News about businesses and businesspeople.

Gary Dillard named WRECC president

Warren Rural Electric Cooperative Corp. announced last week that Gary K. Dillard will assume the position of president and CEO of Warren RECC on March 15. Dillard replaces Gerald W. Hayes, who will retire after 40 years with the company.

Dillard joined the cooperative in 1998 and has served as vice president of member and affiliated services since 2002.

“The board of directors is confident that we made the right decision in choosing Gary,” said Warren RECC board chairman Joe Neely in a press release. “His leadership, dedication and commitment to Warren RECC and its members made him the clear choice to lead the cooperative into the next phase of our history.”

Officials attend event hosted by chamber

The Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce hosted a trip to Frankfort last week for South Central Kentucky Night, an event in which local partners had the opportunity to network with state legislators and representatives.

The chamber hosted the reception Jan. 15 at Berry Hill Mansion in Frankfort for chamber partners, board members and ambassadors; members of the southcentral Kentucky regional partnership and state legislative delegates. The event offered all in attendance a chance to meet one-on-one with state officials and share their legislative priorities.

Nearly 200 people, including Gov. Steve Beshear and his wife Jane, attended the reception.

“The chamber hosts this event during each long legislative session with several goals in mind,” said Todd Davis, chamber chair-elect and board vice president for existing business development in a press release. “Primarily, we want to help our partners meet and speak with our state delegates because we want to give all partners a voice in government. We also use the opportunity to introduce our legislative agenda to our delegates. Decisions made in Frankfort directly affect the business community in southcentral Kentucky. We want to encourage our legislators to make the best decisions possible for our region.”

South Central Kentucky Night supports the chamber’s goals to influence and support southcentral Kentucky funding and legislative efforts through the Legislative Action Committee, members of which are appointed by the chamber board of directors, according to chamber communications coordinator Jessica Thompson.

“This event is a representation of how the chamber keeps our partners’ needs and the overall climate of business and government in southcentral Kentucky at the forefront of our activities,” said chamber president and CEO James N. Hizer in a press release. “Advocating for a positive business environment is a large component of our mission as an organization. We’re fulfilling part of that mission by participating in governmental affairs and by hosting events such as South Central Kentucky Night.”

DDS Engineering’s Smith re-appointed

Gov. Steve Beshear has re-appointed Dennis D. Smith of Bowling Green to his second four-year term with the Kentucky State Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors. Smith is 2007 past chairman of the Board of Licensure and has served on several committees of the board and recently assumed the presidency of the Colonial States Board of Surveyor Registration representing 22 states.

The state Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors consists of nine members appointed by the governor. The board regulates and controls the licensing and conduct of engineers and land surveyors in Kentucky.

Smith is president and CEO of DDS Engineering, PLLC, with offices in Bowling Green and Hopkinsville.

David Smith joins Monticello Bank Co.

Banking veteran David Smith, a native of Butler County, recently joined Monticello Banking Co. as a senior consumer loan officer for Monticello Bank’s banking center at 1050 Wilkinson Trace in Bowling Green. Smith will be responsible for handling financial services relationships for all banking products and services related to consumer lending. Smith brings almost a decade of banking and financial services experience to the bank. Previously, Smith was the Edmonson County market president for PBI Bank.

“David brings both experience and enthusiasm to our team. He’ll certainly be a valuable resource for all of our customers,” said senior executive officer Mike Davenport.

Smith resides in Bowling Green. He attended Western Kentucky University and graduated from Mid-Continent University in Mayfield. Prior to entering the banking field, Smith gained management experience with hhGregg, a major electronic and appliance retailer.

Emily Graham joins Holland CPAs, PSC

Emily Graham, a native of Tompkinsville, recently joined Holland CPAs, PSC as a senior accountant.

Graham is a graduate of the University of Kentucky with a bachelor of science degree in accounting. She will work in tax preparation and planning areas. Graham brings varied experience in public accounting including tax preparation for individuals and business entities as well as audit engagements. She previously worked with Dana Corp. in Glasgow, Hills Pet Nutrition and Werner-Lowe in Bowling Green. She also previously worked with Holland CPAs as a senior accountant in the audit department.

Holland CPAs, Professional Service Corp. is a locally owned financial and business consulting and certified public accounting firm with offices in Bowling Green and Russellville.

Greenview program receives accreditation

The Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons has granted three-year approval with commendation to the cancer program at Greenview Regional Hospital.

A facility received the commendation following an on-site evaluation by a physician surveyor during which the facility demonstrates a commendation level of compliance with one or more standards that represent the full scope of the cancer program.

The CoC is a consortium of professional organizations dedicated to improving survival rates and quality of life for cancer patients through standard-setting, prevention, research, education and the monitoring of comprehensive, quality care. Its membership includes Fellows of the American College of Surgeons and 42 national organizations that reflect the full spectrum of cancer care.

“We want to congratulate all those employees, past and present, who have worked so hard to make sure Greenview received this designation from the Commission on Cancer,” Greenview CEO Mark Marsh said in a press release.

Local Realtor gets national recognition

Bryant A. Smith with Coldwell Banker Legacy Real Estate Group was recently awarded the Accredited Buyer Representation designation by the Real Estate Buyer’s Agent Council of the National Association of Realtors.

Smith joins more than 32,000 real estate professional in North America who earned the ABR designation. All were required to successfully complete a comprehensive course in buyer representation and an elective course focusing on a buyer representation specialty, in addition to submitting documentation verifying professional experience.

BG Chamber makes cover of phone book

The Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce is featured on the cover of the 2008 Bowling Green, Franklin and Russellville AT&T Real Yellow Pages directory. An estimated 102,000 directories will be delivered to Bowling Green-area residents and businesses.

“We are thrilled that the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce will be represented on the new directories,” said Jessica M.L. Thompson, communications coordinator for the chamber in a news release. “Our new multimillion-dollar headquarters is truly a source of pride in downtown Bowling Green, and it’s great to see the building highlighted on yet another publication.”

South Central Bank promotes four employees

Peggy Goforth has recently received her Bank Secrecy Act certification from Independent Community Bankers of America after serving as South Central Bank’s BSA officer since 2000. Goforth has been with the bank for nine years.

Also at the bank, Helen Rife and Beth Waltrip have been named new account representatives and Erin Markham accepted the position of marketing/merchant services.

— Items for 9-to-5 news may be submitted to business reporter Ameerah Cetawayo at acetawayo@bgdailynews.com. Business events may also be submitted to the Daily News’ online calendar at www.bgdailynews.com/calendar/submit