Gary Mohr, associate director of Professional Engineering Consultants and manager of the company’s Lawrence office, has been named to serve on the Partnering Committee for the American Institute of Architects, Division of Facilities Management and American Council of Engineering Companies. The committee works to improve quality of state buildings.

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The Lawrence Medical Managers Assn. recently elected its 2005 officers: Bob Harvey, director of family practice clinics for Lawrence Memorial Hospital, president; Renee Daniels, TherapyWorks, president-elect; Stacy Harper, Reed Medical Group, secretary; Trish Hillard-Emmons, Lawrence Orthopedic Surgery, treasurer; Stephanie Amick, Lawrence Orthopedic Surgery, membership chairwoman. The association works to foster education and networking among health care offices in the Lawrence area.

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A.W. Pickel III has announced a name change for his Lenexa-based mortgage adviser. Leader Mortgage is now known as LeaderOne Financial. The company plans to expand its services and number of offices.

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The National Federation of Independent Business Kansas office has named Jim Stuck chairman of its Leadership Council. Stuck is director of marketing for Topeka-based BRB Contractors, which has been a NFIB member for 14 years. Stuck served as vice chairman of the NFIB/Kansas Leadership Council in 2004.

Marvin Kleeb, a partner of Overland Park-based Allied Staffing, and Tammy Salava, co-owner of Hoover’s Thriftway supermarket in Burlington, were elected to serve on the NFIB/Kansas Leadership Council.

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Farmers in Douglas, Franklin, Johnson, Miami, Shawnee and Osage counties who suffered crop or livestock losses caused by severe storms, tornadoes or flooding Aug. 27-30 may apply for emergency loans from the Farm Service Agency.

Loans with interest rates of 3.75 percent are available, the agency said. Loans may be used to replace installations, equipment, livestock and buildings lost because of the storms. Loans also may be used for buying feed, fertilizer, livestock or to make payments on livestock or chattel debts.

Applicants will be accepted until May 31.

Applications are available at the agency’s office in Ottawa. For more information, contact the office at (785) 242-3527.

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The U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development agency is accepting applications for its 2005 Distance Learning and Telemedicine Program. The program makes grants available for providing access to education, training and health care resources for people in rural America. The grants may be used to finance telecommunications, computer networks and related advanced technologies.

Eligible applicants include: an incorporated organization or partnership, an Indian tribe or tribal organization, a state or local unit of government, a consortium, and a private corporation organized on a for-profit or nonprofit basis.

The application deadline is Feb. 1. For application forms, click on www.usda.gov/rus/telecom/dlt/dlt.htm. For more information, call (785) 271-2702 or click on www.rurdev.usda.gov/ks.

Coming events

Consumer Credit Counseling Services will present “Discover More Dollars” from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the United Way building, 2518 Ridge Court.

The workshop’s topics will include financial goal setting, developing a realistic budget, cutting costs, evaluating spending habits and starting a savings plan.

The workshop is free, but reservations are requested. To make reservations, call (785) 749-4224, ext. 369 or (800) 383-0217, ext. 369.

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

• Gragg’s Paint & Wallpaper, 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, 1520 Wakarusa Drive.
• Midwest Food & Shoe Specialty Inc., 11:30 a.m. Jan. 18, 2121 Kasold Drive.
• Protection One, 4:30 p.m. Jan. 19, 1035 N. Third St., Suite 101.

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The Commodity Classic will be Feb. 24-25 in Austin, Texas, for corn and soybean farmers.

In addition to the seminars and trade show, the Commodity Classic will feature a panel of experts in a discussion titled, “Growing America’s Future.” Vince Poscente, an Olympic skier and motivational speaker, will give a presentation. The conference will end with an “Evening of Entertainment,” featuring the country music group Restless Heart.

To register or for more information, go to www.commodityclassic.com or call (636) 928-3700.