Newsmakers: Tuesday, May 13

May 10, 2008 06:29 pm

— Michael W. Collins, a financial adviser with The Kentucky Southern Indiana Group of Northwestern Mutual Financial Network, has qualified for membership in the Million Dollar Roundtable, an international, independent association of nearly 19,000 leading life-insurance producers.
MDRT is a career milestone that indicates sales and service achievement and is a recognized mark for life underwriters. Members must meet strict ethical and production requirements to qualify.
Collins has been associated with Northwestern Mutual since 1998. As a financial adviser, he provides guidance and innovative solutions for a variety of financial needs and goals.
Northwestern Mutual of Milwaukee is a Fortune 500 company with more than $1 trillion of life insurance protection in force. More information on Northwestern Mutual, its subsidiaries and affiliates can be found at: www.nmfn.com.

Mike Hopper of Terre Haute has completed the course work and certification to earn the designation of “Certified Coding Associate” from the American Health Information Management Association. He is employed by Terre Haute Regional Hospital as an outpatient coder. Hopper previously served as the area president for Junior Achievement of the Wabash Valley and had worked for a local funeral home.

Indiana State Police staged its second annual Awards and Recognition Ceremony on Monday in Indianapolis. The ceremony honored and recognized 80 individuals from around the state for their dedication to service, bravery and devotion to the department and the citizens of Indiana. Those recognized were civilian and police employees of the State Police.
The Terre Haute post had three recipients receiving awards. Those individuals and their accomplishment are as follows:
Senior Trooper Jeremy Lewis: Trooper of the District Award, for his dedication to his job, traffic and criminal enforcement, coordination of manpower and traffic management at the Parke County Covered Bridge Festival, filling a district leadership void by serving as an interim squad supervisor for troopers in Parke and Vermillion counties and other services performed for the department beyond normal expectations. He was selected by the command staff at the Terre Haute District. Lewis is a 12-year veteran of State Police. He patrols Parke and Vermillion counties.
Senior Trooper Troy A. Cobb: Meritorious Service Award, for his actions on Interstate 70 last Oct. 4. Cobb, troopers from the neighboring Putnamville Post and other police surrounded a vehicle that was occupied by a father and his four children at the conclusion of a police pursuit. The father was wanted for moments earlier shooting his wife in front of their children at a motel in Terre Haute. Cobb was able to position himself near the suspect’s car and as the suspect pointed his weapon at another state trooper, the trooper fired one shot striking the father. Cobb was one of four troopers who immediately and without hesitation grabbed the children from the car and took them to safety. The children had previously been used by the father has hostages. The father was later pronounced dead at the scene.
Trooper Kristopher N. Fitzgerald: Life Award, for his commitment to DUI enforcement. He arrested 44 impaired drivers in 2007. This was the highest total for the Terre Haute post. Fitzgerald has been a continuous leader in DUI enforcement and this award is his fourth consecutive for leading in DUI arrests. He is a seven-year veteran who patrols Vigo County.
“The troopers here at the Terre Haute post work hard to provide a safe environment for the people of Indiana and they perform such tasks without hesitation. The command staff is proud of their accomplishments and they are very deserving of the awards presented,” said Lt. Mike Eslinger, commander of the Terre Haute District.

Doug Ankney, a Brazil native and Terre Haute South High School graduate, recently earned the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Alumni Association’s prestigious Career Achievement Award in recognition of career accomplishments.
Ankney, a 1988 mechanical engineering graduate, is global director of manufacturing for Milliken and Co.’s floor covering division. He leads operations for the commercial, hospitality, residential and Walk-off Mat businesses.
Milliken Floor Covering, based near Atlanta, has operations in the United States, Europe and China, and is the only company to receive a Malcolm Baldridge Quality Award and be awarded the TPM prize from the Japanese Institute of Plant Maintenance. Milliken is a global leader in environmentally sustainable business practices and one of the few manufacturers in the world to claim a “Carbon-Negative Footprint.”
Ankney, a 1984 South graduate, has received several awards for environmental, safety and operational excellence. He resides in Newnan, Ga., with his wife, Cara, and their four children.
As part of the CAA recognition, Stephen Brannan of Brazil has received a scholarship on Ankney’s behalf. Brannan is a sophomore mechanical engineering major and 2006 graduate of Northview High School.
Other CAA honorees from Rose-Hulman’s class of 1988 were Andy Williams, vice president and general manager at ON Semiconductor; and Nathan Wright, partner for TPG Capital Operations.

Entrepreneur magazine ranked Express Employment Professionals, formerly Express Personnel Services, in the top 15 percent among all franchises on the Franchise 500, an annual listing of the top franchises in the nation. Entrepreneur ranks franchises nationwide to identify today’s top opportunities in franchising. Express ranked at No. 77 on the list. Among the magazine’s list of top global franchises, Express ranks No. 69, and the company was No. 58 among the fastest-growing franchises in the United States and Canada. Companies must meet high standards to be considered in the top 500, including having a solid financial history and a healthy growth rate. Other determining factors include system size, the number of years in business, length of time a company has been franchising, startup costs and royalty fees.
“We’re proud to be recognized as a top franchise in our industry,” said Anita Crane, Terre Haute franchisee. “It’s an honor to be able to serve our community by helping individuals find great jobs and businesses find great employees through Express.” The Terre Haute Express Employment Professionals franchise began operation in 1996. A new name and logo reflect the company’s commitment to respecting people and affecting business. The Terre Haute office services the Wabash Valley with temporary, evaluation hire and direct-hire employees in a variety of fields, including office services, industrial, professional and technical. Located at 2229 S. Third Street, Express is currently taking applications. Businesses seeking employees or job seekers looking for employment may stop by the office, call (812) 232-9090, or visit the Express Web site at www.expresspros.com.

Mace Service congratulates Mike Stiegelbauer, Mike Barnett, Duane Boyce and Terry Hoult for earning the status of senior master technician.
Ford Motor Co.’s Masters Program, established in 1993, recognizes the technical training accomplishments of Ford, Lincoln and Mercury dealership technicians in the United States. Technicians can earn the designations of specialist technician, master technician and senior master technician by completing Ford technical training courses and ASE certifications.
All of Mace’s service technicians, as well as the service manager, have labored their way through the difficult course work and testing required to earn the status of senior master technician. In recognition of this achievement, Ford has given each a free cruise and a hand-crafted pewter statue.
These statues are on display at Mace.