Advanced Insurance Group is growing, with the addition of Thatcher Insurance Agency of Van Wert as the group’s fifth agency. Thatcher Insurance Agency will remain locally owned with more capabilities and will be operating as Advanced Insurance Group, effective immediately. Thatcher Insurance Group will be moving to the Advanced Insurance Group location at 101 W. Crawford St. in Van Wert. Brett Thatcher (middle) brings many years of experience in the insurance industry. Brett will be working together with the team at Advanced Insurance Group to ensure a smooth transition. Advanced Insurance Group was originally built upon the longstanding experience and trust of four reputable insurance agencies in Delphos and Van Wert – Rhoades Insurance Agency, Schmit Massa Agency, Purmort Brothers Insurance Agency and Gilden Insurance Agency. Photo submitted
POSTED: 09/02/24 at 9:05 pm. FILED UNDER: Business
Five real estate professionals affiliated with Straley Realty & Auctioneers, Inc. have earned the elite 2023-2024 Presidents Sales Club awards presented by the Ohio Association of Realtors. Realtors Chester Straley and Warren Straley were awarded the Award of Excellence for having in excess of $5 million in sales between July 1, 2023 and June 30, 2024. Receiving the Award of Achievement for $1 million to $2.5 million in sales were realtors Anne Brecht, Joe Bagley and Jane Germann. Ohio Realtors officially award qualifying members the “President’s Sales Club Award” designation in four recognition levels for outstanding sales performance in the real estate industry: the Award of Achievement, Award of Distinction ($2.5 million in sales or commercial leases), the Award of Excellence and the Pinnacle of Performance ($7.5 million in sales or commercial leases). Just over 10 percent of Ohio’s real estate professionals have attained this honor. Photos submitted
POSTED: 09/02/24 at 9:05 pm. FILED UNDER: Business
Paul Palmeter and Stacia Stripe cut the ribbon to celebrate the opening of Double A’s Dining on S. Shannon St. in Van Wert, the site of the former Black Angus. The locally owned establishment, which is open seven days a week, bills itself as offering the finest food all served with a smile. Palmeter and Stripe are flanked by Main Street Van Wert Executive Director Mitch Price (left) and Van Wert Chamber of Commerce President/CEO Mark Verville (right). Photo submitted
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Edward Jones Financial Advisor Eric Hurless of Van Wert has received the Agriculture Focused Financial Planning designation, or AFFP.
Achieving this designation required in-depth study in the following areas:
- Process and Fundamenntals of Financial Planning
- Agriculture Economics Concepts
- Communication
- Farming, Family, and Operations
- Land and Leverage
- Legacy
- Income Strategies
“With this course of study, I’ve been able to expand my knowledge base to serve the whole financial picture for clients in rural communities and those who are associated with agriculture,” Hurless said. “It’s an important way for me to make a positive impact in their lives.”
Hurless’s office is located at 1052 S. Washington St. in Van Wert.
Edward Jones is a leading financial services firm in the U.S. and through its affiliate in Canada. The firm’s more than 19,000 financial advisors serve more than 8 million clients with a total of $2 trillion in client assets under care at the end of December 2023.
POSTED: 08/13/24 at 6:34 am. FILED UNDER: Business
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COLUMBUS — Ohio Treasurer Robert Sprague has announced a credit rating upgrade from Standard & Poor’s Global Ratings (S&P) to AA+ for Ohio’s Major New State Infrastructure Project Revenue Bonds. S&P cited the “expectation that pro forma maximum annual debt service (MADS) coverage will remain very strong” as well as “Ohio’s demonstrated history of maintaining an adequate level of lawfully available funds” and “strong federal and state programmatic support” among reasons for the upgrade.
“This key credit rating upgrade is a testament to strong fiscal management by our office, as well as our ongoing partnership with the Ohio Department of Transportation,” said Treasurer Sprague. “The AA+ rating from Standard & Poor’s will lower the costs of financing for ODOT and help them use federal Title 23 money more efficiently when funding construction projects around the state.”
