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Member Jobs, Promos, Seminars, News

Take a look at recent ribbon cutting/ground breaking/grand opening photos!

Menorah Medical Center is hosting a Women's Heart Health Fair, 9am-12pm on Saturday, May 17 at Entry B. Free screenings include: cholesterol, blood pressure, bone density, waist-to-hip ratio, and much more! Dr. Christine Boylan and Dr. Elizabeth Dang will discuss women and heart health at 9:30am.
(posted 5.9.08)

A college degree can lead to more opportunity, better pay, and more options. Friends University will hold an information session about master’s and bachelor’s degree programs for working adults at 5:30 p.m., May 20 at 8207 Melrose . For more information or to RSVP, call (913) 233-8700 or e-mail Lenexa@friends.edu.
(posted 5.1.08)

The Overland Park Convention Center will host the MidAmerica Minority Business Development Council’s Business Opportunity Fair on May 21. The 12th annual business networking event includes a contract celebration ceremony, all-day trade show, dinner, and speech by Soledad O’Brien. The event provides a unique opportunity for corporate leaders and minority business entrepreneurs to network, support their products and services, and expand business prospects and growth in the region. For ticket information, contact Maggie Riley at maggie.riley@mambdc.org.
(posted 5.7.08)

The 20^th Annual March of Dimes Wine Fest is 6 to 9 p.m., May 22, at Union Station. Food from 20 Kansas City restaurants and more than 200 varieties of wine will be featured. Tickets are $45 in advance and can be purchased at www.MODwinefest.com or by calling 913-469-3611.
(posted 5.16.08)

The Johnson County Library presents an author talk by Bert Berkley on how businesses can and do give back to their communities at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 22, at the Johnson County Central Resource Library, 9875 West 87th Street. Berkley is chairman of Kansas City ’s Tension Envelope Corporation, and co-author of the new book, “Giving Back: Connecting You, Business and Community.”  To kick off the event, the Johnson County Library Foundation will sponsor a public reception beginning at 6:00 p.m.
Berkley, a long-time, local philanthropist, co-authored the book, with Peter Economy. Today's business leaders are in search of new ways to engage their communities, the authors say, by partnering with charities and nonprofits in meaningful ways. Giving Back discusses why businesses are increasing involvement with nonprofits and presents examples of companies and business leaders who have led positive change.
For more information, contact Scott Zerger, Executive Director, Johnson County Library Foundation at (913) 495-7579 or ZergerS@jocolibrary.org.
(posted 4.15.08)

Tallgrass Creek retirement community, 13800 Metcalf Ave. , is holding a free, open-to-the-public health and fitness fair for seniors, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., on Wednesday, May 28. The fair will feature blood pressure screenings, heel bone density scans, cooking demonstrations, physician presentations, a golf putting contest, Nintendo Wii videogames, mini massages, and more. The fair is being held in conjunction with the 15th annual National Senior Health and Fitness Day, which occurs every year on the last Wednesday in May. The health fair will be held in the Audubon Clubhouse at Tallgrass Creek, which is located at 138th and Metcalf Ave. For more information, call (913) 897-2700.
(posted 5.16.08)

SAFEHOME will hold its 16th Annual June Jubilee from 5:30-9:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 1 at the Doubletree Hotel, 10100 College Blvd. The theme of the event is “Unmask Your Inner Child.” It features a gourmet dinner, live and silent auctions, entertainment, and a short program. Tickets are $125 per person or $230 per couple. For more information, call Susan at (913) 378-1518 or visit www.safehome-ks.org.
(posted 5.16.08)

The Shawnee Mission School District invites the community to a reception to celebrate Dr. Marjorie Kaplan’s service as superintendent, 4-6 p.m. on Tuesday, June 3 at Broadmoor Bistro, Broadmoor Technical Center, 6701 W. 83rd Street. For 16 years, Superintendent Marjorie Kaplan has helped guide the Shawnee Mission School District . In that time, her leadership brought many successes. Her ingenuity helped overcome many challenges and her kindness and caring garnered many friendships in the SM community. In a few short weeks, Dr. Kaplan will retire and move to Phoenix , but before she leaves, the district is giving the community a chance to say goodbye. Local residents are invited to stop in for refreshments and a chance to say thanks to Dr. Kaplan.
(posted 5.2.08)

