February 5, 2021 at 8:02 p.m.
Daniels elected chamber president
Business roundup
Daniels elected chamber president
Jay County Chamber of Commerce recently elected officers during a modified annual meeting.
Pat Daniels was elected president of the chamber board, with Scott Manwaring vice president and Kayla Darby secretary.
The chamber also honored members that celebrated milestone anniversaries in 2020. They are as follows:
•160 years — Asbury United Methodist Church
•100 years — Kiwanis Club and Portland Rotary Club
•80 years — Psi Iota Xi sorority
•70 years — Crossroads Financial Federal Credit Union
•50 years — Ja-Mar TV and Appliance and Coldren, Frantz and Sprunger
•40 years — Jay County Special Olympics, Kaup Pharmacy, Pak-a-Sak and Park National Bank
•25 years — Walmart
•20 years — All Circuit Electrical, C.B.B Professional Cleaning, First Bank of Berne, Gehres & Associates and Jay County Community Development
•15 years — Brigade Electronics, Bricker Auction, Dynamic Business Solutions and NU Beginning–Simply Feet
•10 years — Bickel’s Equipment Rental, Central Gases & Supply, community Fiber Solutions, Edward Jones financial advisor Scott Benter, Fort Recovery Industries, MyFarms, Rose Morgan
Hospital awarded
The IU Health Foundation has made several grant awards that will impact IU Health Jay.
The grants included $30,000 for IU Health Jay, IU Health Blackford and IU Health Ball Memorial for programs that help vulnerable patients complete cardiac rehabilitation sessions at home. Those hospitals were also awarded $7,145 for signs to be installed on existing walking paths to help promote wellness by connecting with personal goals related to fitness, distance and time, and $2,030 to increase the understanding of evidence-based practice and how it aligns with nurses’ daily work.
“Regional grants empower IU Health team members to improve the health of individuals, communities and our state,” said IU Health Foundation president Crystal Hinson Miller in a press release.
Bond seeking
BOND Capital, which includes Mary Meeker as a general partner, is reportedly seeking $1.5 billion in its second round of fundraising.
The Wall Street Journal reported the goal this week, citing “people familiar with the situation.”
The San Francisco-based firm’s fundraising goal for the second round is a quarter of a billion dollars higher than its initial-round total of $1.25 billion that closed in 2019.
Meeker is a Portland native and graduate of Jay County High School.
Tyson launching
Tyson Foods announced Thursday that it is launching in-plant career development program Upward Pathways, including at its Portland facility.
The program is designed to provide employees with job skills training and workforce certifications at no cost. Training is already available to employees at the company’s Council Bluffs, Iowa, facility and will be implemented others in 2021.
Portland’s Tyson plant will be working with Muncie Community Schools on the training program.
“Our team members are the most important part of our business, and we view it as our responsibility to provide opportunities to grow and thrive in their careers,” said chief sustainability officer John R. Tyson in a press release. “We’re excited to launch Upward Pathways as the next step from Upward Academy …”
New assistant
Swiss Village on Thursday announced that it has named Amanda “Mandy” Hunley as its assistant director of nursing.
Hunley previously served as Swiss Village’s infection preventionist. She is a graduate of South Adams High School and IPFW and joined Swiss Village as a certified nursing assistant in 1998.
“I have always enjoyed working with Mandy, and I am very excited to start working more closely with her in her new position,” said Swiss Village director of nursing Kristy Urick in a press release. “Mandy is proficient, organized, and very hardworking. She is knowledgeable of healthcare policies and procedures. She is already familiar with Swiss Village residents and staff. I just know that Mandy will excel in this new position.”
New director
Indiana Michigan Power on Monday announced the hiring of Marci Grossman as its new director of communications.
Grossman, a native of the Chicago area, previously worked for Florida Power and Light (parent company of NextEra Energy), Green Mountain Energy Company, Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas, Ameritech and Dell Technologies. She is a graduate of the University of Texas.