The AA+ rating indicates a high degree of creditworthiness and can be attributed to the office’s timely repayment to bond holders, efficient management of Title 23 monies, and a commitment to prudent management of the Highway Operating Fund. The improved rating from Standard & Poor’s comes in connection with a Major New State Infrastructure Project Revenue bond issuance to be used by ODOT for construction projects. These bonds are debt-financing instruments that are eligible for reimbursement using future Federal-aid highway funding under Title 23. Some of these projects include bridge replacements, pavement rehabilitation, and lighting upgrades. Ohio’s Major New State Infrastructure Project Revenue bonds are also backed by a secondary pledge of other lawfully available funds in the Highway Operating Fund.
In December of 2023, S&P Global Ratings upgraded the state of Ohio’s issuer default and general obligation bond ratings to AAA. The Major New State Infrastructure Project Revenue bond rating was not included in the upgrade at that time, due to the fact that investors are repaid from federal reimbursements. The last time these bonds were upgraded by S&P (to the AA rating) was over 20 years ago, in 2003. Ohio’s issuer default rating and general obligation bonds hold the highest ratings possible of “AAA/Aaa/AAA” from S&P Global Ratings, Moody’s Investors Service, and Fitch Ratin.
For more details on the rating upgrade, read the full report from Standard and Poor’s Global Ratings.
POSTED: 08/02/24 at 9:54 pm. FILED UNDER: Business
Van Wert Live has announced Superior Credit Union as a 2024 fall sponsor. The sponsorship goes directly to bringing the shows and keeping ticket prices low. Superior Credit Union, Inc., is headquartered in Lima, is a member-owned financial cooperative that serves more than 100,000 members at 25 western Ohio offices. They opened the doors to the Van Wert branch along Towne Center Blvd last fall. Pictured from left to right is: Nicole Wrasman, Superior Credit Union Van Wert Location Head Manager, Quincy Thompson, VWLive Marketing Director, Jarin Hart, Van Wert Live Executive Director, and Kelsey Joseph, Superior Credit Union Director of Marketing. Photo submitted
POSTED: 07/30/24 at 3:33 am. FILED UNDER: Business
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Rob Davis has gained a wealth of experience and served in a variety of positions at The Marsh Foundation. His newest role is that of admissions and training specialist. Previously, he served as a clinical case manager, school family teacher and group home family teacher.
His career at The Marsh Foundation has spanned more than 20 years, but his passion for working with children began in college at The Ohio State University where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. In Columbus, he began working with autistic children and their families as an ABA therapist before moving back to Van Wert to establish his career at The Marsh Foundation.
According to executive director of Child and Family Services, Kelly Gross, Davis’ promotion comes as a result of his exceptional dedication, hard work and demonstrated expertise in his previous role as case manager.
“Rob has been an invaluable member of our team for more than 20 years, consistently exceeding expectations and contributing significantly to our success,” she said. “He has shown exceptional leadership qualities, a strong commitment to our mission, and a deep understanding of the necessary qualifications to successfully be the admissions and training specialist.”
Davis’ new position will require him to use his experience to not only review referrals and coordinate youth admissions, but also oversee staff development training.
“With his wealth of experience, pre-existing connections with stakeholders, and a passion for helping others succeed, we have full confidence that he will excel in this position and make significant contributions to The Marsh Foundation’s continued growth and success,” Gross said.
Davis said he is excited to continue serving The Marsh Foundation and its mission in a new capacity.
“As the admissions and training specialist, I will carry on the mission of The Marsh Foundation to inspire hope, to teach and to care for children and families,” he said. “I am committed to continuing The Marsh Foundation’s legacy with all the dedicated employees on this beautiful campus.”
Davis lives in Van Wert with his wife, son and daughter. When he’s not working, he enjoys spending time with them, seeing new places, visiting family or spending time at relaxing campsites. When he needs free time to himself, he almost always finds himself outdoors.
