Amanda Trapp has been promoted to partner at Stibbs & Co. P.C. Attorneys. Trapp practices corporate transactional law, covering a wide variety of general corporate matters including real estate transactions, mediation and mergers and acquisitions.

Trapp’s 20 plus years of business management experience as a corporate controller, financial analyst and accountant has given her a unique perspective in dealing with her clients.

“Amanda has been an instrumental part of our firm since joining us five years ago,” said Jack Stibbs, managing shareholder and founder of the firm. “Her previous business experience has been a real plus to our clients.”

Trapp earned her JD from South Texas College of Law, her MBA from Sam Houston State University and her BBA in Business Management from Texas A & M University. She serves on the boards of directors for several local organizations.

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Todd M. Frankfort was recently granted Fellowship in the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers.

Frankfort, an attorney at Fullenweider Wilhite in Houston, is board certified in Family Law and has spoken and written on a variety of family law related topics, including post-divorce issues, child custody and economic contribution and reimbursement. Frankfort earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Texas and his Juris Doctor from South Texas College of Law.

Currently on the board of directors of the Houston Bar Association, Frankfort is the immediate past-president of the Houston Lawyer Referral Service. He is also a member of the Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists, Gulf Coast Family Law Specialists, Burta Rhodes Rayborn American Inns of Court – Family Law, and the American Bar Association.

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Kiernan A. O’Connor, CRPC, of The Donor Motivation Program of Houston earned the designation of Certified Gift Planning Associate.

The Donor Motivation Program was founded in 2010 by wealth advisor and senior partner Byron Ellis of Ellis & Ellis Ameriprise Financial in The Woodlands in response to the need to bring a turnkey solution to help charities address long-term sustainability challenges.  Kiernan O’Connor is a financial planner with Elli & Ellis.

Recognized by the Gift College, the CGPA designation demonstrates the mastering of the techniques and methods of total planned giving solutions.

O’Connor holds the designation of Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor from College of Financial Planning, and he earned a Bachelor of Arts from Columbia University.

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European Wax Center opened its second Woodlands location in February in Indian Springs Center. With the addition of the new center, Woodlands resident Nicole Leppert, president and CEO of Leppert Holdings, LLC, expands this  unique  waxing experience in the South Montgomery County area.

European Wax Center offers waxing services with licensed estheticians and natural products in a spa-like atmosphere. “European Wax Center provides an upscale service at an affordable price, which is a great fit for The Woodlands community,” says Leppert, who will divide her time managing the European Wax Centers and two local Massage Envy spas that are also owned by Leppert Holdings.

European Wax Center is open seven days a week.

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Aaron Demerson, executive director of the Office of the Governor – Economic Development and Tourism, was the guest speaker at the Economic Development Partnership’s quarterly Partner Luncheon. Those in attendance were given an update on the economic success of Texas for 2010, as well as a forecast for 2011. Demerson encouraged community leaders by showing that Texas globally is still the premier business location and travel destination.

Gil Staley, CEO of the EDP, said, “We are fortunate to have Mr. Demerson address our guests at the beginning of the legislative session. Our partners left feeling encouraged that Texas leads the way in job creation among any state in the country and has the lowest unemployment rate among the 10 largest states.”

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Woodforest, a South Montgomery County master-planned community, experienced its first full year of sales in 2010 with 95 new homes sold, a $32.2 million value. A total of 117 homes have been sold in the community since sales began in the latter half of 2009. Home prices range from $190,000 to more than $1 million. In addition, builders started 115 homes, 249 residents took occupancy, and the development had more than 12,600 visitors.

“It was a great first full year for Woodforest,” said Virgil Yoakum, general manager of Woodforest. “The success should continue into this year, with new products and our first major amenities opening, as well as our first retail land sale expected.”

Cypress Trail, a 1.4 mile hike and bike trail  meanders throughout the development — offering a nice walking path connecting neighborhoods to parks and playgrounds — and leads right to Lily Pad Spraypark. Other amenities opening this spring are a bark park and discovery nature trail.

There are 13 builders active in the 3,000-acre development, located on Fish Creek Tho­roughfare just north of The Woodlands. A Johnson Development community,  Woodforest is planned for more than 5,100 single-family homes by completion.