BankTexas parent company announces new director
Feb 11, 2013 (Menafn - Tyler Morning Telegraph - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) --Juan D. Nichols, chairman of BT Holdings, Inc., the parent company of BankTexas, announced the election of Marshall Mitchell as a new director of BT Holdings. Mitchell, of Longview, had a 40-year career with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, where he served as assistant deputy comptroller from 1997-2011. He also worked as field manager, commissioned national bank examiner and examiner-in-charge of all size community and mid-size bank examinations. Since 2011, Mitchell has been acting as an independent bank consultant. BankTexas is a 230 million locally owned community bank.
MANAGER
Henry & Peters, P.C. announced the addition of Jeff Moore, CPA, to the firm as a tax manager. He graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University in 1985 with a degree in accounting, and has been licensed as a certified public accountant since 1988. Moore worked for CPA firms in Dallas, Marshall and Longview. He was a partner in the firm of Davis, Griffin & Moore LLP from 2002 until 2009, when he transitioned to the position of controller for a large midstream oil and gas company. He provides tax planning and compliance services for individuals, partnerships, corporations, trusts and estates. His industry concentrations include oil and gas, real estate, professional services, medical services, and nonprofit entities.
ENGINEER
Chris Leppert, project engineer for KSA Engineers, Inc. participated in the Pipeline Assessment Certification Program through the National Association of Sanitary Sewer Companies (NASSCO), which renewed his certification. It is a nationally recognized organization committed to setting industry standards for the assessment and rehabilitation of underground infrastructure. Leppert began his engineering career by learning land surveying at KSA in high school. After earning a degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering at Brigham Young University, he spent four years assessing hundreds of miles of pipe and manholes for the city of Las Vegas' sanitary and storm sewer systems. He returned to KSA in 2012. KSA provides a broad range of consulting, management, engineering, architecture, planning, surveying and construction services.
RIBBON CUTTING
Attorney Kevin Ferrier celebrated a ribbon-cutting and grand-opening ceremony Thursday at his firm's new office, 222 E. Amherst, Suite 100.
Ferrier constructed the 3,500-square-foot building and moved into his new suite on Feb. 1. He also plans to lease out a 1,429-square-foot space in the building.
Ferrier graduated from Baylor University Law School in 1993 and has practiced law for 19 years, with the last 12 years at his own practice, according to www.klferrierlaw.com. He specializes in wills, probate and guardianship, and also practices in real estate and business law, personal injury, civil litigation and other areas. Call 903-592-9757.
CERTIFIED
The U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration established a registry of certified medical examiners to perform all medical fitness evaluations for commercial motor vehicles, including trucks and buses, effective in 2014. Dr. Peter M. Sanfelippo, of Tyler, was included in the certified registry of medical examiners on Jan. 17 and claims to be the first person to be certified in East Texas. To be a certified examiner requires prescribed training required by FMCSA and passing an exam. The goal is to provide high quality medical evaluations consistent with federal regulations and guidelines to provide medically fit drivers to safely perform the duties of commercial vehicle driving, he said in a prepared statement. Dr. Sanfelippo has lived and practiced medicine in Tyler since 1991 and is the medical director of the Occupational Medicine Center on Copeland Road. He is an American Board of Preventive & Occupational Medicine-certified occupational medicine specialist. Visit http://nationalregistry.fmcsa.dot.gov.
GRAND OPENING
Tina and Wayne Bobbitt held a grand-opening and ribbon-cutting celebration Feb. 1 for their new shop, Roadrunner's Resale, in Alto. It is a resale shop offering antiques, collectibles, man junk and furniture, and also does consignments. The Bobbitts have been "junking" for about 30 years and were Canton vendors for two years, Mrs. Bobbitt said in a prepared statement. The motto of Roadrunner's Resale is "REpurpose...REcycle...REsell...REjoice!" The shop, West San Antonio Street, Alto, is open 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and can be reached at 936-858-4714.
REOPENED
Acme Brick Co. is shipping brick produced at Acme's newly reopened plant in Bennett. This plant, just west of Weatherford and built in 1996, is located on the site of Acme's first brick making facility that began producing hard-fired brick in 1891. Acme also has reopened an idled kiln at the company's Texas Clay plant in Malakoff.
