Kerri Goodson, payroll technician with the city of Longview, has been awarded the designation of Certified Payroll Professional by the American Payroll Association.
The designation signifies a high level of professional experience and competence in the payroll field. It is awarded based on the successful completion of a comprehensive four-hour exam in addition to documented experience in the payroll profession. There are more than 9,000 practicing Certified Payroll Professionals nationwide.
Henderson among Neiman Marcus' best
Albert Henderson, with the National Service Center of Neiman Marcus in Longveiw Business Park, has received the company's highest employee honor, officials said.
Henderson was recently recognized with the company's Best Award. The honor is presented based on superior service, attitude, customer service, team work, leadership and other qualities.
He will be recognized with an expense paid trip to Dallas where he will meet with company executives. Henderson will also receive a $500 Neiman Marcus gift card, an engraved sculpture, a photo of all 2008 winners and a silver pin.
Edwards hired at Gordy's auto center
Gordy's Automotive Super Center has announced the addition of Kim Edwards, formerly with Lively Olds Cadillac and GMC, to the firm's staff.
Edwards is a Certified Master Mechanic and brings professionalism, knowledge and 24 years experience specializing in General Motors products.
ETBU student services adds two to staff
East Texas Baptist University vice president for student services Dr. Dennis Robertson announced the hiring of two new employees in the office of student services.
Joe Rodden has been named the dean of students and his wife, Lindsay Rodden, is now the director of student activities at East Texas Baptist University, according to Dennis Robertson, vice president for student services.
"We are very pleased to welcome Joe and Lindsay to our student services team," Robertson said. "They have the experience and educational background we need to enhance both the dean of students office and the very important student activities function.
Joe Rodden spent the last two years at Earlham College in Richmond, Ind., as a baseball coach and associate professor of wellness, with his last year serving as the head baseball coach.
Lindsay Rodden has college student services experience while serving with the Campus Crusade for Christ organization at Michigan State University.
Red Lobster GM award winner announced
Gilmer resident Elaine McCellon, general manager of the Red Lobster in Longview, has been presented with Darden Restaurants' top honor, the Diamond Club Award.
The award, now in its 11th year, is presented annually to the company's general managers throughout North America who demonstrate outstanding results, ensure enjoyment of fresh seafood and achieve top financial performance in the previous fiscal year. This is the second time McCellon has received this recognition.
This year, McCellon joins an elite group of 33 general managers selected from 680 Red Lobster restaurants in North America. The company owns and operates 1,700 restaurants including Red Lobster, Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, The Capital Grille, Bahama Breeze and Seasons 52.
Olive Garden GM named top manager
Longview resident Randy Horton, general manager of the Olive Garden in Longview, has been presented with the parent company's highest honor, the Top General Manager of the Year award.
Additionally, Horton was given Darden Restaurants' award for the best general managers throughout the company, the Diamond Club Award. This is the fourth time Horton has received this recognition.
This year, Horton joins an group of 30 general managers selected from the 653 Olive Garden restaurants in North America. In addition, he was recognized as the top general manager for Olive Garden.
Olive Garden, an Italian restaurant company with 653 restaurants, has more than 80,000 employees and more than $3 billion in annual sales. Olive Garden is a division of Darden Restaurants Inc.
Realtor listed in industry network
Trina Griffith of Summers Real Estate Group in Longview has been selected for inclusion in the 2008-09 edition of "The Biltmore Who's Who in Real Estate."
Griffith specializes in the sale of residential estates and fine homes, but lists properties in all residential price ranges. A top producer in the Longview area for the past 15 years, Griffith is a member of the national, state and local association of realtors.
She is currently enrolled in a three-year interior design program with Sheffield School of Interior Design to earn her decorators certification.
Earlier in the year, Griffith was also inducted into the "Montclair Who's Who in Real Estate Professionals."
Griffith has earned her Life Membership with Longview Partnership and is involved in several other community activities.
The Biltmore Who's Who in Real Estate Professionals recognizes and highlights men and women of leadership and distinction throughout the United States. The Biltmore has created a network of distinguished professionals with notable achievements.
UTHSCT appoints VP, development officer
Richard "Mac" Griffith, who helped raise more than $50 million to construct a new building for the McNay Art Museum in San Antonio, has been named vice president and chief development officer of institutional advancement at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler.
Besides coordinating the capital campaign for the new museum facility, Griffith oversaw all fund-raising efforts, including planned giving, special events, grants and sponsorships, annual giving and membership. He was the museum's chief development officer from 2002 until joining UTHSCT in July.
Griffith also served as president of the CHRISTUS Schumpert Health System Foundation in Shreveport and as assistant administrator of the health system from 1990 to 2002. In 1992, he established the foundation to develop and raise funds for the large medical center, raising more than $8 million during his tenure.
From 1981 until 1990, he held several positions with Commercial National Bank in Shreveport, a fully owned subsidiary of Deposit Guaranty National Bank Corp., including vice president of the professional and executive division, vice president and director of marketing and assistant vice president of business development.
TSTC director receives award
Texas State Technical College Marshall announced that director of collaborative projects, Micheal Tivet has been recognized by the Career & Technology Association of Texas for his efforts to bring post-secondary education to high school students and incumbent workers.
After graduating, Tivet began his tenure at TSTC Marshall as a college recruiter and then moved on to supervisor of recruitment. He was then named supervisor of the tutoring center and student learning success advisor while continuing to act as the college's dual credit program liaison.
TSTC Marshall President Wooten recognized Tivet as a valuable member of the staff.
"Mike can always be counted on to go above and beyond," Wooten said. "He takes on every task with energy and enthusiasm, and doesn't stop until the job is done."
U.S. oil, gas rig count down by 6
HOUSTON — The number of rigs actively exploring for oil and natural gas in the United States dropped by 6 this week to 1,951.
Of the rigs running nationwide, 1,550 were exploring for natural gas and 392 for oil, Houston-based Baker Hughes Inc. reported Friday. Nine were listed as miscellaneous.
A year ago, the rig count stood at 1,781.
Of the major oil- and gas-producing states, Colorado gained four rigs, Louisiana gained two, and North Dakota gained one. Texas lost six, New Mexico lost four, Alaska lost two and Arkansas and California each lost one.
Editor's note: Deadline for submissions for the Longview News-Journal's Sunday Business Digest is 5 p.m. Tuesday. Submissions may be faxed to (903) 757-3742; e-mailed to melswick@longview-news.com or mailed to: Mike Elswick, business editor, Longview News-Journal, P.O. Box 1792, Longview, TX 75606. For questions, call (903) 237-7737.