Silvercrest Deer Creek Senior Living Community, 13060 Metcalf Ave. , is excited and privileged to host Kareen King from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 3. Kareen King earned her MA in Theater with a Concentration in Drama Therapy at Kansas State University , and is a Registered Drama Therapist (RDT). Kareen is founder of the sibling group, Awake! Awake! with whom she recorded four albums between 1993-1998. She is listed as a publisher with Christian Copyright Licensing, Inc. (CCLI) under Kareen King Publishing. RSVP to (913) 681-1101.
(posted 5.16.08)

t’s a Whole New Ballgame! Come out for the grand opening of Blue Valley Recreation's North Fields on June 6 from 6-8:30pm. Kids, big and small, will enjoy clowns, live entertainment, face-painting, refreshments, inflatable play structures, batting cages, and the Kansas City Kite Club! The North Fields are bordered by 135^th & 137^th Streets, Antioch & Switzer, in Overland Park . For more information, call (913) 685-6000 or visit our website at www.bluevalleyrec.org.
(posted 5.16.08)

Delmar Gardens of Overland Park Nursing & Rehabilitation Center is hosting its 1st charity golf tournament to benefit The Alzheimer's Association on June 10 at Sycamore Ridge Golf Course. Check-in begins at 8:30 a.m. with tee-off at 9 a.m. Lunch and awards will cap the day's festivities. Sponsorships are available starting at $100. The entry fee is $125 per golfer. The deadline for reservations is May 15. For an event brochure and registration form, click here. For more information: Emily Hagen or Tony Curtis at (913) 469-4210 or ehagen@delmargardens.com.
(posted 3.21.08)

Cleveland Chiropractic College will hold an open house, 4:00-6:00 p.m., Wednesday, June 11 for the College’s Overland Park Health Center , 10850 Lowell Ave. A ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place at 5 p.m. To attend, please RSVP to (913) 234-0600 by May 28.
(posted 5.7.08)

An Open House “Gift Party” benefiting Marillac will be held 5:30-8:30pm. on Thursday, June 12 at 810 Zone on the Country Club Plaza . Enjoy complimentary drinks and hors d’oeuvres. Each attendee should bring a $40 gift to be auctioned at Marillac's 2008 Enchanted Evening of Cocktails & Cuisine, with all proceeds benefitting the children of Marillac. RSVP by June 9 to Stacie Cordell at (816) 508-3308 or Stacie.Cordell@Marillac.org.
(posted 5.16.08)

The SAFEH OME Circle celebrates the summer at their Endless Summer Night networking and fundraising event from 6-8p.m. on Thursday, June 19 at The El Patrón, 2905 Southwest Blvd. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Ticket price includes two margaritas or draft beers, light appetizers and live music. Proceeds benefit SAFEHOME, a comprehensive provider of services for victims of domestic violence. To register, call Michele at (913) 378-1512 or visit www.safehome-ks.org.
(posted 5.16.08)

TLC for Children and Families presents the sixth annual Hoops for Kids Basketball exhibition and tournament, 9 a.m.-10 p.m. on Saturday, June 21, at MidAmerica Nazarene University . All proceeds go to support TLC’s seven programs that serve abused and neglected children, children in need of foster care, homeless teenagers, juvenile offenders, truant and runaway youth and families facing domestic violence. Hoops for Kids is a fun-filled, family-oriented basketball exhibition where area pro ball players shoot it out on the court and interact with youth. This event also includes a full day youth 3-on-3 basketball tournament, mini-carnival and other youth activities, autographs, and a sports memorabilia auction. This community event is open to the public and FREE to attend. Sponsorships are still available and youth 3-on-3 team registrations are $100. To register, or for more information, call (913) 764-2887 or click here.
(posted 4.25.08)

You and your family are invited to The Principal Financial Group Family Fun Fest, a free event at Community America Ballpark, 1800 Village West Parkway , Kansas City , Kansas , 3:00-5:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 22, presented by The Principal Financial Group®. The Principal Financial Group Family Fun Fest includes a collection of inflatable baseball-themed attractions including batting cages, pitching cages, and a bungee run, along with a Microsoft Xbox 360 Home Run Derby video game trailer and a Minor League Baseball Hall of Fame interactive museum. These attractions will be set up outside the stadium, and are all free and open to the public three hours before game time. Attendees can purchase tickets for the game featuring the Kansas City T-Bones vs. the Joliet Jackhammers, which begins at 5:05 p.m. For more information, contact Mike Pezza at (913) 317-6611, ext. 3501.
(posted 5.7.08)

