Folks about town

Dr. Richard Foster, senior vice president of the South Carolina Hospital Association, has been elected to the AHA Mid- Atlantic Affiliate board of directors. Also joining the class of 2010 are Jay Mahaffey, SVP, Bank of America; Austin Pittman, president, United Healthcare; and Pamela B. Morris, M.D., director of Preventive Cardiology and co- director of Women's Heart Care at the Medical University of South Carolina.

Chris Halkowitz Chris Halkowitz has joined the staff of Scott McElveen, L.L.P., as staff accountant, assurance and advisory services. He graduated from Coastal Carolina University with a bachelor of science degree in accounting and completed his masters of business administration with a concentration in accounting, in May 2008. While attending Coastal Carolina University, hewas a member of Beta Alph Psi and the men's golf team.

The University of South Carolina College of Nursing has named Dr. Rita Snyder to be associate dean for research. Snyder, who also will be on the college's nursing faculty as a professor, is an expert in the fields of health information and safety evaluation. She joins the university from a post as associate professor at the University of Nebraska Medical Center's College of Nursing and has held faculty positions at the University of Arizona, University of Utah, and University of San Diego.

Dr. Rita Snyder Richland County is the recipient of four National Association of Counties (NACo) 2008 Achievement Awards. The programs highlight some of the county's most innovative initiatives like The 2007 Richland- Lexington Lawn Mower Exchange, 2008 Shot Spotter Program, Magistrate's Mediation Pilot Program, and Mobile Animal Bunker (EMS).

Nelson Mul lins Riley & Scarborough's product liability practice along with attorneys David E. Dukes, Stephen G. Morrison, and Joel H. Smith have been nationally recognized by legal publishers Chambers and Partners in its recently

released Chambers USA

2008 online edition. The publication said the firm is "lauded by the market as a great regional firm with fantastic trial capacity and a thorough understanding of the products area. With a broad spread of work, but a particular strength in the pharmaceutical and medical device area, it has played a key role in some of the most high- profile products litigation of recent years, including that relating to PPA, diet drugs and HRT."

Tina Cundari Sowell Gray Stepp & Laffitte attorney Tina Cundari has been appointed to the Advisory Board of the Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough Center on Professionalism and to the Board of Directors of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Columbia. Tina also was appointed to the Board of Directors of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Columbia.

Scott McElveen, L.L.P. has promoted training of students in an accounting environment. The latest group is made up of five interns from USC under the supervision of Tony Perricelli, CPA and Ryan Foster, CPA. They are Ti f fany Perkins, Ryan Egan, Bryant Potter, Jessica Wahr, and Tiffany Davis.

The American Inns of Court Foundation has elected Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough senior partner Ed Mul lins to a term on its board of trustees that began July 1. Mullins, of the John Belton O'Neall Inn of Court, will represent the Fourth Judicial Circuit.

Edward Mullins Emma Dunovant has been promoted to in- charge accountant, Assurance & Advisory Services at Scott McElveen, L.L.P. Dunovant graduated from the University of South Carolina with a bachelor of science degree and received her masters from Florida State University.

Emma Dunovant