“Marci brings with her exceptional communication and marketing skills to enhance our efforts through analytics and customer-focused technologies,” said I&M president and chief operating officer Toby Thomas in a press release. “Her proven skills and extensive experience in a variety of roles in the communications and marketing sector will be critical to our long-term strategic vision …”
Grant received
Adams Memorial Hospital in Decatur was announced this week as a recipient of grant funding through Indiana Breast Cancer Awareness Trust.
The money will be used to provide free mammograms to low-income women or under insured women in the area. Those interested can call the hospital at (260) 724-2145 to determine if they qualify.
BSU creates
A digital platform developed at Ball State University can add 3D aspects to virtual meetings.
Meet3D allows users to choose avatars and interact with a shared digital environment. It was developed by John Fillwalk, director of the Institute for Digital Intermedia Arts at Ball State.
“I think people are getting Zoom fatigue,” Fillwalk said in a press release. “Meet3D makes online meetings fun. It gamifies it a bit. The platform provides rich learning environments with a sense of play and collaboration.”
Ardagh partners
Ardagh Group, which operates glass manufacturing plants in Dunkirk and Winchester, announced Tuesday that it has renewed its contract with Waterloo Container as its preferred wine bottle distributor for wineries in Canada and the eastern half of the United States.
The companies have been in business together for 30 years. The partnership includes bottles in a variety of colors, sizes, styles and finishes.
“Waterloo Container has been a significant part of our wine strategy since 1990, and we are excited to evolve our long-time partnership,” said Ardagh chief commercial officer John T Shaddox in a press release. “We enjoy collaborating with Waterloo Container to offer high-quality, sustainable glass packaging to wineries in the Eastern region of the U.S. and Canada.”
NextEra is No. 1
NextEra Energy is ranked No. 1 in its industry on Fortune’s 2021 list of the world’s most admired companies.
NextEra, which owns and operates Bluff Point Wind Energy Center in Jay and Randolph counties, was ranked No. 1 in the electric and gas utilities industry for the 14th time in the last 15 years. It was 221st overall. (Apple topped the list, with Amazon second and Microsoft third.)
"We are extremely honored to receive once again Fortune's prestigious recognition as a leader within our industry," said NextEra chairman and CEO Jim Robo. "Every day, our diverse team empowered by an inclusive culture embraces the opportunity to challenge old ways of doing things and generate innovative solutions to our energy challenges.”
Walmart announces
Walmart on Monday announced its first round of grants from its $100 million pledge to help address racial disparities in the United States.
The company selected 16 non-profit organizations to donate a total of $14.3 million. Organizations receiving funding included the Amercian Heart Association’s Bernard J. Tyson Impact Fund ($5 million), U.S. Vaccine Adoption Grants ($2.75 million), Local Initiatives Support Corporation ($2 million) and Echoing Green ($1.5 million).
“Walmart has made a commitment to advancing racial equity, finding areas where we, as a company, can best contribute our resources and expertise to change society’s systems that perpetuate racism and discrimination,” said Walmart.org Center for Racial Equity senior director Kirstie Sims in a press release.
Dollar to deliver
Instacart announced this week that it will begin making same-day deliveries for Family Dollar stores, CNBC reported.
The company plans to deliver online purchases from more than 6,000 Family Dollar stores in a little as an hour.
“Whether stocking up the fridge or pantry, enhancing a home office or virtual school space, or buying everyday at-home essentials, we know value and affordability are top of mind for people across the country,” said Instacart vice president of retail Chris Rogers.
O’Reilly fined
An O’Reilly Auto Parts store in New Mexico is in trouble for the second time as the state fined it $243,000 for COVID-19 violations.
According to New Mexico Environment Department spokesperson Maddy Hayden, the store in Lovington allowed employees with COVID-19 symptoms to continue to work, ABC-7 News of Amarillo, Texas, reported. That is a violation of state law and public health orders.
“We found out about these positive cases through our sister agency the Department of Health,” said Hayden. “And we from thereafter kind of looking into it a little more were able to determine that there may have been violations.”
To announce
Advance Auto Parts said this week that it will release its fourth quarter and full year 2020 earnings reports Feb. 16.
The reports will be released via a webcast at advanceautoparts.com at 8 a.m.
