Business Beat.

Byline: The Register-Guard

PEOPLE

Psychiatric nurse practitioner Amber Benson has joined the McKenzie-Willamette Hospital Direction employee assistance program, where she has initiated a mental health program. She will provide psychiatric/mental health assessments, diagnosis, psychopharmacology treatment, and ongoing medication management. Benson has practiced in the medical field since 1975.

KUDOS

Dr. George McCully of Eugene has been recognized by the Oregon Academy of General Dentistry as the 2002 Dentist of the Year.

Sherrill Kirchhoff, scholarship program manager at the Oregon Student Assistance Commission in Eugene, has been elected to the board of directors for the National Scholarship Providers Association. NSPA provides support for professionals working in the area of college scholarships.

Baden & Co. of Eugene has received seven 2002 Silver Microphone awards for radio commercials created and produced by the company. The winning commercials were produced for The University of Oregon Intercollegiate Athletics Department, Lane Community College, the Oregon Student Assistance Commission, Avalon Village, Pacific Continental Bank and Coastal Farm & Home Supply.

Dean Jones of F. M. Jones & Sons in Eugene has been selected Western Regional Quality Dealer of the Year by the Oregon Independent Auto Dealers Association.

OPEN FOR BUSINESS

Wells Fargo Home Mortgage has opened a branch office in downtown Florence at 398 Highway 101. John Stone, who has been in the banking industry since 1973, will serve as a Wells Fargo mortgage consultant serving the area from Reedsport to Yachats. The phone is 902-9290.

Jane Straub-Stanley has opened a therapeutic massage practice at 396 E. 18th Ave., in the South Eugene Massage Therapy building. She completed her post-graduate internship at McKenzie-Willamette Hospital and has clinical experience in providing massage therapy to acutely ill patients. The phone is 937-3508.

F.Y.I.

Darrell Naro of Farmers Insurance Darrell Naro Agency has moved his office to 1592 Green Acres Road in Eugene. The phone is 687-6602.

The U.S. Small Business Administration has launched a Spanish-language Web site at: www.sba.gov/espanol. The site aims to reach the nation's growing Hispanic business community.

Compiled by Mauria Banducci. Business Beat runs Tuesdays and Thursdays. It covers promotions, new hires, professional achievements, new businesses, relocations and other news. Fax items to Business Beat, 683-7631, or mail them to Business Beat, The Register-Guard, P.O. Box 10188, Eugene, OR 97440.