The Marsh Foundation is a not-for-profit children’s services agency that provides services for youth and families in a variety of settings. Services include residential care, family foster care (ages 0-17), adoption and independent living services. Located in Van Wert, the organization is licensed to provide on-campus services for up to 30 children, offers an on-campus school for grades 2-12, and provides a variety of clinical services to campus residents, foster care children and community members throughout western Ohio.
POSTED: 07/23/24 at 5:06 am. FILED UNDER: Business
VW independent staff/submitted information
Central’s Educational & Charitable Foundation has announced its 2024 Scholarship Program recipients.
The program rewards graduates pursuing educational degrees supporting careers in the property and casualty insurance industry. The scholarship provides up to $5,000 annually to each student, is renewable for up to three years, and may be used towards tuition, books, other related school fees, and room and board.
Cadence Cook is a graduate of Crestview High School. She plans to attend Miami University in Oxford this fall, majoring in Psychology. After obtaining her undergraduate degree, Cadence plans to attend law school. In high school, she was a member of the Honor Society, completing multiple honor classes and a College Credit Plus Government class. Cadence cheered for the varsity football and basketball teams and received eight scholar-athlete awards. She has also received several community awards, including the Franklin B. Walter All-Scholastic Award, the Elks Student of the Month Award, and was a finalist for the 2024 YWCA Scholarship for Young Women. Cadence is the daughter of Julie and Shawn Cook.
Hudson Myers graduated from Wayne Trace High School. He plans to attend Purdue University in Fort Wayne this fall, majoring in Business Management. Hudson was enrolled in several post-secondary courses and maintained honor roll status every quarter of his high school career. He was an active member of the National Honor Society and Student Council, where he held the titles of secretary and vice-president. He was also a Student Ambassador for students new to Wayne Trace. Outside academics, Hudson participated in basketball, football, and track and field, and completed volunteer work through NHS and his community church. Hudson is the son of Mike and Anne Myers.
Other winners were Antwerp High School graduate Leila Spyker; Fort Recovery High School graduate Carson Grube; Ford Cooper of Frisco, Texas, and Noah Swallow of Shawnee High School.
Renewal scholarships of $5,000 each were awarded to Audrey Carter, Brandon Renner, Dylan Buzard, Evan Hoersten, Gwenyth Prince, Ian Rex, Jacob Wasson, Jeff Li, Kaelan Swallow, Paul Adams, Shawn Tierney, and Storm Tracy.
Outgoing Marsh Foundation Executive Director Kim Mullins chats with Marsh Trustee Gary Corcoran during a retirement party held in her honor earlier this week. Mullins retiring after a 29-year career at the Marsh Foundation, including 21 years as executive director. Scott Truxell/VW independent
POSTED: 06/28/24 at 8:40 pm. FILED UNDER: Business
VW independent staff/submitted information
First Financial Bank and associates teamed up with community residents to collect over 4,000 books in Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky and Illinois during its recent book drive, May 6-24, including 230 in Van Wert and Delphos, contributing to financial literacy in the neighborhoods it serves.
Books were collected in First Financial’s locations in northwest Ohio and at financial centers in its four-state footprint. First Financial will donate the books to Haven of Hope and the YWCA, plus schools, libraries and other community-focused organizations in each of its other communities.
“We appreciate the incredible turnout from community members who pitched in to help with this book drive, because our combined effort will have a positive impact on financial literacy for years to come in the people who receive these volumes,” said Roddell McCullough, chief corporate responsibility officer for First Financial Bank.
While collecting books for the community, First Financial associates were also distributing a list of books and articles to support growth in financial literacy for all age groups. Titles included, “A Bike Like Sergio’s” for elementary students, “O.M.G.: Official Money Guide for Teenagers” for high school students and “The Art of Money: A Life-Changing Guide to Financial Happiness” for adults. Selections on this list cover the entire spectrum of life. The list will continue to be available in local First Financial locations upon request.
POSTED: 06/28/24 at 8:40 pm. FILED UNDER: Business
