Key Creative has announced the recent addition of Ryan Moris to its staff.
Moris joined Key Creative back in May, and he has completed six months of initial on-the-job-training. His expertise in Adobe design software and graphic design experience lend themselves to many design projects, including logos and product branding, billboard and print media materials, Web sites and Web solutions products, company officials said.
Moris will be available for new accounts, and his experience is well suited to design print media, event campaigns and any new Web site development for local or national accounts, officials said. During the past months, he has worked on various projects including the Grill Gator product branding and Web site and the Premier-Athletics.com Web site; as well as ESA Consulting's new pipeline print media literature.
Samples of his work can be seen on the Key Creative Web site at www.keycreative.com. Key Creative is located on the north loop in Longview at 2107 Court House Drive, Suite 105.
Originally from Pineville, La., he graduated from Tioga High School and enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. He graduated from the University of Louisiana at Monroe in 2009, earning a bachelor of fine arts degree with a concentration in graphic design. He and his wife Kymberli Webb Moris, a Longview native, reside in the Spring Hill area of Longview.
Hayes RV Center has new manager
Hayes RV Center has announced Jason Newman recently accepted the position of parts and accessory manager with the center, according to David Hayes, company president.
Newman is a Longview native returning to Longview after several years in the automotive industry in the Dallas area. He graduated from Pine Tree High School, continued his education at Kilgore College and graduated from Texas A&M University with a bachelor of business administration degree.
Massage therapists combine resources
Four Longview area massage therapists recently combined resources at one location \— 2220 H.G. Mosely Parkway, Suite 102, next to Performance Rehabilitation.
Melinda Rogers, Yolanda Barron, Jayne Faulker and Laurie Lake have more than 60 years of combined experience. Among the new offerings is a Far Infrared Sauna like the one featured on Oprah Winfrey's television show.
They said the sauna experience helps relieve muscle and joint pain, and it removes toxins from the body that can lead to headaches, fatigue and other immune system problems. Also offered are several lines of supplements and therapy lotions like Lasting Touch.
The location offers gift certificates and discounts on massages and sauna packages. The four also offer wedding packages and can provide multiple therapists on site for businesses.
Rogers began in the field in 1989, practicing reflexology, trigger point therapy acupressure and deep tissue massage. She specializes in pain management therapy and has incorporated craniosacral therapy and myofascial release in her treatments. Rogers can be reached at (903) 757-4228.
Lake has been practicing since 1991 and is certified in prenatal massage and specializes in deep tissue therapeutic massage, post-surgery massage, hot stone massage and other types. She can be reached at (903) 757-5364.
Barron has worked in the field since 1996 and specializes in myofascial release, Thai, hot stone, prenatal, deep tissue, sports massage and is certified as a medical massage therapist. She can be reached at (903) 238-3334.
Faulkner has been involved in massage therapy since 1999 and specializes in trigger point, aromatherapy, deep tissue, meuromuscular therapy and reflexology and does consultations on diet and supplement needs. She can be reached at (903) 235-1604.
Kilgore-based firm to host investor event
Martin Midstream Partners recently announced that it will host its first investor day at 11 a.m. on Nov. 12.
Officials said all existing and prospective partnership unit holders and guests are invited to attend the event at the partnership's headquarters at 4200 Stone Road, in Kilgore.
The event should serve to better inform investors about the partnership's operations and strategies with key representatives of management scheduled to be on hand.
The event also marks the seventh anniversary of Martin Midstream Partners' inception as a publicly traded partnership. For information about the event and event registration, visit the partnership's Web site at www.martinmidstream.com, or contact Joe McCreery, head of investor relations, at (903) 988-6425.
AEP declares 398th quarterly dividend
The board of American Electric Power Co. has declared a regular quarterly dividend of 41 cents a share on its common stock.
The company is the parent of AEO/Southwestern Electric Power, which operates several East Texas power plants and provides electricity to Longview and other regional cities. The dividend is payable Dec. 10 to shareholders of record as of Nov. 10. Officials said this is the company's 398th consecutive common stock cash dividend.
The company has paid a cash dividend on its common stock every quarter since July 1910, the company said.
Session on 'Texas friendly' service set
The Kilgore College Small Business Development Center is hosting a customer service workshop titled "Texas Friendly Hospitality" from 1 to 5 p.m. Nov. 10 at Kilgore College-Longview Center.
Cost is $29, and the training will focus on how to manage and enhance quality customer service. For information or to register, call the center at (903) 757-5857 or visit www.kilgore.edu/sbdc to print a registration form.
The instructor will be Valerie Nite, extension assistant for Texas A&M AgriLife.
Sponsors said customer service is a vital component to repeat business and profitability. This workshop will teach participants how to manage and enhance the delivery of quality service.
Not only will teamwork be promoted, but a focus will be aimed at improving both internal and external customer service.
ETBU professors present papers
MARSHALL \— Several faculty members of the Fred M. Hale School of Business at East Texas Baptist University have presented scholarly papers recently.
Kathleen Mays, assistant professor of business administration, presented a paper, "The Role of Undergraduate Management Education in Bridging the Theory-Application Gap," at the Christian Business Faculty Association Conference held in Rogers, Ark., Oct. 17-18.
Bill Mills, professor of computer science, presented a paper, "Experiential Learning in a Liberal Arts MIS Curriculum," at the International Academy of Business and Public Administration Disciplines conference held Oct. 23-24, 2009, in Memphis, Tenn..
Stanley Self, associate professor of accounting, presented a paper titled "Operations and Accounting Department Management: The Effect of Stress on Organizational Performance," at the International Academy of Business and Public Administration Disciplines conference held Oct. 23-24, 2009, in Memphis, Tenn.