The Arts and Recreation Foundation of Overland Park will be hosting Stems: A Garden Soiree on June 28, 6-10 pm at the Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens. Mary Davidson Cohen is the Honorary Chair. Greg Wolf & Kelly Duffy Wolf and Steve & Wanda Wilkinson are event co-chairs. Tickets are $75 each. To order tickets and find out the details, go to www.stemssoiree.org or www.artsandrec-op.org.
(posted 3.19.08)

Roger The Plumber, 7723 W. 81^st. St., was recently honored by the US Small Business Administration as the 2008 “Family-Owned Business of the Year” for the Kansas City area. The award is presented annually and recognizes a family-owned business that has a record of sustained growth in sales and profits and provides outstanding employment opportunities for both family and non-family employees. Other award criteria include being innovative in business development and marketing, following fair and ethical business practices, and a demonstrating a dedication to community through the support of non-profit associations, business organizations, and charitable causes.
(posted 5.16.08)

Kiewit Power Engineers Co. recently announced the appointment of Timothy Dement as an associate member to the American Concrete Institute (ACI) Committee 307, Concrete Chimneys. The ACI Committee 307 is a national committee with a mission to develop and report information on cast-in-place and precast concrete chimneys.
(posted 5.16.08)

Winners and finalists recently honored at the Building Excellence Awards Banquet included the following contractors: Turner Construction Company, JE Dunn Construction, Rau Construction Company, Walton Construction Company, A.L. Huber Construction, Inc., Taylor Kelly Construction, and Firebaugh Construction, Inc.
(posted 5.16.08)

George Butler Associates, Inc. (GBA), has been selected by Johnson County Wastewater (JCW) to provide consulting engineering services for new gravity sewers. The work will be conducted under a one-year Continued Consulting Services Contract (CCSC) – the fifth contract of this type awarded to GBA by the utility – with an option to renew for an additional two years. JCW serves more than 130,000 customers with more than 2,000 miles of sewer. GBA has worked with JCW for a total of 12 years to provide engineering consulting services for more than 100 miles of new gravity sewer ranging in diameter from eight inches to 60 inches. Construction cost for the combined projects exceeds $60 million. Johnson County Wastewater is recognized nationally for its progressive approach toward system planning, design, management, and maintenance. Since the early 1990s, the utility has grown by more than 800 miles of new sewer line to serve the county.
(posted 5.13.08)

Park Meadows Senior Living is now open! Stop by and tour the beautiful new community at 5901 W. 107th Street (across from Shawnee Mission South High School) Call to schedule a personal tour and complimentary lunch. For more information, call (913) 901-8200.
(posted 4.28.08)

In a unique partnership between American Family Insurance and the Kansas City Royals Baseball Club, residents of Overland Park are asked to drop-off new or gently used baseball equipment to James McMillian American Family Insurance, 6420 W 95th St., Ste. 101 , or any American Family Agent offices during the months of May and June. The equipment will be donated to local multicultural children's baseball leagues Boys and Girls Clubs and Reviving Baseball in the Inner-city (RBI).
(posted 5.8.08)

Kiewit Power Engineers Co., recently honored these employees for their high standards of excellence and dedication to innovative power design and delivery:
Timothy Dement - Engineering Innovation Award
John Morrow - Design Quality Award
Jessica Czech - Commitment to Excellence Award
Each of the three employees received a $1,000 award. Kevin Diehl, Tom Shino, Ron Callahan, Bonnie Peterman, Bernice Morris and Cynthia Zugelder received a cash prize and recognition as runners-up. Annual Quality Awards are just one component of Kiewit Power’s extensive, company-wide quality program designed to sustain the company’s integrity and reputation as a dependable leader in the power industry.
Kiewit Power Engineers Co., is the engineering arm of Kiewit Corporation of Omaha , Neb. , one of America’s largest and most respected engineering and construction companies.
(posted 5.9.08)

