First Federal announces promotions

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The Board of Directors of First Federal of Van Wert has announced the promotions of Diana Cearns, Lisa Lawson, Terra Bonifas, and Thad Eikenbary.

“We believe a key to our success are the talented people that work here.” says Brian Renner, President/CEO of First Federal. “We’re proud to announce these promotions, as these four individuals exemplify the dedication and service to not only First Federal, but our customers and our community.”

Diana Cearns was promoted to Vice President of Operations. She also continues to serve as the BSA Officer. Diana joined First Federal in 2011 and has over 30 years of banking experience. She is a graduate of Van Wert High School and received a bachelor’s degree in finance and accounting from The Ohio State University. Diana is a member of the Van Wert Optimist Club and Calvary Evangelical Church. She has also been involved in various community activities including Relay for Life. Diana and her husband, Paul, reside in rural Convoy and have two children, Courtney, and Cameron.

Lisa Lawson was promoted to Vice President of Customer Experience. Lisa joined First Federal in 2013 and has over 35 years of banking experience. Lisa is a member of St. Mary’s of the Assumption Catholic Church and serves on the board of Crisis Care. She is also involved in various community activities including United Way Day of Caring. Lisa and her husband, Bill, reside in Van Wert and are the parents of Megan, Holly, and Abby.

Terra Bonifas was promoted to Administrative Officer. Terra began her career with First Federal in 2020 and has 10 years of banking experience. She is a graduate of Lincolnview High School and Ohio University. She serves as the board secretary for the YWCA, volunteers for the Chamber of Commerce Leadership council, and is the Treasurer of the Van Wert Rotary Club. She also volunteers for Career Connections and serves as a mentor for the Van Wert County Foundation Learn and Return program. Terra and her husband, Kirk, are the parents of two sons, Brooks, and Madden.

Thad Eikenbary was promoted to Vice President of Commercial Lending. Thad joined First Federal in 2021 after a lengthy career at Central Mutual Insurance. He is a graduate of Van Wert High School and Ohio Northern University. Thad has served on many community boards, and he is the current Van Wert City Council President. In addition, he also serves on the boards of the Community Improvement Corporation (CIC) and Youth for Christ. Thad and his wife, Laura, reside in Van Wert and are the parents of Jacey, Lauren, and Carter.

Donation to help VWES therapy dept.

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Lisa Straley (right), owner/operator of 3B Designs, joined by Eric Hurless (left), financial advisor with Edward Jones, recently presented a donation to Van Wert Elementary School therapists Janine Warneke and Jaime Gardner. Straley organized a benefit during March in support of Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month, allocating a portion of the proceeds to raise funds for the Van Wert Elementary School therapy department.

Hurless, whose daughter Bella (center) lives with cerebral palsy, generously agreed to match the amount raised by 3B Designs during the sale. Together, they raised $232, which will be used to purchase additional equipment for the children of Van Wert Elementary.

“We hope this small donation can make a large impact on kids needing additional help at school,” Hurless said. “We thank Lisa for thinking of Bella and for organizing this wonderful opportunity”

3B Designs is a small, mom-owned business in Van Wert offering diffuser/gemstone/heist bracelets for adults and children, silicone necklaces for kids, keychains, wristlet keychains, lanyards, and beaded pens.

More info can be found at www.3bdesignsvw.com or find her on Facebook and Instagram.

CNB to mark Community Banking Month

VW independent/submitted information

Traditionally, the month of April is recognized as National Community Banking Month. It focuses on the many contributions community banks make to the areas they serve through local lending, employee volunteerism and personal service. 

During the month, Citizens National Bank will include a focus on fraud education as part of its 2024 campaign. According to the Federal Trade Commission, consumers reported losing more than $10 billion to fraud in 2023 and banks continue to see increased cases among their own customer base. It’s CNB’s responsibility as a community bank to provide awareness of this growing problem and practical tips for customers to prevent it.

