Nex-Tech has reorganized the coverage area for two account specialists promoting Nex-Tech's products and services. Kris Fair, a native of Syracuse, will manage customer and prospect relationships for the southwest Kansas territory while Hays native Mark St. Peter will maintain relationships for the counties of Ellis, Rush, Barton and Russell. Both employees will emphasize voice and data communication products.

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Judy Augustine has been selected December employee of the month at Stromgren Athletics. Augustine is a sewing machine operator and has been with the company since 1984.

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The Western Kansas Human Resource Management Association will meet 11:15 a.m. Jan. 20 at the former Hays Holiday Inn. Speakers will be Linda Groff and Matt Hoisington.  They will present information regarding the Kansas Workready Certificate and discuss strategies to assist employers in incorporating the assessment tool into their recruitment process. Other topics will include, antiquated workforce practices, overhauled job order and referral services and the Kansas Workready Certificate overview. RSVPs are requested to plashell@kansasworks.com by Jan. 19  if you are having lunch at the meeting. If you are interested in joining or just attending a meeting, contact Linda Miller at (785) 222-2873 or lmiller@flameengineering.com or Phyllis LaShell at (785) 577-4610 or plashell@kansasworks.com.

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Luray native Ryan Thacker, Hays, has joined the staff of Stock Realty & Auction Co. as a real estate salesman. He graduated from Lucas-Luray High School and from Fort Hays State University, earning a bachelor's degree in business communications. Thacker has had experience in fields ranging from manufacturing/construction to management/sales.

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United Way of Ellis County recently named Brian Spurgeon as treasurer for 2009. Spurgeon serves as the director of finance and operations for Nex-Tech Wireless. As a member of the board of directors and treasurer, Spurgeon's responsibilities will include corporate oversight including review of objectives and budget approval, public affairs activities, fundraising for the organization and acting as a link between the community, donors and funded agencies.

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Hays Medical Center MRI Services, located within Hays Imaging Center, has been awarded another  three-year term of accreditation in whole body MRI services as the result of a recent survey by the American College of Radiology.  Hays Medical Center scored 100 percent compliant with no deficiencies in all aspects of the survey criteria. HMC staff members responsible for the accreditation project include Christy Gillogly, MRI supervisor and technologist; technologists Tania Deets and Chad Heslet; and Dr. Michael Wright, supervising radiologist.

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Chandra Daffer, director of the Center for Student Involvement at Fort Hays State University, presented "They Bought In! Now What?" at the Association of Fraternity Advisors annual meeting recently in Denver. Her presentation discussed combining research on student development and learning theory into a framework for cultivating leadership skills. Daffer also recently was elected vice president of the Ellis County United Way board and president-elect for 2010.

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Area McDonald's recently announced December employee of the month awards. The recipients are: Shelby Swaney, North Hays; Paul Wharton, Russell; and Karissa Bethel, South Hays. Swaney has been with McDonald's of North Hays since Oct. 16. Wharton been with McDonald's of Russell since April 14. Bethel has been with McDonald's of South Hays since September 2007.

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