INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. [November, 2009] – Astbury Environmental Engineering, an Indianapolis-based environmental consulting firm, announced the addition of engineering professionals Aaron Miller, Andy Hopf, and Christina Gantt to their team.

While other firms are slowing down, and cutting back, Astbury is growing, adding staff and expanding their offices to accommodate demand for their services. Professionals Miller, Hopf and Gantt bring significant expertise which will allow Astbury to expand the type of services they provide their clients.

Aaron Miller, a Certified Industrial Hygienist, brings more than 14 years of Environmental, Health and Safety experience in industry and as a regulator to his new role as a Senior Project Manager at Astbury. Aaron’s vast knowledge and experience includes an extensive understanding of OSHA regulations with regard to compliance inspections, fatality investigations and employee complaints, loss prevention and worker’s compensation. In his new role with Astbury, Aaron will assist clients with EHS compliance matters, particularly focusing on Astbury’s growing health and safety services sector.

Andy Hopf brings more than 7 years of experience in the environmental consulting industry to his new role of Project Engineer at Astbury. Andy is a Licensed Professional Geologist and Engineering Intern with significant experience in the design, optimization and maintenance of soil and groundwater remediation systems. In his new role at Astbury, he will provide technical assistance to senior managers and acts as a liaison between field engineers and senior level management.

Christina Gantt joins Astbury as a Staff Engineer. Christina previously worked with a geotechnical firm performing quality testing and assessments throughout the construction process at commercial sites and remediation work with with the U.S. Army Corps Ammunition Depot Site. At Astbury, Christina provides technical support for project managers with regard to field investigations, monitoring, technical writing, permitting, modeling, and data management.

“We are excited about the addition of these exceptional professionals to our team. They immediately make Astbury Environmental Engineering a better company and fit the culture of our staff,” said Steve Wilcox, President of Astbury. This is only the beginning of several exciting changes at Astbury. This announcement comes on the heels of the acquisition of Air Analysis, Inc., a stack testing company which was acquired in early October. For more information on Astbury Environmental Engineering please visit www.astburyenviro.com.

About Astbury Environmental Engineering:
Astbury provides a full range of environmental consulting services. Founded in 1994, Astbury’s vision remains the same to provide innovative, comprehensive, cost-effective solutions. They have partnered with a wide base of clients, spanning industrial and commercial sectors to address all environmental, regulatory and health and safety needs. Astbury is based in Indianapolis. For more information on Astbury Environmental Engineering please visit www.astburyenviro.com.

About Aaron Miller:
With a degree in Environmental Health with a focus on Industrial Hygiene from Purdue University, Aaron Miller holds numerous professional and technical certifications including Certified Industrial Hygienist, Comprehensive Practice. His EHS experience also includes creating policy, implementing programs, corporate auditing and training.

Aaron is also very experienced in air permitting, waste water, storm water, Tier II and TRI reporting, and hazardous waste. His EHS experience also includes creating policy, implementing programs, corporate auditing and training. Aaron has worked in a variety of industrial settings such as automotive, chemical, electronics, and construction. Prior to joining Astbury Group, Aaron was the Regional EHS Manager for a large aluminum extrusion company.

About Andy Hopf:
A Purdue University graduate, Andy holds a B.S., Environmental Geoscience, and an M.S., Environmental Engineering (Specialization in Remediation Engineering) from Purdue University. He is a Licensed Professional Geologist in Indiana, holds an Engineering Intern License, and a Class B Wastewater Operator License.

About Christina Gantt:
Christina holds a B.S., Geological Engineering, from University of Missouri – Rolla. Before graduating, she was a junior member of a team of solid waste specialists for a consulting firm in Arkansas where she performed slope stability calculations and hydrogeologic testing for paper mill landfills. Christina has experience with Mann-Kendall groundwater plume stability monitoring, soil gas sampling, and 3D Plume modeling. She has supervised the installation of monitoring wells and soil borings, and is experienced with technical writing and the permitting process.

Contact:
Willis Mack Overton, CHMM, CIAQP
Vice President, Industrial Services
Astbury Environmental Engineering, Inc.
West 74th Street
Indianapolis, Indiana 46278
(317) 472.0999
Fax (317) 472.0993
email: moverton@astburyenviro.com

The deadline for applications is Saturday, December 5th, at 11:59pm, For more information or to apply, go to :  http://sproutbox.com/apply

The Association of Image Consultants International, Chicago Chapter

(AICI-Chicago) Names Beverly Samuel to Board of Directors

(INDIANAPOLIS, IN, NOVEMBER 2009) Beverly Samuel, MS, AICI FLC, certified Image Consultant and local Indianapolis resident, has been appointed to the 2009-2011 Board of Directors as VP of Programs by The Association of Image Consultants International, Chicago Chapter (AICI-Chicago). Samuel is one of seven female Board members consisting of image consultants from a total of five Midwest states, including Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Indiana and Missouri. She is the owner of Phoenix Image Institute (PhoenixImageInstitute.com), a corporate image, etiquette and civility service.

