Amarillo VA to host Nurse Hiring Fair on Jan. 31; application info due by Jan. 14
The Amarillo VA Health Care System (AVAHCS) is hosting a Nurse Hiring Fair for the community, by appointment only. All interested applicants should send their resume, cover letter, transcripts, licensures and certifications, if applicable, to AmarilloStaffing@va.gov by Tuesday, Jan. 14.
If selected, interviews will be by appointment only on Friday, Jan. 31, between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. There are 19 Nursing Assistant positions available in their expanding Community Living Center (CLC). Federal employees receive benefits including 12 weeks of paid parental leave, growth potential, paid time off with vacation and sick leave, retirement benefits as well as possible eligibility to apply for student loan repayment programs, childcare subsidy programs and more.
For more information, contact Human Resources at the Amarillo VA Health Care System at 806-355-9703 ext. 7330 or email amarillostaffing@va.gov.
For those who cannot attend, visit usajobs.gov to apply for other available positions.
AgriLife Extension to host pre-plant meeting in Randall County on Jan. 22
The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service office in Randall County will host a producer pre-plant meeting on Jan. 22 in Canyon.
The program will be held at the Kuhlman Extension Center, 200 N. Brown Road. Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m., and the program will conclude at 2 p.m. The cost is $10, which includes lunch and is payable at the door on the day of the event. Preregistration is available by calling the AgriLife Extension office in Randall County at 806-468-5543 or online at https://tx.ag/PrePlantMeeting. The deadline to register is 5 p.m. on Jan. 20.
Topics and speakers include a cotton update from Ken Lege, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension cotton specialist and assistant professor, Texas A&M Department of Soil and Crop Sciences, Lubbock; a wheat update by Steelee Fischbacher, executive director, Texas Wheat Producers Board and Association, Amarillo; a corn/sorghum silage update with Kevin Heflin, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension program specialist, Department of Soil and Crop Sciences, Amarillo; and crop production trials/studies updates with Craig Bednarz, Ph.D., Texas A&M AgriLife Research crop physiologist and director of the Semi-Arid Agricultural Systems Institute and associate professor at West Texas A&M University.
Four Texas Department of Agriculture continuing education units will be available. For more information, contact J. D. Ragland, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension agriculture and natural resource agent for Randall County, at 806-468-5543 or j-ragland@tamu.edu.
Bernard’s Advanced Collision earns certification by Collision Performance Network
Bernard’s Advanced Collision in Amarillo has been certified by Collision Performance Network, a division of OEC, for maintaining the right tools, equipment, training, and facilities necessary to repair participating automaker brand vehicles according to the manufacturer’s specifications, according to a news release.
According to Bernard’s Advanced Collision Owner, Terence Bernard, “We’ve worked hard to stay ahead of the curve in the collision repair industry. This official certification demonstrates that commitment to our customers.”
Adding to their credentials, Bernard’s Advanced Collision is officially Certified by Collision Performance Network, Hyundai, Kia, and Nissan. Bernard’s passed the rigorous process to help ensure a proper and safe repair of the new generation of advanced vehicles. These are based upon auto manufacturer requirements, wihch are critical to ensure the vehicle fit, finish, durability, value, and safety following a collision. The Collision Performance Network is made up of collision repair businesses that have met or exceeded these requirements.
As new model vehicles are being introduced that use lightweight high strength materials and advanced technology, a proper repair according to manufacturer specification is even more important to ensure the passenger safety and proper performance of the vehicle. Auto manufacturers want to ensure that consumers have the option to choose a Certified collision repair center wherever they live, work, or travel. Visit https://oeconnection.com/products/cpn/ for more information or www.autobodylocator.com to find a local certified facility.
Molly Davis achieves Stott Pilates Certification
Molly Davis of Amarillo, a 500-hour Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) since 2015, recently announced her achievement of Stott Pilates Certification in Matwork, Reformer, Cadillac, Chair, and Barrels Level 1. According to the announcement this milestone underscores her commitment to expanding her expertise and delivering a comprehensive, high-quality experience to her clients.
Stott Pilates is a globally recognized and highly respected method in the fitness and wellness industry, known for its focus on restoring the natural curves of the spine and rebalancing the muscles around the joints. “Receiving my Stott Pilates Certification has been a deeply rewarding journey,” Davis said. “I am thrilled to integrate these principles and techniques into my practice, offering clients an even broader range of movement solutions tailored to their unique needs.”
Molly’s dual expertise in yoga and Pilates allows her to create a well-rounded approach to movement, blending strength, flexibility, and mindfulness. Since becoming a Stott-trained Pilates instructor in 2021, she has continued to deepen her knowledge, solidifying her role as a trusted resource in the wellness community. She teaches classes at Re-Form and is available for private sessions. For more information or to schedule a session contact Davis at 806-418-1936 or molly@mollydavisyoga.com .
Barber Ranch joins membership of American Angus Association
Barber Ranch, of Channing, Texas, is a new member of the American Angus Association. With more than 21,000 active adult and junior members, it is the largest beef breed association in the world, according to a release, and its computerized records include detailed information on more than 21 million registered Angus.
