Tuesday, September 15, 1998

American State Bank official to speak at luncheon

By Doug Williamson / Business Editor

Steve Exter, senior vice president and trust officer of American State Bank of Lubbock, will speak to a luncheon of the McMurry University Leadership Development and Family Business Center Thursday.

His topic will be "The Bank Trust Department: How It Can Help in the Transition Process." He will discuss transitioning from one generation to the next.

Exter, who holds degrees from West Texas State University and Texas Tech University Law School, completed the trust program at the Southwestern Graduate School of Banking at Southern Methodist University in 1985.

RSVP immediately by calling Dr. James Myers, 793-3851.

Job help in Snyder

SNYDER - The grand opening of the satellite site of Career Stop at Western Texas College is Thursday at 3:30 p.m. in the WTC Library.

The Career Stop, part of the West Central Texas Council of Governments, has partnered with the Texas Workforce Commission to provide services for job seekers and employers.

Hours of operation are 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday.

The office offers self-directed services. Job seekers may access resources like Career Exploration, labor market information and resume-writing software. Job boards with local job openings and other resources will help job seekers find, enhance and retail employment.

Further information is available at (915) 574-1739.

Big stand ... small hill

David Allen of Hunter Hill Consulting Co. and a former mayor of Merkel, will present a seminar, sponsored by the Abilene Chamber of Commerce.

"Never Make a Big Stand on a Small Hill" is the title of the workshop. Allen will cover problem solving, loyalty, attitude, coping with change, commitment, communication, teamwork and customer service.

The event will be Thursday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Petroleum Club of Abilene. Cost is $25, which include seminar materials and lunch. RSVP by today at 677-72451.

Global warming and carbon dioxide

Douglas Swift of the West Texas Research Institute in Midland will speak to the Abilene Geological Society Thursday.

His topic is "Global Warming and Carbon Dioxide."

The monthly meeting of the group begins at noon at the Petroleum Club of Abilene, 19th floor of Musgrave Plaza.

Triopoly design honored

Triopoly, Reveal Entertainment's first board game, has been recognized by the Printing and Imaging Association of Texas.

The "Texas Pioneers in Print" award for the Abilene-based company came as the best in the toy and game category.

Jeremy Parish and Chris Hornbaker, former graphic arts students at Abilene Christian University, helped in the design process.

Triopoly was the brain-child of Jeff Berndt, president of Reveal Entertainment.

He said a new package for the game is being launched this month.

"We have a diverse group of retailers form various locations around the country who are making suggestions. So, we're listening to some of the feedback and making minor adjustments," he said.

Berndt also had some interesting trivial facts about the gram. In the last year, $5 trillion in Triopoly money has been printed; 2 million inch high skyscrapers have been built; and another 2 million tiny shopping centers.

Award deadline upcoming

September 25 is the deadline for nominations for the Excellence in Family Business Awards program. Sponsored by the McMurry University Leadership Development and Family Business Center, the program honors family-owned businesses in the Big Country.

The awards go to businesses which demonstrate excellence in business management, community service and family values.

For more information, contact Dr. James Myers, 793-3851.

BBB expands its presence

For the first time in its 29-year history, the Abilene Better Business Bureau will allow members to use its logo in advertising, if the firms commit to certain standards.

Steve Abel, president of the local business/consumer group, said the decision was made on a nationwide basis.

The criteria for logo use include having be in business for at least a year, having a satisfactory record with the BBB, agreeing to participate in a dispute resolution process and agreeing to advertising the BBB affiliation only in a 13-county area around Abilene.

For more information, contact Abel at 691-1533.

Doug Williamson can be reached at 676-6707 or williamsond@abinews.com.