On Friday, December 7th, The Employers’ Association Workplace Learning Solutions presents “Communication & Interpersonal Skills” at the Jameson Inn from 9 a.m. to noon and “Diversity, Harassment & Professionalism” from 1 to 4 p.m. The Employers’ Association Workplace Learning Solutions is also offering “Annual Payroll Tax and Fringe Benefit Update” on December 4th and again on December 12th, both at the Holiday Inn City Centre from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Joe Romolo, manager and owner of Romolo & Associates in Peoria, will be presenting.

Fred Pryor Seminars will present “How to Deal with Unacceptable Employee Behavior” on December 18th and “Managing Multiple Priorities, Projects, and Deadlines” on December 20th. Both seminars will be held at the Radisson Hotel. Enroll at www.pryor.com or by calling 1-800-556-2998.

The Employers’ Association recently announced the winners for its second annual Employer of the Year awards. The award for “101 to 250 Employees” was given to the Marquette Group and “Greater than 250 Employees” was given to eServ. The award winners were recognized at the EA Conference and 90th Annual Meeting.

DEVELOPMENT

EM Properties, Ltd. held a groundbreaking ceremony on October 19th for the new 20,000-square-foot PetSmart store in East Peoria. This new addition to Riverside Center features a veterinary clinic, in-store pet training, a grooming salon, doggie day camps and pet adoption services.

Scott Heinold has joined Scott Underwood Homes Corporation as partner and vice president of operations. Heinold will run all of Underwood’s residential companies, which include Illini Landscape, Renovations, Scott Underwood Homes and Heinold Homes.

EDUCATION

The Northern Illinois Painting and Drywall Institute donated $5,000 to the Bradley University Foster College of Business for the teaching library. The contribution is part of a $25,000 gift which will be dispersed over five years. The funds will aid in access to academic journals and will allow Bradley to subscribe to BizMiner.com, a site which provides industry, marketing and financial research for more than 16,000 industry classifications and over 2.5 million industry reports.

The Ronald Reagan Leadership Program at Eureka College has received $2.5 million from the estate of a Freehold, N.J. woman whom college officials say had no known link to the college but wanted to support the program named for the 40th president. Ruth Mason McGowan made the provision in estate plans in 1985 when Reagan was president and initial efforts to establish and fund the Reagan Leadership Program were underway.

ENGINEERING

Jim Campbell recently joined Farnsworth Group as transportation designer in its Peoria office.

FINANCE

Clifton Gunderson, LLP. named Michelle Winkler to the position of senior marketing associate for the downstate Illinois region. Winkler has been a marketing coordinator for Clifton Gunderson’s downstate Illinois office for three years.

Erica Kelsey has joined McGladrey & Pullen, LLP. as an audit associate. A graduate of Illinois State University, Kelsey is currently pursuing her Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation. McGladrey & Pullen also announced that Jill Prescher has been promoted to audit supervisor. Prescher, a CPA and fellow ISU graduate, joined the firm in August 2004.

Clifton Gunderson, LLP. welcomes several new hires to its Peoria office: Delora Mancera, assurance manager; Tammy Gorman, assurance manager; and Mike Hansen, assurance associate.

In its September issue, Public Accounting Report ranked RSM McGladrey, together with CPA firm McGladrey & Pullen, as the fifth-largest accounting, tax and business consulting firm in the United States. Accounting Today has once again named Steve Tait, president of RSM McGladrey, and Stuart Kessler, managing director in RSM McGladrey’s New York office, among the “Top 100 Most Influential People in Accounting.”

South Side Bank has announced the opening of its new Washington facility at 2 Saint Clare Court. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on October 29th. Brad Mahony, a graduate of Illinois State University and lifelong Washington resident, will manage the new facility.

Linda Martin, senior tax manager for internal tax compliance at Clifton Gunderson, has received the 2007 Women to Watch Award from the Illinois CPA Society’s Women’s Executive Committee and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants’ Work/Life and Women’s Initiatives Executive Committee. The award is given annually to honor women who have made significant contributions to the accounting profession, their organizations and the development of women as leaders.

Bethany Hearn, senior manager for Clifton Gunderson’s Valuation and Forensic Services Team, recently earned Accredited Senior Appraiser status by the American Society of Appraisers. Hearn specializes in business valuation and litigation support services for a variety of industries.

Princeville State Bank recently opened an investment services division at 4924 W. American Prairie Drive, near the Shoppes of Grand Prairie. The products and services offered by the new division include investment products, insurance products and services, individual retirement accounts, group retirement accounts, 529 college savings plans, financial planning and investment advisory services.

