Published: April 22, 2008 12:38 am            

Newsmakers: April 22, 2008

Certified public accountant Michael W. Collins of Northwestern Mutual Financial Network has been conferred his Chartered Financial Consultant designation from the American College in Bryn Mawr, Pa.

The program includes all the courses in certified financial planner certification curriculum, and builds on that knowledge with advanced coverage of estate, retirement and other financial planning applications. As a financial adviser with the Northwestern Mutual Financial Network, he is part of a network of specialists offering a wide array of insurance, investment products and services.

Collins is associated with Northwestern Mutual Financial Network of Terre Haute. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Indiana University at Indianapolis.

• • •

In 1991, Congress proclaimed the second week of April as National Public Safety Telecommunications Week to honor the dedicated men and women who serve as public safety telecommunications operators.

Indiana State Police telecommunication operators assigned to the Terre Haute District are:

n Lori Effner, telecommunications supervisor, 23 years of service; Paula Jewell, 31 years of service; Joseph Shackelford, 28 years of service; Birchie Bailey, 11 years of service; Chelsea Hubbell, 10 months of service; and Lisa Reed, six months of service.

Telecommunication operators are commonly referred to as “emergency dispatchers.” They possess the technical skills to answer calls for emergency assistance, dispatching troopers to the site of an emergency. They also provide support to field personnel, general public, local police agencies, emergency medical services, National Weather Service and other governmental agencies.

Telecommunication operators working from the State Police Terre Haute District are responsible for dispatching troopers and motor carrier inspectors to calls for service in Parke, Vermillion, Vigo, Clay and Sullivan counties.

They must remain composed in many different emergency situations and have the ability to speak calmly and clearly.

They are proficient in the many tools of their trade from telephones, computers, two-way radios and fax machines and they are required to be certified in emergency medical dispatch. They are also certified to enter information in the Indiana Data and Communications System and National Crime Information Center.

Anyone interested in a career as a telecommunication operator with State Police is encouraged to contact their nearest State Police District post or the State of Indiana Job Bank at www.IndianaStateJobs.org.

• • •

lia sophia recently announced top honors for its Excellent Beginnings Program Achievers for their outstanding sales accomplishments and professionalism. Having just joined the fashion jewelry business, Karen Parkey has earned this prestigious accomplishment in her first 15 weeks by attaining certain sales levels and by sharing lia sophia with other new advisers.

All new lia sophia advisers have the opportunity to increase their earnings and earn free jewelry as part of the Excellent Beginnings Program. The plan celebrates the success of advisers who stay on track in the first four months in business. lia sophia provides ongoing opportunities for recognition including monthly, quarterly and annual awards.

• • •

Jan Sullivan has been elected as director of Region 4 of the National Association of Women in Construction. Region 4 includes 20 local chapters throughout Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Kentucky and West Virginia and has more than 600 members. Sullivan will be installed as the Region 4 director at the National Convention in Las Vegas in September and serve a two-year term. The National Association of Women in Construction is divided into 14 regions across the United States and has nearly 6,000 members nationwide, with international affiliates in Canada, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. Sullivan is a member of the Terre Haute Chapter of NAWIC and is employed as a construction cost accountant with C.H. Garmong & Son Inc. Sullivan is a graduate of St. Mary-of-the-Woods College with a degree in accounting.

At a recent NAWIC Regional Forum, Amy Land of NRK Inc. was recognized for receiving the Terre Haute chapter’s Vision of Excellence Award and Annette Houchin of Habitat for Humanity received the Terre Haute chapter’s New Leader Award. Sullivan was also recognized for completing her Certified Construction Associate Certification from the NAWIC Education Foundation in partnership with Clemson University during the past year.

NAWIC Chapter 303 meets on the second Wednesday of the month. Call Land for more information at (812) 232-1800 or visit www.nawic.org.

• • •

The National Association of Home Inspectors Inc. has announced that Larry Lindley, Hometown Inspection Service LLC, of Terre Haute has recently become an associate member. Lindley can be reached at (812) 878-1443.

The National Association of Home Inspectors is a not-for-profit association established to promote and develop the home inspection industry.

NAHI promotes educational opportunities, public policy and industry practices that protect consumers from fraudulent, misleading and deceptive practices. The NAHI Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics was established to promote the professionalism of home inspectors and to provide a consistent method of performing home inspections.

Consumers may obtain materials describing the importance of a reputable home inspection in residential real estate transactions, receive a copy of the NAHI Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics, or locate NAHI inspectors in their area by calling the NAHI hotline, 1-800-448-3942 or visit www.nahi.org.

• • •

Gregory Bierly and Linda Maule, two Indiana State University professors, recently were elected to offices with the Mid East Honors Association for 2008-2009.

Bierly, an associate professor of geography and director of the University Honors Program, will serve as vice president while Maule, an associate professor of political science and coordinator of the university’s General Education Program, will serve as executive secretary.

Bierly, an ISU faculty member since 1995, and Maule, a member of the faculty since 1996, served MEHA as co-executive secretary and treasurer in 2007-2008, serving as chairmen of the organization’s annual conference in Indianapolis.

MEHA is a regional association of the National Collegiate Honors Council, aimed at furthering honors undergraduate education.

• • •

Wright Implement Co., with John Deere dealerships in Rockville, Williamsport and Crawfordsville, has announced that its employees have reached the following level of expertise through training:

Bill DeSutter and Jack Stumph achieved the Master Level recognition for parts management; Jeff Ponder and Don Sink received the Advanced Level of recognition for parts management; and Kurt Hartman and Larry Cline received the Advanced Level of recognition for service management.

Also, Shane Allison, Josh Carrell, Matt Donohue, Ron Hatke, Rob Lindamood, Bill Reynolds, Craig Runyan and Jeremy Shadle all received the Master Level of recognition for service technician. The Master Level is the highest level available for employees to earn as a part of the John Deere Educate program.

Each of the above received a special plaque of recognition to honor their accomplishment. The 10 workers who attained the Master Level were presented with a special custom designed leather jacket to acknowledge their accomplishments.

• • •

Don Marshall of Marshall Pontiac-Buick-GMC in Clinton is celebrating his 25th year with Pontiac-Buick. Presenting him with a 25th anniversary plaque is Timothy Bruce from GM.

Call Marshall at (765) 832-2421.

        

• Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.