LIFT meeting set for Tuesday

The next meeting of LIFT Jay is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. Nov. 28 at John Jay Center for Learning.

LIFT (Leaders Inspiring Females Together) was formed this year in an effort to connect professional women in the community. Bonnie Maitlen will be the speaker and discuss assertive communication.

The event is $18 for Jay County Chamber of Commerce members and $23 for non-members. For more information or to register, email [email protected] or (260) 726-4481.

Tips offered

Indiana Michigan Power last week offered tips in conjunction with Utilities United Against Scams on Utility Scam Awareness Day.

The four most common types of scams, I&M said in a press release, involve:

•Agreeing to mail checks if customers confirm personal information.

•Threatening to disconnect service.

•Asking for immediate payment through a mobile app, pre-paid debit card or gift card.

•Telling customers they need to pay for a new meter before it is installed.

“With the holidays approaching, this is a high-risk time for many of our customers to be targeted by scammers,” said Katie Davis, vice president of External Affairs and Customer  “We want to remind customers to be alert and how to recognize scams to avoid falling victim to fraud.”

Since the start of 2023, I&M has received more than 150 reports of scam attempts on its customers.

Those who are targets of such scams should notify their local police and call I&M at (800) 311-4634.

VP named

Ryan Grimsland has been named executive vice president and chief financial officer for Advance Auto Parts.

Grimsland will replace Tony Iskander, who has served as interim chief financial officer since August in addition to his role as senior vice president, finance and treasurer. Previously working in financial leadership roles for Lowe’s, Grimsland will step into his new position Monday.

“I am excited to welcome Ryan to the Advance family and look forward to partnering with him as we begin a new chapter in the company’s 90-year history,” said Shane O’Kelly, president and CEO, in a press release. “Following a robust search, we are confident that Ryan’s deep finance, retail, strategy development and transformation experience will be invaluable as we execute on our comprehensive business review and work to realize Advance’s full potential.”

Ready to expand

Samvardhana Motherson International has announced plans to open 10 new facilities in Indiana.

The company is the parent of MSSL Wiring of Portland.

The Sunday Guardian reported that Samvardhana Motherson International has seen its automotive booked business grow to more than $77 billion, up from $69.1 billion in March.

“The integration of acquired entities is at its initial phase,” said Vivek Chaand Sehgal, the company’s chairman.

Plans halted

Invenergy’s plans to build a natural gas power plant in western Pennsylvania has been called off.

The company, which is planning Skycrest Solar in northwest Jay County, gave up its installation permit last week and withdrew its application to connect to the regional power grid, the Pittsburgh Post Gazette reported. In a statement, it cited “current market conditions” as its reason to pull out of the project

The effort to construct the natural gas power plant in Allegheny County had faced opposition from environmental groups that fought zoning variance requests and air permit applications.

Grant awarded

A $5 million grant from the National Institute of Health’s Helping to End Addiction Long-Term Initiative is helping Indiana University School of Medicine work toward improving accessibility and quality of care for adolescents struggling with substance abuse.

The grant is funding the project “Workforce and System Change to Treat Adolescent Opioid Use Disorder within Integrated Pediatric Primary Care,” a partnership of the school’s departments of psychiatry and pediatrics. The goal of the effort is to make “pediatric integrated behavioral care more accessible to children and adolescents.”

“Addressing the growing risk of overdose deaths among adolescents has become a critical concern, and Indiana unfortunately has one of the ten highest rates of adolescent overdose deaths in the United States,” said IU associate professor Dr. Zachary Adams in a press release. “The HEAL Initiative represents a significant federal investment to tackle the opioid crisis, enhance health care outcomes and combat the increasing overdose deaths among adolescents.

Partnering on footwear

McDonald’s and Crocs are partnering to offer branded footwear.

The collaboration features shoes, socks and “Jibbitz” (charms) featuring McDonald’s characters Grimace, Birdie and the Hamburglar, as well as popular menu items.

CFO selected

Subway announced last week that it has appointed Jeff Shepherd as its new chief financial officer.

Shepherd most recently worked as executive vice president and chief financial officer for Advance Auto Parts. He previously worked for General Motors Eurhop and Ernst & Young.

“Jeff has a well-earned reputation for driving strong financial results for global brands, bringing nearly 30 years of financial and accounting experience to our organization,” said Subway CEO John Chidsey in a press release. “As we welcome Jeff to Subway, we also thank Ben for his significant contributions. Since joining the company in December 2019, Ben has been a key driver of our brand’s global financial stability and strategic growth, contributing to 11 consecutive quarters of positive sales results.”

••••••••••

Does your business have news to share? Email us at [email protected] to be included in our weekly business roundup.