The company also plans to publish an updated investor presentation and host a virtual strategy update for analysts and investors April 20.
Pat Daniels was elected president of the chamber board, with Scott Manwaring vice president and Kayla Darby secretary.
The chamber also honored members that celebrated milestone anniversaries in 2020. They are as follows:
•160 years — Asbury United Methodist Church
•100 years — Kiwanis Club and Portland Rotary Club
•80 years — Psi Iota Xi sorority
•70 years — Crossroads Financial Federal Credit Union
•50 years — Ja-Mar TV and Appliance and Coldren, Frantz and Sprunger
•40 years — Jay County Special Olympics, Kaup Pharmacy, Pak-a-Sak and Park National Bank
•25 years — Walmart
•20 years — All Circuit Electrical, C.B.B Professional Cleaning, First Bank of Berne, Gehres & Associates and Jay County Community Development
•15 years — Brigade Electronics, Bricker Auction, Dynamic Business Solutions and NU Beginning–Simply Feet
•10 years — Bickel’s Equipment Rental, Central Gases & Supply, community Fiber Solutions, Edward Jones financial advisor Scott Benter, Fort Recovery Industries, MyFarms, Rose Morgan
Hospital awarded
The IU Health Foundation has made several grant awards that will impact IU Health Jay.
The grants included $30,000 for IU Health Jay, IU Health Blackford and IU Health Ball Memorial for programs that help vulnerable patients complete cardiac rehabilitation sessions at home. Those hospitals were also awarded $7,145 for signs to be installed on existing walking paths to help promote wellness by connecting with personal goals related to fitness, distance and time, and $2,030 to increase the understanding of evidence-based practice and how it aligns with nurses’ daily work.
“Regional grants empower IU Health team members to improve the health of individuals, communities and our state,” said IU Health Foundation president Crystal Hinson Miller in a press release.
Bond seeking
BOND Capital, which includes Mary Meeker as a general partner, is reportedly seeking $1.5 billion in its second round of fundraising.
The Wall Street Journal reported the goal this week, citing “people familiar with the situation.”
The San Francisco-based firm’s fundraising goal for the second round is a quarter of a billion dollars higher than its initial-round total of $1.25 billion that closed in 2019.
Meeker is a Portland native and graduate of Jay County High School.
Tyson launching
Tyson Foods announced Thursday that it is launching in-plant career development program Upward Pathways, including at its Portland facility.
The program is designed to provide employees with job skills training and workforce certifications at no cost. Training is already available to employees at the company’s Council Bluffs, Iowa, facility and will be implemented others in 2021.
Portland’s Tyson plant will be working with Muncie Community Schools on the training program.
“Our team members are the most important part of our business, and we view it as our responsibility to provide opportunities to grow and thrive in their careers,” said chief sustainability officer John R. Tyson in a press release. “We’re excited to launch Upward Pathways as the next step from Upward Academy …”
New assistant
Swiss Village on Thursday announced that it has named Amanda “Mandy” Hunley as its assistant director of nursing.
Hunley previously served as Swiss Village’s infection preventionist. She is a graduate of South Adams High School and IPFW and joined Swiss Village as a certified nursing assistant in 1998.
“I have always enjoyed working with Mandy, and I am very excited to start working more closely with her in her new position,” said Swiss Village director of nursing Kristy Urick in a press release. “Mandy is proficient, organized, and very hardworking. She is knowledgeable of healthcare policies and procedures. She is already familiar with Swiss Village residents and staff. I just know that Mandy will excel in this new position.”
New director
Indiana Michigan Power on Monday announced the hiring of Marci Grossman as its new director of communications.
Grossman, a native of the Chicago area, previously worked for Florida Power and Light (parent company of NextEra Energy), Green Mountain Energy Company, Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas, Ameritech and Dell Technologies. She is a graduate of the University of Texas.
“Marci brings with her exceptional communication and marketing skills to enhance our efforts through analytics and customer-focused technologies,” said I&M president and chief operating officer Toby Thomas in a press release. “Her proven skills and extensive experience in a variety of roles in the communications and marketing sector will be critical to our long-term strategic vision …”
Grant received
Adams Memorial Hospital in Decatur was announced this week as a recipient of grant funding through Indiana Breast Cancer Awareness Trust.
