Area business happenings

Names and Faces

Brian Solan, a senior mechanical engineer, has tranferred to the Helena office of Morrison-Maierle. Solan joined the firm's Kalispell office in 2001. He holds a bachlor's degree in general engineering from Montana Tech of the University of Montana and has nine years of experience working on various building and facility projects throughout the Northwest.

Luis Lainez is the new general manager at Romano's Macaroni Grill. He has been with the company for nine years.

Tom Henderson of the Montana Department of Environmental Quality's Abandoned Mine Waste Section has published results of research he completed as part of his Ph.D. thesis at the University of British Columbia. The article, "Three-Dimensional Density-Dependent Flow and Multi-Component Reactive Transport Modeling of Chlorinated Solvent Oxidation by Potassium Permanganate," is published in Volume 106 (2009) of the Journal of Contaminant Hydrology.

Henderson developed a computer program to predict the movement of denser-than-water solutions that are pumped into aquifers to oxidize volatile organic compounds, and simulate changes in aquifer geochemistry resulting from the oxidation reactions. The research is important because chlorinated solvents contaminate shallow aquifers across the country and in many Montana communities.

Recognition

Tizer Meats of Helena recently won four awards in the Cured Meat Championships at the annual convention and trade show of the Montana Meat Processors Association. Tizer earned Champion honors in fresh sausage, summer sausage and commercial ham, and Reserve Champion in specialty bacon. Matt and Anita Elvbakken attended the convention for Tizer.

Changes

Brenda Ligocky, owner of Permanent Makeup by Brenda, has moved her business into Haute Headz at 2230 N. Sanders. She can be reached at 422-7274.

Briefcase guidelines

The IR welcomes reports of hirings, promotions, awards, recognition, learning opportunities and other news from local companies and nonprofits. We accept press releases and photos (digital images at 300 dpi or more are preferred, but we can also use regular photos; we don't guarantee return of these).

There is no charge for items appearing in the Business Briefcase. The deadline is Tuesday at noon for publication the following Sunday.

The best way to send information and photos is by e-mail to john.

harrington@helenair.com. We also accept information by fax (447-4052), snail mail (P.O. Box 4249 Helena, MT 59601-4249, attention John Harrington, or you can drop it off at our office at 317 Cruse Ave. Questions? Call John Harrington at 447-4080.