Akins named new Mercy vice president

Judy Akins, of Oklahoma City, recently was named as Mercy’s vice president of marketing for the seven-state system.

Akins, who now divides her time between Oklahoma City and St. Louis, previously served as vice president of marketing and corporate communications for Mercy Health System of Oklahoma and directed marketing and corporate communications for the state since 1989. She has been integral in many of Mercy’s accomplishments, including Mercy’s journey to Magnet — the gold standard in nursing care. She was awarded a 2006 “Friend of Nursing” award by the Oklahoma Nurses Association for her role in supporting Mercy nursing services for Magnet.

The Sisters of Mercy Health System operates hospitals, physician practices, outpatient clinics, health plans and related health and human services in a seven-state area including Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas. Its members include 19 acute care hospitals providing more than 4,000 licensed beds, two heart hospitals, a managed care subsidiary (Mercy Health Plans), physician practices, outpatient care facilities, home health programs, skilled nursing services and long-term care facilities.

EYP to meet

The Edmond Young Professionals networking event will be from 5:30-7 p.m. July 7 at Allaus Gelato, 1333 N. Santa Fe Ave., Ste. 114. There will be free gelato and coffee.

Legacy Bank adds to customer service team

Legacy Bank’s motto is “Serious about service.” To continue that commitment Legacy announces a new team member to our Support Central location in Oklahoma City.

Amanda Jones has joined the Legacy Bank team to serve as a call support specialist in the Support Central location.

FAA Credit Union offers free financial management to members

FAA Credit Union has partnered with Accel Members Financial Management to offer members and their families unlimited access to free financial education and counseling services. The program provides unbiased assistance with setting financial goals, budgeting, money management and debt repayment. 

Members can also get help in order to avoid situations such as bankruptcy, foreclosure and repossession.

The credit union decided it was time to take action after increased demand for financial counseling from members.

“We want to be the first resource for our members and part of this includes our obligation of providing the best information possible. These counselors are trained to help people with financial issues in a non-biased way and we think that’s important. The added benefit of this service is that it isn’t just for members who are in trouble,” Credit Union President and CEO Steve Rasmussen said. “Members who want to be proactive and get a head start on their financial goals can also take advantage of the service. They can learn how to manage a budget and plan for the future. In today’s world, it’s never too early to think about the future of your financial situation and we believe the timing of this partnership is a significant benefit for the well being of our members.” 

In addition to providing one-on-one financial counseling, Accel representatives can also serve as liaison with creditors and negotiate to reduce payments, interest charges and fees as members work toward paying off their debts. The free service is accessible through the credit union Web-site or a toll-free number.

With headquarters in Oklahoma City and seven branches in the greater Oklahoma City area, FAA Credit Union has been serving members for more than sixty years.  Today, the credit union has more than 43,000 members and serves members in the eightcounty region of greater Oklahoma City. 

Additional information about the credit union is available by visiting www.faaecu.org.

I.O. Metro furniture store reports 80 percent sales increase

I.O. Metro, a specialty lifestyle furniture company based in Bentonville, Ark., that has an Edmond location, reported an 80 percent increase in 2008 sales in excess of $15 million — the largest sales increase reported in Furniture Today’s “Beyond the Top 100” annual list of independent furniture stores. The list was published in the newspaper’s June 22 issue.

The furniture retailer doubled its number of stores to 14 in 2008 including new stores in Dallas and Tuscaloosa, Ala. According to Furniture Today, I.O. Metro is on the brink of emerging as one of the Top 100 retail furniture stores in the country. The furniture retailer manufactures its own line of accent furniture and reported that furniture and bedding sales accounted for 70 percent of the 2008 total sales. The other 30 percent of sales came from decorative accessories.

For more information about I.O. Metro, visit www.io-metro.com.