Following a two-year search, the Connecticut state treasurer hired M. Timothy Corbett to oversee the state&squo;s $20 billion retirement portfolio as chief investment officer.

Corbett, a Tryon High School graduate, begins work Aug. 3 at an annual salary of $328,750, according to reports in the Hartford Courant. Corbett&squo;s career began at Aetna in 1982, where he eventually rose to oversee its $20 billion general account portfolio.

In 2002, he moved over to lead asset management at the Hartford Investment Management Co. From July 2008 until recently, Corbett led a $7 billion fixed income portfolio at McMorgan & Co. of San Francisco.

Corbett lives in Farmington, CT where he serves on the board of the Hill-Stead Museum and chairs its finance and audit committee.

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Tuesday, July 21 was opening night for Tryon Auction House at its new location at &dquo;The Old Mill Market Square&dquo;&bsp; across from Tryon&squo;s Carolina First Bank. Spectators, bidders, the curious, even the auctioneer (Doug Arbogast) had a fine and exciting evening. http://www.tryonauctionhouse.com/

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Mary Black Health System, in support of the Alzheimer&squo;s Association and in conjunction with Eden Terrace Assisted Living and Memory Care of Spartanburg, will be hosting a four-part, Emmy nominated screening of &dquo;The Alzheimer&squo;s Series&dquo; on July 28, August 4, August 11, and August 16, each at 6 p.m., in the Mary Black Conference Center on the Lower Level of Medical Office Building III on Mary Black&squo;s Main Campus. The screenings are open to the public and free to attend.&bsp; Due to the expected demand and seating limitations, reservations are appreciated by calling 1-877-626-4362. This disease continues to grow in American society, affecting not only the patients themselves, but family members, friends and neighbors.

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Zenzera&squo;s Wine Bar is shooting for an August opening on Rutherford Street in Landrum. Zenzera is an Italian word that means &dquo;positive energy.&dquo;

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Edward Jones Financial Advisor Sue Watson of Tryon recently received the A.F. McKenzie Achievement Award for her outstanding sales and service efforts over the past year. The award is named for Al McKenzie, who developed the firm&squo;s training program during his nearly 60 years of service with Edward Jones. Watson was one of only 1,725 financial advisors out of more than 12,000 to receive the award.