The money will be used to provide free mammograms to low-income women or under insured women in the area. Those interested can call the hospital at (260) 724-2145 to determine if they qualify.
BSU creates
A digital platform developed at Ball State University can add 3D aspects to virtual meetings.
Meet3D allows users to choose avatars and interact with a shared digital environment. It was developed by John Fillwalk, director of the Institute for Digital Intermedia Arts at Ball State.
“I think people are getting Zoom fatigue,” Fillwalk said in a press release. “Meet3D makes online meetings fun. It gamifies it a bit. The platform provides rich learning environments with a sense of play and collaboration.”
Ardagh partners
Ardagh Group, which operates glass manufacturing plants in Dunkirk and Winchester, announced Tuesday that it has renewed its contract with Waterloo Container as its preferred wine bottle distributor for wineries in Canada and the eastern half of the United States.
The companies have been in business together for 30 years. The partnership includes bottles in a variety of colors, sizes, styles and finishes.
“Waterloo Container has been a significant part of our wine strategy since 1990, and we are excited to evolve our long-time partnership,” said Ardagh chief commercial officer John T Shaddox in a press release. “We enjoy collaborating with Waterloo Container to offer high-quality, sustainable glass packaging to wineries in the Eastern region of the U.S. and Canada.”
NextEra is No. 1
NextEra Energy is ranked No. 1 in its industry on Fortune’s 2021 list of the world’s most admired companies.
NextEra, which owns and operates Bluff Point Wind Energy Center in Jay and Randolph counties, was ranked No. 1 in the electric and gas utilities industry for the 14th time in the last 15 years. It was 221st overall. (Apple topped the list, with Amazon second and Microsoft third.)
"We are extremely honored to receive once again Fortune's prestigious recognition as a leader within our industry," said NextEra chairman and CEO Jim Robo. "Every day, our diverse team empowered by an inclusive culture embraces the opportunity to challenge old ways of doing things and generate innovative solutions to our energy challenges.”
Walmart announces
Walmart on Monday announced its first round of grants from its $100 million pledge to help address racial disparities in the United States.
The company selected 16 non-profit organizations to donate a total of $14.3 million. Organizations receiving funding included the Amercian Heart Association’s Bernard J. Tyson Impact Fund ($5 million), U.S. Vaccine Adoption Grants ($2.75 million), Local Initiatives Support Corporation ($2 million) and Echoing Green ($1.5 million).
“Walmart has made a commitment to advancing racial equity, finding areas where we, as a company, can best contribute our resources and expertise to change society’s systems that perpetuate racism and discrimination,” said Walmart.org Center for Racial Equity senior director Kirstie Sims in a press release.
Dollar to deliver
Instacart announced this week that it will begin making same-day deliveries for Family Dollar stores, CNBC reported.
The company plans to deliver online purchases from more than 6,000 Family Dollar stores in a little as an hour.
“Whether stocking up the fridge or pantry, enhancing a home office or virtual school space, or buying everyday at-home essentials, we know value and affordability are top of mind for people across the country,” said Instacart vice president of retail Chris Rogers.
O’Reilly fined
An O’Reilly Auto Parts store in New Mexico is in trouble for the second time as the state fined it $243,000 for COVID-19 violations.
According to New Mexico Environment Department spokesperson Maddy Hayden, the store in Lovington allowed employees with COVID-19 symptoms to continue to work, ABC-7 News of Amarillo, Texas, reported. That is a violation of state law and public health orders.
“We found out about these positive cases through our sister agency the Department of Health,” said Hayden. “And we from thereafter kind of looking into it a little more were able to determine that there may have been violations.”
To announce
Advance Auto Parts said this week that it will release its fourth quarter and full year 2020 earnings reports Feb. 16.
The reports will be released via a webcast at advanceautoparts.com at 8 a.m.
The company also plans to publish an updated investor presentation and host a virtual strategy update for analysts and investors April 20.
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