, Jr. '06 MGT has joined New Bern-based Sumrell Sugg, Attorneys at Law, as an attorney.

Ashley Harbinson Ensley '05 ACC '06 MS ACC and Kevin Ensley '05 are proud to announce the birth of a baby boy, Mason William Ensley. He was born on July 16, 2010 in Asheville, NC, and weighed 7 lb., 7 oz.. Grandfather, William G. Harbinson (Class of 1975), Professor, Hayes School of Music. Grandmother, Sandra G. Harbinson (Class of 1974 and 1975).

Christopher Lowder '98 ACC and Christine Lowder are proud to announce the birth of a baby boy, Christopher Joel Lowder, Jr.. He was born on July 7, 2010 in Moore Regional Hospital, Pinehurst, and weighed 7 lb., 4 oz..

Arlen Nicolls '93 MGT has been hired to fill the newly created position of Activities Director with Mackintosh on the Lake, a Wakefield Development Company master-planned community near Burlington. In this new position, she will be responsible for the planning, coordination and execution of all special events for Mackintosh on the Lake, publication of the Mackintosh newsletter, and management of the community resident Web site.

Seth Triplett '09 MGT recently received a promotion at High Country Bank to Small Claims Administrator.

Walker College senior David Towarnicky, who is on the cover of Business Leaders magazine, recently earned a prestigious NCAA postgraduate scholarship. A member of the Appalachian State baseball team, Towarnicky is one of only 29 men's spring sports student-athletes nationwide to receive the ultra-competitive award this year. He is currently studying in Germany to fulfill degree requirements and will graduate from Appalachian in December.

Jason Carroll '96 DS and Karen Chesley were married in early June 2010 at Caneel Bay resort on St. John in the US Virgin Islands.

Russell Parker '89 MGT and Stephanie Parker are proud to announce the birth of a baby girl, Ella Marie. She was born on March 4, 2010 in Gastonia, NC

Amy Vaughn Creighton '98 MGT and Matthew Creighton are proud to announce the birth of a baby boy, Connor James. He was born on April 2, 2010.

You can read more Class Notes - and submit your own with photos - in the Gold Book.