Business briefs

Danny Phillips, a Kansas University graduate, has been promoted to head of the company’s research division, which supplies information and services to national and international television networks.

John Pendry, sales manager for LRM Industries Inc., recently was elected president of the Kansas Ready Mixed Concrete Assn. for 2002. KRMCA is dedicated to the exchange of ideas and information relative to the production, sale and use of ready mixed concrete in Kansas. Pendry has been actively involved in the KRMCA for many years and has served on numerous committees.

The Lawrence chapter of Tenants to Homeowners Inc. has been awarded a $500 match grant from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Topeka. The Federal Home Loan Bank partially matched contributions given to Tenants to Homeowners Inc. by its member banks. Douglas County Bank contributed $500 and Capitol Federal Savings donated $1,000 to help support the organization.

Tenants to Homeowners is a nonprofit organization that buys, builds and rehabilitates homes. It then sells the homes to low- and moderate-income first-time buyers.

It also provides credit counseling and first-time homebuyers workshops.

James Hanni, president and CEO of AAA Kansas, has been elected chairman of the board of directors of the Midwest Conference of AAA/CAA Clubs. The Midwest Conference is an association of 30 American and Canadian Automobile Clubs from the Midwest. It conducts a conference each February to share best practices among its member clubs and confers on ways to improve service to AAA members and the operations of member clubs. The Board of Directors plans and conducts the conference and its program.

Lincoln, Neb.-based MIDnet Inc. announces it has awarded the first round of funding of a new grant program for the development of network-related tools, conferences, training and research. The Great Plains Network, Lawrence, has received funding to develop an advanced-networking conference. The conference will be April 18-19 in Sioux Falls, S.D.

The Great Plains Network is dedicated to supporting research and education through the use of advanced networking technology.

Steve McDonald, president of the Native American Junior Golf Assn. announced that Commerce Bank & Trust has made a donation of $25,000 to the organization. The funds will be used by the association to expand the reach of its summer golf camps and tournament slated for 2002.

Desima Dawdy has completed Polestar’s Pilates Practitioner’s level course work and exam in Denver. She is a co-owner of Absolute Fitness, 905 S.W. 37th Terrace, and is also in partnership with Women Health Therapies.

Dawdy completed her three-year course work, observation and apprenticeship hours in Chicago, Denver and Los Angeles. She is certified for clients in levels I, II, III and personal training.

Dawdy specializes in clinical Pilates Reformer programs for clients with fibromyalgia, myofascial pain, osteoporosis and multiple sclerosis. She also trains professional dancers and athletes.

Lane Czaplinski, former education director at Kansas University’s Lied Center, is the new artistic director for On The Boards, a multivenue contemporary arts complex in Seattle.

While he officially begins his new post June 1, he has already started his curatorial work at the complex.

Czaplinski earned bachelor’s degrees in English and psychology from KU in 1992.

Tim Van Leer, executive director of Kansas University’s Lied Center, and Karen Christilles, associate director of the Lied Center, attended the 45th Annual Association of Performing Arts Presenters Conference Jan. 12-15 in New York City.

The conference provided an opportunity to see various artists’ works for future Lied Series programming.

Additionally, Michele Traband, director of ticketing services, and Jeri Glynn, ticket office systems administrator, attended the INTIX Annual Conference Jan. 21-25 in Atlanta. The conference provided an opportunity to learn about improvements in the ticketing industry and to network with ticketing professionals from throughout the world.

Kansas Speedway announces the hiring of Darren Cook, Ryan Hogue and Roy Skoglund.

Cook began working as the speedway’s director of Facility Operations on Feb. 25. He is responsible for upkeep and maintenance of everything at the speedway, including all buildings, equipment and grounds. He oversees all construction and renovation projects, safety, security and track surface maintenance, and supervises all setup and tear down of racing and non-racing events at Kansas Speedway. Cook previously worked at Kansas University, where he had served as director of facilities for the Athletics Department since 1992.

Hogue has been named manager of Group Sales. He is responsible for creating and carrying out ticket sales strategies for large groups, corporations, organizations and businesses. He previously was a sales executive for ticket operations and merchandising for the Kansas City Comets, Kansas City’s Major League Indoor Soccer League team.

Skoglund will become the director of Marketing and Sales on March 25. He is responsible for developing and executing marketing plans, planning all advertising and promotional activities and developing corporate partnerships. Skoglund has worked for International Speedway Corp., Kansas Speedway’s parent company, since December.

Honors and awards

John Kirby, general agent for American National Insurance Company in Lawrence, earned the 2001 Quality Master Award, which represents exceptional achievement in maintaining high standards of persistency and production of life insurance. He also was given the President’s Club, 20/20 Club and Tri-Line awards along with a trip to Canada in May.