Business briefs [Daily Record, The (Wooster, OH)]

Orrville Utilities receive honor

ORRVILLE -- Orrville Utilities was among 176 of the nation's 2,000 public power utilities honored as a Reliable Public Power Provider. The city received the recognition from the American Public Power Association for providing consumers with the highest degree of reliable and safe electric service.

The award was presented April 16 during the association's annual Engineering & Operations Technical Conference held in Cleveland.

The RP3 designation recognizes public power utilities that demonstrate proficiency in four key disciplines: Reliability, safety, workforce development and system improvement.

Ransom joins HealthPoint staff

WOOSTER - Erin Bender Ransom, DPT, has joined the staff at HealthPoint at Wooster Community Hospital.

Ransom is a Wooster High School graduate who received a bachelor's degree in exercise science from Kent State University in 2007, and her doctorate in physical therapy from the University of Indianapolis in 2010.

For more information call 330-202-3300.

Buren Group honored for growth

ASHLAND -- The Buren Insurance Group has been recognized by Ohio Mutual Insurance Group as one of the company's top 10 agencies for Outstanding Profitable Growth in 2011. Jeff Buren and Holly Stevens received the recognition on behalf of the agency at a company event in Columbus.

As a top performing agency, which has represented Ohio Mutual longer than three years, the Buren Insurance Group exceled in achieving the most outstanding growth and profitablity in 2011, showcasing their dedication to growing their business in a profitable manner.

Former utilities director honored

ORRVILLE -- A former Orrville man was among five people named by the board and executive management of American Municipal Power to the AMP Wall of Fame. The honor is a tribute to individuals who have supported AMP and public power.

The late Robert Nichols was a long-time member of the then AMP- Ohio board and the OMEA board, serving as AMP-Ohio board president in 1978. Nichols also was the utility director for the city of Orrville, working for the public power community for nearly 20 years.

Recognized by his colleagues for his dedication to public power and strong industry knowledge, Nichols worked to protect Ohio's municipal electric systems and fight off attempts to undermine constitutional rights and customer base.

Nichols' actions are credited with helping the organization secure the purchase of the Richard H. Gorsuch Generating Station as a joint resource for AMP members.