Every customer that comes in will be provided with a free gel pen that helps to prevent checks from being altered, along with tips for preventing fraud. CNB will highlight some of these tips on its in-branch TVs, as well as social media posts throughout the month.

Additionally, the bank will once again host Community Shred Day on Friday, April 26, offering the public an opportunity to safely shred personal information. Items to be shredded will be accepted during normal business hours of each office. There is a limit of three standard office size boxes or grocery bags per household. Items to be shredded could include: 

• Financial statements
• Canceled and blank checks
• Paycheck stubs
• Credit card and account numbers 
• Personal records and tax records
• Medical records
• Any items containing a person’s social security number or signature.
• Any mail or magazines that have personal identifiers
• No need to remove staples or paper clips

**No electronic items will be accepted. All paper material will be destroyed by Allshred Services, a NAID certified company. 

CNB offices will also have sweet treats available that day in celebration of Community Banking Month. The bank  branches are also once again giving away community gift baskets at each office, highlighting unique items from each of the CNB markets. The baskets are valued at more than $150. 

Entries can also be made online at the CNB website: https://www.cnbohio.com/community-banking-month-2024/.

A drawing for the baskets will be held Friday, April 26. 

Evan Purmont elected as new chairman

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Bill Purmort has announced he will step down as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Central Insurance, effective April 1. In a meeting held on March 26, the board unanimously elected Evan Purmort as its new Chairman, effective April 1.

Bill began his career at Central in 1979 and held multiple positions across the company before becoming CEO, President and Chairman of the Board in 1994. During his tenure as CEO and President, Bill grew Central’s premiums from $183 million to $767 million. He committed his career to an unwavering dedication to Central’s employees while also ensuring an enduring future for the independent agency system. He also prioritized charitable contributions to foster the growth and well-being of the local Van Wert community, donating both his time and leadership for over 45 years. Bill retired as CEO and president in 2020 but stayed on as chairman.

“It’s impossible to describe Bill’s impact on this company and on me personally,” said Evan Purmort, Chairman-elect, CEO, President. “Bill measured our success on the degree to which we fulfilled the promise in any given year and on how well we positioned ourselves to do so in the future. He achieved that success year after year because of his commitment to people and culture.”

“This mentality and his service to others will fuel Central for many decades to come,” he added. “It is with deep honor and responsibility that I embrace the task of advancing and expanding the mission and vision that Bill has so passionately established over his lifetime.”

The Central Mutual Insurance Company was founded in Van Wert in 1876 and has since evolved into Central Insurance, a property and casualty insurance carrier providing premium coverage for hundreds of thousands of individuals and businesses across the country. Central Insurance remains based in Van Wert and operates regional offices in Boston, Atlanta, and Dallas, with satellite offices in Columbus and Salt Lake City. Central Insurance has combined assets of more than $2 billion. Central Insurance’s A.M. Best rating is A (Excellent).

Accolades for Advanced Insurance Group

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Advanced Insurance Group has been recognized by Ohio Mutual Insurance Group President and CEO Mark C. Russell as one of the company’s top 10 agencies for outstanding profitable growth in 2023. Aaron Anspach received the recognition on behalf of the agency at a recent company event in Columbus.

Advanced Insurance Group has represented Ohio Mutual since September, 1977 and have symbolized excellence by achieving the most outstanding growth and profitability in 2023.

“We are honored to recognize Advanced Insurance Group as a key business partner who is committed to providing outstanding results through its hard work and dedication to its customers and community,” Russell said. “We value partnerships that represent our company’s mission, vision, and values while delivering exceptional customer service by creating and maintaining lasting relationships.”

Ohio Mutual Insurance Group, founded in 1901 with its home office in Bucyrus, partners with more than 500 independent agencies to distribute quality property and casualty insurance products throughout Connecticut, Indiana, Maine, New Hampshire, Ohio, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin. Ohio Mutual has maintained a rating of “A/Stable” from A.M. Best Co. since 1993. Additional company information is available at www.omig.com.

