• Security Benefit president and chief executive officer Howard Fricke announces Doug Wolff of Lawrence has been promoted to president of the company’s Retail Retirement business. Wolff joined Security Benefit in 2001 as vice president, Product and Market Development. Prior to coming to Security Benefit, Wolff held leadership positions with the Allstate Life Insurance Co. and also worked for Ernst & Young as senior consulting actuary and consulting actuary.

• The Kansas Hospital Association Leadership Institute graduated its ninth class of 32 students Aug. 27 at the Critical Issues Summit in Wichita. Students were nominated by their hospital’s CEO to be part of this select group. Area graduates include Linda Gall, RN, Lawrence Memorial Hospital; and Adam Olberding, RN, Kansas University Hospital.

• Laura Thompson, operations manager of the Douglas County/Jefferson County Insurance & Financial Services Inc. was awarded the designation of Certified Professional Insurance Agent, a professional designation conferred by the American Insurance Marketing and Sales Society.

• The Lawrence Wastewater Utility received two awards during the annual Kansas Water Environment Association/Kansas Section of the American Water Works Association Joint Conference Aug. 31 to Sept. 2 in Topeka. The awards included the Wastewater Treatment Plant Award in the large secondary treatment facility category and Wastewater Treatment Plant Safety Award.