Validity Screening Solutions is pleased to announce the following new staff members have joined their growing team.  Shari Snowden has been hired for the position of Quality Assurance Assistant and will be responsible for ensuring efficiency and quality of information to clients. Kristen Green and Sean Lawrenz have joined Validity’s customer care department as Client Relations Specialists responsible for working with new clients, daily processing duties and ensuring client satisfaction.
(posted 5.7.08)

The City of Overland Park is selling reusable polypropylene bags for $2.50 (including sales tax) that offer plenty of room and durability to pack your store-bought products. The price covers the city's cost for the bags. These 13 x 15 x 10 dark green bags, with heavy-duty handles and more room than most other reusable bags, are a great way to inexpensively invest in protecting the environment. Some grocery stores may offer a discount on a purchase when you use a reusable bag. Other grocery store chains are no longer offering customers plastic bags. Millions and millions of plastic grocery sacks are used each year. Many of those end up in landfills, blowing in yards, getting caught in trees and bushes, or in the Pacific Ocean Great Garbage Patch. To obtain your reusable bag, stop by the City Clerk's Office at City Hall, 8500 Santa Fe Drive , from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays.
(posted 5.2.08)

Developers for Deer Creek Woods Corporate Centre in Overland Park recently celebrated with a Topping Off Ceremony at the park’s third and tallest office condominium building. The five-story office condominium building is scheduled for completion in September 2008. Contract negotiations are underway with potential office condominium owners. The project team includes Greenleaf Properties (developer), DLR Group (architect/MEP & structural engineer), Olsson Associates (civil engineer), Miller Stauch (general contractor), Polsinelli Shalton Flanigan Suelthaus PC and Pyramid Construction (excavation).
(posted 5.1.08)

Fortune magazine recently named M&I Bank to its list of " America 's Most Admired Companies” in the super-regional banks category. M&I ranked number four on the list and was one of two banks with offices in Kansas City to be honored. YRC Worldwide also made the list.
"M&I Bank is honored to be named as one of Fortune's 'Most Admired Companies,' regarded by many as the definitive and most respected measure of corporate reputation,” said Pam Berneking, president of M&I Bank's Central States Region. "The award is a direct result of the hard work of M&I Bank's dedicated employees and their commitment to making The Golden Rule the foundation of everything we do.”
M&I Bank has 15 locations in the Kansas City area. It also sponsors a wide variety of arts, sports, civic and charitable organizations.
(posted 4.28.08)

Heidi Thummel will be honored as the 2008 National Young Leader of the Year by the American Public Works Association (APWA). Thummel, who is a Market Development Manager for George Butler Associates, Inc., a full-service engineering and architectural firm, was selected from a field of outstanding young leaders nominated by APWA chapters across the country. The award recognizes her exceptional commitment to the public works profession and the organization. APWA has more than 29,000 members around the globe. Thummel, who was nominated by the KC Metro Chapter, has been an active member since 2001. She will receive the APWA KC Metro Chapter 2008 Young Leader Award on May 21 during a ceremony in Kansas City to promote National Public Works Week. On August 18, she will be recognized with the national award at the APWA annual convention in New Orleans , La.
(posted 4.28.08)

Manpower’s blog (www.manpowerblogs.com/toth), written and moderated by Mark Toth, was named an official honoree in the 12th Annual Webby Awards. The site was the only blog recognized in the Best Legal Website category. The Webby Awards (http://www.webbyawards.com/) is the leading international award honoring excellence on the Internet. The awards are judged by the International Academy of Digital Arts & Sciences and received nearly 10,000 entries from over 60 countries and all 50 states. Out of more than the 10,000 entries submitted, fewer than 15% received the honor. The Blog also recently won a Bell Award from the Business Marketing Association of Milwaukee in the Online Communications Program category.
(posted 4.25.08)

Assurant Employee Benefits, a leading provider of ancillary group employee benefits based in Kansas City , Mo. , announces the promotion of Todd Rever as vice president of Information Technology. Rever will lead the Professional Services Office with governance and oversight of the portfolio of programs and projects across the company, ensuring the demands of project scope, time, cost, risk and quality are balanced. He joined Assurant Employee Benefits in 2005 as Second Vice President, Professional Services Office.
(posted 4.22.08)

