BUTLER TWP — Visiting Nurses Association of Western Pennsylvania has been named a Top Agency of the 2012 HomeCare Elite, a compilation of the top-performing home health agencies in the United States.

The HomeCare Elite identifies the top 25 percent of Medicare-certified agencies. Winners are ranked by patient outcomes, patient experience, quality improvement and financial performance.

Liz Powell, president and CEO of VNA of Western Pennsylvania, said the organization’s patient-focused and quality care are the reasons for the award from HomeCare Elite.

“It is truly an honor to be named as one of Home Care’s Elite. It is with great pride that I commend our dedicated staff members who put forth great efforts to make sure our patients receive the best care possible,” Powell said.

AK Steel stocks down, stock offeredWEST CHESTER, Ohio — AK Steel stocks fell below $4 per share this week, the lowest level in nine years.As of Tuesday, the company had completed a securities offerings of $588 million. The offerings included $350 million of 8.750 percent senior secured notes due in 2018 and $150 million of 5 percent exchangeable senior notes due in 2019, as well as 22 million shares of AK Steel common stock with an aggregate value of $88 million.James L. Wainscott, AK’s board chairman, president and CEO, said that AK Steel will use the proceeds from stock sales to repay borrowing and for general corporate purposes.AK Steel makes flat-rolled carbon, stainless and electrical steels, with about 6,200 employees in six locations including Butler Township. The company has said it expects continued losses in the fourth quarter of this year because of a lack of product demand, excess capacity and volatile prices.

Cranberry man leads Christian groupPITTSBURGH — Ted Kerr, 42, of Cranberry Township has been appointed executive director of The Pittsburgh Experiment.This group is a non-denominational Christian ministry with a mission to meet people in the workplace, to draw them closer to Jesus through relationships and conversations about life and faith.Kerr will continue to serve as president and CEO of Touchstone Capital, a Sewickley-based investment advisory firm he founded in 2000.

umber firm leases warehouse spaceSUMMIT TWP — Carter Lumber of Kent, Ohio, has leased 615 E. Butler Road from East Butler Holdings in Zelienople.The 154,000-square-foot warehouse and a 6,000-square-foot office will be used for lumber sales and distribution with 10 to 15 employees.