Kansas Technology Enterprise Corp. has hired Trish Costello as an entrepreneur in residence. Costello most recently served as founder and CEO of the Kauffman Fellows program at the Center For Venture Education in Kansas City, Mo.

Costello also spent more than eight years with the Kauffman Foundation, directing the center’s capital formation programs while educating and networking with high-potential entrepreneurs.

Costello serves on the national advisory board and selection councils of the National Science Foundation for its Small Business Innovation Research Grants.

¢ Karen Peters has joined Heartland Medical Clinic at The LEO Center, Lawrence, as advanced registered nurse practitioner. She has five years of experience with the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth, most recently working at the Saint Vincent Clinic, where she served the uninsured residents of Leavenworth and Wyandotte counties.

Peters received a bachelor’s degree from Washburn University in 1992, and a Master of Science degree from Kansas University in 1999. She is nationally certified as a family nurse practitioner by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners.

¢ Victoria Bogner has joined McDaniel & McDaniel Financial Services, Lawrence. She is an investment adviser representative with Financial Network Corp. She received a Bachelor of Science degree from Kansas State University in 2005.

¢ Deborah Becker has been promoted to vice president at Hilco Mortgage Corp. in Lawrence. Becker has worked for Hilco for more than six years and is the top loan originator for the company, which has offices in Lawrence, Baldwin and Topeka.

She is active in the Lawrence Chamber Of Commerce, the Lawrence Home Builders Assn., Business Networking International and the Lawrence Board of Realtors as an affiliate member.

¢ Curves of Lawrence is participating in the eighth-annual Curves Food Drive. Curves waived its normal service fee for any new member who brought in a bag of nonperishable groceries from Feb. 27 to March 11. The Lawrence club, at 2104 W. 25th St., will continue to collect nonperishable food items through March. The food will benefit Lawrence food banks.

Honors and awards

GPW & Associates, Lawrence, recently was honored by Kansas City Small Business Monthly as one of the publication’s “25 Under 25,” a program recognizing 25 area companies with fewer than 25 employees.

GPW & Associates, a lighting and engineering consulting firm with 10 employees, was among companies judged on their financial stability, community involvement, distinguishing qualities, company vision and ability to overcome challenges.

Company representatives and their guests attended an awards reception March 4 in Overland Park.

¢ Kassi Robinson of Realty Executives – Hedges Real Estate received the Chairman’s Award, Executive Award and 100% Club Award at Realty Executives International’s 19th annual national convention in Phoenix.

The Chairman’s award is given to the top sales executives in each franchise area based on annual sales earnings. The Executive Award is given to the top 10 percent of sales executives in each franchise based on annual earnings. The 100 Percent Club award is given for being a top producer throughout the year.

Coming events

Sabrina Channel, nationally certified massage therapist, will have a grand opening from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at her new office, 841 N.H.

Channel has been in practice since 1999. The Kansas University graduate has completed more than 1,600 hours of education in therapeutic methods of massage. A member of the American Massage Therapy Assn., Channel holds certifications in personal training, neuromuscular therapy and myofascial release. She also is a Reiki master and certified instructor of massage therapy.