Business Glance

Visitors bureau adds sales manager

Darla Paulson has joined the staff at the Yu- ma Convention and Visitors Bureau as the bureau's na- tional sales manager. Her responsibilities will include tourism sales for U.S. and Canada markets, as well as convention sales.

A seasoned veteran of the hospitality industry, Paulson has 12 years' experience as a director of sales with her most recent position with Regency Hotel Management Inc. She recently moved to Yuma with her husband, Mark, from Michigan.

Alicia Aguirre attends health law program

Alicia Z. Aguirre, an associate with the law firm of Byrne, Benesch and Villarreal P.C., recently attended a Fundamentals of Health Law Program sponsored by the American Health Lawyers Association.

The program covered legal and regulatory issues, such as HIPAA, antitrust, Stark, false claims, Medicare, Medicaid and tax law. Speakers also provided analysis of the legal challenges and issues faced by the various players in the health care industry.

Real estate classes offered

The C. David McVay School will provide two real estate classes for renewal of continuing education hours. They will be Tuesday at the Yuma Community Food Bank, 2325 S. Engler Ave. Cost is $10 per seminar, payable at the door, and includes lunch.

The morning seminar, Disclosures I, will be from 9 a.m. to noon. The afternoon seminar from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. will address real estate legal issues.

For more information or to register, call Jonnie Thomas, at First American Title, at 819-0099, Ext. 20.

Also, continuing education classes may be taken online at www.cdavidmcvayschool.com. For more information, call 1-602-749-2098.

Professional works to meet changing senior needs

Reed Lohrenz, a financial broker with Brookstreet Securities Corp. in Yuma, has completed a comprehensive course on priority senior issues conducted by the Society of Certified Senior Advisors.

With completion of the course, Lohrenz earned his CSA designation as a professional leader in meeting the key needs and issues concerning senior citizens.

Through continuing education, monthly updates and other assistance, the Society of Certified Senior Advisors keeps professionals in a variety of fields informed on financial, medical and social issues facing senior citizens.

Lohrenz can be reached at 183 W. 24th St., Suite 5, or by phone at 317-0650.

Classic Accounting joins forces with national tax service

Classic Accounting has joined forces with the nation's second-largest income tax preparation service, Jackson Hewitt Tax Service, to better serve its customers.

A leading tax preparation business in Yuma for 17 years, the locally owned Classic Accounting has two locations. The Yuma office is at 1840 S. 4th Ave., Suite 7, and the Foothills office is at 11242 S. Foothills Blvd.

The affiliation with Jackson Hewitt will enable Classic Accounting to offer more financial products to its clients and provide the local business with additional resources to better serve them, said owner Dave Cline.

GMAC Real Estate welcomes several new sales associates

Several new associates have joined the sales staff at Karen Spencer & Associates GMAC Real Estate, 11361 S. Foothills Blvd. They include:

--Kim Hill-Olsen, a native of Yuma, is pursuing a lifelong interest in real estate and recently became a licensed agent. She has 13 years' experience with social services and moved back to Yuma in 1996 to work for a nonprofit child abuse prevention agency, which she continues to manage. She can be reached at 342-0422 or kim@ karenspencer.com.

--Vicky Shininger, who is new to Yuma, also is newly licensed and has a lot of personal experiences in relocating. She can be reached at 726-0355 or vicky@karenspencer.com.

--Larry and Judy Morehouse are California transplants to the Yuma area. He is retired from the recycled water industry and his wife has a background in the banking and mortgage lending industries. They joined Karen Spencer & Associates GMAC Real Estates' team in October and specialize in working as residential resale agents. They can be reached at 342-0422 or LnJ@karenspencer.com.

--Chuck and Pam Nelson have been wintering in Yuma for the last eight years and recently made the community their permanent "home base." They have been business owners in Washington for 25 years, with Chuck handling the management end and Pam handling accounting. They can be reached at 502-1225 or CnP@karen spencer.com.

Veterans' seminar explores business opportunities

Reservations are needed by Friday for a free Veterans' Small Business Resource seminar sponsored by the U.S. Small Business Administration. It will provide information and re- sources for veterans who are considering opening a small business, as well as those who already operate one.

The free event will be from 12:45 to 4:30 p.m. Jan. 20 at the Yuma Educational Computer Consortium, 596 S. 4th Ave., in the training lab. For directions, call Randy Nelson at 341-1650.

Topics will include finance resources for small business, small business counseling and education, Women's Business Center and Microloan Program, business plans, doing business with the federal government and military bases, marketing your business with ProNet and CCR, and the SBA's 8(a) certification program.

For more information and to register, call James H. Pipper, of the SBA, at 1-602-745-7230 or e-mail arizona@sba.gov.

Edward Jones offers satellite tax course for CPAs, attorneys

Charles Cordery, a local Edward Jones investment representative, will host a televised program titled "Tax-advantaged Retirement Solutions" broadcast via the firm's Professional Education Network at noon Wed- nesday.

The program is open to area CPAs and attorneys and will provide continuing education credits. The enrollment fee is $50, which includes admission and course materials. Reservations are required by calling 314-1344.

Red Cross takes safety classes to the workplace

American Red Cross offers safety training to help employees learn how to respond to emergencies, as well as how to avoid them altogether.

The training may reduce costs associated with injuries and illnesses on the job, and even save lives.

The courses can be presented at the workplace or the local Red Cross chapter. Also, select em- ployees may be sent to trainer courses, which prepare them to train the rest of the staff.

In addition to modular courses, a 60- to 90-minute seminar entitled 'Preparing for the Unexpected' will provide employees with essential information to prepare for any type of disaster.

Courses are available in:

--CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation)

--First aid

--AED (Automated External Defibrillator)

--Emergency response

--CPR for the professional rescuer

--Ergonomics

--Workplace violence awareness

--Back injury prevention

--Slips, trips and falls

--Your Heart Matters

--Managing stress

--Disaster education.

For information about the various programs offered, call 782-0660.