BUSINESS AWARDS

Battalion Chiefs Ian Emmons and Mike Guadagno have successfully completed the process that awards the professional designation of “Chief Fire Officer” (CFO). The Commission on Professional Credentialing (CPC) met on Oct. 2, 2018 to confer the designation. Emmons and Guadagno become two of only 1,298 CFOs worldwide.

The designation program is a voluntary program designed to recognize individuals who demonstrate their excellence in seven measured components including experience, education, professional development, professional contributions, association membership, community involvement and technical competence. In addition, all applicants are required to identify a future professional development plan.

The CFO designation program uses a comprehensive peer review model to evaluate candidates seeking the credential. The Commission on Professional Credentialing (CPC) awards the designation only after an individual successfully meets all of the organization’s stringent criteria.

Achieving this designation signifies Emmons’ and Guadagno’s commitment to their career in the fire and emergency services.

This professional designation is valid for three years. Maintaining the designation requires recipients to show continued growth in the areas of professional development, professional contributions, active association membership and community involvement as well as adhere to a strict code of professional conduct

The Commission on Professional Credentialing, an entity of the Center for Public Safety Excellence, Inc., (CPSE) administers the Designation Program. The CPC consists of individuals from academia, federal and local government, and the fire and emergency medical services profession. To learn more about CPC, visit www. cpse.org.

Over 30 credit unions and individual loan originators were recognized by myCUmortgage® during its 14th Annual Partner Conference, held Oct. 23-25, 2018 in Dayton, Ohio. myCUmortgage is a leading Credit Union Service Organization (CUSO) and wholly-owned by WrightPatt Credit Union.

Each year, myCUmortgage evaluates how successful its credit union partners were during the previous 12 months in helping members become home owners. The result in 2018 was a mortgage-obsessed group of credit union lenders who took this year’s conference theme to heart by not only Seizing the Mortgage but also Thrilling the Member.

“Today’s real estate market is as competitive as ever. If a credit union mortgage lender is to succeed, they need to exhibit a true passion to help their members with purchasing homes,” said Tim Mislansky, President of myCUmortgage. “I’m excited and proud of this year’s award winners for exhibiting that passion and epitomizing how to Seize the Mortgage.”

Partner credit unions and individual loan originators recognized by myCUmortgage include:

■ Most Loans Originated

1. Large Credit Unions: Desco Federal Credit Union, Portsmouth, Ohio

2. Mid-Sized Credit Unions: Canton School Employees Federal Credit Union, Canton, Ohio

3. Small Credit Unions: TopMark Federal Credit Union, Lima, Ohio

■ Originator of the Year: Wendy Bussa, Hopewell Federal Credit Union, Heath, Ohio

■ Lender of the Year: Desco Federal Credit Union, Portsmouth, Ohio

■ CU Select Partner of the Year: Firefighters Community Credit Union, Cleveland

In addition, 23 loan originators were individually recognized for each helping over 100 members with home ownership. Of these winners, 18 were from WrightPatt Credit Union in Dayton as well as Michelle Boughan from TopMark Federal Credit Union in Lima.

This year’s award-winning Partner Conference hosted over 100 credit union mortgage leaders representing nearly 50 credit unions from across the United States. The conference provides attending credit union representatives with the latest news, trends and techniques in the mortgage industry as well as the opportunity to exchange information with fellow credit union mortgage representatives and network with industry leaders.

The One Hundred Club of Dayton bestowed Miami Township Police Officer James Swearingen with the 2018 Robert B. Jacob Award of Merit during a reception Nov. 2, 2018. The Ohio Attorney General’s Office also recently honored Officer Swearingen with the 2018 Ohio Distinguished Law Enforcement Valor Award during a law enforcement conference Oct. 26, 2018. He was selected by both organizations for his bravery and exemplary performance during an attempted carjacking Feb. 5, 2018, at the intersection of I-75 and SR 725.

“Due to Officer Swearingen’s quick action, a dangerous felon was arrested,” Miami Township Police Chief Ronald L. Hess said. “He was off-duty at the time and still took immediate action to end the threat. His work ethic is of great benefit to the community he serves. This distinguished honor is much deserved.”

Swearingen is a 7-year veteran of the Miami Township Police Department. He served prior in the U.S. Navy having received a Navy Commendation Medal for a tour of duty in Iraq. He and his wife, Rebecca, have two children. He was nominated for both awards by his colleagues at the Miami Township Police Department.

The One Hundred Club of Dayton Award of Merit is presented annually to a police officer or firefighter who goes above and beyond the call of duty to protect the community. The award is named for the club’s co-founder.

The Ohio Attorney General’s Ohio Distinguished Law Enforcement Valor Award is presented annually for an officer’s excellence and bravery in the line of duty.

Attorneys Pamela Hayman-Weaner and Gary Weston, both of Legal Aid of Western Ohio, are the 2018 co-recipients of the Ohio Legal Assistance Foundation (OLAF) Denis J. Murphy Award. The award was presented during the recent Access to Justice Awards in Dayton.

The Denis J. Murphy Award is presented annually to recognize outstanding leadership and advocacy within Ohio’s legal aids.

Hayman-Weaner has spent her career working with survivors of domestic violence, stalking, sexual assault, and human trafficking. A skilled litigator and a tireless advocate for her clients, she has built strong coalitions to support domestic violence survivors.

Since 2006, Hayman-Weaner has led the Family Justice Center of Northwest Ohio, the first Family Justice Center to be based in a multicounty rural area and one of the few centered on the civil legal system. Under her leadership, Defiance County has been recognized as a model for community-based support and advocacy.

Weston has been leading and managing legal service organizations, projects, and teams for more than 30 years. He has developed and implemented many innovative programs and partnerships at Legal Aid of Western Ohio to meet the legal needs of Ohioans struggling to make ends meet.

His most recent work involves helping seniors. He created and leads a project, “Plan Ahead and Protect Yourself,” that helps to combat elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation. Hundreds of “Plan Ahead” presentations have been made to seniors throughout the Dayton area, with follow up scheduled as-needed.

In 2006, Weston was the first recipient from the Miami Valley to receive the Distinguished Service Award from Advocates for Basic Legal Equality and Legal Aid of Western Ohio. In 2012, he was recognized as a Dayton Bar Association Foundation Life Fellow.