Kooker

MARS — Mars National Bank hired Lisa Kooker as senior vice president and chief credit officer. Kooker will oversee the bank’s credit and related activities.

Kooker joins the Butler County bank with 20 years of banking and credit related experience while most recently serving as manager of commercial credit, administration and collections at Fidelity Bank.

She is a graduate of John Carroll University in University Heights, Ohio, where she earned a bachelor’s in management.

Kooker lives in Wexford with her husband and their two children.

Leadership hosting memorabilia auctionPROSPECT — Leadership Butler County Class of 2013 is hosting a sports memorabilia auction from 6 to 9 p.m., Jan. 25, at the White Barn, 254 Kennedy Road, Prospect.Proceeds will benefit the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Butler County.Auction items include 38 autographed footballs, most by Steelers, but also some from other teams; 30 autographed jerseys from the Steelers, Penguins, Pirates, Los Angeles Lakers, Green Bay Packers and one from Butler County’s own Jim Kelly; and seven autographed helmets; and photographs, posters, Terrible Towels and more.Cost is $10 in advance or $15 at the door. For more information or for tickets, call the Butler County Chamber of Commerce at 724-283-2222, or go to media@butlercountychamber.com.

Travel information may change in Pa.HARRISBURG — A statewide panel wants ideas from private companies interested in managing and operating Pennsylvania’s traveler-information systems now run by the state.The Pennsylvania Public-Private Transportation Partnership board gave PennDOT and the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission the green light to solicit proposals.It could lead to the privatization of the PennDOT’s system that provides warnings of traffic delays, weather forecasts, average speeds and other information about major highways via telephone and the Internet. The Turnpike Roadway Information Program provides similar updates for Turnpike travelers.

American Express to cut 5,400 jobsLOS ANGELES — American Express said it will slash about 5,400 jobs, mainly in its travel business, as it seeks to cut costs and transform its operations as more of its customers shift to online portals for booking travel plans and other needs.The job cuts will be partly offset by jobs that the company expects to add this year. American Express said the jobs eliminated will span employee seniority levels and divisions worldwide, but will primarily involve jobs that don’t generate revenue.