Hires/Promotions/ Honors

The WENDEL Companies, comprising Wendel Duchscherer Architects and Engineers, Wendel Energy Services, and Wendel Construction, named Denise Serio marketing manager. Serio an Allegheny College grad, has worked for more than 18 years in marketing in Western New York advertising agencies. Also, the company named Alexandria Van- Dick and Jessica Stamp to the accounting department. VanDick holds an associate’s degree in art from Niagara County Community College. Stamp has extensive experience with several local companies. Also, the company named Jessica Black, a University at Buffalo grad, a graphic designer.

xpedx, a paper, packaging and business products distributor, named Bill Ostroff a sales representative at its Buffalo branch. Ostroff, a University at Buffalo grad, has 40 years of industry experience.

The Journal of Corporate Renewal published an article by Gerry Murak, founder and principal of Murak &Associates, titled “Looking Up in a Down Economy” in the September/ October 2009 edition. Murak writes that companies have unique opportunities in the current economy to upgrade talent, improve relationships with vendors and seek government contracts.

Company items

Infinite Health Chiropractic and Wellness Center, specializing in pediatric and adult chiropractic care, recently opened at 3725 N. Buffalo Road, Orchard Park. The center is owned and operated Michael Ferry,

D. C., and Alaina McAuliffe-Ferry,

D. C., who most recently practiced in New Hampshire for two years. For additional information, call the office at 667-2200.

Lawley Benefits Group, an employee benefits consulting provider, was contracted by Staroba Plastics, a Holland manufacturer, to present its customized wellness program that includes smoking cessation last December. With a $500 incentive from the company to stop smoking from January to the company’s summer picnic in August, eight employees successfully completed the program and were able to quit smoking.

Get Heeled, a Clarence shop that offers shoes, handbags, jewelry, accessories, belts, scarves and bridal accessories, recently celebrated its third anniversary. The shop is owned by Deborah Tangelder, who also owns The Perfect Gift, located next door at 6000 Goodrich Road. The Perfect Gift, specializing in home decor, lotions, gourmet foods, handmade jewelry, seasonal gifts, recently celebrated its sixth anniversary.

A. W. Farrell&Son, a Dunkirk roofing contractor, was awarded a $112,465 contract to repair the roof of the New York Army National Guard maintenance facility at the New York State Armory in Jamestown from the New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs. The work is due to be finished in November.

Bryant&Stratton College has expanded its financial planning program to allow students to complete the Certified Financial Planner Education Program entirely online. For information, call (800) 836-5627 or visit http://psctraining.- bryantstratton.edu/cfp.

Contributing

The Arts in Education Institute of WNY was awarded a $2,000 grant from the Children’s Foundation of Erie County to update Where the WildThings Live, the institute’s educational program designed for students in Western New York. The program integrates math, science and other educational elements into a study of animal habitats at the Buffalo Zoo.

Patents

Title: “Human feedback using parasitic power harvesting of RFID tags” No.: 7,586,413 Inventor: Davis, Michael L. (Amherst)

Assignee: Assa Abloy AB (Stockholm, Sweden) Date issued: Sept. 8, 2009

Title: “Oral immunology using plant product containing a non-enteric pathogen antigen” No.: 7,585,522 Inventor: Thanavala, Yasmin (Williamsville)

Assignee: Health Research (Buffalo) Date issued: Sept. 8, 2009