Business people

<p><li> The Lee Crane Nationwide Insurance Agency announces new staff members: Thomas Starr, Leahna Starr Stehman, and C.T Starr III.</p><p> After a 35 year career as an executive with Nationwide Insurance, Tom Starr is retiring to head a financial sales organization within the Lee Crane Agency. His most recent position was vice president of agency sales for Nationwide Insurance Co., Columbus, Ohio. He is a former vice president and regional manager of the Nationwide Gainesville Regional Office. Starr is a graduate of Otterbein College, a Chartered Financial Consultant and a Chartered Life Underwriter.</p><p> Stehman is a certified customer service representative who will be working in the financial services practice. She is a graduate of the University of Florida. </p><p> C.T. Starr III is an associate agent. He is a certified customer service representative and a licensed property, casualty and health insurance agent. He previously worked for The Marcum Nationwide Insurance Agency and has worked as a realtor in Gainesville.</p><p> <li>Mary Gardner and Dennis Taylor have joined Florida Credit Union as mortgage loan officers at the NW 43rd Street office. Gardner has more than 13 years of experience in construction and residential home building. Taylor has more than 20 years of banking and lending experience. </p><p> <li>Dawn Xenakis is now with Kapsters the Salon in Gainesville. </p><p> <li>Heather Leslie has been named editor of The Independent Florida Alligator for the Spring term. Leslie, a University of Florida senior majoring in reporting and with a minor in political science, has worked for the college newspaper for three years as managing editor/print, copy editor and news copy desk chief. </p><p> <li>Corner Drug Store Inc. of Gainesville has presented its 2002 Community Partner awards, which highlight community members and agencies who have helped the agency in its mission to strengthen communities by building strong families.</p><p> The 2002 recipients are Lori Heibert, Alachua County Court Services; Dr. Michael Blachly, director of the University of Florida Center for the Performing Arts; Alachua County Teen Court; Curtis Jenkins, Columbia County Teen Court; David Buckles, Putnam County Public Schools; Medical Manager Research and Development Inc.; Terry Flemming, HIV/Substance Abuse Prevention Project; and Ron Goates, regional director of the Department of Juvenile Justice.</p><p> The agency's 2002 Volunteer of the Year award went to Patricia McNally. The 2002 Staff Achievements awards were presented to: Joe Mattox, house manager of Interface Youth Program in Gainesville; Mary Townsend, fiscal assistant; Kathy Morgan, secretary; Tanaka Greenwood, secretary; Walter Disbrow, administrative assistant; Anachalee Phataralaoha, information systems specialist; and Gwen Love, Prevention Services coordinator.</p><p> Special staff recognition went to Randy Burrack, CFO, and Estela Rosa-Garcia, Data Systems manager.</p><p> The 2002 Board Member Special Recognition went to Daniel Crapps of Daniel Crapps Agency Inc. of Lake City. Crapps donated the money in order to purchase a 12 passenger van for use at the Interface Youth Shelter in Lake City. </p><p> <li>Both Stephen Hesson and Robert Gasche of Gainesville Fire Rescue have been promoted to the rank of driver operator. Hesson has been with GFR for six year; Gasche has been with GFR for 13 years.</p><p></p><p> <I>Business People is your weekly column about promotions, new employees, professional achievements and workplace awards. Please mail brief announcements with photo (only photos with identification on them will run), if desired, to Business People, The Gainesville Sun, P.O. Box 147147, Gainesville, FL 32614-7147. Announcements without photos may be faxed to 338-3128. You can also submit online (with clear identification on any photo) at gordonj@gvillesun.com. Business People is compiled for WorkLife by Joe Gordon.</I></p>