IT’S YOUR BIZ [Topeka Capital Journal (KS)]

Items for It's Your Business can be submitted online at http:// cjonline.com/business, by email to iyb@cjonline.com or by mail to The Topeka Capital-Journal, 616 S.E. Jefferson, Topeka, 66607. Items and photographs will run in print as space permits.

RETIREMENTS

Dennis Petterson is retiring from Radiology and Nuclear Medicine in Topeka after 35 years. He will be the guest at a retirement party at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 19, at the administrative offices of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, 1303 S.W. First American Place. Petterson, whose career in radiology spanned five decades, became the group's 16th member in 1978. He served in numerous staff positions over the years, was the first medical director of the Washburn University School of Radiologic Technology and has been involved in numerous civic organizations.

Markeeta Walder, of Mayetta, retired from the position of senior administrative assistant on June 8 after 18 years with the Kansas Department of Revenue.

NEW FACES

Mary Shannon recently was named chief development officer for Kansas Big Brothers Big Sisters. Shannon, formerly president of Envision Foundation, has more than 15 years of nonprofit leadership experience. With Shannon on board, former CDO David Sherman has transitioned to the new position of senior vice president of grants and innovation.

Sherri Enright recently was hired as director of human resources and facilities for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas. Enright previously spent 12 years with BCBS of Kansas City, most recently as senior vice president for administrative services and chief human resources officer. She also served three years as general counsel for the American Chambers/Centennial Life Insurance Company and practiced law for 12 years prior to working in the health insurance industry.

Desiree Outersky has joined Creative Business Solutions in Topeka as a human resources advisor. Outersky, a graduate of Friends University, previously spent several years in the health care industry. She also has experience in retail and telecommunications.

David W. Taylor has joined AAA Allied Group in Topeka as its life and health specialist. Taylor, who has 35 years of experience in the financial services industry, will provide personal and business life and health, as well as retirement funding products and services. He is a lifelong Topekan and a 1975 graduate of Washburn University.

Tedi Clemmons Spice has joined the sales staff at Prudential First, Realtors in Topeka. Spice, who is new to the real estate industry, graduated from Washburn Rural High School and attended the University of Nebraska and Washburn Tech Nursing School.

NAMES

Steve Cadue, chair of the Kickapoo Tribe in Kansas, recently was appointed to be an at-large representative to the Tribal Advisory Committee under the authority of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services by HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius.

Michelle Cuevas-Stubblefield and Veronica Padilla, members of Topeka LULAC Council No. 11071, have been elected to represent LULAC, the League of United Latin American Citizens, as Kansas state director and treasurer, respectively. The local LULAC Council supports the Topeka LULAC Senior Center, which serves the needs of seniors, frail elderly and disabled persons in and around Topeka and Shawnee County.

RECOGNITION

Kristin Chooncharoen, Leland Spencer and , of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas, have received top honors for their performances during the first quarter of 2013. Chooncharoen was honored as the outstanding individual enrollment specialist, Spencer was honored as the outstanding small business account representative, and Rine was honored as the outstanding small business account representative.

Mike Pressgrove, of PDQ construction in Topeka, was named the National Association of Home Builders Remodelers Remodeler of the Month. Pressgrove is NAHB certified and has become a Certified Graduate Remodeler, a Certified Aging In Place Specialist and a Certified Green Professional.

The League of Women Voters of Topeka-Shawnee County was recognized for its state-leading membership growth of 25 percent in 2012 at the state convention this spring. Attendance at the League's Tuesday Topics presentations also grew by 50 percent last year.

MISC.

Friends of the Animals in Kansas, in Topeka, has received a grant of 15 jackets that use gentle pressure to calm pets and ease their anxiety. The ThunderShirt company has partnered with the Petfinder.com Foundation to donate ThunderShirts to animal adoption organizations across the country.

The North Central-Flint Hills Area Agency on Aging announced recently that it will offer security deposit assistance to low- income Kansans renting in Chase, Clay, Cloud, Dickinson, Ellsworth, Geary, Jewell, Lincoln, Marion, Mitchell, Morris, Ottawa, Pottawatomie, Republic, Riley, Saline and Wabaunsee counties. For more information, call the agency at (800) 432-2703 or visit its website at www.ncfhaaa.com/gethelp.html.

The Kansas Highway Patrol is accepting applications for new troopers through June 21. Members of the 53rd KHP recruit class will begin their careers in January 2014. Application information is available online at www.kansashighwaypatrol.org (click on Career Opportunities, Current Openings, Apply Online) or by calling the KHP at (785) 296-6800.