Although the Board members are geographically spread out, they are already working closely on upcoming Chapter events for the education and training of their members.

“I’m looking forward to an exciting year of events for our Chapter,” says Samuel. “This Board is enthusiastic and committed to keeping our group well educated and inspired so that we might all continue to broaden and nurture our image consulting skills.”

Other new Board members are: President, Kelly Duggan, AICI FLC; VP Communications, Gwen Rich, AICI FLC, VP Membership, Jill Swanson, AICI FLC; VP Marketing, Julie Maeder, AICI FLC; Secretary, June Hinson; Treasurer, Anna Wildermuth, AICI CIM .

Contact info:
Beverly Samuel, MS, AICI FLC
Phoenix Image Institute
Indianapolis, IN 46220
(765) 346-3269
beverly@phoeniximageinstitute.com
www.PhoenixImageInstitute.com

AICI, the Source for Image Professionals in Education, Experience and Excellence, is the leading and largest professional association of personal and corporate image consultants worldwide. A nonprofit organization, AICI is dedicated to advancing the level of professionalism and enhancing the recognition of Image Consultants. For more information, visit www.aici.org.

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(INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA: November 6, 2009) – Congress appears ready to address long-awaited immigration reform, according to Indianapolis immigration attorneys who carefully monitor reform efforts. The House voted 307 to 114 last week to pass the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Conference Report (HR 2892), which included an amendment to abolish the Widow’s Penalty. The Senate voted 79 to 19 to pass the bill, which President Obama is expected to sign it into law. Once the new law becomes effective, the immigration policy commonly known as the “Widow’s Penalty” will end.

“The ‘Widow’s Penalty’ references a foreign fiancée or spouse who is denied immigration benefits when his or her U.S. citizen spouse dies before the immigrant has a chance to obtain a green card,” explained Tiffany U. Vivo, an Indianapolis immigration attorney who focuses on family-based immigration matters. “The new law means that the death of a U.S. citizen spouse will no longer result in automatic deportation of widows, widowers and their children,” Vivo continued.

The new law eliminates the two-year marriage requirement, permitting widows and widowers of U.S. citizens to apply for a green card for themselves and on behalf of their foreign-born children. It is also retroactive so anyone qualifying for relief can file a petition for permanent residency up to two years after passage of the measure. “I, and most immigration attorneys and reform advocates, expect Congress to pass an amnesty program of some sort, but those efforts have been stalled by efforts to restart the economy and reform healthcare,” Vivo added. Assuming the healthcare debate winds down by year’s end, other domestic issues high on President Obama’s agenda, which includes immigration reform, will take a larger position on Congress’ agenda.

About Tiffany U. Vivo:
Ms. Vivo is an Indianapolis immigration lawyer, who practice focuses on family-based immigration matters. Ms. Vivo appears before the Immigration Court (EOIR), the United States Citizenship & Immigration Service (USCIS), the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) and state and federal courts in Indiana and Illinois. She is a member of the Indiana State Bar, and the national and local chapters of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA). Her immigration law offices are located in Indianapolis, from where she serves immigration clients across the country. For more information, go to www.my-immigration-lawyer.com

Contact:
Tiffany U. Vivo, Esq.
Phone: 317-236-0486
Email: attyvivo@yahoo.com

(Indianapolis, IN – Immediate Release) – “Making and Managing Your Money In The Horse Industry” was the topic of a presentation given at the Women’s Horse Industry Conference. Jennifer Foster, president of EQ Bookkeeping, presented a one hour seminar to equine business owners to help them better understand how to make money in their industry.

Topics and examples were discussed including the top four reasons horse businesses fail, completely understanding the costs associated with providing a product or service, the importance of budgeting, record keeping and preparing accurate and timely financial statements.

“Getting people to listen about financial things in a group setting isn’t always easy. Especially, to a group that spends most of their time outside with their horses and not inside with their accounting. But Jennifer Foster not only made it interesting but fun,” said Catherine Masters, Executive Director of Women’s Horse Industry. “Her talk was so relaxed and easy that all of the attendees sat and listened and took notes. She took a lot of the mystery out of how people in the horse industry can become profitable. And, I know that many of them will realize that being in the horse industry can be profitable with the right financial management and planning.”

