Bloss & Dillard hires new Business Development Representative

Reid Sutton is joining the team at Bloss & Dillard Inc. as a business development representative, traveling in Virginia to meet with current and new agents.

“Reid is a great addition to our team and has the management and people skills that will benefit him in this position,” said Kerry Dillard, president of Bloss & Dillard.

Sutton earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science with a minor in Business Administration from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2017. His background also includes work as a soccer referee for Central Virginia Soccer Referee Association/Sports Center of Richmond where he also managed groups of associate referees.

Bloss & Dillard recently moved to a new location at 7374 Creighton Parkway, Suite 100, Mechanicsville, Virginia. The company offers a wide and diverse variety of specialty and traditional insurance products to independent agents in West Virginia, Ohio, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Maryland and Virginia.

Bloss and Dillard, Inc. was founded in 1954 and has grown into a successful insurance enterprise with thousands of clients throughout the Southeastern and Eastern United States. As a Certified Managing General Agent, the Company provides insurance products and services to Independent Agents in many traditional and non-traditional markets. More information can be garnered about the firm from www.bloss-dillard.com.

Jenkins Fenstermaker earns eleven U.S. News Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms” Tier 1 rankings

Eleven Jenkins Fenstermaker practice areas earned Tier 1 rankings in the 10th annual U.S. News & World Report – Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms” list.

Jenkins Fenstermaker was recognized in the following areas:

  • Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships)
  • Commercial Litigation
  • Commercial Transactions/UCC Law
  • Corporate Law
  • Employment Law – Management
  • Litigation – Construction
  • Litigation – ERISA
  • Litigation – Labor & Employment
  • Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions – Defendants
  • Real Estate Law
  • Workers’ Compensation Law – Employers

For the 2020 Edition of the “Best Law Firms” list, 14,931 law firms throughout the United States – and across 75 national practice areas – were reviewed. Of that number, only 2,106 firms received a national law firm ranking.

“We couldn’t be prouder to receive such recognition,” said __, president of Jenkins Fenstermaker. “Our attorneys work hard every single day to serve the region and it’s nice to be recognized for that work.”

Since it was first published in 1983, Best Lawyers® has become universally regarded as the definitive guide to legal excellence and is the oldest, most respected lawyer ranking service in the world. Firms included in the “Best Law Firms” publication are recognized for professional excellence with persistently impressive ratings from clients and peers. To be eligible for a ranking, a firm must have at least one lawyer included in the 25th Edition of The Best Lawyers in America list, which recognizes the top 5 percent of practicing attorneys in the country. Firms that received a tier designation reflect the highest level of respect a firm can earn among other leading lawyers and clients from the same communities and practice areas.

Jenkins Fenstermaker, PLLC, provides representation in West Virginia, Kentucky, and Ohio, backed by more than 90 years of legal experience. Clients can find attorneys dedicated to quality, detail-oriented representation in business and commercial law; wills, trusts and estates; litigation; and labor and employment law.

Operation Soldier Care with Fast Change collects $40,000 for deployed troops

Fast Change Lube and Oil Inc. presented $40,000 as part of Operation Soldier Care to Military Missions on Oct. 24 representing monetary and donated items collected in support and honor of the nation’s deployed military personnel.

“Operation Soldier Care helps show our support for the military by providing them with items they may not be able to easily get while deployed,” said Fast Change President Kevin Davis. “I am proud to partner with WEMM-FM for this effort and we’re thankful for the support of our community members, customers, employees, vendors who donated to help send care packages as an expression of appreciation and gratitude.”

This year’s donations to Operation Soldier Care exceeded last year’s effort by $10,000 with 100 percent of the money collected benefitting troops. In addition to monetary donations, approved personal care items were collected at all 20 Fast Change locations to help create care packages for the troops.

Each year since 2015, Fast Change has collected donations for Military Missions from July through September as part of Operation Soldier Care and the program continues to grow.

“We want to make sure they know they have support from back home,” Davis said. “As an ongoing token of our gratitude and appreciation, Fast Change honors active military personnel and veterans with discounted services at all 20 Fast Change Lube and Oil locations.”

Military Missions is a non-profit charitable organization founded in 2005 in Lexington, Kentucky, by Beth Pennington, the mother of a Marine, and seeks to involve the community in activities and events that will give civilians an opportunity to express their gratitude for the sacrificial service of those who have worn the uniform.

Established in 1994, Fast Change Oil and Lube has grown throughout Kentucky, West Virginia, Tennessee, and Virginia while striving to be the best place anywhere our customers can go for an oil change or other preventative maintenance service. With more than 20 locations and growing, Fast Change promises to treat customers with professionalism and respect, to operate with integrity and dependability, and to deliver excellence at a fair price.