For the eighth consecutive year, URS Corporation earned the top spot on Engineering News-Record's (ENR) annual list of Top 500 Design Firms. Companies on the 2008 list are ranked according to revenues for design services performed in 2007. URS also is featured in the article entitled, “Watching for Signs of a Market Slowdown,” which accompanies the list. The article includes comments from URS Chairman and CEO Martin Koffel regarding industry trends and URS' enhanced capabilities with the addition of the Washington Division to the organization.
(posted 4.22.08)

The KU Department of Design recently created two graduate programs in Interaction Design and Design Management that are now offered on the KU Edwards Campus. KU is the only school in the nation to offer both programs. Tailored for working professionals, these programs draw upon cutting edge technologies and real-world experiences of industry experts.
Interaction Design focuses on the study of how people relate to and use electronic items such as an iPhone screen, an ATM or grocery store scanners. Students conceive and research designs that will develop into products, services and systems used by people and businesses. The master’s program is targeted to engineers, architects, interior designers, advertising executives and other professionals hoping to enhance their careers.
The Design Management program focuses on customer-centered innovation regarding brands, products, services and systems. Students learn strategic, tactical and operational management methods to improve team performance and accomplish imaginative business goals. The program allows students to explore the design function of national and international business markets and get hands-on experience in developing original plans and designs.
Design Management Web site: http://edwardscampus.ku.edu/prospective/graduate/designmgmt.shtml
Interaction Design Web site: http://edwardscampus.ku.edu/prospective/graduate/interactiondesign.shtml
(posted 4.22.08)

SKC Electric announces the hiring of David Jahner, Don Willems and Grant Manning in the company’s Kansas City division.
Jahner has been a part of the SKC Electric team for 15 years. In his new role as operations manager, he will oversee design build, service, specialty systems and government departments.
As a group manager, Willems will manage design build projects and oversee department staff.
In his new role as group manager, Manning will manage service projects and oversee department staff.
SKC Electric is a brand of Faith Technologies, Inc. which is a full service electrical and specialty systems contractor that operates in Georgia , Missouri , Kansas , Wisconsin and Indiana . With more than 1,400 employees, Faith Technologies, Inc. is one of the largest privately-held electrical contractors in the United States .
(posted 4.15.08)

Donna Deeds has been hired by the Blue Valley Schools as executive director of the new Center for Advanced Professional Studies (CAPS). Deeds is the chief executive officer of Fast Schools, an educational consulting organization, and recently worked as assistant superintendent of the Durango School District in Durango, Co. Deeds will lead the implementation of CAPS, a unique student learning opportunity that brings together four strands of educational interest areas into a center that will give students the chance to take part in integrated study within a profession-based learning approach.
(posted 4.3.08)

ALL WORLD LANGUAGES & CULTURES, INC., is the new name of the company DBA Universal Highways. The company offers cultural diversity training and education and translation, interpreting and instruction in over 50 languages. Contact information: www.universalhighways.com.
(posted 4.3.08)

Bibb and Associates, Inc., is now Kiewit Power Engineers Co. Founded in 1979, Bibb and Associates, Inc. was acquired as a subsidiary of Kiewit Corporation in 1998. The company has worked closely with energy industry clients to provide them with complete engineering services unique to each project’s specifications. 
“Kiewit Industrial Co. and Bibb and Associates, Inc. have been an integral part of Kiewit for many years, sharing priorities in safety, quality, integrity and value,” said Kent Grisham, spokesman for Kiewet. “None of that changes. Operationally, everything remains the same for our employees, customers, subcontractors and suppliers.”
Together, Kiewit Power Constructors and Kiewit Power Engineers have designed or constructed more than 23,000 megawatts of power generation, including the Greater Des Moines Energy Center; the Haynes No. 3 and No. 4 Generating Station Repowering in Long Beach, Calif.; the High Desert combined-cycle power plant in Victorville, Calif.; and the Hog Bayou Energy Center, a gas-fired, combined-cycle facility in Mobile, Ala.
Kiewit Industrial Co. began operations in 1951. It is one of North America ’s largest and most respected construction and engineering organizations and is the successor to a construction business founded in 1884. Headquartered in Omaha , Neb. , the employee-owned company operates through a network of offices in the United States and Canada .
(posted 3.31.08)

