News about area businesses and businesspeople.

Averitt Express’ Manley honored for 20 years of work with company

Averitt Express recently honored driver Dale Manley, of Bowling Green, for 20 years of service. Manley is now among more than 475 Averitt associates who are members of the company’s Over 20 Team, an exclusive group of associates who have served 20 or more years with Averitt.

Realtor group announces officers, directors for 2010 during banquet

Officers and directors for 2010 at the Realtor Association of Southern Kentucky were announced recently at its annual banquet.

Ruth Ann Bowen, of Adventure Realty, will lead the organization in 2010 as president. Bowen first joined the organization in 1983. She has previously served as a director, vice president and president-elect as well as chairing several of its committees.

Stacey Fergerson, of Prudential Partners Realty, will serve as president-elect and Kirk Tinsley, of Crye-Leike Executive Realty, will serve as immediate past president.

Other officers include Beth Wheeler as vice president, Steve Davis as secretary and treasurer and Lonnie Gann and Jennifer Misener, as KAR delegates. Directors include Lynn Caudill, Ron Cummings, Bethany Holt, Mark Miller, Connie Pittman and Andy Wilkins. Ex-officio directors include Steve Cline, Fred Dent and Donnie Sims.

Members also were honored for their achievements. The Realtor of the Year Award, the highest award given by the association, was presented to Bowen. The award is based on Realtor spirit and involvement in the association and the community. Bowen first joined the association in 1983 and during this time she has served in many capacities. She is a graduate of the LeadershipKAR, a program designed to develop future leaders of the local and state associations. She volunteers weekly at the Commonwealth Health’s Free Clinic and works with the Angel Food Ministries.

Donnie Sims, of Coldwell Banker Legacy Real Estate Group, was the recipient of the Distinguished Service Award. This award is given to a member who has continually supported the organization through its projects and committees and has served the community. Sims has been a member for 15 years and during this time he has served in many capacities including holding the office of president in 2006. He is a member of the chamber of commerce and the Planning and Zoning Liaison Committee and is a past graduate of the Citizens Police Academy. He currently serves on the delegate body of the Kentucky Association of Realtors.

Jimmy Blankenship, of Guarantee Pest Control, was honored as the 2009 Affiliate of the Year. The award is given to an associate member that works closely with the association on projects and committees. Blankenship joined the organization in 1997.

Southern States co-sponsors Hot Rods’ winning promotion

A baseball fan promotion, co-sponsored by three area Southern States locations, has been named the 2009 Promotion of the Year by Minor League Baseball. Southern States stores in Glasgow, Franklin and Bowling Green teamed up with the Bowling Green Hot Rods to present “What Could’ve Been Night” in August.

The promotion posed the question: What could have been if the team was named the Bowling Green Cave Shrimp – the runner-up choice of fans in a 2008 Name the Team Contest. For one night last August, the team took on the Cave Shrimp identity, while presenting the first 1,000 fans with a one-of-a-kind Cave Shrimp T-shirt. The team also produced other elements to support the theme, including several in-game videos asking “what if” in various categories.

Through an online poll on the Minor League Baseball Web site, the Bowling Green team received 51 percent of almost 24,000 fan votes cast.

“We are very proud to have been involved with the Hot Rods and ‘What Could’ve Been Night,’ ” Southern States Glasgow manager Billy Beckham said in a news release. “It was a fun, creative idea that was clearly well-received by the fans.”