Business briefs

The stores, each about 15,000 square feet, will be in Overland Park, Shawnee and Wichita. The company previously has built 10 other ALDI stores, including the one located in Lawrence.

Eudora architect Kenneth O. von Achen also was awarded the design contract for the Wichita store.

Cory von Leonrod has joined Jones Seel Huyett, Topeka, as a media buyer. His responsibilities include media relations, negotiations, media research, buying, planning and media budget monitoring. He previously was an account executive for a television station in Topeka.

Amy Homer, residence director of Alterra Sterling House in Lawrence, has been selected as a training partner for a national assisted living training program being started by Alterra Healthcare Corp.

The training program will provide new employees with a hands-on opportunity to experience and understand each job in an assisted living residence.

Partners were screened and selected by Alterra divisional vice presidents and directors and chosen based on their talents, experience, dedication and success in their position.

Matt Perrier, Platte City, Mo., has been promoted to director of commercial programs for the American Angus Assn. Perrier will plan and execute the association’s strategies relative to the commercial cattle industry. He also will enhance and develop programs such as the Angus Resource Clearinghouse Network and the Bull Listing Service. He has served as assistant director of commercial programs since January 2001.

Sue Lane, Lawrence, has joined the City of Lawrence’s Parks and Recreation Department as marketing supervisor. She will support the department in marketing and communication efforts. She is responsible for generating public awareness of programs and facilities. Lane’s duties include creation of the seasonal brochure, media relations and carrying out plans for promotions and advertising.

Lane previously worked for the Golf Course Superintendent Association of America and the Lawrence Convention and Visitors Bureau. Lane replaces Lisa Patterson who has become the communications coordinator for the City of Lawrence.

Dr. Michael Stiles recently announced the formation of a new practice devoted primarily to the care of patients with glaucoma and related disorders. Stiles Glaucoma Consultants will be located at the St. Joseph Medical Center in Kansas City, Mo. Stiles also will be serving patients in satellite offices in Lawrence, Topeka and Richmond, Mo.

Stiles Glaucoma Consultants will offer a full-range of medical services including glaucoma consultation, surgery, visual field testing, nerve fiber layer analysis and a full range of related medical services.

Stiles formerly was the director of Glaucoma Services at Hunkeler Eye Centers in Kansas City. He is a 1985 graduate of Kansas University’s School of Medicine. He completed his glaucoma fellowship at Wills Eye Hospital in Philadelphia.

Experience Works, a provider of mature-worker training and employment, is searching for Kansas’ “most outstanding older worker.” The award winner will be honored in Washington, D.C. and Kansas. They will receive a trip to participate in a weeklong series of events in Washington, D.C.

Applicants must be 65 years or older, a Kansas resident, currently employed and working at least 20 hours per week for pay. Applicants who are part of a subsidized employment program funded through local, state or national government support programs are not eligible for the award.

Nominations must include a brief narrative that describes the older worker’s overall contribution to the business, including longevity, experience, skill level, work ethic, any disabilities the nominee has overcome to perform the job and a description of community involvement.

Official nomination forms can be obtained by calling (785) 263-7763 or (877) 255-4123, faxing (785) 263-9855 or e-mailing cindymcasey@experiencework.org. Entries must be mailed, faxed or e-mailed to Cindy McAsey by May 20.

Jeff Boerger, who now serves as vice president and general manager of Kansas Speedway, has been named president of the facility. As president, Boerger will oversee the day-to-day operation of the speedway. Boerger also will negotiate operating agreements for the track and manage local and state government affairs and legislation. Boerger joined Kansas Speedway in 1998. He formerly worked for the Kansas City Area Development Council, where he served as vice president of business development.

Boerger earned a bachelor’s degree in fine arts from Kansas University in 1988.

Local artist Lucinda Smith recently was commissioned to paint a mural for Penny Annie’s Sweet Shoppe, 845 Mass. The mural is of Marilyn Monroe and can be viewed during business hours.

Penny Annie’s is a locally owned and operated candy, popcorn and soda shop.

Honors and awards

Deggingers’ Foundry, Topeka, has won an award for outstanding craftmanship in an international competition sponsored by the National Ornamental & Miscellaneous Metals Assn. The company received a bronze award in the art/sculpture category and a gold award in the gates/doors category. To win an award, entrants must submit photos and a description of their work. The material then is displayed in a gallery where NOMMA member firms are given the opportunity to vote. The contest was open to more than 1,000 member firms.

The Kansas Turnpike and the Canal Route have been selected as the state’s top two transportation infrastructure projects of the 20th century by Washington, D.C.-based American Road and Transportation Builders Assn.

Former Kansas Gov. Mike Hayden and the late Walter Johnson, former Kansas Highway Commission state engineer, were named the state’s top transportation public officials of the past century.

ARTBA members Bob Heitmann, vice president of Wichita-based Koch Performance Roads Inc., and Norman Bowers, Kansas County Highway Assn. president, presented the awards March 14 to Dean Carlson, Kansas DOT secretary; Michael Johnston, Kansas Turnpike Authority president; Mary Turkington, Kansas Turnpike Authority chairperson, and Hayden.

ARTBA, which celebrates it 100th anniversary this year, conducted a national survey to help identify the top two infrastructure projects and public officials of the past century in all 50 states.

The Kansas Turnpike was recognized as an important corridor for commerce and for providing unparalleled mobility to the state’s motorists. The Canal Route was honored because of its engineering achievements and its importance to the Kansas economy.

Hayden, elected governor in 1987, was honored for making improved transportation a priority during his campaign and tenure as governor. Johnson, state engineer for the Kansas Highway Commission from 1955-1968, was recognized as a leader in the development of the Interstate Highway System in Kansas.

Coming events

Small businesses and private research companies can learn how to win federal grants at the Small Business Innovation Research conference April 23-25 in Wichita.

The conference is designed to tell persons exactly what they need to do to write winning-project proposals.

The cost is $95 for those who pre-register and $119 for those who register after April 19. To register or for more details, call Richard Brown, SBIR conference coordinator, at (800) 326-8353.

Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center, Lawrence, announces the retirement of Dr. S. Douglas Witt, clinical director, on March 28. A retirement reception will be from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday in the second floor meeting rooms of the Community Health Facility. Witt has been with Bert Nash for 29 years, serving as clinical director for four years.

The Center for Business and Technology at Johnson County Community College is offering a day of personal enrichment and professional growth with its 14th annual Administrative Professionals’ Day from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 16 at the Ritz Charles Conference Center, 9000 W. 137th St., Overland Park.

The keynote speaker will be Cal LeMon, management consultant and former chaplain at Harvard University. He will speak on “Creating Value in Your Workplace by Becoming a Strategic Thinker.” Comedian David Naster, who recently released his book “You Just Have to Laugh Again,” will provide entertainment.

The cost is $148 per person or $142 per person with two or more registrations from the same company. The registration deadline is April 8. To register, call (913) 469-2323.

For more information, call Aimee Martin at (913) 469-4421.

Kennedy and Coe, Topeka, will host a seminar “Cost Segregation Â The Tool to Maximize Tax Depreciation Benefits” from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday at the Topeka Country Club, 2700 Buchanan, Topeka.

Christina Schlenker, Wichita, a principal with Kennedy and Coe, will be the presenter. The seminar is designed for business owners and financial managers who have built, purchased a building or made improvements in the past 10 years. It is also designed for anyone who wants to deliver a value-added service to their customers.

Participants will find out if they qualify for a tax benefit and what cost segregation can mean to their bottom line.

The cost is $49. Reservations can be made by calling (316) 685-0222 or (800) 303-3241.