Cassie Taraboletti has joined Princeville State Bank as the financial advisor in the investment services division.

RSM McGladrey welcomes several new employees to its Peoria office. Mike Schmitt, a graduate of Illinois State University, has accepted a position as a tax associate. With over seven years of tax experience, Anna O’Hara, a graduate of Middle Texas State University, has accepted a position as a tax senior associate. Connie Blickenstaff, another ISU graduate with more than 13 years of experience, has accepted a position as a tax associate.

HEALTH

The Saint Francis Medical Center College of Nursing presented three alumni awards during homecoming activities held September 15th. The “Outstanding Alumni in Practice” winner was Julie Tuttle, RN, BSN, MSN, CNNP, of Peoria. The “Outstanding Alumni in Leadership Award” was given to Colleen Rozene Becker, RN, MSN, CCRN, of St. Jacob, Ill. The “Outstanding Alumni in Education Award” was presented to Victoria Nelson Kuzel, RN, BS, MSN, CNOR, of Tuscon, Ariz.

The October Employees of the Month at Methodist Medical Center were announced. Janet Mooney of Lacon was selected for the category of nursing. She is a nurse on 4-Hamilton. Barb Bailliez of Glasford was chosen for non-nursing support. She works in the Methodist finance department. For the category of patient care, Sandy Fahnders of Pekin was selected. She works on 7-Crescent.

OSF Saint Francis Medical Center has been named a 2007/08 Consumer Choice Award winner by National Research Corporation (NRC). The rating is based on the NRC’s annual Healthcare Market Guide Study, a survey of households in the contiguous 48 states and Washington, D.C.

The University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria (UICOMP) has announced that long-time employee Wally Hammond was selected as a recipient of the 2007 UIC Award of Merit. This award is presented to employees who exemplify excellence in all aspects of work performance and position responsibilities, including a commitment to leadership, teamwork, service and problem solving. Hammond has served as storekeeper for UICOMP’s physical plant since 1979.

Antoine Dawalibi, D.O. and Paige J. Murray, M.D., physicians with Methodist Medical Group at Peartree, have achieved the Degree of Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), the national medical association representing nearly 94,000 family physicians, residents and medical students.

Methodist Medical Group and Methodist Medical Center now offer patients direct online access to their physicians and staff through RelayHealth, a free, secure, web-based healthcare communication service. The service connects patients with their physicians through a secure Internet link so they can schedule appointments, check laboratory results, order prescription refills or ask questions.

Kay Shank, RN, MSN, PHR, and Don Schultz, RN, BSN, nurse recruiters from OSF Saint Francis Medical Center, were speakers at the 2007 Recruiting Conference held in Orlando, Florida from November 12th through 14th. They presented “More Than a Career…A Calling: Strategies to Attract and Retain Top Nursing Talent.” Shank has been with OSF Saint Francis since 1985, having served as a staff nurse on the oncology unit prior to being appointed a nurse recruiter in 1990. Schultz has been a nurse recruiter for the medical center since 2000.

Dennis Head, support services at Proctor Hospital, won the October Proctor Employee Personified award (PEP). The PEP award is presented each month to employees who demonstrate outstanding efforts in quality and leadership.

Methodist Medical Group held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on November 1st at its new location in East Peoria. The new facility represents a significant expansion for the East Peoria area. The 6,000-plus-square-foot office replaces a much smaller facility located at 100 N. Main Street. Included are nine examination rooms, one procedure room, three offices, nurses’ station, lab area and break room.

Heidi Biagioni, RN, of the medical floor at Pekin Hospital, was the August 2007 recipient of the Nursing Gold Star Award. Biagioni has been employed with Pekin Hospital since October 2006.

The University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria’s Pediatric Resource Center (PRC) announced newly-elected officers and members for its 2008 board of directors: Cyndy McKone, president; Kip McCoy, vice president; Theresa McCabe, secretary; Shari Mulvey, treasurer; Julie Bushell, new member and Rex Comerford, new member.

INSURANCE

The employees of the Pearl Companies are proud to support the Adopt-a-Solider Now program and their adoptee, SSG Simon Garcia, while he is stationed in Iraq. Simon and his troops—members of the 2-147th Assault Helicopter Battalion—have expressed many thanks for their care packages and emails.

LAW

Elizabeth M. Paulson has joined Murphy & Borsberry, P.C. as an associate attorney. She will be practicing in the family law, custody and divorce area of law. Paulson completed her undergraduate degree at Michigan State University and her Juris Doctorate degree at Michigan State University College of Law.