The Association records ancestral information and keeps production records and genomic data on individual animals to develop industry-leading selection tools for its members, a release says. The programs and services of the Association and its entities — Angus Genetics Inc., Angus Media, Certified Angus Beef LLC and the Angus Foundation — help members advance the beef cattle business by selecting the best animals for their herds and marketing quality genetics for the beef cattle industry and quality beef for consumers.
For more information about Angus cattle and the American Angus Association, visit www.angus.org.
TWC announces 2025 Texas Conference for Employers schedule, including Amarillo date
AUSTIN – The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) has announced the dates and locations for the 2025 Texas Conference for Employers (TCE) series, kicking off in January. Sponsored by TWC’s Office of the Commissioner Representing Employers, the TCE series helps attendees learn about the latest employment laws, earn education credits, network with their peers, and speak with employment attorneys. The TCE offers practical, up-to-date information to help Texas businesses thrive and effectively manage their employees.
The announced dates include Friday, May 9 in Amarillo. Events are scheduled through September, with the first conference held in Lake Jackson on Friday, Jan. 17. To view the list of confirmed locations and register, visit the TWC Texas Conference for Employers webpage.
“When employers have the employment tools they need to succeed, they are better positioned to create new jobs, grow their business, and fuel the Texas economy,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Employers Joe Esparza. “I encourage anyone who works with business operations and hiring to attend a Texas Conference for Employers to access critical employment law information from expert attorneys without legal jargon.”
The conference is tailored for a wide range of professionals, including small business owners, HR specialists, and payroll managers. More dates and locations may be added. For details on TWC and its services in coordination with its local workforce development boards network, call 800-628-5115 or visit https://twc.texas.gov/.
AT&T unveils AT&T Guarantee for customers
AT&T is leveling up the industry with a bold guarantee to its customers, launching a customer guarantee for both its wireless and fiber networks – and across both consumers and small businesses.
With the launch of the AT&T Guarantee on Jan. 9, the company said it is making a bold promise to its consumer and small business customers that they will deliver the connectivity they can depend on, the deals they want, and the prompt, friendly service they deserve – and they’ll take action to make it right.
Learn more about the AT&T Guarantee at att.com/guarantee and att.com/businessguarantee.
Bank of America accepting applicants for next Student Leaders through Jan. 15
The deadline is fast approaching for high school students to start thinking about building their resume with their next internship. The 2025 application for Bank of America’s Student Leaders paid internship program is open through Jan. 15.
Selected students will participate in an eight-week paid internship at a local nonprofit organization to learn first-hand about the needs of their communities and the critical role nonprofits play. They will also attend an all-expense paid leadership summit in Washington, D.C. to learn how government, business and the nonprofit sector work together to address critical community needs, according to an announcement.
For more information and to apply, visit https://about.bankofamerica.com/en/making-an-impact/student-leaders .
Technical Solutions certified as a Microsoft Solutions Partner, ranking among top 5% of providers
Technical Solutions, a leading managed technology services provider (MTSP) based in Amarillo, has officially earned the designation of Microsoft Solutions Partner, a certification placing the company in the top 5% of all Microsoft providers worldwide.
A news release states that this accolade underscores Technical Solutions’s exceptional expertise, experience, and commitment to helping customers leverage Microsoft technologies to their fullest potential. Various criteria include performance (revenue and usage growth), customer success (deployments and certifications), and skilled certifications (number of certified professionals on staff), in addition to various other factors. However, the most important factor is a proven track record of high customer satisfaction rates.
“Our designation as a Microsoft Solutions Partner reflects years of dedication to providing our customers with the best solutions,” said Gene Wells, President at Technical Solutions. “It means we’re not just using Microsoft tools; we’re maximizing their potential to help businesses succeed. Whether it’s transitioning to the cloud with Microsoft Azure or creating more efficient systems with Office 365, we ensure our customers are getting the best value and the most effective solutions.”
As a Solutions Partner, Technical Solutions brings Azure Certified Architecture expertise to its customers, enabling them to adopt cloud technologies with confidence. By leveraging Azure’s scalability, reliability, and security, businesses can modernize their IT infrastructure, reduce costs, and position themselves for future growth.
In July of 1989, Wells, an industry veteran since 1980, formed Technical Solutions to assist Texas businesses in implementing technologies that would become revolutionary in the way they conducted business. Technical Solutions has become one of the leading providers of business, medical communications and network infrastructure solutions. For more information on Technical Solutions, call (806) 352-1309 or visit www.askts.com.
Center to award $25,000 in grants to women veteran entrepreneurs
DENTON — The Center for Women Entrepreneurs (CWE), a program within the Jane Nelson Institute for Women’s Leadership, has announced its fifth annual Veteran Woman Entrepreneur Grant program, offering five $5,000 grants to established Texas women veteran businesses.
Applications will be accepted from Jan. 21 through Feb. 21, with winners announced on March 11, 2025. Grant recipients can use the funding for various business growth initiatives, including equipment and machinery purchases, technology acquisition, inventory and raw materials, property improvements, marketing initiatives, and other qualified business development activities.
Interested applicants can find detailed information, FAQs, and the application at twu.edu/center-women-entrepreneurs/veteran-woman-grant/ .