Applause ... Sunday, June 8

 NEW HIRE

Geier joins Ready Mix

Laura Geier, of Coldwater, recently joined the Quality Ready Mix, Inc. management team as finance, accounting and administration manager. Geier is based at the company's headquarters at the Con-Ag, Inc. quarry outside of St. Marys. She is a graduate of Ohio Northern University where she received her bachelor's degree in business administration and accounting with high honors in 2006. Geier is a native of Minster.

Ag Credit hires Lucke

(p)Ag Credit has announced the addition of Emily Lucke as a new home loan originator for the Ottawa and Van Wert branches.

As a home loan originator, she will perform credit and lending duties for clients in Putnam, Paulding and Van Wert counties. The home loan department, Country Mortgages, has the ability to provide home loans to many borrowers with a variety of home loan products and is not restricted to persons with farm income. 

Financing is available for purchases, refinances, lot loans, new construction and home improvements. 

Recker works at Ag Credit

(p)Ag Credit has announced the addition of Dean Recker as a new account officer at its Ottawa branch.

As an account officer, he will perform credit duties serving members in the Putnam County area. Recker is a graduate of The Ohio State University and Miller City High School. He previously worked in the northeast Farm Credit System for Farm Credit of Western New York and Financial Partners, Inc. 

Recker plans to reside in the Ottawa area.

 AWARDS

Curves franchise a Shining Star

Curves, the world's largest franchisor of fitness clubs, recently announced that the Delphos Curves club earned the prestigious Shining Star club designation. This recognition is given to clubs that meet rigorous standards in their business practices, service quality and adherence to the Curves methods. 

Clubs applying for Shining Star status must complete a lengthy checklist of items in a number of different categories and submit it to their area director.  Shining Star Club status is given only after all documentation is reviewed and approved by corporate officials.

The Delphos franchise is owned by Amy Mox. 

Real estate agent a top performer

(p)Cyndi Hartsock, real estate sales agent with RE/MAX Market Place Realty in Lima, earned the distinction of being ranked 19th among the RE/MAX Central & Northern Ohio Region Top 20 Sales Associates for the month of February 2008, during the recently released sales awards. 

The award is given to RE/MAX associates based on their overall sales dollar volume. 

ORSC honors Lima woman

(p)Barbara Matesick, of Lima, was recently named a recipient of an Individual Statistical Achievement Award of the Year by her employer, the Ohio Rehabilitation Services Commission. The award recognizes Matesick's outstanding performance as a vocational rehabilitation counselor for RSC, the state agency that helps people with disabilities get jobs and become independent.

Matesick has been with the agency for 11 years.

Baker Animal Hospital honored

At its yearly conference in Tampa, Fla., the American Animal Hospital Association honored Baker Animal Hospital for its 25-year commitment to excellence in small animal care.

Baker Animal Hospital, located in Cridersville, has been an AAHA hospital member since 1983. The hospital has undergone regular evaluations by AAHA practice consultants who visit hospitals to ensure compliance with AAHA standards in many areas of practice, from surgery to diagnostic imaging.

Raabe's earns president's award

(p)Raabe Ford Lincoln Mercury has been awarded the 2007 President's Award for the third time. The President's Award acknowledges Ford and Lincoln dealerships that have led the nation in exceptional service.

According to a news release, tThe award is earned by only 240 out of nearly 5,000 dealerships and is awarded to dealers who provide their customers with first-rate treatment throughout the life of their vehicle.

"Earning this award is a reflection of our entire staff's commitment to delivering the best customer experience possible," Raabe Ford Lincoln Mercury General Manager Randy Custer said.

ONU students win award

The Ohio Northern University chapter of the American Marketing Association has received a national award for excellence in club communications.

The award was given at the group's national conference in April. The ONU members had participated in a trade show event where they competed against 38 other universities in creating and operating a mock trade exhibit.

The team also was one of 15 chapters selected to present a leadership workshop addressing fundraising. More than 100 students attended the session, which was presented by Craig Bailey, Brittany Blakely, and Ashley Ewing.

The team's faculty advisor is Professor Randall Ewing.

Company cited for reclamation

The National Lime and Stone Co. was recently recognized by the Ohio Aggregates and Industrial Minerals Association for its outstanding efforts in reclamation at the Wapakoneta and Buckland plants. Reclamation is the conversion of a piece of land recently used for mineral extraction into a rehabilitated, ecological and community friendly area.

The local plants have demonstrated exemplary leadership with regard to this important facet of the aggregate industry, according to the association.

With more than 200 member companies, OAIMA producers account for nearly 150 million tons of limestone, sand and gravel aggregates, salt, clay and other minerals mined in Ohio each year.

How to submit
Applause items

The Applause section celebrates accomplishments of businesses and business people in the Lima region. This includes promotions, special training, awards and other achievements. As space permits, we will also report a significant business anniversary. In this case, please provide the day of opening, key changes in location, ownership and function. Any business or business organization is welcome to submit an item for Applause. To submit an item, send to:

         Newsroom/Applause

         The Lima News

         3515 Elida Road

         Lima, OH 45807

Items may also be e-mailed to info@limanews.com. Please include the word "Applause" in the subject line. All items must include the phone number of the person submitting the item.