Tourism conference slated for March 4FRANKLIN TWP — The Armstrong County Tourist Bureau will partner with other tourism agencies, including the Butler County Tourism and Convention Bureau, to put on a conference for businesses and organizations.The topic will be homeland security and human resources.The conference will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 4 at the Atrium, 1031 New Castle Road.Speakers will include Bob Winters, protective security adviser for Pittsburgh for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and Eugene Gatty of Center Township, who co-owns Drs. Gatty LLC, which is a business consulting and mentoring firm.The cost is $15, which includes lunch.To register, contact the Armstrong County Tourist Bureau by e-mailing touristbur@co.armstrong.pa.us or calling 724-543-4003 by Feb. 24. Checks should be made payable to the Armstrong County Tourist Bureau.

Mars bank adds commercial VPMARS — Andrew Chiapusio has joined Mars National Bank as vice president, commercial banking.Mark Drenchko, senior vice president, commercial and retail banking, said, “He knows the region and has experience serving business banking needs.”Chiapusio has experience in business and retail banking.He is a graduate of Westminster College, a native of New Castle and lives in Mars.

Leasing VP named at Hunter TruckHunter Truck Sales & Service has promoted Keith Crider to vice president of Hunter Leasing.He was hired in June 1990 as an entry level technician in the Butler Leasing facility. He progressed to service manager and to general manager of Butler and Etna Leasing, as well as developing leasing at other Hunter facilities.Keith graduated from the ATD Dealer Academy in 2008, which well prepared him for this role.The Hunter Leasing division, including Idealease and PacLease, has grown quickly in the past few years as customers seek more controlled costs.Keith will oversee both franchises at Hunter.

Discover Saxonburg announces mergerSAXONBURG — Discover Saxonburg has merged with the Saxonburg Area Business Association.The merger took place Jan. 1. Discover Saxonburg now will act as a committee under the business association.Discover Saxonburg was founded two years ago by late Mayor Pam Bauman, business owners and other people to generate more interest in the borough by bringing in new businesses and visitors.Its president is Phillip Wain of Wain Landscaping. Vice president is Josh Novotny of Novotny's Pizza, secretary is Mandee Williams of the South Butler Community Library and treasurer is Jessica Brewster of Batch.The association meets on the second Tuesday of the month.

Kienzle retires from Marmon/KeystoneRick Kienzle, Marmon/Keystone's corporate credit manager, retired Jan. 29 after 41 years of service.He started with Marmon/Keystone as a regional credit analyst, then became a regional credit manager, administrative controller, inside sales and was then promoted to corporate credit manager in 1991.During his tenure, Kienzle of Butler was named a member of the Mar/Key Club in 1989 for his performance in sales. He later earned the Certified Credit Executive designation from the National Association of Credit Management in 1998, and in 2007 he was awarded the Marmon/Keystone Presidential Quality Award.Assuming Kienzle's duties is Tom Fern, who has overall responsibility for credit control and collection for Marmon/Keystone U.S. and Mexico locations.Fern is a graduate of Slippery Rock University and began his career with Marmon/Keystone 28 years ago as a branch management trainee. He has advanced through the positions of Butler branch credit analyst, southeast regional credit manager and assistant corporate credit manager.He was named an honorary Mar/Key Club member in 2002 for his continual dedication to his work and his company.Fern lives in Butler with his wife and daughter.

Real estate firm expands buildingReal estate company Clear Choice Enterprises is adding to its facility.The two-story expansion of the building at 723 E. Brady St. will include additional space for workers, an extra conference room and a training facility. A parking lot also will be added.Pete Sebock, who co-owns the business with his wife Julie, said the expansion will roughly double the size of the facility. It currently is about 1,800 square feet.Construction began last year and Sebock expects it to be finished this year. The company has 12 employees, and hopes to add five more in the spring.

Allegheny Mineral quarry in SR receives awardsSLIPPERY ROCK TWP — Allegheny Mineral's Slippery Rock quarry was awarded the 2015 Environmental Excellence and Community Relations awards from the National Stone, Sand, and Gravel Association.The Environmental Excellence award program recognizes aggregate producers that are contributing to the maintenance of the environment in and around their operations by the exemplary use of environmental systems that exceed environmental and regulatory requirements.“As a mining company, one of our most important obligations is to be a good steward of the environment,” said Dennis Snyder, president of Allegheny Mineral of Kittanning. “To be honored nationally for our care of the environment and our work in the community validates Allegheny Mineral's commitment to go above and beyond our statutory obligations.”

Personnel file•Sarah Schoendorf, who joined the St. Barnabas Communities team in early 2015, has been promoted to assistant director of recreation at The Woodlands at St. Barnabas. She lives in Shaler.