Janell Collins and Angi Heller-Workman, both of Topeka, have joined Jayhawk Area Agency on Aging Inc. Collins, a Kansas University graduate, is volunteer coordinator. Heller-Workman, a Washburn University graduate, is a caregiver specialist.

The agency serves Douglas, Jefferson and Shawnee counties as an advocate on aging issues and implements programs intended to help seniors live independent lives.

¢ Dr. Les Miller, of Lawrence Dental Solutions, was selected by Patterson Dental Co. to educate dentists, through a demonstration of techniques, about making CEREC restorations. Miller and two other Kansas City-area dentists provided demonstrations during an all-day seminar Feb. 17 in Kansas City, Mo. CEREC is a system that allows dentists to fabricate and complete a ceramic dental restoration during a single office visit.

¢ Cynthia Ford has been promoted to senior vice president for Commerce Bank in Lawrence.

Ford focuses on retail business in the bank’s Lawrence branches. The graduate of Kansas State University started with Commerce in 1989 and worked as retail banking manager for the six Lawrence branches during the past two years.

¢ Insurance Commissioner Sandy Praeger, Lawrence, announces that three members of the Kansas Insurance Department – Neil Woerman, director of information technology; Larry Bruning, chief actuary; and Ted Clark, anti-fraud director – have been appointed to various leadership positions within the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.

Woerman has been appointed chairman of the NAIC Information Systems task force. Bruning has several leadership positions within NAIC: vice chairman of the Life & Health Actuarial task force, chairman of the C-3 Phase II Results Sub-group of the Life Capital Adequacy task force and chairman of the SVL II Sub-group of the Life & Health Actuarial task force. Clark has been appointed chairman of the NAIC Anti-Fraud Working Group’s Education and Seminar Committee.

¢ Terri Parker, Tonganoxie, has joined Signature HomeStyles as a representative for the direct-seller of home organization and decor solutions.

The company aims to help families beautify and organize their homes by offering products that include baskets, linens and wall decor. For more information, contact Parker at (913) 845-3660.

Honors and awards

The Northeast Kansas Chapter of the Society of Financial Service Professionals is accepting nominations for its Northeast Kansas Business Ethics Award.

The award, established in 2003, recognizes a company that exemplifies the highest levels of ethical conduct in its everyday business dealings. There are categories for companies large and small, and nonprofits and financial organizations are ineligible.

This year’s nominations will be judged by members of the Washburn University School of Business.

For more information or to receive a nomination form, call David Damme at (785) 232-1534.

Coming events

Johnson County Community College’s Center for Business and Technology will have its 18th annual Administrative Professionals Day from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. April 19 at the Overland Park Convention Center. Topics will include successful communication, conflict resolution, stress management and wellness.

Speakers will be Christine Cashen, an award-winning speaker, and Anne Peterson, a television reporter in the Kansas City area.

The deadline for early-bird registration – which costs $139 – is March 10. To register, call (913) 469-2323. For more information, call Sara Kline at (913) 469-8500, ext. 4518.

¢ The first Lawrence Area Partners in Aging Senior Resource Fair will be from 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at Hy-Vee, 4000 W. Sixth St. More than 25 Lawrence businesses will provide information during the free fair. The Vintage Players will provide entertainment.

¢ Jim Zaman and Pat Pritchard, of the Kansas Job Link Support Group, will present “The Kansas Job Link: The Internet Tool for Employers” from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. March 16 at the Lawrence Workforce Center, 2540 Iowa, Suite R.

The seminar will address the no-charge service of creating employer accounts, posting jobs, searching resumes and locating information available to employers.

A demonstration of Kansas Job Link also will be included. No fee will be charged, but space is limited.

To make reservations, call Rodney Carr at 840-9675 or e-mail him at rcarr@kansascommerce.com.