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Assurance opens call center

Assurance Financial Group opened the doors of its first mortgage retail production center Sept. 4 on South Sherwood Forest Boulevard. The center, led by Managing Partner Van Bush, will house up to 55 new employees.

A joint venture

Jordan & Broadwater law firm, Jordan Traditions home construction company and The Winning Way mediation firm have moved into a single building on Brookline Avenue. The office was designed and built by Jordan Traditions.

Fearless after cancer

Cancer Services of Greater Baton Rouge announced a six-week exercise program for local cancer survivors, “Fit and Fearless.” The recurring sessions are tailored to individuals who have completed treatment and feature strength training, cardiovascular exercises, flexibility and yoga. Classes will be conducted at Independence Park across from the Cancer Services office.

Report pushes question

The Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana released a report to aid voters in asking important questions of political candidates. The report breaks down critical policy issues into basic facts and provides readers with sample questions to press candidates for specific answers. The council hopes these questions will encourage voters to scrutinize potential candidates beyond the campaign slogans.

AWARDS/HONORS

James C. Marshall was elected chair of the Salvation Army Advisory Board. He is a partner in the Taylor, Porter, Brooks and Phillips law firm, where he primarily practices intellectual property law and toxic tort litigation.

R. Marshall Grodner of McGlinchey Stafford law firm was elected to the Board of Regents of the American College of Commercial Finance Lawyers. Grodner was nominated for his experience in commercial finance law and his dedication to the education of others in this field. Grodner represents lenders in numerous large commercial transactions on a local, regional and national level. His term expires in 2011.

Stan Anders, president of Iberville Motors in Plaquemine, was elected secretary of the General Motors Minority Dealers Association. The national organization is designed to represent the interests of minority-owned General Motors dealerships. Anders has been a member of the GMMDA since 2002.

Mike Salassi, LSU AgCenter agricultural economist, and Ben Legendre, LSU AgCenter sugar cane specialist and interim head of the Audubon Sugar Institute in St. Gabriel, were among five people who received the USDA Farm Service Agency Award for Service to Agriculture in the category of Outstanding Team Accomplishment. They received the award for their efforts in helping the sugar cane industry recover after hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Matt Carling and Zac Cheviron, LSU doctoral students, received two of three presentation awards at the annual meeting of the American Ornithologist’s Union. Carling, who studies the molecular genetics of hybridization between Indigo and Lazuli Buntings in the Great Plains of North America, received the AOU Council Award. Cheviron, who studies Rufous-collared sparrows and their adaptation to living at high elevations in the Andes, received the Nellie Johnson Baroody Award.

David Madden, LSU English professor, was awarded the Robert Penn Warren Professorship, which is held by LSU English professors on a three-year basis and includes a stipend of nearly $5,000.

CERTIFICATIONS

Tex Morris of the Edward Jones financial services firm in Baton Rouge has achieved the professional designation of Accredited Asset Management Specialist. Morris successfully completed the program from the Denver-based College for Financial Planning. This advanced training offers investment professionals with hands-on information needed to provide comprehensive financial services. Study topics include understanding the asset management process and understanding asset allocation and strategies.