The Philadelphia Business Journal and the National Association of Women and Business Owners seek nominations for the Women of Distinction program. The competition honors the region’s most dynamic women who are leading the way in their professional fields and in their communities.

The nomination process consists of two steps. The candidate may be self-nominated or nominated by another person. Once the nomination is submitted, the official application will be forwarded to the nominator. The official application must be completed and returned by Aug. 15. The applicants will be judged on the following categories: professional accomplishments, community involvement, awards and milestones. To be eligible the candidate must be a resident of or employed in the eight-county Greater Philadelphia region. Finalists will be honored during an awards banquet on Dec. 3 at the Sheraton Philadelphia City Center Hotel.

The Forum of Executive Women, an organization of more than 300 influential business leaders, has elected its officers and board members for the 2007-2008 fiscal year.

Elva L. Bankins, senior vice president of CEO Resources, has been elected president; Patricia D. Wellenbach, former managing director, business development and strategic initiatives for Granary Associates, is vice president; Autumn Bayles, senior vice president for strategic operations at Tasty Baking Co., is treasurer; and Ellen Toplin, president of Toplin & Associates, Inc. has been elected secretary.

The following are new members of the board of directors: Stefanie K. Fine, executive vice president for business development and strategic planning, Jewish Education and Vocational Services/Human Services; Melissa Weiler Gerber, executive director, Women’s Way; Lesley Mallow Wendell, president, Rosewood Consulting Group; Grace Migliaccio, senior vice president for human resources, Commerce Bancorp; and Lisa P. Young, partner, Ernst & Young, LLP.

Verizon Wireless and Capmark Financial Group Inc., a global real estate financial company, have joined forces to help prevent domestic violence and assist survivors as they rebuild their lives.

Capmark’s Horsham-based employees have donated 140 no-longer-needed wireless phones and BlackBerry devices to Verizon Wireless’ HopeLine phone recycling program, which collects previously owned wireless handsets from any carrier to be recycled refurbished or sold. Proceeds benefit non-profit domestic violence agencies to help them serve their clients.

RiverOak Investment Corp. and NOVO Development Corp. haveacquired Shirley Court, a three-building, 153-unit apartment complex unit at 7201 Bradford Road in Upper Darby, for $6.1 million.

The joint venture of River Oak and NOVO Development plans to invest another $530,000 in renovations of the three-story buildings, for a total capitalization of nearly $7 million after leasing, renovation and closing costs. The new owners plan to make numerous capital improvements to the property.

The Multicultural Affairs Congress Arts and Music Extravaganza is requesting holistic health, food and multicultural merchandise vendors to participate in a festival on Aug. 25 and 26 at Penn’s Landing Great Plaza. The event represents the ultimate culmination of Penn’s Landing Multicultural Series. The festival will attract over 10,000 people over its duration and showcase the diversity of Philadelphia’s multicultural communities all on one stage.

For information on vending opportunities contact (215) 636-3404 or janined@pcvb.org

Health Partners, a nonprofit health plan serving the area’s medical assistance population has joined the Greater Northeast Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce. With a membership of over 900 businesses, the organization is an anchor for the business community, promoting new business and hosting networking events, supporting community improvement programs, neighborhood revitalization initiatives and historic landmark preservation.