Training Program for Women Completes 7th Class

The Step Up for Women Advanced Manufacturing Program has just completed its seventh successful cohort. The vocational training program has run two classes per year since its first in the summer of 2016. Dozens of women have gone through the training and found employment in local manufacturing companies.

Melinda Perron, Program Coordinator for Step Up, is pleased with how well the graduates have done. “It was nerve-wracking to run the first class back in 2016. No one knew how the class would go – this was the very first manufacturing pre-apprenticeship for women in the county. Thankfully, almost all of my students have found jobs and moved up in their careers. I’m getting to see these women go from depending on government benefits to buying their own homes.”

The class, which runs out of the Robert C. Byrd Institute on 4th Avenue in Huntington, cycles students through manual and CNC machining, shop math, manufacturing blueprint reading, and employment soft skills. The women in the program are not charged any tuition – grants and scholarships pay for the classes. There are no income limits or residency requirements either. Students often travel from Kentucky or Ohio.

Graduate income averages over $12 per hour starting wage with regular increases. Some local companies pay as much as $17 per hour for new hires. Jobs are 40 or more hours per week usually with benefits like medical and retirement. Women from 18 to 60 have been successful in the program, and Perron encourages women of color, veterans, and other minority groups to apply.

Step Up is a program of West Virginia non-profit focused on helping women become financially secure. Anyone interested in the class can apply at wvwomenwork.org/stepupamp or call 304-528-9991 for an application.

Austin’s Pet Supplies plans ribbon cutting, giveway

To celebrate a successful first six months in business, Austin’s Pet Supplies is planning a ribbon cutting with the Huntington Regional Chamber of Commerce at 11 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 27, along with giving away free chances to win a basket of customers’ favorite products and items valued at $250.

Austin’s Pet Supplies opened its doors on April 6 in downtown Ceredo with a mission to supply healthy, high-quality pet foods and treats close to home. Their following has grown to include customers from throughout the Tri-State area and their products have changed according to customers’ wants and needs.

“We couldn’t have done this without support from our customers,” said Brandon Austin, co-owner of Austin’s Pet Supplies. “We hope they will come and help us celebrate the past six months.”

Austin’s Pet Supplies recently extended business hours to accommodate customers’ needs. Their hours are Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and the store will be closed on Sundays. The store also offers free local delivery, grooming services, and self-bathing facilities complete with shampoo, towels and dryers.

Austin’s Pet Supplies is a pet supply store based in Ceredo, West Virginia, that offers high-quality pet foods, treats, toys and accessories. Products, specials, and information can be found at http://www.austinspetsupplies.com and follow them on Facebook at @austinspetsupplies. Austin’s Pet Supplies – Your Partners in Pethood!

ATI Training Home Inspection Institute is Offering Local Training Courses

September 7th-15th, 2019, West Virginia –The All American Training Institute (ATI Training) is excited to announce a Home Inspection Training Course in West Virginia.

“Our team is excited to bring this extensive Home Inspector Training Course to West Virginia. The average salary for a home inspector in the state of West Virginia is $43,710 per year. Those who enroll in our course will be set for a stable and rewarding career!” says Amy Newcomer, ATI Training Co-Founder

About the All American Training Institute

ATI Training was created to offer students a one-stop-shop to jump-start their career as a home inspector. The goal was to create a training program that offered superior training and a support network. ATI Training has done just that for many students over the years and is the nationwide leader in home inspector training. Training is offered in all 50 states and includes both classroom and in-field training. This course work leaves new home inspectors feeling qualified, not just certified.

Huntington Y receives Gatorade Play It Forward grant

The Huntington Y was recently awarded a $1,000 grant from the 2018-2019 Gatorade West Virginia Girls Soccer Player of the Year, and St. Joseph High School graduate, McKenzie Moran. Gatorade Play It Forward empowers Gatorade Player of the Year recipients across the country to award local or national sports organizations with grants so they can continue helping young athletes enjoy the benefits.

“We are honored McKenzie chose the Huntington YMCA for this grant,” said Brian Byrd, executive operations officer of the Huntington Y. “This grant will help our mission of strengthening our community and its families and creating a positive environment for our kids to grow and learn.”

The Gatorade Player of the Year is an athletic award program that annually recognizes student-athletes for outstanding athletic excellence, high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character. In existence for more than 30 years, the prestigious award has honored several sports icons including Peyton Manning, Abby Wambach, Karl-Anthony Towns and Derek Jeter.

“The Gatorade Player of the Year award highlights student-athletes who set an example both on and off the field,” said Amanda Turak, assistant marketing manager for Gatorade Player of the Year. “The grant gives these athletes a chance to donate to organizations like the Huntington YMCA that positively impact the youth in their own communities.”

