EDMOND — Chamber features News 9 meteorologist at quarterly luncheon

The Edmond Area Chamber of Commerce Membership Luncheon will feature News 9 Chief Meteorologist Gary England, who will speak on “Oklahoma — Home of Football & F5s.” England, has been with KWTV News 9 for 39 years and is known for making complex weather principles simple to understand to the average person. The luncheon will be from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday at Oak Tree Country Club.

The cost is $20 for members and $25 for non-members. Cost at the door is $28. Please make reservations online at www.edmondchamber.com.

The Chamber’s Membership Luncheons are open to all Chamber members and their guests.



Pelco Products expands sales force

Pelco Products Inc. recently announced the addition of Luis Lopez as national sales manager for all traffic-related products. He brings more than 20 years traffic sales experience and extensive product knowledge that will benefit Pelco’s customers. Lopez will office in Texas, where he is conveniently situated near Pelco’s manufacturing facilities with easy travel access to customers.

Lopez said he is excited about expanding Pelco’s national presence, building on the strong working relationships with their existing customers and introducing the new, high-quality and innovative traffic solutions Pelco has to offer currently, and in the future.

“Luis is an excellent addition to our team,” stated Steve Parduhn, Vice President of Pelco Products Inc. “His exceptional communication skills and natural ability to build relationships, will allow our customers the customer service experience possible. I have no doubt that our customers will easily relate to him.”

For more information about Pelco Products Inc. and their full line of product offerings, call Pelco at 340-3434 or visit pelcoinc.com. Pelco Products Inc. is an Oklahoma based, family owned business specializing in the design and manufacture of traffic signal hardware, utility poles and decorative outdoor lighting.



maurices announces

OKC store manager

maurices, a nationally known, community-based retailer that offers clothing and accessories for young women in sizes 1-24, has named Kandi Davis as store manager for its Outlets @ Oklahoma City location, planning to open in August.

Davis will be responsible for the day-to-day operations and management of the store, with a goal of providing unmatched customer service.

“I love that maurices is so committed to customers,” Davis said. “I’ll work closely with my team to ensure each customer gets what she wants, when she wants it and how she wants it.”

“I look forward to not only serving our customers with the latest fashions, but also in leading the store’s associates in community involvement,” Davis said. “I’m thrilled to be part of a 760-plus store company that still believes in the importance of community and getting involved with local causes.”



State Bar offers free legal advice to tornado victims

Attorneys are gearing up to offer no-cost legal services to recent tornado disaster victims through a special program coordinated by the Oklahoma Bar Association. People needing legal advice on issues related directly to the recent tornadoes should go to www.okbar.org/DisasterRelief or call 800-522-8065 on weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The free service begins immediately.

OBA President Deborah Reheard of Eufaula said, “Although storm victims’ immediate needs are food, clothing and shelter, there could also be a need for legal assistance related to the disaster very soon. In the past we have had questions about insurance claims, landlord-tenant law, repair contracts, consumer protection, mortgage foreclosure and replacement of vital legal documents that were lost. Attorneys from across the state are stepping forward to help their neighbors in need by donating their expertise on legal issues.”

Victims seeking help will be briefly interviewed to determine the areas in which they need assistance and then paired with a volunteer attorney who is experienced in those areas of the law. Legal advice will be provided free of charge. The OBA Disaster Response and Relief Committee is coordinating the assistance efforts in conjunction with the association’s Young Lawyers Division. More information is available at www.okbar.org/DisasterRelief.



Made in Oklahoma Coalition launches iPhone app

Oklahomans now have a new tool to learn more about Made in Oklahoma Coalition products, restaurants and recipes with the launch of the MIO iPhone app.

The application is free to download from iTunes and includes categorized lists of MIO products, a directory of MIO recipes, a MIO restaurant locator and general information about the coalition. The app also allows you to share any of its features through email, Twitter or Facebook.

“The MIO iPhone app will make it much easier for Oklahomans to support local companies, products and restaurants,” said MIO Market Development Coordinator Sharra Martin. “We also hope the app will increase awareness of and support for MIO on social media channels.”

The MIO restaurant locator shows maps, addresses, phone numbers and directions to find MIO restaurants. Users can search for new recipe ideas, grouped by categories, on the recipe feature. Colorful photographs of MIO dishes help users identify great meal ideas and easy-to-read recipes to follow while cooking or grocery shopping.

Oklahoma Chef Robert Black with A Good Egg Dining Group helped develop the app.

Download the app by visiting http://www.miocoalition.com/mioapp/.

Credit Union launches first ‘green’ vehicle loan program

If you want a better deal on your auto loan, you might want to start driving a “green” vehicle? FAA Credit Union has introduced Oklahoma’s first auto loan program geared toward individuals who drive fuel-efficient vehicles.

The Member Payback Guarantee is a discounted loan program that features a lower loan rate for vehicles that are certified by the EPA as SmartWay vehicles. The one-quarter percent discount can by applied to the lowest posted loan rate offered by the credit union and can be obtained at most Oklahoma City metro auto dealerships or by visiting any FAA CU’s seven locations.

President/CEO Steve Rasmussen comments “Offering a discounted rate on these vehicles makes a lot of sense in today’s economy. With gas prices continuing to rise, the value of these vehicles is increasing significantly and they are holding that value for an extended period of time. Driving one of these vehicles is not only better on the environment, it’s much more cost effective to operate.”

One does not need to work at the FAA to be a member of the credit union as membership is open to anyone who lives or works in the eight-county area around the metro. The discount can be applied at the time the loan is obtained on any vehicle that is a certified SmartWay vehicle on the EPA’s website. The vehicles meet certain fuel efficiency and emission requirements to qualify for the rating. To determine whether or not you own a SmartWay vehicle, search by make and model at www.epa.gov/greenvehicles/Index.do.