Foster is available for speaking engagements. To schedule her for an appearance, call EQ Bookkeeping at (877) 399-8920 or email info@eqbookkeeping.com.

About Jennifer Foster – Jennifer Foster, CMA, CFM is President of EQ Bookkeeping LLC, a firm offering specialized bookkeeping/accounting services for the equine industry. She is a family owner of Arabian horses and her husband and children ride competitively. She’s been riding horses since the third grade. Her recreational time is spent at shows, including the Youth Nationals in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and the U.S. Nationals in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

About EQ Bookkeeping – EQ Bookkeeping provides specialized bookkeeping and accounting services for the equine industry. In addition to full service virtual accounting, they provide consulting services focused on improving profitability for their horse business clients. For more information, visit www.eqbookkeeping.com.

CONTACT:

Jennifer Foster

EQ Bookkeeping

877-399-8920

info@eqbookkeeping.com

INDIANAPOLIS – (November 3, 2009) Government Payment Service, Inc. (GovPayEXP) just announced the appointment of a new chief executive officer, Mark MacKenzie, to lead the company’s organic and strategic growth and expansion initiatives. MacKenzie has more than two decades of experience building debit and credit card payments processing businesses for national and global companies such as Citigroup and JP Morgan Chase. He will leverage his vast expertise in financial services and payment processing systems to further establish GovPayEXP’s position as an industry leader.

GovPayEXP is a national leader in electronic credit and debit card payment processing systems for government agencies. Founded in 1997 by retired Sheriff Dale Conrad, GovPayEXP processes millions of dollars in government payments each year for nearly 1,500 jurisdictions in 33 states. The Internet-based payment processing software enables residents, constituents and offenders to pay cash bail, parking, speeding and traffic tickets, child support, court fees and fines, real estate and property taxes, utility bills or restitution via phone, online or on-site.

As CEO, MacKenzie’s responsibilities include developing the company’s long-range strategic roadmap and building the industry alliances needed to position GovPayEXP as the premier transaction processing and financial payments provider for the government sector. This includes expanding GovPayEXP’s geographic footprint to establish a much a stronger national presence. MacKenzie also will be integral in the company’s product and technology development process, and will focus his time on building strategic partnerships and facilitating mergers or acquisitions that will enable GovPayEXP to expand the depth of its services.

“Mark brings the industry expertise, best practices and relationships GovPayEXP needs to grow to the next level,” commented Dale Conrad, GovPayEXP’s founder and chairman of the board. “While we have an excellent reputation, solid set of services and nearly 1,500 satisfied clients across the country, Mark will provide the strategic vision and leadership necessary to position the company as the dominant industry leader.”

Prior to joining GovPayEXP, MacKenzie held a variety of executive and management positions including managing director/senior vice president of JP Morgan Treasury Services; president of JP Morgan Electronic Financial Services, Inc. (EFS); president, chairman and chief executive officer of Citicorp EFS; executive director for EFS; vice president of Citibank; executive director of product management for EFS; and senior director of product management for EFS.

“GovPayEXP has all of the right assets to capture significantly more market share,” commented Mackenzie. “It has a proven technology, extensive experience and relationships in the government sector and a solid customer service methodology. My role as CEO is to fully leverage these valuable assets and capitalize on endless opportunities in this market space to enable the company to reach its full potential.”

MacKenzie earned a Master of Business Administration from DePaul University in Chicago and a bachelor of arts in business administration and economics from St. Mary’s University in Winona, Minnesota.

For more information about the company call 888-561-7888 or visit www.GovPayEXP.com.

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Media Contact:
Patricia Pickett
Synergy Marketing Group
pat@synergy-mg.com

Indianapolis, IN- The Oct. 21st Women Like Us™ Afternoon Tea and Speakers Series, hosted by Dr. Sally Brown Bassett and Linda Rendleman, M.S. at the Columbia Club, was a sell-out with 300 attending the event. Outstanding local and international leaders shared their exceptional stories, philosophies and experiences with an emphasis on motivating and encouraging all women to be their very best. The fall series Guest Speakers were Prabhavati Dwabha, an American who created Ramana’s Garden in Rishikesh, India as a Home for Destitute Children, Dr. Sue Morter, founder/head of Morter HealthCenter, a wellness center and chiropractic clinic in Carmel, Indiana and Indy’s TV Anchor Women Panel Discussion with Angela Ganote- FOX 59, Deanna Dewberry – WISH-TV and Anne Marie Tiernon -WTHR.

