Business digest

Bunn joins Ernst Auto Center

COLUMBUS -- Chris Bunn was recently hired as a sales and leasing professional by Ernst Auto Center, 615 East 23rd St., in Columbus.

Bunn will assist customers with the purchase or lease of new and pre-owned vehicles.

Bunn was previously employed as a sales manager at a small business funding company in Las Vegas, Nev. He also has several years experience as a national speaker, where he traveled the country, doing in-studio radio and television interviews promoting his company and conducting lectures and seminars.

Bunn lives in David City. He is a graduate of Fremont High School.

Turner hired by Distefano Tool

COLUMBUS -- Brian Turner has been hired as vice president of sales and marketing for Distefano Tool & Mfg., Behlen Mfg. Co. and Distefano Tool & Mfg. (DTM) announced recently.

Turner’s duties will be to grow DTM and assist in developing Behlen’s custom fabrication business.

Turner has worked the past 25 years in manufacturing, most recently as the vice president and general manager of Automated Concepts of Council Bluffs, Iowa, a local robotics integrator. He also has held positions of general manager of Marsh/Marshalltown Industries, a manufacturer of industrial gauges and thermometers in Hastings.

Turner’s education includes a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, a business administration certificate from University of Nebraska-Omaha, and he holds a Yellow Belt in Six Sigma.

Turner and his wife, Sherry, live in Omaha and have four grown children and one granddaughter who all live in the area. In his spare time, he enjoys bass fishing, upland game hunting and Husker football.

Loup employees reach milestones

COLUMBUS -- Loup Power District employees Alvin Meyer and Dianne Swertzic were recognized recently for their years of service to the district.

Meyer was recognized for his 10 years of service. He joined Loup as a lineman on the district’s Albion line crew. In 2003, he was promoted to journeyman lineman in the Albion division and continues in that position today.

Swertzic was recognized for her five years of service. She joined Loup as a regular part-time cashier in the district’s Fullerton office, a position she currently holds.

Keezer celebrates 25 at Cornhusker

COLUMBUS -- Charles Keezer celebrated 25 years with Cornhusker Power in February.

He was promoted to crew foreman in 2007. He has worked in positions of apprentice and journey line technician in a Columbus construction crew since 2000. Before that time, he worked on the Cornhusker Power ground crew since February 1983.

Keezer holds the position of safety chairman. He graduated from the Merchant Lineman Training Program.

Keezer was born in Burwell and graduated from Doniphan High School. He and his wife, Susan, have three children: Stacie (Heath Radford), Tracie and Cody. They have one grandchild. The Keezers live in Monroe and belong to Monroe Methodist Church where he serves on the Board of Trustees.

Active in the Monroe Fire Department and Rescue Unit, he serves as rescue captain, Keezer teaches classes in cardiopulmonary resuscitation to Cornhusker employees. He enjoys fishing and hunting.

Kitchen Place wins award

NORFOLK -- The Kitchen Place of Norfolk was recently named as a “President’s Club Award” winner for exceptional kitchen and bath cabinetry sales by Showplace Wood Products.

This is the eighth consecutive year it have been recognized for this achievement, placing it in the top percent of Showplace dealers nationwide.

The Kitchen Place also has a location at 915 23rd St. in Columbus.

Dicke hired as Novotny assistant

COLUMBUS -- Kayla M. Dicke, a physicians assistant, has joined the practice of Nila M. Novotny, M.D.

Dicke will assist Novotny in the her otolaryngology (ear, nose and throat) practice, in clinical and hospital settings in Columbus and at her outreach clinics in Albion, David City, Osceola, Osmond, Plainview and Tilden.

Dicke is a 2001 graduate of Lakeview High School, a 2004 graduate of UNO and a 2007 graduate of UNMC physician assistant program, where she received her master of physician assistant studies degree. She and her husband, Waylan, farm north of Columbus.

Dicke is the daughter of Keith and Colleen Kapels of Creston.

Schwalenberg receives honor

COLUMBUS -- Jim Schwalenberg, a financial representative with Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, qualified for the organization’s prestigious Summit Circle for 2007 achievements.

Schwalenberg, of Columbus, is with Thrivent Financial’s Nebraska Regional Financial Office.