EDUCATION

ALI BUTT, assistant professor of computer science at Virginia Tech, has been selected to participate in National Academy of Engineering's 2009 U.S. Frontiers of Engineering symposium, as one of 88 of the nation's brightest engineers.

W. WAT HOPKINS, professor of communication at Virginia Tech, has been named the Roy H. Park Distinguished Visiting Professor in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of North Carolina.

A. BENJAMIN SPENCER, associate professor of law at the Washington and Lee University School of Law, has been appointed to serve as a special assistant U.S. attorney for the Western District of Virginia.

ENGINEERING

Spectrum Design has announced that CASSANDRA VAN HYNING has passed the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design accreditation exam.

Synchrony has announced the additions of DENNIS MUELLER, OMAR JIMENEZ and JOHN RAMA to its sales team.

FINANCIAL

Joel S. Williams and Associates has announced the addition of DAVID HARDER as a financial adviser.

OTHER

Main Street Inn in downtown Blacksburg has announced the promotion of ELSIE REI ALLEN to general manager.

STEVE SHELOR has been promoted to vice president of operations and general manager at Sam Moore Furniture, a division of Hooker Furniture.