The March of Dimes Foundation has hired Ken Jackson as State Director of its Greater Kansas Chapter. Jackson was previously Executive Director of the ALS (Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or “Lou Gehrig's disease”) Association’s Tennessee Chapter. Jackson will be responsible for the day-to-day overall management of the Greater Kansas Chapter as an executive leader, manager, trainer and recruiter of volunteers and staff in meeting the objectives of the Foundation.  His principle role and responsibilities include financial management, fund development, planning, volunteer development and program services. The March of Dimes Greater Kansas Chapter, which encompasses the state of Kansas and five counties in Western Missouri , raised more than $2.8 million in 2007.
(posted 3.28.08)

The Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead, celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, is now open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. until October 31. Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, it is open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday. Admission is free.
More than 20 snow events and recent rains, coupled with construction of the nearby 12-field youth soccer field, threatened to delay the Farmstead's opening.
The Farmstead opened with a new, expanded parking lot. It is a popular attraction for the metropolitan area, ranking in the top 15 sites. It has farm animals, birds of prey, vegetable and flower gardens, a one-room country schoolhouse, a dairy barn, an old time fishing pond, horse drawn wagon rides, pony rides and more. There also are several party corrals available for children's birthday parties. Reserve your space today by calling 913/895-6390. For more information on the Farmstead, visit the city's Web site, www.opkansas.org.
(posted 3.27.08)

Assurant Employee Benefits, a provider of ancillary group employee benefits, announces the appointment of Miles Yakre as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, effective April 7. Yakre will lead the Financial Division of Assurant Employee Benefits, including the finance and actuarial departments. Yakre was named as the company’s Chief Actuary in 2007, and began his career with Assurant in 1991 as an actuary with Assurant Health’s John Alden operations in Miami . In 1999, Yakre moved to Assurant in New York to become the corporate actuary. He assumed treasury responsibilities in 2002, and was instrumental in financing matters for Assurant’s initial public offering in 2004. During 2006 and 2007 he also was responsible for managing Assurant’s relationships with rating agencies.
(posted 3.27.08)

Trozzolo Communications Group will buy Kansas City-based health care marketing firm Prairie Dog LLC, the integrated advertising and public relations firms said Monday. Prairie Dog, with offices in Brookside , provides health care marketing services to 25 hospitals, including those in the HCA Midwest system. Prairie Dog had revenue of $2.5 million in 2007. Phil Smith, founder and principal of Prairie Dog, will become a board member of Trozzolo Communications Group. Pasquale Trozzolo, founder of Trozzolo Communications Group, said the combined agency anticipates $9 million in revenue by the end of 2008. Prairie Dog has five employees and uses a network of contract staff members. The agency is expected to move to Trozzolo's offices in Downtown Kansas City sometime in late 2008.
(posted 3.24.08)

Kansas City Cancer Center (KCCC) has been named a HOPE (Hemagology & Oncology Practice Excellence) Award recipient in the Patient Care category by Hematology & Oncology News & Issues (HONI). The HOPE Awards program is a three-year initiative to encourage the development of practice standards of excellence in community-based cancer treatment centers. It uses the acronym HOPE to appropriately describe the optimism for the future of community-based oncology practices. KCCC will be featured in the April issue of HONI and was recognized in the magazine's March issue as the HOPE Award recipient in the Leadership category.
(posted 3.24.08)

Verizon Wireless has activated a new cell site in Overland Park that improves Verizon Wireless’ voice and data network along 87th Street east to Lowell and west to Lenexa Drive , and along Switzer north to 77th Street and south to 93rd Street . It expands network coverage and increases capacity, enabling more customers to use wireless phones concurrently to make calls; send and receive email and text, picture and video messages; and download games and ring tones while enjoying clearer reception and fewer dropped calls. Verizon Wireless has invested nearly $44 billion since it was formed –  $5.5 billion on average every year – to increase the coverage and capacity of its national network and to add new services.
(posted 3.20.08)

Daniel J. Stalp, vice president of Brooks Associates, recently received his third consecutive International Gold Award for outstanding achievement by Sandler Training based in Baltimore , Md. Stalp was one of only five Sandler Training associates internationally to receive this honor consecutively from a field over 400 associates. Brooks Associates is a sales coaching and professional development firm. The firm assists clients in transforming their selling and business development strategies, motivating them to become more comfortable in the selling environment.
(posted 3.20.08)

