Business Briefly

Mason joins American Family InsuranceKadee Mason of Dayton has been appointed a full-time agent for American Family Insurance Group.Mason has been a Dayton resident for eight years. Mason has worked for American Family as an agent assistant for three years. She is married with three children and is involved with Girl Scouts of Sierra Nevada, a member of Kiwanis of Carson City and an associate member for Sierra Nevada Association of Realtors. Mason opened an office at 808 College Pkwy., Suite 106. The office is open Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.Verizon expands 4G networkVerizon Wireless expanded its 4G LTE network throughout Nevada including Carson City and Silver Springs.Verizon Wireless invested more than $80 million during 2012 in Nevada to provide new wireless services, expanding network coverage and capacity for customers across the state. For more information, go to www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.‘Plush Life’ changing formatLocal television show “Plush Life” is changing the show layout for the 2013 season in order to go regional by season six in 2014. The show will shift format from more of a featured business show to a magazine, storytelling show. A male cohost opposite Jennifer Rose will also be added.“After much thought we decided to go with a magazine style show that told stories rather than doing features,” said Don Johnson, executive producer. “Try to envision 60 Minutes with a lot more fun, and that's what we are hoping to pull off.”New episodes air at 5:30 p.m. Sundays starting today.For more information, email ataaron@itsmycommunitystore.com or call 775-741-5041.NV Energy contributes $6.1 million in 2012NV Energy and its Foundation contributed $6.1 million last year, including multi-year commitments to support more than 400 nonprofit organizations statewide. More than 200 organizations received grants and sponsorships in Northern Nevada. NV Energy provides funds to local nonprofit organizations that support education, the environment, youth development, arts and multi-cultural outreach, and health and human services. For more information go to www.nvenergy.com/community.Brummer achieves Southwest Region AwardMary Jo Brummer, with RE/MAX Realty Affiliates, has been presented with the Certificate of Excellence for achieving the Number One Individual sales position for the month of November in the entire State of Nevada.Brummer has been working in the real estate industry for more than 16 years. She holds the Certified Residential Specialist and the Certified Distressed Property Expert designations.She can be reached at RE/MAX Realty Affiliates, 2310 S. Carson St., Suite 1 or by calling 775-721-5905.Breuer achieves CDPE designationKari Breuer of Lake Side Properties in Carson City has earned the prestigious Certified Distressed Property Expert designation, having completed extensive training in foreclosure avoidance, with a particular emphasis on short sales. Short sales allow the distressed homeowner to repay the mortgage at the price that the home sells for, even if it is lower than what is owed on the propertyFor more information about CDPE Designation, visit www.cdpe.com.Reno-Carson-Tahoe Appraisal Chapter officersJames Q. Hutchinson of Hutchinson Valuation Inc. has been named president of the Reno-Carson-Tahoe Appraisal Chapter for 2013.Other officers include: Benjamin Johnson of Johnson-Perkins & Associates, vice president; Kelly A. Pyron of Hutchinson Valuation Inc., secretary; and Robert Schiffmacher of Warren & Schiffmacher LLC, treasurer.Named as directors were: Paul Bruk of Bruk Real Estate; Scott Q. Griffin of Johnson-Perkins & Associates; Julie Carter-Ott of Carter-Ott Appraisal, Inc.; and Gregory Ruzzine of Johnson-Perkins & Associates.— Northern Nevada Business WeeklyGryphon gets reprieve from lender on BorealisGryphon Gold, the Carson City company that’s focused on extracting gold from its Borealis heap leach project in Mineral County, recently agreed to transfer 60 percent of the project to Waterton Global Value L.P. in exchange for a reduction in its monthly debt payments.Waterton will convert $17 million in debt for the equity stake, which reduces Gryphon’s monthly payments on its remaining outstanding debt by $1 million to $400,000. The company’s still owes $8 million to Waterton Global.Gryphon late last year said it was in danger of running dry of operating capital due to operational and equipment issues at the Borealis project.— Northern Nevada Business Weekly