BUTLER TWP — Jim Gallagher, who served as president of the Butler Armco Independent Union and then as president of United Autoworkers Local 3303, when the union affiliated with the international union in 2003, joined the international staff in January.

Gallagher worked for Armco and AK Steel for 31 years. As local president, he led the union's 1,600 employees thorough contract negotiations in 2006, resulting in a six-year labor agreement.

Gallagher said his job in Detroit is as a time-study representative, which means he helps resolve problems between UAW shops and companies over how long it take employees to complete tasks.

Hank Leyland, who has been Local 3303 vice president, is now the president.

Butler Memorial Hospital is hosting the third "Employee of the Year" award, presented by the Butler Count Chamber of Commerce's Employee Appreciation Luncheon on April 19.All nominees must be employees of a Butler County business. The winner will be picked by an independent panel of judges.Jennifer Roxbury of NexTier and Tammy Schuey of the Butler Eagle were the first two winners of the award.Nomination forms are available from the chamber in the Morgan Center, Butler, or by calling 724-283-2222 or e-mail info@butlercountychamber.com. Nominations must be turned in to the chamber by April 2.

EAST BUTLER — Former ISM Fastening Systems workers, who lost their jobs because of foreign competition, are eligible for federal Trade Adjustment Assistance benefits.TAA benefits pay for training or education for workers who lose their job because of foreign manufacturing between May 6, 2006, to Jan. 17, 2009.For information, workers should call CareerLink Butler County at 724-431-4000.

BUTLER TWP — Dingbats restaurant has a new owner.Ron Sullivan, who also owns Abate Seafood in the Waterworks Mall in Fox Chapel, bought the North Main Street Extension restaurant in December.Sullivan bought Food Services Management Associates of Pittsburgh, that owned five restaurants in the region and that is getting out to the business.Sullivan also has announced his company will open a Dingbats and an Abate Seafood at the Galleria in Pittsburgh Mills in Frazier Township, Allegheny County.The two new restaurants should be open by May and have 300 employees.

RICHLANDTWP, Allegheny County — The Arbors at St. Barnabas board of trustees has been re-elected.They are Robert Pfishner of Richland Township, chairman; <B>Karen Tabacchi</B> of Jefferson Township, president; <B>Karen Russell</B> of Cranberry Township, secretary; and state Rep. Mike Turzai, R-28th, of Bradford Woods, treasurer.

<B>Clinton Champagne,</B> president of Champagne Appraisal Services in Butler, has received a designation by the Appraisal Institute, a national appraisal organization, as a residential properties appraiser. Champagne has been an appraiser since 1986 in Butler, and has a long-time practice with Hays and Hartzell Realty. Seventy-one appraisers in Western Pennsylvania have the residential membership, including David Hesidenz of Butler and David King, John King, David McConahy and Stephanie Steinbeck, all of Cranberry Township.