Business

lia Sophia, a direct sales jewelry company, named Bree Koehler as its top sales advisor in Hollister. She was named an Excellent Beginnings Program Achievers for her sales and work with new advisors during her first 15 weeks with the company. “This immediate success is a result of Bree’s hard work and dedication,” said Jim Turner, the executive vice president of global sales and marketing for lia Sophia. Details: www.liasophia.com/breekoehler.

The San Benito County supervisors were expecting a progress report by Nancy Martin, the executive director/CEO of the San Benito County Economic Development Corporation, at Tuesday’s meeting. Instead, they received word from County Administrative Officer Rich Inman that he had been informed that Martin is no longer with the EDC.

Matthew Carvalho, of Gilroy, is a first-time, self-published author and “Old Hope Road” is his first novel. “Old Hope Road” follows the life of Dominic Mercy, an orphan who makes his home on a fictional Caribbean island. Mercy is Defense Attaché to the island's president. Following a political conspiracy, an unknown group attacks the presidential palace. As the conspiracy unfolds, Mercy's childhood and rise to the highest office is revealed through a series of flashback vignettes. This sparks a desire to find his 'kin'. Author Carvalho, who works as a manager for a Silicon Valley medical equipment manufacturer, has a bachelor’s degree in international relations and a master’s degree in diplomacy/global commerce. “Old Hope Road” is available in both paperback and Kindle formats through Amazon. The author welcomes fans to follow “Old Hope Road” on Facebook.

The Liberty Company Insurance Brokers recently announced a new partnership with Jack E. Starke of Starke Insurance Services, and the opening of a new location in Hollister.