Cooper Farms earns highest rating

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Cooper Farms was recently awarded an AA+ rating at both their Van Wert Cooked Meats and St. Henry Harvesting plants in a recent food safety audit from the Brand Reputation Compliance through Global Standard (BRCGS). This is the highest possible rating attainable.

Director of Processing, Tom Wisvari, said the company has received perfect ratings from pre-announced audits in the past, but the AA+ ratng is only achievable in an unannounced audit.

“This particular audit was unannounced, so we are extremely proud to know that our team members are doing things the right way at all times,” Wisvari said. “This gives us great confidence that our products are being produced safely.”

COO Gary Cooper credits the team members on the production floor, as well as the sanitation crews, for the successful audit.

“Food safety and quality is a top priority at both the harvesting and cooked meats locations,” Cooper said. “The dedicated teams we have, as well as the leadership at both locations, deserve all the credit in the world for maintaining our reputation of producing high-quality, safe products.”

From the BRCGS official website: The BRCGS Global Food Safety Standard has set the benchmark for nearly 25 years. Adopted by over 22,000 sites in more than 130 countries, the standard is accepted by 70 percent of the top 10 global retailers, 60 percent of the top 10 quick-service restaurants, and 50 percent of the top 25 manufacturers.

Developed with input from industry, it provides a framework to manage product safety, integrity, legality and quality, and the operational controls for these criteria in the food and food ingredient manufacturing, processing and packing industry.

Local hospital raises its minimum wage

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OhioHealth Van Wert Hospital announced today it has raised its minimum wage for hospital associates from $14 per hour to $16 per hour. That change took effect Sunday March 17. This is part of a larger mission for OhioHealth to invest more than $1 million towards associates’ compensation and benefits.

The plan also includes the process of comparing pay ranges to market data for jobs across Van Wert Hospital and Van Wert Physicians Group. This will be done in phases over the next six months.

“The talent of our associates is our greatest asset,” said Joy Bischoff, president of OhioHealth Van Wert Hospital. “We are committed to maintaining fair, equitable and consistent pay administration practices. OhioHealth’s compensation philosophy supports the goal to attract, motivate and retain associates using market-based pay ranges and practices that reward performance and development.”

Approximately 100 Van Wert Hospital associates will benefit from the new starting pay rate.

For more information about Van Wert Hospital and healthcare services offered, click here.

PPEC announces upgrades, rate increase

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Paulding Putnam Electric Cooperative is planning $4 million in investments focused on system improvements that will directly increase the co-op’s service reliability. This year begins a new four-year construction work plan addressing system growth, proactive maintenance, and SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition) improvements to reduce outage duration.

To continue investing for the future, the co-op will implement a rate adjustment due to rising costs. Effective on the bills received in May, the average residential member using 1,200 kWh a month will see a monthly increase of $26.45, depending on their usage and home circumstances.

PPEC’s costs of doing business have increased substantially since the co-op’s last rate increase in 2018. PPEC is not-for-profit and has held off this increase for six years to minimize the impact on members; however, since 2020, average equipment costs are up 40-60 percent. The PPEC Board of
Trustees – elected by the membership – approved these new rates after the co-op’s third-party Cost-of-Service Study. Members wanting additional information can visit www.PPEC.coop/2024RateAdjustment or watch the PPEC Annual Meeting Broadcast at 10 a.m., Saturday, March 23, online at PPEC.coop, on Facebook, or on YouTube.