MANUFACTURING

Caterpillar, Inc. recently announced the retirement of several individuals, as well as a number of other changes in key personnel and responsibilities. The company announced the retirement of Gerry Shaheen, group president, and the appointment of Rich Lavin and Ed Rapp as group presidents. Janie Copeland, previously the corporate financial reporting manager for the Global Finance & Strategic Support Division, was appointed to the newly-created position of chief accounting officer (CAO). William D. Mayo will retire as vice president of the North American Commercial Division, to be succeeded by James J. Parker. Mary H. Bell will replace Ed Rapp as vice president with responsibility for the Building Construction Products Division, and Stephen P. Larson will replace Mary Bell as vice president with responsibility for the Logistics Division. Thomas J. Bluth was appointed vice president with responsibility for Caterpillar’s Asia Pacific Manufacturing Operations, and Richard J. Case was named vice president of the newly formed Marine and Petroleum Power Division. Gwenne A. Henricks was appointed vice president with responsibility for the newly-formed Electronics and Connected Worksite Division.

The Caterpillar-sponsored robotic vehicle of Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) was awarded first place at the 2007 DARPA Urban Challenge. The “Urban Challenge” featured autonomous ground vehicles maneuvering in a mock city environment, executing simulated military supply missions while merging into moving traffic, navigating traffic circles, negotiating busy intersections and avoiding obstacles.

Caterpillar, Inc. announced that it will acquire the assets of Blount International’s forestry division. In addition, six Caterpillar dealers have agreed in principle to acquire certain assets of Pioneer Machinery, Inc., a premier distributor of forestry products in the southeastern United States.

MARKETING

Simantel has announced the addition of Rick Richardson to the firm’s leadership team. Richardson will serve as the company’s chief operating officer, with executive-level responsibility for financial operations, human resources and information technology.

NOT FOR PROFIT

Goodwill Industries announced its December anniversaries. Deborah Happach has been employed with Goodwill for six years, and Kim Hostetter has spent nine years with the organization.

The Dirksen Congressional Center Board of Directors elected new members and officers at its recent annual meeting. Joining the board for three-year terms are Roger Biles, Jim McConoughey and Jim Wolf. John F. Gilligan and Buster Hanley were elected to a second three-year term. The following directors were elected as officers: Jim Deverman as president, Hanley as vice president, Richard D. McCoy as secretary and Brian Lee as treasurer. Steve Schier, Tom Tesar and Don Wolfensberger retired from the board after having served the maximum number of terms.

Carla Morris has been named director of clinical services at Easter Seals in Peoria. She has been with Easter Seals for the last three years as a part-time counselor for children receiving early intervention services. Delayne Deiss was named developmental therapist and Lekotek leader for Easter Seals in Peoria. She was previously employed by Carle Hospital as a child life specialist in the pediatric outpatient oncology unit.

National City has selected the Children’s Home Association of Illinois as winner of the fourth annual National City Children’s Champion Award. This statewide recognition, which comes with a $10,000 contribution from National City, was presented to the charity on October 17th at National City’s Peoria branch. The National City Children’s Champion Award honors organizations that contribute in an exemplary way to children being healthy, happy, safe, loved and well educated.

RLI Corp. announced a $1 million contribution to the Milestone Project, the state-of-the-art healthcare services expansion project of Children’s Hospital of Illinois and OSF Saint Francis Medical Center. The funds will be used for new Children’s Hospital surgery suites dedicated to pediatric care.

Community Workshop and Training Center (CWTC) had a record 377 people in attendance at its 2007 annual dinner on Sept. 11th. During the event, CWTC presented its 2007 Pathway Awards, which recognize the collaborations with individuals and companies that allow CWTC to thrive and honors CWTC consumers for their achievements. This year’s recipients are: U.S. Rep. Ray LaHood, Pathway Award for Advocacy; Jeff Ulrich, Ralph B. Fairchild Award; Proctor First Care and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service, Business Partnership Award; Midland Davis Recycling Co., Employer of the Year; Norman Young, “Out and About” Award; Dan Gillig, “On My Own” Award; Keenan Mack, “Self Direction” Award; Howard Johnson and Kathy Martin, Caterpillar Production Achievement Award; and David Rinaldo, James Granderson Memorial Award.

The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, RSVP, of Peoria Friendship House, has a new director, Jeff Turnbull. Turnbull has over 25 years of experience working in social services. Dr. Larry Kellerman is the new director of educational services for the Friendship House. Dr. Kellerman has 24 years of educational experience and a PhD in science education.

The Girl Scouts of Central Illinois announced Pam Kovacevich as the new chief executive officer. Kovacevich joins the council to support the organization’s effort to make the most effective use of local resources and to deliver a superior Girl Scout leadership experience to girls in the central Illinois area.

