We welcome your news about achievements by area employees. Submit items by e-mail (newsreleases@vicksburgpost.com), postal service (P.O. Box 821668, Vicksburg, MS 39182), fax (634-0897) , or delivered in person to 1601-F N. Frontage Road by Wednesday for publication Sunday. Be sure to include your name and phone number.

Corps real estate arm announces promotion

Sheila E. Franco has been promoted to senior realty specialist in the Real Estate Division of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Vicksburg District.

She will manage and administer the commercial concession leases and public park and recreational leases issued to the states, counties, and cities within the district.

Franco began her federal career in 1971 and her career with the district 12 years later. Before her promotion, she was a realty specialist and realty assistant. She attended Hinds Community College.

Franco, a Vicksburg native, is married to Sammy Franco. They have two children. 

Chamber speaker is AmeriCorps rep

A representative of AmeriCorps, a government service program, will be the featured speaker at this month’s Vicksburg-Warren County Chamber of Commerce members luncheon.

Gary Turner will speak at noon Wednesday at Vicksburg Convention Center. Cost is $12 per person, and registration is available at www.chambermaster.com.

 Turner is regional director of AmeriCorps, which is bringing 160 volunteers to Vicksburg this summer. They will reside at the former All Saints’ Episcopal School on Confederate Avenue. It will be the fifth such AmeriCorps complex in the country, and the only one in the Southern region.

For information on the chamber program, e-mail vwallace@vicksburgchamber.org.

Moving company gets certification

Biedenharn Moving & Storage has received certification through the American Moving & Storage Association, an industry trade group.

The business, located at 3046 Indiana Ave., is certified as a ProMover. Criteria include a background check and adherence to AMSA’s code of business ethics.

Eric Biedenharn is president of the business, which, in addition to standard moving and storage services, offers freight shipping and receiving, general public warehousing and document storage.