Self had one of his papers published this past summer. "Incentives and Class Attendance: One Business School's Experience" was published in the International Journal of Education Research.
Luminant wins top reclamation award
For the fifth time, Luminant has been honored with the U.S. Department of the Interior Office of Surface Mining's Director's Award for its exemplary demonstration of advancing the science of reclamation.
This is the second consecutive year that Luminant has been recognized with the OSM's highest distinction.
"We are extremely honored to be recognized again by the Office of Surface Mining for our reclamation achievements," said Mike Williams, Luminant's chief fossil officer. "Luminant has a history of environmental stewardship and as a company helped set reclamation standards."
Williams said the company takes a lot of pride in remaining an industry leader.
Luminant received the award for excellence in surface mining on Wednesday during a ceremony in Washington, D.C. The federal agency described Luminant's reclamation program as a "model for others in the coal industry to follow."
The company's award entry highlighted the Luminant Environmental Research Program, which began funding studies in 1971 and continues to do so 38 years later. To ensure objectivity, a steering committee composed of leading scientists, educators and advisers guide the program.
Students are offered the use of research facilities and living quarters near Luminant's Big Brown Power Plant and Mine near Fairfield.
As of the end of 2008, Luminant had provided more than $4.6 million in funding since the program's inception for the completion of more than 120 independent, published student theses and dissertations.
Williams said the studies have focused on numerous environmental disciplines including geology, hydrology, soils, forestry, wildlife and wetlands. The research has not only influenced Luminant's environmental policies and practices but has also provided a valuable technical resource for regulatory agencies and helped establish industry-wide practices.
Results from the program's research have also directly influenced the success of Luminant's mining and reclamation efforts.
As a result, the company has reclaimed nearly 65,000 acres for uses such as forests, pastureland and wildlife habitat and planted almost 28 million trees on company land now certified as a Tree Farm by the Texas Forest Service and the Texas Forestry Association
Luminant, a subsidiary of Energy Future Holdings Corp., is a power generation firm, including mining, wholesale marketing and trading, construction and development operations.
Home health service among tops in nation
Divine Care Home Nursing Service of Longview announced that it has been named to the 2009 HomeCare Elite, a compilation of the top performing home health agencies in the United States.
This annual review identifies the top 25 percent of home health agencies and further highlights the top 100 and top 500 agencies overall. Winners are ranked by an analysis of performance measures in quality outcomes, quality improvement and financial performance.
"The 2009 HomeCare Elite winners exemplify a commitment to providing their patients with the best possible care while performing at the highest level," said Nancy Buller, senior director of marketing communications at OCS HomeCare. "We congratulate Divine Care Home Nursing Service of Longview on being one of the Top 500 home care agencies in the country."
Divine Care is the only home health agency in Longview to be among the top 500 home health agencies in the nation, officials said. This is the third time Divine Care Home Nursing of Longview has received the honor.
Divine Care owner Kathy Williams credits the staff's ability to address quality of life issues on an individual patient basis and dedication to their mission "nursing is a ministry" with the company's ability to rank as one of the HomeCare Elite.
The 2009 HomeCare Elite was announced by OCS, Inc., a provider of home care information, and DecisionHealth, publisher of a home care industry independent newsletter, Home Health Line.
Divine Care was founded in 1997 by Williams. Services include but are not limited to wound care, diabetic care and instruction, oncology, patient and family education, social services, injections, ostomy care and catheter care.
The firm serves Gregg, Smith, Cass, Upshur, Camp, Marion, Harrison, Rusk and Panola counties.
Scentsy reps attend convention in Utah
Three East Texan consultants with Scentsy, a party plan sales company featuring scented, wickless candles, recently returned from the company's annual convention.
They include Becky Clark of Gladewater, Phyllis Long of Hallsville and Elaine Blackmon of Longview. The convention was held at The Salt Palace in Salt Lake City and included a variety of workshops, information sessions and other events.
Business fellowship sets Tuesday meeting
The Longview Businessmen's Fellowship is scheduled to meet at noon Tuesday at the Summit Club in downtown Longview.
The speaker for the hour-long monthly meeting is slated to be Raymond E. "Bo" Rogers Jr., a Longview attorney who practices in the areas of personal injury, family law, criminal defense, business litigation and in providing wills and probate service.
Hot lunch will be served for a cost of $10. For information or reservations call Joe McCracken at (903) 738-1981 or by e-mail at longviewfellowship@yahoo.com.
Session on workers comp set Wednesday
Updates on the Texas Workers Compensation program will be provided in a workshop scheduled from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday at the Hampton Inn in Longview.
Cost is $99, and registration may be made by calling the Kilgore College Small Business Development Center at (903) 757-5857. The program is designed for business owners, managers, human resource officers, health and safety officers and those in the legal profession.
Instructor will be Danny Taylor, return-to-work coordinator for the Texas Department of Insurance Workers Compensation Division.
Number of active rigs increase by 21
HOUSTON \— The number of rigs actively exploring for oil and natural gas in the U.S. this week has risen 21 this week to 1,069.
Baker Hughes Inc., based in Houston, said Friday that 728 rigs were exploring for natural gas and 330 for oil. Eleven were listed as miscellaneous. A year ago this week, the rig count stood at 1,971.
Of the major oil- and gas-producing states, Texas gained 13 rigs, Oklahoma and North Dakota each gained four, Colorado gained one and New Mexico, Louisiana and Alaska each gained one. Wyoming lost three rigs and California lost one.
The rig count tally peaked at 4,530 in 1981, during the height of the oil boom. The industry posted a record low of 488 in 1999.
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.
