Purposeful Design is a Christian ministry that exists to help rebuild lives of individuals who have struggled with addiction, homelessness, incarceration and other obstacles; to equip them with valuable work skills; and to provide the gift of work (Genesis 2:15, Matthew 28:16-20, Ephesians 2:8-10).
Hal Smith Restaurants is a restaurant management company based in Norman, Oklahoma, founded in 1992 by Hal Smith. The company operates over 80 locations across seven states, featuring a diverse range of dining options from casual to upscale. Annual sales approach $250 million, and the company emphasizes strong customer service and employee training. The company develops, manages, and franchises various restaurant concepts. Its portfolio includes full-service dining options like Charleston’s Restaurant, Red Rock Canyon Grill, and Mahogany Prime Steakhouse. It also features casual and themed concepts such as Ted’s Café Escondido, Louie’s Bar & Grill, The Garage, and Pub W. Hal Smith Restaurants has a history of franchising, having previously managed Outback Steakhouse and On The Border Mexican Cafe franchises. With a focus on community-centric locations, Hal Smith Restaurants continues to expand, including new openings like Neighborhood JA.M. in Oklahoma City planned for Spring 2025. The company is dedicated to culinary excellence and creating memorable dining experiences for a wide range of customers.
First branch of Banka Kombëtare Tregtare was established in Durrës on 29 November 1925, in the historical building where todays BKT Durrës Branch is situated. This building actually represents the oldest Albanian financial institution in the country. Banka Kombëtare Tregtare (BKT), with todays name, was established in January 1993, after the merging of the Albanian Commercial Bank (ACB) and the National Bank of Albania (NBA). The NBA on the other hand was established in 1992 as a result of a second sub-division of the State Bank of Albania. The NBA was set up to manage the domestic trading activity of the State-owned entities. The assets and liabilities from the activities of these two entities were transferred to BKT accounts since it was first established. Banka Kombëtare Tregtare was established as a Joint Stock Company in July 1997, with assets reaching ALL 2.7 billion. In February 2003, with the decision of the Shareholders General Meeting, the paid-up capital reached the amount of US$ 14, 64 million, turning BKT into the most capitalized bank in the whole Albanian banking system. The year 2006 started with a new vision for BKT. With the authorization of the Bank of Albania and pursuant to the specific court decision issued on June 9, 2006, it was approved the transfer of 60% plus 2 of the BKT shares possessed by Kent Bank in favour of Calik-Seker Konsorsiyum Yatirim A.S. On September 3, BKT opened its branch in Kosova and since that time, BKT Kosova has already opened 27 branches, ranking Banka Kombëtare Tregtare as the largest Albanian bank in the region. On June 30, 2009 Çalik Financial Services buys to IFC and EBRD shares being in this way the only BKT shareholder owning 100 % of the shares. On 30th April 2018 Banka Kombëtare Tregtare Kosova Branch, changes its status from Branch of a Foreign Bank to a subsidiary Bank. Now, its banking license has changed from Banka Kombëtare Tregtare Kosova Branch, to Banka Kombëtare Tregtare Kosovë J.S.C.