CrossRoads receives 5 Star rating

BauerFinancial awarded Crossroads Financial Federal Credit Union a 5 Star Superior Rating.

The rating is the highest available from BauerFinancial, an independent firm, and is judged based on financial strength, stability and performance in areas including capital adequacy, profitability, loan quality and liquidity. Those achieving a 5 Star rating are considered “superior” and are recommended by Bauer.

CrossRoads is based in Portland and also has offices in Dunkirk and Winchester.

New VPs named

Farm Progress recently named Matt Coniglio as its vice president of sales and Beth Wagner as its vice president of business development.

Coniglio previously served as senior director of strategic accounts for Farm Progress. He has served as president of the National Agri-Marketing Association.

Wagner most recently was vice president of digital business development for Informa Markets, parent company of Farm Progress. She is active in American Agri-Women and the National Agri-Marketing Association.

Farm Progress is an agriculture information business offering live events, digital products and other services.

Shakes return

Shamrock Shakes returned to McDonald’s menus across Indiana on Monday.

The shakes will be available for about six weeks, with 25 cents from each sale to be donated to Ronald McDonald House Charities. Last year, customers in Indiana helped raise more than $126,000 for the organization.

Partnership extended

Comcast has extended its partnership with NASCAR as the title sponsor of the Xfinity Series.

The entities have collaborated on the series since 2014. The partnership will add the “Xfinity Fastest Lap” for 2025 in which the driver and owner with the fastest lap in each race will be awarded one point.

“We’re not just entering year 11 of our partnership. We’re embarking on year one of a renewed relationship with NASCAR filled with fresh energy and exciting opportunities to enhance the competition on the track in a way that has never been done before, and continue to connect with fans in new and engaging ways,” said Comcast vice president of brand partnership and engagement Matt Lederer in a press release.

Program announced

CVS Pharmacy is partnering with Duquesne University to encourage individuals to pursue pharmacy degrees.

The Tuition Advantage program will offer CVS Pharmacy employees the opportunity to pursue a doctor of pharmacy degree through the Pittsburgh university online at a reduced cost. Those who go through the program and start their careers with CVS can receive a scholarship to cover 50% of their tuition.

“To continue to meet patients’ needs in the communities we serve, it’s crucial that we support students who are interested in community pharmacy as a career,” said Len Shankman, CVS executive vice president, in a press release. “We believe that innovative tuition-support programs, such as the Tuition Advantage Program we’ve created with Duquesne University, will support students on their path to pharmacy and help ensure patients continue to have convenient and local access to pharmacy care.” 

Drop off food

Menards stores are serving as drop-off sites for food banks from now until the end of March.

Participating stores include those in Muncie, Anderson and Richmond in Indiana as well as Celina, Ohio.

New VP named

Dollar General last week announced that Steve Deckard will be its new executive vices president of strategy and development. Tracey Herrmann has been promoted to executive vice president of store operations.

Deckard most recently oversaw Dollar General’s operations team. He has been with the company since 2006.

Herrmann previously served as senior vice president of store operations for Dollar General. She has also had leadership roles in merchandising, pricing and operations.

Offering exams

Meridian Health Services will offer free dental exams for children ages 1 through 14 at its Meridian Dental sites on Monday, Feb. 17.

The free exams will be offered from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. for the American Dental Association’s national “Give Kids a Smile” event. Participating locations include Portland, Muncie, Richmond and Marion.

Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are encouraged to avoid wait times. To make an appointment, call (866) 306-2647.

Courses offered

Indiana Chamber of Commerce is offering various safety training courses throughout the year.

The chamber is offering 10-hour and 30-hour Occupational Safety and Health Administration courses next week at the Indiana Chamber Conference Center in Indianapolis.

Forklift safety trainer training will be offered Feb. 4, with the 2025 Indiana Safety and Health Conference Expo to follow from Feb. 24 through 27 at Indiana Convention Center.

For more information about the training courses and details about other offerings, visit indianachamber.com.

Training offered

ServSafe training will be available at John Jay Center for Learning in Portland.

The next session is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 25.

Additional sessions are scheduled for March 25 and April 29.

The certification course is open to all food service employees and emphasizes safe food- and beverage-handling practices to minimize the risk of food-borne illnesses.

For more information, or to register, call (260) 729-5525.