Sports have seen a double-digit decline over the past decade, largely due to tighter budgets in communities, but young people that participate in sports are found to be happier, healthier and better students. Through the Gatorade Play It Forward program, all 607 Gatorade Player of the Year award winners select a youth sports organization that will receive a $1,000 grant to help the next generation of athletes benefit from sports.

About the Y

The Y is one of the nation’s leading nonprofits strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Across the U.S., 2,700 Ys engage 21 million men, women and children – regardless of age, income or background – to nurture the potential of children and teens, improve the nation’s health and well-being, and provide opportunities to give back and support neighbors. Anchored in more than 10,000 communities, the Y has the long-standing relationships and physical presence not just to promise, but to deliver, lasting personal and social change.

Help deployed troops through Operation Soldier Care with Fast Change

Join Fast Change Lube and Oil in supporting and honoring deployed military personnel this summer by sending them care packages as an expression of appreciation and gratitude.

Operation Soldier Care 2019 begins July 1 with 100 percent of the money collected benefitting troops. With the support of the communities surrounding the Fast Change locations, more than $50,000 has been raised to date.

“Operation Soldier Care helps show our support for the military by providing them with items they may not be able to easily get while deployed,” said Fast Change President Kevin Davis. “We owe them our gratitude and respect and this program is our way of showing that.”

In addition to monetary donations, approved items can be dropped off at any Fast Change location. Find a location at http://fastchangeonline.com/locations/.

The following items have been approved for sending through this program which continues through September:

Gift Items

  • Puzzle books
  • Travel games
  • Hair bands/ties
  • Small Nerf balls
  • Hacky sacks
  • Playing cards
  • Bibles (pocket size) 

Drink Items

  • Coffee
  • Hot cocoa mix
  • Powdered drink mix for bottled water
  • Tea bags

Snack Items

  • Hard candy
  • Chex Mix
  • Chewing gum
  • Twizzlers
  • Cookies
  • Crackers
  • Trail mix
  • Beef jerky
  • Snack bars
  • Sunflower seeds
  • Slim Jim’s
  • Popcorn

Personal Care Items

  • Baby wipes (no tubs)
  • Nasal saline spray
  • Tissues (pocket size)
  • Lip balm
  • Eye drops
  • Foot powder
  • Socks
  • Vaseline
  • Boot insoles
  • Lens cleaning wipes
  • Q-Tips
  • Travel size: shampoo, lotion, and hand sanitizer (alcohol-free)

Established in 1994, Fast Change Oil and Lube has grown throughout Kentucky, West Virginia, Tennessee, and Virginia while striving to be the best place anywhere our customers can go for an oil change or other preventative maintenance services. With more than 20 locations and growing, Fast Change promises to treat customers with professionalism and respect, to operate with integrity and dependability, and to deliver excellence at a fair price.

YMCA statement regarding arrest of staff member

At the YMCA of Huntington, the safety and well-being of our members, participants, and staff is a top priority. We are troubled by the recent arrest of and charges facing one of our employees. Due to the charges against him, his employment has been suspended without pay. We are deeply saddened by the alleged actions, and our thoughts are with the alleged victims.

The alleged incidents took place away from our facility and in no way involved or put at-risk children in our care.

A full criminal background check and reference check was performed on this staff member at the time of his hire, and he did not have any previous arrests or areas of concern. However, in light of this incident, we are reviewing our hiring, monitoring and training policies to ensure that YMCA of Huntington is utilizing industry-best practices and that we continue to serve Huntington and the Tri-State area with distinction and pride, as we have for more than 134 years.

The YMCA of Huntington is fully supporting the Huntington Police Department during its investigation and will continue to do so. Because there is an ongoing investigation, all questions about the alleged incidents should be directed to the Huntington Police Department.

The YMCA of Huntington is a people-focused organization committed to enriching lives and strengthening communities. Our actions are guided by our core values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility. These values call us to treat our employees – and all people – with compassion, fairness, and dignity.

www.huntingtonymca.org

Austin’s Pet Supplies offers delivery, pickup services

The new pet supply store in Ceredo that brings you high-quality pet food, treats and toys is now offering free delivery and pet pickup for grooming services.

Customers can simply call the store at (304) 606-2959 to arrange for product delivery to their home (within a 10-mile radius) and for pickup of their pet for grooming. These services are ideal for pet owners who cannot get out due to illness or injury or do not have transportation to the store.

“We love our customers and want to continue to provide the services they are asking for and need,” said Brandon Austin who owns the store with his wife Tori.

Customers will find a variety of high-quality and budget-friendly pet foods, treats, toys and boutique items at Austin’s Pet Supplies along with knowledgeable owners who can help with the best selection for your pet.

Austin’s Pet Supplies is a pet supply store based in Ceredo, West Virginia, that offers high-quality pet foods, treats, toys and accessories. Products, specials, and information can be found at www.austinspetsupplies.com.