"It's very exciting to see these brick plants back in the business of making quality brick for our region's homes," Dennis Knautz, Acme president/CEO said in a prepared statement. In December 2006, annual construction activity in the DFW area peaked at 182 million square feet before demand plummeted by nearly 70 percent to a low of only 57 million square feet by the start of 2011, he reported. Last year, Acme saw a rebirth of activity in the Metroplex, with construction totaling 83 million square feet and forecast to rise by double digits in 2013. Knautz believes it is necessary to restart operations at the Bennett facility to have an adequate supply of brick for their homebuilder customers. Nearly the same story can be told about the Malakoff plant. They had greater order demand for that plant's brick products last year and in response, restarted that plant's third kiln in late December with the plan to bring Texas Clay to full capacity in early February. Acme provides high-quality, maintenance-free building materials to its homebuilder customers.
ACCREDITED
Tyler Oral and Facial Surgery earned accreditation from The Joint Commission's Gold Seal of Approval in the Ambulatory Health Care Program with Advanced Diagnostic Imaging certification. The center underwent a rigorous unannounced on-site survey on Dec. 4 and 5. Joint Commission standards are developed in consultation with health care experts, providers, measurement experts and patients.
"The Joint Commission accreditation provides us a framework to take our organization to the next level and helps create a culture of excellence," Dr. Makoto Saigusa, medical director for Tyler Oral and Facial Surgery, said in a statement. Dr. Jayson Terres said achieving accreditation for their organization, is a major step toward maintaining excellence and continually improving the care they provide. And Dr. James Holton, who started the business in 1971, said accreditation is a voluntary process. The center, at 805 Turtle Creek Drive, can be reached at 903-525-1011.
TRAINING
William Oliver, of Tyler, is a Modern Woodmen of America representative and completed a five-day training program at Modern Woodmen's home office in Rock Island, Ill. The program focused on helping families plan for life and reach their financial goals with Modern Woodmen. Founded in 1883, Modern Woodmen of America is a fraternal financial services organization.
SCHOLARSHIP
As an extension of its sponsorship with the National FFA Foundation, Tractor Supply Co. announced a new scholarship program to assist FFA members in their pursuit of a college degree. The Growing Scholars program will be supported nationally by each of the more than 1,150 Tractor Supply stores from Friday through Feb. 24, which is National FFA Week. Tractor Supply customers can donate 1 at store registers to support local FFA chapters and their members Ninety percent of funds will be used to fund scholarships for FFA members, while the remaining 10 percent will benefit state FFA organizations. Visit www.TractorSupply.com.
AWARD
Chemical and Engineering News recognized Eastman Chemical Co., which has a Longview facility, as Company of the Year based on strong progress in integrating Solutia and the company's commitment to technology and research and development. C&EN annually recognizes one chemical company for its outstanding accomplishments throughout the year. According to the magazine, "Eastman performed strongly in a year rife with economic uncertainty. It strengthened its R&D pipeline. And most dramatically, the firm made its largest ever acquisition." The 4.8 billion acquisition of Solutia reinforces Eastman's position as a specialty chemicals company and confirms the company's commitment to growth, according to a statement.
TAXES
All taxpayers have a fast, safe and free option when it comes to preparing their federal taxes. It's called Free File, and it's available at IRS.gov. Free File offers brand-name tax software to people who earned 57,000 or less last year, which is 70 percent of all taxpayers. For those who earned more, there are free online forms. Both options allow people to file returns electronically and use direct deposit, which is the fastest way to get refunds. There is also a software option that is available in Spanish for people who earned 30,000 or less. All participating Free File partners have been vetted and use the latest in security technology. Some Free File software providers also offer state tax returns for free or for a fee. More than 36 million people have used Free File since it started in 2003. Visit www.irs.gov/freefile.
CONTEST
According to Feeding America, the nation's leading domestic hunger-relief charity, hunger is a reality for one in six people in the United States. To bring awareness to the issue and find solutions, Olive Garden is asking students, "How would you help end hunger in your community?" as part of the 17th-Annual Pasta Tales essay contest. Though March 22, students in first through 12th grade can submit an essay with their ideas for ending hunger in their communities. The grand-prize winner will receive a three-day trip to New York City that includes dinner at the Olive Garden in Times Square and a 2,500 savings bond.
Olive Garden will provide a 5,000 grant to support hunger initiatives in their local community. The winners in each of the 12 grade categories will be awarded a 500 savings bond and a family dinner. Visit www.olivegarden.com/About-Us/News-and-Media/Pasta-Tales/.
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