To maintain the high standard of service PPEC members expect, highlights of the 2024 work plan include:

• A budgeted 25 miles of old copper line rebuilds across Ohio and Indiana to reduce outage minutes.
  Installing and upgrading new sectionalizing equipment for improved reliability, system durability, and reduced outage time. More than $100,000 is budgeted for these improvements, which will automatically isolate faults and segment PPEC’s electrical system, resulting in smaller outages affecting fewer members.
• Upgrading equipment in the Baseline substation and maintenance for Antwerp, Cecil, Roselm, Latty, Columbus Grove, and Convoy substations. This will improve service reliability and extend the lifespan of these substations, raising their performance.
• Installing 150 RF meters to complete PPEC’s smart metering system upgrade. This provides members with improved energy data to monitor usage trends and help make more informed decisions through their online SmartHub account.
• A new feature coming in April: SmartHub users will receive a new “Home Energy Analytics” tool providing the energy breakdown of each home appliance and projected bill estimations with custom tips to help you reduce your electric bill.
• Testing 4,000 poles in Crane, Emerald, and Auglaze townships in Paulding County and Delaware, Defiance, and Highland townships in Defiance County through contractor Osmose. Poles are tested on a 10-year rotating cycle; any that fail the test will be replaced.
• Underground line extensions into new subdivisions (like Kennebec) in New Haven, Indiana. This is the co-op’s fastest-growing area. PPEC saw 202 new services in 2023, with nearly 100 upgrades. · PPEC’s right-of-way tree trimming and vegetation management contractor, Mint City Utility Services, will work in the Antwerp, Cecil, Roselm, and Latty areas.
• Installing animal guards at various substations to help reduce animal-caused outages.
  Purchasing two new trucks, a digger derrick, and a bucket truck. These are replacing trucks that have reached the end of their duty cycle and will be less prone to mechanical issues. Less time in the shop means more time on the job. These new trucks also have additional features that allow crews to work more safely and efficiently.
• Executing an electric vehicle study to see the forecasted impact on PPEC’s grid. Members considering an EV should complete the form online at www.PPEC.coop/EV.

Name change

Counseling Offices of Susan Burchfield and Jules Krizan has announced a name change to Van Wert Counseling Office. Van Wert Counseling Office counselors have over 100 years of combined counseling experience and pride themselves in establishing a safe place where individuals or couples can confidentially go to share the stresses of life, realize their ability, and learn and work well. To schedule an appointment, contact our office at 419-238-1000 or email info@counselingofficevw.com. Pictured are (front row): Susan J Burchfield MS LPCC-S and Jules Krizan MA LPCC-S. Back row: Sarah White M Ed LPC, Britany Inkrott LPCC, and Katlyn Short MSW LISW. Not pictured is Lydia Farley M Ed LPC. Photo submitted

Faulkner officially named CNB CEO

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On Tuesday, February 20, the Board of Directors of Citizens National Bank officially named Eric Faulkner as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the bank. Faulkner has been acting President of the bank since 2019. He replaces Mike Romey in the role of CEO.

Faulkner began his banking career at CNB in 2009 in Columbus, heading up the loan participation program. He’s currently a member of the Banker Advisory Board (BAB) for The Graduate School of Banking (GSB) in Wisconsin. He serves as a member of the CBAO Legislative and Regulatory Committee and also the Education and Training Committee, in addition to being a CBAO Board Director. Additionally, he is a member of the ICBA Bank Innovation and Solutions Committee. He’s actively represented the bank through participation in the OBL and CBAO lobbying efforts at both the state and national levels. In August, 2018 he completed the Graduate School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, having been voted president of his class, and also received a certificate of executive leadership.

The transition to the CEO title has been a gradual one for Faulkner as he worked closely with the Board over the past five years to help shape the vision for the bank in years to come. Under his leadership, the bank recently surpassed $1 billion in assets, marking a milestone for the bank.

Faulkner received his Bachelor of Science in marketing as well as his Master of Business Administration from Wheeling Jesuit University in Wheeling, West Virginia. He resides with his wife and two children. With offices in Bluffton, Celina, Defiance, Elida, Findlay, Lima, Springfield, Van Wert and Toledo, CNB has been serving the communities of West Central Ohio since 1920.