Proceeds from this event, which included a silent auction and vendor tables, support under-served girls in discovering their talents, passions and courage by enabling them to engage in global humanitarian projects which benefit children and their communities through Women Like Us™ Chapters. Susan Lynn, a 4.0 student at Manual High School, was chosen for a scholarship to be part of a project to Costa Rica this month, based on proceeds from this tea.

A new Women Like Us™ Foundation has been an outgrowth of Linda Rendlemen’s book, Women Like Us: Real Stories and Strategies for Living Your Best Life, based on the theme of the common threads which run through women’s lives. “Our stories may be singular, but our passions are shared.” Visit the web site at www.businesswomenconnect.com for further information.

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Marlene Hatch

317-514-4119

marlenewh@earthlink.net

Indianapolis-based Hat World has acquired Florida-based Sports Fan-Attic. Terms of the deal have not been made public. Sports Fan-Attics is a retailer of licensed sports headwear, apparel, accessories, and novelties. It operates 37 stores in seven states. Hat World is a subsidiary of Tennessee-based Genesco Inc. (NYSE: GCO).

(November 2009 – Indianapolis, Indiana)

Applied Behavior Center for Autism is a private, non-profit organization that serves children ages 3 years and older dedicated solely to the education of children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder.  The center serves families within Central Indiana.  1:1 ratios are used to allow for increased individualized instruction for each child.  Applied Behavior Center’s certified and trained staff work with children up to eight hours a day on communication, academic, social and behavioral skills in order to build brighter futures.

Sherry Quinn, President of the Center states, “Jane Grimes is a significant addition to our organization because she knows how to serve families in Indiana who are challenged with Autism daily.”  Our community is in high growth rate of the incidence in Autism and our Center will provide a better collaboration and community supports that are needed to support the 2,000 plus families in Central Indiana who have children with Autism.  “Jane brings a calmness and sincere passion to help bridge the communication and support needed to family members.”

The Applied Behavior Center currently serves over 40 children with Autism.  The Center utilizes research and proven techniques to provide the latest Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and Applied Verbal Behavior (ACB) services to their students.

Jane Grimes states, “ I have spent the last 5 years in the Autism community and The Applied Behavior Center has the ability to provide the highest quality of service and staff in our State.  This is critical to the development of children and families who are challenged each and everyday with Autism.  The Applied Behavior Center is committed to the progress of each individual child and you can see this as you walk the halls of the Center. The progress is social skills is amazing.  The progress in watching a child who is fairly non-verbal begin to say words is one of the most rewarding experiences I have ever seen.”

Autism is the world’s fastest growing developmental disability.  Autism typically strikes children during their first three years of life.  Autism impacts the normal development of the brain in areas of cognition, social impairments and communication skills.  The national average of Autism is now 1 in 91 where as a year ago it was 1 in 150 children. Indiana is ranked 5^th in the US with the highest incidence of Autism.

If you are a family member or an organization that wants to support our Center as we continue to reach out to Central Indiana, please contact us at 317-849-5437 or www.appliedbehaviorcenter.org

The  Applied  Behavior  Center for Autism
Media Contact:
Sherry Quinn
6060 Castleway West Drive, Suite 135
Indianapolis, IN 46250
Phone: (317) 849-5437 
Fax: (317) 842-5911
 www.appliedbehaviorcenter.org

Indianapolis, IN – Nov 1,2009 – Jordan O’Banion, former Carmel High School soccer standout, recently joined the staff of personal trainers at Fitness By Design, a local Indianapolis fitness center.

Jordan comes to Fitness By Design after earning her degree in Exercise Science and Human Performance at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. Miss O’Banion received a scholarship to play soccer at the SEC school and was captain of the women’s soccer team. While at Carmel High School Jordan was part of four State championship teams. She also had a notable career with local soccer club, Carmel United. In addition to her work with personal training clients, Jordan is also an instructor in the fitness boot camp classes.

“We’re thrilled to have Jordan join our team of trainers. Her commitment to her own fitness as well as her dedication and passion will help her fit right in. Anyone who gets to work with Jordan will quickly see she is serious about helping clients get fit. We’re glad to have someone come back home to share their talents with the community where they grew up,” said Rob Hudson, Owner.

For more than 20 years, Fitness By Design has been creating <a=href”http://www.fbdindy.com”>personal training programs</a> for individuals serious about getting fit. Boot camp fitness classes, weight loss classes, golf fitness training, and massage therapy are also offered.

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Media Contact:
Rob Hudson
Fitness By Design
317-574-0782
getfit@fbdindy.com
www.fbdindy.com