Vikki Thompson, director of the Good Beginnings program at the Children’s Home Association of Illinois was recently awarded the first-ever “Outstanding Leadership Award” from Healthy Families Illinois/Parents Too Soon.

Junior Achievement (JA) of Central Illinois has received the non-profit organization’s Peak Performance Team Award as well as the Silver Summit Award. The Peak Performance Team Award is given annually to JA offices for outstanding performance in areas such as student growth, total revenue growth and an increase in the number of classes reached during the past fiscal year. The Silver Summit Award is given to local JA offices that have reached outstanding success in financial health, program quality, management effectiveness and program growth.

PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

James K. Polk, who serves on the Illinois Central College Board of Trustees, was elected chair of the Diversity Committee of the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) at the organization’s annual Community College Leadership Congress in San Diego on September 25th. In this role, he will serve on the board of directors of ACCT, the first ICC trustee to serve on the national board.

Kathy Hubbard, consultant for ShareBuilders, Inc., placed second in the Table Topics Toastmasters competition on October 20th. Hubbard has been a member of the Riverfront Toastmasters club for over two years. She represented the club at the Division B contest in Galesburg on November 3rd.

Joyce Jackson of the Peoria Police Department received recognition from District 54 for her dedicated service and outstanding leadership as president of the Riverfront Toastmasters Club. She has been a member of the Riverfront Toastmasters since 2003.

REAL ESTATE

Nancy Koch, GRI, of Morton, was honored as the 2007 Illinois REALTOR of the Year on September 18th in Oakbrook Terrace. A banquet honoring Koch was held in conjunction with the Illinois Association of REALTORS (IAR) Business Meeting and Convention. Koch is the broker-manager of Coldwell Banker Devonshire Realty in Peoria and also serves as the Northern Region Manager, covering Peoria, East Peoria, Morton and Pekin.

The Devonshire Group announced that Don Lee has completed the Coldwell Banker Commercial Emerging Broker Training Program (EBT). The four-month program is a comprehensive new broker training program targeted at new professionals in commercial sales/leasing.

RECREATION

The Peoria Civic Center recently hired Allyson Peffer as public relations coordinator. Her responsibilities include writing press releases, providing event calendars to media outlets, coordinating public relations for building events, maintaining and updating the Civic Center website, giving facility tours and assisting with various marketing projects.

The Peoria Civic Center announced the hire of Nate Johnson as assistant operations manager. Johnson is responsible for assisting the operations manager with all activities relating to event setups, operational needs of tenants and tear-down and clean-up after events.

The Peoria Pirates announced the signing of a dance team director for the 2008 season. Nicole Steward brings experience as a former member of the Chicago Luvabulls, Chicago Adrenaline Rush and Schaumburg Flyers dance teams. The Pirates also announced the addition of former Rivermen play-by-play announcer Norm Ulrich to assist with game day media relations and sponsorships and Tim Evans, former “voice” of the Pirates, who will return as public address announcer.

SERVICES

Central Illinois Courier announced that Liz Boudreau was named as marketing coordinator, where she will be involved with planning, executing and managing services.

Jay Vonachen, president of Vonachen Services, Inc. (VSI), has announced that VSI has been certified to the Cleaning Industry Management Standard (CIMS) by the International Sanitary Supply Association (ISSA). CIMS is the first comprehensive management and operations standard for cleaning organizations and is designed to help building service contractors and in-house service providers develop quality, customer-centered organizations.

The Historical Prairie Building, located at 240 South West Jefferson Ave., is under new management. P and R Catering, Inc. is bringing Lindsay’s on Liberty, Prairie Sky Rooms and the Liberty Street Grill back to Peoria. The new vision for the Prairie Building is to become a landmark for dining in downtown Peoria. The historical attributes of this beautiful building make it a unique dining and entertainment experience.

TECHNOLOGY

The Peoria NEXT Board of Directors announced that Kyle Ham will be the organization’s first president and chief operating officer. Ham will be responsible for creating revenue for the sustainability of Peoria NEXT, managing and building an operations budget, building mechanisms for commercialization and developing strategies and policies to keep the regions technology capabilities competitive.

ExplorePeoria.com announced its addition of business directories for some of the smaller communities surrounding Peoria, including Bartonville, Chillicothe, Dunlap, East Peoria, Metamora, Pekin and Washington. ExplorePeoria.com also announced the addition of a 2007 Peoria Area Holiday Events and Entertainment Guide, which is now online. It is a printable listing of the various events and entertainment scheduled to happen in the Peoria area from Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day. IBI