Rinehart earns recognition

NEWARK, Ohio — The Longaberger Company has recognized independent Longaberger national sales leader Jean Rinehart of Burlington with The Spirit of Longaberger Award.

The award recognizes individuals who work to make a difference in the lives of others.  

Rinehart was honored for being a leader in her business, a role model in her community and for helping people discover and reach their potential.

Rinehart, who was also recognized for being among the top 10 in sales for the year, received her award at The Bee, Longaberger’s annual sales convention. She was also honored with the Leadership Distinction Award. This award honors national sales leaders who excel in the three leadership attributes of sales, sponsoring and leadership development. Rinehart has been selling Longaberger for 28 years.

Funding available to farmers for projects

The Indiana State Department of Agriculture encourages Hoosier farmers or groups of farmers interested in sustainable agriculture research, demonstration and education projects to apply for the 2009 Farmers Rancher Grant, sponsored by the North Central Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program through funds from the US Department of Agriculture.

This competitive grants program is exclusively for farmers and ranchers to carry out sustainable agriculture on their farms. The proposals’ deadline is 4:30 p.m. (CDT) Dec. 3. Approximately $400,000 is available for this program. Grant recipients have 24 months to complete their projects.

For more information or an application, contact Amy Eizinger-Ott, Grants Coordinator at aeizinger-ott@isda.in.gov.

Seminar offered to business owners

The Hoosier Heartland Small Business Development Center is offering the seminar, How To Start Your Business from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 21 at Inventrek Technology Park, 700 E. Firmin St., Kokomo.

There is no charge for this seminar. An advisor will answer questions about licensing, permits, record keeping, marketing, planning and more.

Registration is required. To register, call (866) 961-7232, x559, or e-mail rsampson@isbdc.org at least 24 hours prior to seminar.

Frain passes state boards for license

Jon Frain passed his state board examination and received an Indiana funeral directors license from the Indiana State Board of Funeral and Cemetery Service on Sept. 18.

He was eligible for his state boards after completing a 12-month internship at Frain Mortuary.

Jon is the fourth member and third generation of the Frain family to become a funeral director. His grandfather Max Frain, father Dan Frain and uncle Sam Frain are licensed funeral directors.

Jon will continue working at Frain Mortuary (Winamac, Francesville and Medaryville) where he has been employed since 2006. Jon is a 2003 graduate of Worsham College Mortuary Science.

He is the son of Dan and Jacki Frain of Winamac.

Wessendorf increases time with ASK

Alicia Hillis Wessendorf, regional parent liaison with ASK for Cluster E, serving Cass, Fulton, Grant, Howard, Kosciusko, Marshall, Miami, Pulaski, Starke, and Wabash counties, is increasing her hours with ASK to serve on the MCO project.

She will be working from her home in Howard County, but will be serving the entire state for the MDwise project. She will divide her time between the First Steps Family to Family project and the MDwise project.

Alicia comes to ASK with a broad range of experience. She holds a bachelors in psychology from Indiana University and was previously a service coordinator for First Steps, a group therapist serving children in Wayne County and a NICU family support specialist.

LMH leaders named to IHA Boards

Several Executive Leaders from Logansport Memorial Hospital have been named to Indiana Hospital Association Councils. Their places on these councils helps support legislative action and other programs that will impact the needs of patients in our local community in positive ways.

CEO Brian Shockney, a member of the IHA Board of Directors, has also been named to the Government Relations Council. This council makes recommendations to the association on government relations policy and sets legislative priorities.

COO Alan Biggs was named to the Finance Council. This council monitors programs and payment systems of payers and advises the Association on payment methodologies.

Beth Jump was named to the Information Management Council. This council advises the association on information needs and provides counsel on data collection and distribution.

Jeanette Huntoon, was named to Quality and Patient Safety. This council advises the board, Indiana Patient Safety Center and staff on quality improvement and patient safety.

Lynda Murphy was named to Workforce Development. This council advises the association on human resource management and develops principle and policy recommendations.