Faces and places

Gould Evans Goodman announced the promotion of Becky DiRe Mullins, Lawrence, to principal of the firm. She has been a key leader in the expansion of the Gould Evans Goodman’s Johnson County presence. Mullins’ 21 years of architecture experience includes eight years with Gould Evans Goodman.

• The Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities announced that Cottonwood Inc., Lawrence, has been accredited for a period of three years. An organization receiving a three-year accreditation must put itself through a rigorous peer review process and demonstrate to a team of surveyors that its programs and services are accountable to maintaining the highest quality and measurable standards during an on-site visit.
• Leta Collie has been promoted to manager in the accounting services and tax department at Mize, Houser & Company, Topeka. She has been with the company since 1995. Collie provides accounting services and specializes in payroll services and payroll tax compliance for industries. Mize Houser has an office in Lawrence.
• Lawrence-based Barber Emerson, L.C. announces Matthew Richards has joined the firm as an associate attorney. Richards’ practice will focus on the areas of corporate law, real estate and taxation. He is a 1999 graduate of the Kansas University school of law. Before joining Barber Emerson, L.C., he was an associate attorney for the Kansas City law firms of Kutak Rock LLP and Shugart Thomson & Kilroy, P.C.
• American International Group Inc. announces the appointment of Kummer Affiliated Insurors to represent AIG’s Automobile Insurance in Lawrence.
• Mary Tilley has joined the Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center, Lawrence, as a clinical case manager. She will provide community-based mental health services to children and their families. Tilley has a master’s degree in social work from the University of California-Berkeley. She previously worked in emergency services at Prairie View Community Mental Health Center and Prairie View Hospital in Newton.
• The Kansas Ag Innovation Center has opened for business after receiving a $1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to help producers benefit from their efforts in agricultural value-added businesses.

The center is a partnership involving the Agriculture Marketing Division of the Kansas Department of Commerce, Kansas State University, Advanced Manufacturing Institute, Kansas Polymer Research Center and 21st Century Producers.

The center initially will work with a select number of businesses to identify the critical success factors for the different industries and regions across the state.

For more information on the Kansas Ag Innovation Center, contact Ray Hammarlund, associate director, at (785) 296-3084 or e-mail him at rhammarlund@ kansascommerce.com.

Honors and awards

Jacob Dale received a Pinnacle award from U.S. Bank. The company’s quarterly Pinnacle awards program recognizes outstanding achievement and honors employees for their performance. Dale is branch manager at U.S. bank’s Lawrence office at 1600 E. 23rd St.

Coming events

The Lawrence Chamber of Commerce announces the following upcoming ribbon-cutting ceremonies:

• Pinnacle Career Institute, 11:30 a.m., Feb. 11, 1601 W. 23rd St., Suite 200.
• Jayhawk Siding, 4:30 p.m., Feb. 24, 1849 E. 1450 Road.
• Lawrence Home Builders Assn. home show, 11:30 a.m., Feb. 27, Sport 2 Sport, 5200 Clinton Parkway.
• The Lawrence Technology Assn.’s 2004 annual meeting will be Thursday at the Hereford House, Sixth Street and Wakarusa Drive.

Jerry Dobson, one of the founding fathers of the field of geographical information systems and president of the American Geographical Society, will be guest speaker. He will present “The Priceless Message of a $1,000,000 Globe.”

A reception will be from 6:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. with cash bar. Dinner begins at 7 p.m. Cost of the meal is $30 per person for members and member guests, and $40 per person for nonmembers. Reservations should be made by Monday. To make reservations, contact Peggy Williams by e-mail at pwilliams@ittc.ku.edu or phone at 864-7354.

LTA members will elect new directors to the board and select officers for 2004.

• The Kansas Department of Revenue will have an information seminar on Feb. 9 about its new electronic lien program. To register for the seminar, call (888) 883-4083. Parties interested in the KS Elien system can go online at www.ksrevenue.org/kselien.htm to view a demo and register to join. According to the department, about 500 people from 300 companies are using the program.