Faces and places

Richard Brooks is a new investment representative for Edward Jones, a financial services company with several offices in Lawrence. Brooks will work out of the branch office at 2449 Iowa, Suite A. Brooks previously was a co-owner of MacSource Consulting in Lenexa.

Karen Kelm will continue to serve the Lawrence branch office as branch office administrator.

Morningstar Communications Company, Overland Park, has hired Sarah Tongier as a summer intern. She will gain hands-on experience as she works directly with Morningstar’s account service teams on a variety of client projects.

Intern responsibilities include copywriting, research, media relations and project management. Tongier is a senior at Kansas University where she is active in the Public Relations Society of America and Jayhawk Communications, a student-run public relations firm.

Housing & Credit Counseling Inc., Topeka, announces two mortgage loan programs that are available for Kansas families meeting income and disability requirements.

The Rural First Time Homebuyer Program provides a $4,000 grant for down payment, closing or housing rehabilitation costs. This program is available in rural areas of the state, generally outside of the Topeka, Kansas City and Wichita areas.

The Targeted Ownership Program also features a $4,000 grant for down payment, closing or housing rehabilitation costs and is available in both urban and rural areas of the state. Eligibility for TOP is based on an applicant’s qualifications as a “First Time Homebuyer.” One household member must possess a physical impairment or developmental disability.

For more information on the programs, call Housing & Credit Counseling at (800) 383-0217. Persons may also use the Internet by clicking on www.hcci-ks.org.

Housing & Credit Counseling has offices located in Topeka, Lawrence, Manhattan and Emporia.

Honors and awards

John Pannone, state sales manager, and three long-time sales representatives for the CARE DIRECTIONS insurance program offered by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas have been honored for their 2001 sales achievements.

MedAmerica Insurance Company, the underwriter of the BCBSKS long-term care program, presented sales achievement awards to John Pannone, Rick Pannone, Dorothy Reece and Kevin Stous.

John Pannone was named Manager of the Year for a third-consecutive year. He supervises 10 representatives throughout Kansas. Rick Pannone, Reece and Stous work in a region that includes 15 counties in northeast Kansas.

All CARE DIRECTIONS sales representatives are appointed by BCBSKS. The program offers various levels of care protection.

BCBSKS is the state’s largest health insurer.

Kermit Cottrell has been recognized by Allstate Insurance Company for superior standards in customer satisfaction, customer retention and profitability. The Cottrell Agency, 2449 Iowa, has achieved the “Quality Agency” award. The award recognizes Cottrell as a top salesperson in auto, property, business and life insurance.

Butler National Corp., Olathe, is the 2002 Kansas Governor’s Exporter of the Year. The company, founded in 1969, achieved success in the international marketplace by diversifying products and modifying aircraft. Butler began exporting in 1980. Its export sales, which have soared 600 percents in the past year, now account for more than 80 percent of its total revenues. The company recently started selling to China, Yemen and Pakistan. They now market in 20 countries throughout the world.

The other finalists for the award were: AIB International, Manhattan; Bushnell Performance Optics, Overland Park; Kustom Signals, Lenexa; and RHS Inc., Hiawatha.

The award is co-sponsored by the Kansas Department of Commerce & Housing and the Kansas International Trade Coordinating Council.

The 2002 Kansas Governor’s Award of Excellence is Steel & Pipe Supply Company, Manhattan. The company manufactures and distributes carbon steel products throughout the Midwest. The company started in 1933 in Manhattan and has grown into one of the largest independently owned steel service centers in the Midwest. The company manages a fleet of more than 70 trucks. It has operations in Manhattan; New Century; Jonesburg, Mo.; Tulsa, Okla.; and Longview, Tex.

In addition to honoring the Kansas Governor’s Award of Excellence winner, Kansas Department of Commerce & Housing officials traveled across Kansas to pay tribute to other businesses for the contributions they made to their local communities. Business Appreciation Month ceremonies took place in Salina, McPherson, Independence, Leavenworth, Stockton and Kinsley. Information about regional winners is available at www.kansascommerce.com/bam.

Emily Lamb, 12, and Christopher White, 18, both of Lawrence, recently were recognized for their volunteer work by Kohl’s Department Stores. They each received a $50 Kohl’s gift card and will be considered for post-secondary education scholarships at the regional and national levels.

Lamb was honored for developing a program to host monthly birthday parties for the homeless. White was recognized for assisting special needs children through a swimming program.

Coming events

Lawrence Technology Assn. is hosting an educational seminar on Business Continuity Planning for its members and Lawrence-based business leaders from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 26 at the SpringHill Marriott Suites.

Gary Cantrell and Perry Depew of Excelliant’s Kansas City-based practice will discuss how business leaders can create a Business Continuity Plan, using a methodology to help ensure the survival of a business. Cantrell has consulted with companies on disaster recovery since 1988. Depew has more than six years of business continuity planning experience in a variety of industries including health care, insurance, federal government and telecommunications.

Excelliant and NetStandard are co-sponsoring the luncheon which is free to executives, officers and managers of businesses in Lawrence.

Persons can register for the seminar by calling (913) 262-3888 or by sending e-mail to jmackey@netstandard.net.

Kansas University’s Small Business Development Center is co-sponsoring a workshop on Kansas withholding tax and sales tax for small businesses. The workshop will be from 8:30 a.m. to noon Thursday at 734 Vt., Suite 104.

The Kansas Department of Revenue will be presenting practical tips on taxes you are responsible to pay, when they are due, how to fill out Kansas tax forms, which forms are needed, and when to collect and submit tax money.

The workshop aims to provide a basic understanding of the goods and services subject to sales tax. It also will explain the record keeping and filing requirements, form preparation and how to use exemption certificates.

The session is free. For more information or to register, call KU SBDC at 843-8844.

The monthly meeting of the Twilight Chapter of the American Business Women’s Assn. will begin at 6 p.m. Monday at Henry’s Plant Farm, 248 N. 1700 Road. The club will take a tour of the gardens. Drinks and cookies will be provided.

For more information contact Trudy Walker at 865-4555.

The Kansas Technology Showcase will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday at the Kansas Expocentre in Topeka.

The event will show the latest technology innovations and solutions, including manufacturers of new generation technologies and their leading regional partners.

A special keynote presentation will be given by Lt. Col. Bill Flynt, director of Homeland Security Threats Office.

Top executives from Kansas’ leading corporations will discuss their perspectives on IT spending. The panelists include: Kris Robbins, president of Security Benefit Group; David Wittig, president of Western Resources; Duane Cantrell, president of Payless ShoeSource; and Richard Hawkins, vice chairman of Hill’s Pet Nutrition Inc.

Federal and community representatives will review and discuss the future of broadband communication in rural Kansas. Panelists include: Jon Cody, of the Federal Communication Commission; Kevin Krufky, representing Sen. Sam Brownback; Rep. Carl Holmes, chair of the House Utilities Committee; Sen. Karin Brownlee, Senate Commerce Committee; and John Wine, chair of the Kansas Corporation Commission.

To register for the event, visit www.goITEC.com.