Briefly In Business

Bank celebrates grand opening

Union Bank will sponsor a New Year Mixer and cut the ribbon on its recently opened Laguna Beach location from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at 229 Broadway.

For more information, call (949) 494-1018 or visit www.lagunabeachchamber.org.

Medical billing group names board

The Healthcare Billing & Management Assn., a Laguna Beach-based nonprofit group representing third-party medical billers and billing professionals, has announced officers of its 2010 board of directors.

“Our new officers and board members bring a wealth of diverse experience from some of the top billing organizations in the health-care industry,” said Brad Lund, executive director.

Officers appointed to one-year terms are:

Past President Randal Roat;

President Scott Everson;

Vice President/President Elect Jackie Willett;

Treasurer Patrick Lukacs; and

Secretary Barry Reiter.

Members appointed to three-year terms are:

Barry Reiter;

Joe Schendel;

Susan Chandler;

Cindy Groux; and

Karen Linsteadt.

The association represents more than 30,000 employees at more than 650 medical billing firms.

Founded in 1993, HBMA and its members foster personal development, advocate on the behalf of the profession, and promote cooperation through a wide range of business resources, educational events, networking opportunities, certification programs and adherence to the Medical Biller’s Code of Ethics.

As the only trade association representing the interests of medical billers in Washington D.C., the group works with legislative stakeholders and federal agencies to improve the business of medical billing and the practice of health care.

The organization is at 1540 S. Coast Hwy. For more information, visit www.hbma.org.

‘Open for Business’ workshops set

A series of “Open for Business” workshops for business owners and others interested in opening or expanding businesses in Laguna Beach will be hosted by the city.

Beginning in February, these workshops will be taking place on “first Wednesdays” through April.

The next meeting will be from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Feb. 3 in the Laguna Beach Community Center, 380 Third St.

These meetings are organized by the city’s Business Promotion Task Force.

“We are reaching out to business owners, building owners, commercial Realtors and other professionals to let everyone know that we want to help entrepreneurs realize their vision in Laguna Beach,” said Mayor and Task Force Co-chairwoman Elizabeth Pearson.

“As a small business owner myself, I can tell you that our civic leadership understands the importance of having a vibrant, successful business community in Laguna. Most of our 25,000 or so residents and 3 million annual visitors are affluent, sophisticated consumers. They are an excellent customer base for our local businesses,” Pearson said.

Workshop participants will include members of the Planning Commission, key city staff, Chamber of Commerce officials and successful local business owners, according to Planning Commission Chairwoman Anne Johnson, who has helped organize the meetings.

Other members of the task force subcommittee, which is helping to organize these events, include Mayor Pro Tem Toni Iseman, Planning Commissioner Linda Dietrich, designer-builder Gregg Abel, DR Task Force Chairman Matt Lawson, architect and former Design Review Board Chairman Lance Polster, local businessman Armando Baez, and Realtor Cary Glenn.

For more information, contact Monica Tuchscher at 949-497-0745 or e-mail mtuchscher@lagunabeachcity.net