Bob Kunz, corporate safety director at Dimeo Construction Co.’s Providence office, was recently named the 2012 Construction Safety Professional of the Year by the Associated General Contractors of Connecticut. The award honors a leading individual from the commercial construction industry who has demonstrated skills, integrity and responsibility in his or her career. Kunz was presented the award during AGC’s eighth annual Industry Recognition Awards Dinner in October. He has been employed with Dimeo since 2007 and has worked as a safety professional since 1992. more

David Easterbrooks, director of marketing and business development for Pare Corp., was recently named 2012 marketing professional of the year by the Boston chapter of the Society for Marketing Professional Services. Easterbrooks has worked as a marketing professional at architectural, engineering and construction firms for more than 25 years. As a member of SMPS Boston, he has served as an educational speaker, committee member, president, vice president, treasurer and director of education. He is a certified professional services marketer and holds a B.A. in English from Rutgers University. more

The revitalization of the Broad Street and Elmwood Avenue neighborhoods in South Providence and Main Street in Woonsocket are ambitious goals, requiring study and a multidisciplinary approach. Thankfully, Arnold Robinson has a plan. more

The expression “cash is king” has perhaps never rang truer than today, with companies holding onto more money than in years past, according to a recent national survey. more

Rhode Island businesses face major developments in employment issues in 2013, with health care reform and labor regulations at the top of the list. Social media continues to be a challenge, with its expanding potential and its own share of annoyances. more

Don Saracen, president and founder of Saracen Sales & Communications, was recently named chapter member of the year by the New England chapter of the National Speakers Association. Saracen is president-elect of the association, and works as a sales and ctommunications expert, speaking, training and consulting with businesses and organizations looking to improve their sales, communication and business-development efforts. He is a Providence Rotarian and Paul Harris Fellow, and holds the Advanced Communicator Gold designation from Toastmasters International. Saracen majored in communication studies at Emerson College. more

New federal transparency rules will help employees participating in their company’s 401(k) plan become better educated and more aware of the plan’s intricacies. more

For the residents and office workers in Providence’s Empire district, 2012 has been a year of highs and lows. more

Jeffrey A. Butler, broker-owner of Butler Realty Group, is the recipient of the 2012 National Commercial Award from the National Association of Realtors. The award, which honors outstanding achievement in the commercial realty industry, recognized Butler for his “deep contribution to the industry, which displays the strength of [the association’s] commercial members.” Butler, a graduate of Tollgate High School, serves as treasurer of both the Rhode Island Commercial and Appraisal Board of Realtors and the Rhode Island Statewide MLS. He is active with several other professional associations and has been a member of the Realtors association since 1977. more

Cheryl A. Dugas Ethier recently received the certified divorce-financial-analyst designation by the Institute for Divorce Financial Analysts. Ethier is a financial planner at SK Wealth Management LLC and has a master’s of professional accountancy degree from Rhode Island College. In addition, she holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Bryant University and has several other professional certifications. more