Ritchie completes Career Agents Course



Andrew Ritchie, Farmers Insurance agent in Enid, has completed the Career Agents Course at the University of Farmers training facility in Grand Rapids, Mich.

“Ritchie completed the five-day Career Agents Course, which is clearly defined and targeted to enhance the professional skills of Farmers’ agents,” said Annette Thompson, senior vice president of Farmers. “The course gives an agent the ability to learn how to successfully understand the needs of Farmers’ customers and help them choose the right insurance to meet their needs. Using professional facilitators and a curriculum that maximizes training effectiveness, this course is a roadmap to success for every agent.”

The University of Farmers training facility in Grand Rapids, Mich., was officially dedicated in September 2011, while the training facility located in Agoura Hills, Calif., was dedicated in November 2006. Farmers CEO Jeff Dailey noted the University is national in scope, and offers training to Farmers’ 15,000 agents and their staff, 500 district managers and 10,000 claims staff year-round.

Farmers is a trade name and may refer to Farmers Group, Inc. or the Farmers Exchanges. For more information about Farmers, go to www.farmers.com.



BKD’s Huckins attends conference



Jarretta Huckins, from the Enid office of BKD CPAs & Advisors, recently attended the firm’s manufacturing and distribution industry conference in St. Louis, Mo.

Some areas of focus in enhancing services to clients were energy, transportation, state and local taxes and international tax issues.

BKD is a national CPA and advisory firm with more than 2,000 professionals offering solutions for clients in all 50 states and internationally.

BKD and its subsidiaries offer clients a variety of services in accounting, audit and assurance, tax, risk management, technology, corporate finance, forensic and valuation services and wealth management.



AdvancePierre Foods honored



Market Day Corporation has named AdvancePierre Foods as it’s 2012 Vendor of the Year.

The award was given to the company for its strong industry reputation, reliability as a vendor and the quality and success of its products for Market Day over the past year.

“AdvancePierre Foods is honored to be recognized by Market Day, and we look forward to continuing our partnership with them,” said Dick Elmore, vice president of strategic accounts at AdvancePierre Foods. “We remain committed to providing Market Day customers with high-quality, healthy, delicious and affordable food items.”

The award was presented to AdvancePierre Foods at Market Day’s annual conference in Oakbrook Terrace, Ill., in recognition of the company’s efforts to promote more nutritious food options through both its Smart Picks product line and development of numerous unbreaded meal options. This past year, whole grains were added to AdvancePierre’s Squarewich and Grahamwich products. The company also introduced its new Naked Bruschetta Stuffed Chicken Breasts, which became a popular, lower-calorie and lower-fat food choice among Market Day customers. These more nutritious items are leading the way in Market Day’s Better-for-You category.

Market Day is a grocery fundraising program that works with schools across the nation. Parents can order food each month through the company. A portion of every dollar spent by parents on these groceries goes back to the school to help fund educational resources such as field trips, library books and playground equipment.  

“On behalf of the more than 4,500 associates at our the AdvancePierre facilities nationwide, we thank Market Day Corp. for this award and remain committed to providing America’s families with the quality, nutritious products that they desire,” Elmore said.



Edward Jones named firm of the year



Edward Jones was named Advisory Solutions Firm of the Year by Money Management Institute as the firm that most exemplified overall excellence and contributed to the long-term success and sustainability of the wealth management industry, according to Enid Edward Jones Financial Advisors.

The award was presented at the institute’s annual Gateway to Leadership Awards Dinner recently held in Chicago.



Fulgium moves to new location



Bonnie Fulgium, formerly of ProCuts, has moved to Professional Hairquarters in Indian Hills Shopping Center, 1919 W. Garriott. To schedule an appointment, call 237-2000.

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