Area business happenings

Names and Faces

Stahly Engineering & Associates recently announced several additions to its Helena staff.

Jerry Grebenc will help the firm branch out into land use planning and GIS mapping. He brings experience in administering the Subdivision and Platting Act and planning and zoning statutes at the local level and helping the development community navigate planning and zoning regulations.

Kate Lamping brings many years of experience, including the formation of special improvement districts, GIS mapping and construction staking. She provides clients with detailed design and drafting of engineered products.

Tyler Emmert is a Helena native and graduate of Carroll College serving Stahly as an engineering intern, assisting with land development, water and wastewater projects, as well as client relations.

Tyler Fortune returns to the firm after spending several years out of state. He is a CADD technician who also assists in the surveying and design of transportation, water and wastewater projects along with site civil development.

Kathy Rue has been hired to manage the accounting department. She is a CPA with a B.A. in business administration from the University of Montana and provides the firm with expertise in all accounting functions as well as serving as benefits administrator.

Darcy Weidman has joined Payne Financial Group as a personal lines client account manager. She previously worked for Farm Bureau Financial Services and the American Diabetes Association, and is a member of the National Association of Insurance Women.

Paul and Bobbi Foran, owners of Crown Trophy of Helena, recently completed a training course in sublimation, the process of digital printing art, photos and text onto various products, at Promotion-Central's training facility in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. The course included 26 hours of hands-on as well as technical training.

Rajeev Pillai has been named director of planning and performance measurement at New West Health Services. Pillai holds bachelor's (chemistry) and master's (information systems) degrees from the University of South Florida and brings 12 years of experience with an emphasis in healthcare systems planning, analysis and support. He was most recently principal analyst/team leader at Bronson Healthcare Group and IBA Health Plans in Kalamazoo, Mich. He has also streamlined and integrated systems for physician practices and small and large healthcare organizations.

Marc G. Buyske has joined the law firm of Doney, Crowley, Bloomquist, Payne, Uda, where his practice includes civil and administrative litigation, water and natural resource law, tax and estate issues and mediation. He graduated from the University of Montana School of Law and earned his master of law degree in taxation from the University of Denver Law School. He previously practiced at law firms in Libby and Shelby, and was a District Court Judge in Montana's Ninth Judicial District from 1994 to 2006.

Student Assistance Foundation recently announced several new staff members in its Client Assistance Recovery Education (CARE) department.

Teresa Blackburn is a loan education counselor in the CARE department. She previously worked at Aware, Inc., St. Peter's Hospital and Qwest Communications.

Brenda Brown previously worked for the State of Montana, at the Department of Revenue and the Office of Public Instruction.

Daniell Redden comes to SAF following five years at Surety Title.

Carie Wayland was employed for nearly nine years at a local credit union prior to joining SAF.

Nick Mazanec, a 2004 Carroll College graduate, returns to Helena after a stint in Cambridge, Mass.

Brittni Fisher previously worked in the field of hospital billing.

Christine Wike, a physical therapist at Nash Spine & Joint Rehabilitation, has completed Mechanical Diagnosis & Treatment of hte Lumbar Spine from the McKenzie Institute of New Zealand.

Staci Ferlicka of Haute Headz Hair & Nail Design recently attended the Redken Symposium in Las Vegas that included training in cutting, coloring, men's styling and business.

Recognition

A pair of Helena firms were recently honored with awards from the Montana Contractors Association.

Helena Sand and Gravel was presented the Environmental Excellence Award/Best Habitat Restoration/Development for its work on the streamside tailings, reaches F-H in Butte. The award recognizes the firm for leadership, innovation and a comprehensive environmental ethic in effectively managing natural resources.

Helena Sand and Gravel also received an Excellence Award for the Best Paving Smoothness/Volumetric Density project for the firm's work on the Lincoln Airport improvements. Criteria for the award included meeting the project timeframe, scope of work, difficulty and uniqueness of the project, safety and aesthetically pleasing and environmental aspects of the project.

Dick Anderson Construction of Helena was presented an Award of Excellence for Best Commercial Project for the Heritage Propane Building on the city's north side. Submissions for this award were judged on how well the team -- contractor, subcontractors, owner and design professionals -- worked together, as well as on several other criteria, including design, craftsmanship, innovation in construction techniques and materials and customer satisfaction.

Changes

Larry Petty of New York Life recently moved his office. A recent item may have incorrectly implied that Petty now practices in the St. John's Hospital Building. In fact, Petty moved his practice to 4125 Red Fox Drive. Petty can be reached at 442-5345.

Albers Construction, a family firm with 30 years of experience, recently moved to the Helena area. The company has experience with all areas of construction, including disabled home modification, home maintenance and repairs. Albers Construction can be reached at 458-0078.

Cheryl and Earl Campbell, native Montanans, recently opened Sawdust and Threads, a new business featuring handmade craft items on Antelope Road across from the Silo's, seven miles north of Townsend. Some of the cozy shop's handmade gifts feature a hint of recycling, and the store also includes a Christmas corner year-round with unique trees, reindeer and lighted Christmas presents. Slow down at the twin silos until you see the three green barns.

Learning Ops

AZ and Company will host its monthly leadership teleconference on Thursday, Feb. 8 and again on Tuesday, Feb. 13. This month's topic is "Dealing with Underperforming Employees" and will offer tips on helping the underperforming employee become productive. For more information, call 442-1040.

Two workshops are scheduled this week at the Business Resource Center at CTI:

n An Intermediate Excel class on Tuesday, Feb. 6 from 8 a.m. to noon will feature a hands-on learning environment in which students will master advanced formulas and calculations, charts and graphs and how to link one spreadsheet to another and to Microsoft Word documents. Cost is $75.

n A workshop on Microsoft Outlook will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 7 from 9 a.m. to noon. Students will learn to use Outlook to create simple forms for messages, meetings, tasks and calendar events as well as how to set and change schedules, store addresses, mail merging and more. Cost is $55.

For more information or to register for either workshop, contact Connie Roope at 443-0800.