SIMSdirect LLC recently won two silver awards in the annual Ambit Awards competition presented by the Kansas City Direct Marketing Association. One award recognized outstanding results achieved for a Filterfresh Coffee trade show mailer. The second award was for a Zonta Club event promotion and fundraising campaign developed on behalf of the organization at Phillips University in Enid , Ok. With more than 20 years of direct marketing and production experience, Cindy Sims founded Overland Park, Kan.-based SIMSdirect LLC in 2005 to provide strategy, creative, print production and mailing services. Clients include banks, nonprofits, ad agencies, manufacturing companies and several areas of education.
(posted 3.19.08)

The Coffman Group, a company dedicated to sales, marketing and management training, coaching and placement, has relocated its offices to 6300 Glenwood, Suite 200 , in Building 10 of the Cloverleaf Office Complex.
The move has allowed the company to expand its training for both individuals and companies in the fields of sales, sales management and marketing. The large, modern training center features more than 5,000 square feet of training space, equipped with the latest in modular training furniture for flexible, client-preferred layouts, state-of-the-art high-tech audio and visual equipment for recording and debriefing client workshops, ground-floor, walk-in access for clients and students in a newly renovated space designed in bright, contemporary and motivating themes, and easy access from the Plaza and Interstate 35 and Metcalf Avenue in the heart of the metropolitan area.
"We are absolutely thrilled about opening this state-of-the-art training facility in the heart of the Greater Kansas City metropolitan area,” said Casey Coffman, who founded the Coffman Group in 1996. “Our new training center was specifically designed to serve clients enrolled in our Sales and Marketing Institute. We are seeing growth in the number of people attracted to our focused, one-to-one training, coaching and placement service.”
For more information, contact Casey Coffman, at (913) 236-9035, or cc2@coffmangroup.com.
(posted 3.13.08)

J.E. Dunn Construction and Rau Construction are among 28 nominees for the Heart of America Ethics in Business Awards Program sponsored locally by Midwest Christian Counseling Center, a Kansas City-based counseling center.
“We are looking for organizations where atmospheres are such that employees thrive,” said the center’s executive director, David Ehman. “We want to honor places that treat their employees and the environment well, that give back to the community and that operate with integrity.”
Students from Baker University ’s School of Professional and Graduate Studies are responsible for visiting and interviewing the nominees. Their reports go to a selection committee formed by the counseling center to pick four 2008 winners who will be announced April 17 at a dinner at the Hyatt Regency Crown Center . Information about the program is available at www.midwestchristian.org.

The Principal Financial Group announces the following new hires: Michael Johnson, David Freisner, CPA, and Kerby L. Ball, MBA. Johnson has over 25 years of experience in the financial services industry and specializes in helping businesses, individuals and families achieve their financial goals. Freisner will be working with small to medium sized businesses to meet the needs of their owners and employees. He brings over 20 years of business experience in operations, accounting, finance and acquisitions. As a financial representative, Kerby works with a team of specialist to help business owners identify issues that affect the financial future of their businesses.
(posted 3.13.08)

Allison Darling, ManagementConcepts, Inc., has been selected to launch and facilitate the  Kansas City  chapter of the Women Presidents Organization (WPO). The WPO connects top women entrepreneurs at the multimillion-dollar level ($2 million in gross annual sales or $1 million for service-based business) for greater personal and professional success. This is the organization's 80th chapter. For more information:  (913) 649-4833 or allison@goalgetters.biz.
(posted 3.13.08)

The American Subcontractors Association of Greater Kansas City recently presented awards to honor the best firms and individuals in seven different categories, including the following: A.L. Huber, General Contractor; GouldEvans, Architectural Firm; Mike Readon, Walton Construction, Project Manager; and Chris Hillman, McCownGordon, Project Superintendent.
(posted 3.13.08)

SKC Electric has two employees in new positions. Doug Carder has accepted a Senior Engineering Manager position with the company’s Lenexa division. In his new role, Carder will manage the design of commercial and industrial electrical systems. Dennis Schultz has accepted the Group Manager position for the company’s construction department in Lenexa . Schultz has been a part of the SKC Electric team for 18 years as an apprentice, journeyman, foreman, superintendent and project manager. SKC Electric is owned by Faith Technologies, Inc., a full service electrical and specialty systems contractor with locations in five states. With more than 1,400 employees, Faith Technologies is one of the largest privately-held electrical contractors in the United States .
(posted 3.13.08)

