Ahmad Ward has joined the Mitchelville Preservation Project as executive director.

A native of Elizabeth City, N.C., Ward previously served as vice president of education and exhibitions at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute in Birmingham, Ala. There he developed and led nationally recognized programs related to human rights and social justice.

Ward earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in art from Elizabeth City State University in 1997 and a Master of Arts in museum studies from Hampton University in 1999. He is a member of the Smithsonian Affiliates Advisory Board and the Jekyll Island Management Institute Selection Board.

He and his wife, Dafina, have two daughters, Masani Ashiya and Aminah Elon.

Among Ward’s tasks are developing content for local schools, developing a master plan and business plan for the operation of the site, and raising funds for their first major building project – a reconstruction of the original Mitchelville school and church.

The mission of the Mitchelville Preservation Project is to replicate, preserve and sustain an historically significant site and to educate the public about the sacrifice, resilience and perseverance of the freedman of Mitchelville, which in 1862 was the first self-governed town of freed slaves in America.

For more information, visit www.exploremitchelville.org.

  • Two new team members have recently joined Dividend Assets Capital, LLC (DAC) in Ridgeland.

Alan E. Johnson, CFP joined DAC as senior portfolio manager with more than 27 years of investment experience. He earned his Certified Financial Planner designation in 2004.

Johnson is a graduate of Central Michigan University where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in economics and finance. Throughout his career, he has held positions of financial Consultant, vice president and senior portfolio manager.

Jennifer Ottosen was recently promoted to chief compliance officer of DAC, after joining the firm last year as director of compliance.

Prior to DAC, Ottosen held the position of chief Compliance officer and general counsel with GW Capital, Inc. Her 19-year career includes various compliance, audit and legal positions with Jensen Investment Management, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Western Asset Management, Trans-america Life Companies, Farmers Insurance Group of Companies and KPMG Peat Marwick.

Ottosen earned her Juris Doctorate from the University of Miami School of Law and a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from the University of Southern California.

Kent Gezymalla has joined Foundation Realty as a Realtor.

A resident of Hilton Head Island for many years, Gezymalla has extensive knowledge of communities on and off the island. He brings to his position strategic marketing and negotiation skills.

Gezymalla can be reached at 843-368-9907 or Kent@Foundation RealtyTeam.com.

Foundation Realty is located at 22 Folly Field Road on Hilton Head.

  • Le Spa of Sea Pines recently added two new members to its spa and salon.

Jess Wakeman, nail artist, has many years of experience in spas, including six years in a top-rated destination spa, and three years as owner of a nail boutique. She is certified in the luxury nail line Bio-Sculpture, and is trained in SND shellac and Temptu airbrush.

Laurel Berkey, licensed massage therapist, practices holistic healing and tailors each massage to her clients’ specific needs. She is certified in Reiki, and is experienced in a wide range of massage therapies.

Le Spa of Sea Pines is located at 71 Lighthouse Road, #613.

For more information, visit www. lespahiltonhead.com or call 843-363-6000.

Lynn Shealy has joined Charter One Realty at its South office at 5 Park Lane, Hilton Head Island. She joins Herman & Davis Properties as a licensed executive assistant.

A native of Washington, Ga., Shealy’s career began in the commercial loan department of Athens First Bank before moving to Bluffton in 2005. Shealy and her family were frequent visitors to Hilton Head over the 15 years prior to relocating to join the family remodeling and construction business.

Shortly after moving to the area, Shealy earned her real estate license and joined a privately owned vacation rental company. For six years, she worked in property management with a goal of listing, marketing and selling homes.

Additionally, three new team members have joined Charter One Realty’s support team.

Corryne Lavender and Sandy Michael have joined the company at its North office on Main Street on Hilton Head Island. They both will support Realtors with the listing, marketing and closing of properties.

Lavender is a recent graduate of Georgia Southern University with a degree in business management.

Michael served in the advertising and computer integration industry, where she learned skills useful to the Realtors she supports.

Lindsay Bird has joined the company at their South office on Park Lane. She will support Realtors with the marketing and sale of property.

Bird offers a combination of business and marketing expertise, with strong connections in the industry.

For more information, visit www. CharterOneRealty.com, call 844-526-0002 or email Info@CharterOneRealty.com.

Craig Morton has joined the Haig Point Company as its new director of golf.

Morton, a Florida native, brings years of experience to the Haig Point golf community, as the previous head golf professional at The Colony Golf & Country Club.

Additionally, Morton is a Class A member of the Professional Golfers Association (PGA) of America and active member of the Club Managers Association (CMAA) of America.

For more information visit www. haigpoint.com.