KKE Architects has opened a Newport...

KKE Architects has opened a Newport Beach office and named Brian

Arial and Mark Giles leaders of the overall operations and design

efforts. Arial, a former principal and member of the MCG Architecture

Inc. Board of Directors, has more than 15 years of experience working

with tenants and developers in California. Giles, also a former

director of design at the MCG firm, has a wide range of project

experience, from housing and retail to hotels and movie theaters. The

firm, now in its 34th year, maintains a staff of 200, with offices in

Minneapolis, Dallas and, now, Newport Beach. The company provides

architectural, urban planning, interior design and consulting

services for clients and their customers in areas of learning,

leisure, living, working, shopping, aging, justice and mixed-use

environments ....Bill McConnaughay of Costa Mesa was selected last

month to participate in a special program with Habitat for Humanity

to celebrate the 75th anniversary of Terminix International.

McConnaughay, a Terminix associate, will be sawing and hammering with

the organization to help build a home for families in need. Terminix,

a leader in developing innovative strategies to protect homes and

businesses from pests, will have 310 associates representing their

branch to participate in the event ....Orange Coast College has

welcomed back OCC graduate Michelle Visco as a history teacher at the

college. Visco, a 27-year-old resident of Fountain Valley, is the

daughter of Frank Visco, an OCC biology professor. She began the fall

semester teaching two history courses focusing on Western

civilization through 1715 and will begin teaching the succeeding

courses focusing on Western civilization after 1715 in the spring ....Orange Coast College music instructor Art Davis received an award

from the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers for a

composition he wrote that combined jazz and classical melodies. Davis

received the society’s Award of Creativity. Davis, who has taught at

OCC for the past 17 years, is a classically trained bassist and

performs locally with his own group, the Art Davis Quintet. He also

does regular studio work in Hollywood ....Paul Kristopher Wachter of

Newport Beach was elected to the board of directors of Good Shepherd

Communities in October. Wachter, a real estate consultant who

specializes in strategic planning, investment and brokerage services,

is a member of the Newport Harbor Lutheran Church, where he has

served on the church board and the endowment committee. The Good

Shepherd Communities provides training and care for more than 800

children and adults with developmental disabilities in California,

Colorado, Oregon and Washington.

* NEIGHBORS spotlights achievements in the community. Please

direct noteworthy information to Christine Carrillo via fax at (949)

646-4170, or send e-mail to christine.carrillo@latimes.com.