Verizon Wireless has named Som Saysana and Daric Schroeder to the company’s prestigious President’s Cabinet, an honor reserved for the company’s top sales and customer service performers.
Saysana and Schroeder, business sales representatives at the company’s regional office in Overland Park , demonstrated exceptional sales leadership in 2007 by providing business customers in the Kansas City area with outstanding service related to company products and service plans. He earned the award by meeting several criteria, including being ranked in the top 1 percent in 2007 sales, placing him as one of the company’s top performers among its more than 18,000 sales people.
(posted 3.7.08)

As part of the Confucius Institute at University of Kansas , KU Edwards Campus is offering Chinese culture and language camps to students K-12 during the month of June. These camps will address language as well as cultural arts including games, music, dance and martial arts. Chinese is one language in particular that is rapidly increasing in popularity as a second language. One reason: China is being perceived by many as an economic power that children need to be prepared for. KU Edwards Campus provides Kansas City youth an opportunity to get in front of a trend that doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon. For more information or details about the camps visit http://www.confucius.ku.edu/camp2008.shtml.
(posted 3.4.08)

Turner Construction Company recently announced the promotion of Lee McSparran to Vice President. McSparran is currently the Chief Estimator and Preconstruction Manager for Turner's Kansas City Business Unit, responsible for all preconstruction services, including estimating and cost control duties on all preconstruction projects in the five-state region of Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska and Colorado. McSparran has 28 years of experience with Turner Construction in Kansas City , Houston and Chicago .
Turner also announces the following professional certifications:
Stephanie Smith, Human Resource Generalist, recently earned certification as a Senior Professional in Human Resources. SPHR Certification is awarded by the Human Resource Certification Institute and requires professionals to demonstrate expertise in the core principles of HR practice and the application of those principles.
Will Buchanan, Project Engineer in the Special Projects Division, recently completed the LEED certification process and is now a LEED Accredited Professional. With this certification, Will has demonstrated a thorough understanding of green building practices and principles.
(posted 2.21.08)

George Butler Associates, Inc. (GBA), an Overland Park engineering and architectural firm, has added several new staff members. John Cooper, P.E., joins GBA’s Highways and Streets Group as an Associate and Manager of Construction Field Services for the firm’s Transportation Group. Dawn O’Malley has joined the company as a Market Development Manager responsible for the firm’s Water Environment, Civil/Site Development, Roof Consulting, and Municipal Engineering groups. Heidi Thummel joins GBA as a Market Development Manager responsible for strategic marketing and business development for the firm’s Studio 4 and Transit + Fleet Works design studios.
(posted 2.14.08)

DLR Group’s design practices for Justice and Education have again been ranked No. 1 in the world by BD World Architecture magazine. This is the fourth consecutive year DLR Group’s Justice practice has been recognized and the second successive year for its Education practice. Global rankings for firms are based on annual income of specific practice areas.
(posted 2.14.08)

Frank Bonura has joined Career Management Associates as Director of Client Development. Bonura’s responsibilities include career transition coaching, human capital management and business development. He has over twenty-five years of experience in leadership roles and prior to joining CMA, was a principal partner with Cable & Franklin Consulting.
(posted 2.12.08)

Networking can be a tough thing to do, but if it’s done well, networking can be one of the best ways to grow a small business.  If you’re looking to really ramp up your networking, check out the new report from Aspire Business Development, "Explosive Networking: A Guide to Building your Business by Establishing Win-Win Relationships and Helping Out Others." It’s a free report and you can download it here.
(posted 2.06.08)

Shawnee Mission Medical Center has announced its intention to purchase 42 acres of land in southern Overland Park for a future health care facility of up to 400 beds and 240,000 square feet of medical office space. The land, bound by 159^th Street , 167^th Street , Antioch Road and 69 Highway, is part of the Village of Overland Park , a 300-acre master-planned community being developed by Price Brothers Development. Plans for the area also include a destination town-center retail project, offices, a hotel and residential space. Although the future hospital project is still in the planning stages, it will be developed in a phased approach based on community need beginning with space for outpatient services and physician offices. Construction is not scheduled to begin for at least two years.
(posted 2.04.08)

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