Robert H. Fitzgerald

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Vicksburg District, recently named Robert H. Fitzgerald as its new chief of engineering division.

In his new position, he has the responsibility of managing and leading a 160- person workforce conducting engineering analysis, design and data collection activities for the Corps' Vicksburg District.

Fitzgerald previously served as chief of design and river stabilization branches of the engineering division. His primary technical experience is in the area of hydrology and hydraulic analysis and design of flood control and navigation facilities.

Fitzgerald, a native of New Albany, Miss., graduated from East Union Attendance Center. After earning a bachelor's degree from Mississippi State University in civil engineering, he began his career with the Vicksburg District in 1978 as an engineer intern in planning division.

He is a registered professional engineer in the State of Mississippi and a member of the Society of American Military Engineers, Vicksburg Kiwanis Club and Chi Epsilon Civil Engineering Honor Society.

Jeff Littleton

Jeff Littleton has been named executive vice president of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), succeeding Frank M. Coda. Coda will continue to serve the society as executive vice president emeritus in a consulting capacity.

"Jeff Littleton brings solid business and association experience to ASHRAE," Coda said. "He will help the society to maintain its position as a leading global resource for technological development and exchange in the information age."

With his appointment, Littleton now heads ASHRAE's 100-member staff located in Atlanta, Ga., and Washington, D.C. He joins ASHRAE from NACE International in Houston, Texas, where he served as executive director since 2001. NACE has 15,000 members, a 60-person staff and an annual budget of $10.5 million. NACE is the membership association for corrosion engineers.

Initially recruited by NACE in 1994 to run its $2.5 million publications division, Littleton's accomplishments include increasing advertising revenues 45 percent over three years; adding third party titles to make NACE the international clearinghouse for corrosion literature; and building on a $500,000 capital budget to launch NACE.org, which now supports online sales ranging from $18,000 to $35,000 monthly.

Janice H. Pellar

The Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) recently welcomed Baton Rouge businesswoman Janice H. Pellar to the Women's Enterprise Leadership Forum. Nominated by ExxonMobil Corporation, Pellar is president of EMCO Inc., a Baton Rouge based communications, information technology and emergency notification business founded 41 years ago.

Pellar currently serves on a number of corporate and community service boards. Her past honors include Sales and Marketing Executives Marketer of the Year, finalist for an Ernest and Young Entrepreneur of the Year award and YWCA Woman of Achievement.

EMCO today is ranked in the nation's top five Motorola sales and service dealerships and was recently recognized as this area's largest Information Technology services provider.

The Forum represents Women Business Enterprises (WEBs) in voicing their daily needs and challenges to the Women's Business Enterprise National Council Board of Directors and to corporate members.

H. Bruce Shreves

The law firm of Simon, Peragine, Smith & Redfearn of New Orleans recently announced that partner H. Bruce Shreves has been elected to membership in the American College of Construction Lawyers. This is a national organization consisting of outstanding lawyers who demonstrate skill, experience and high standards of practice in the area of construction law.

Shreves, who is in charge of the firm's construction, fidelity and surety practice, previously served as chairman of the Fidelity and Surety Committee of the Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section of the American Bar Association and is a member of the Forum Committee on the Construction Industry.

He also serves as chairman of the Louisiana Bar Section on Fidelity, Surety and Construction Law. He is co-author of the Louisiana Construction Manual and has published and spoken extensively in the area of construction and surety law.

Simon, Peragine, Smith & Redfearn provides an array of legal services to clients across the United States and internationally, including commercial litigation, products liability, construction, oil and gas and insurance.

Michael White

Durand Forms Inc., a global leader in the manufacturing and marketing of quality aluminum wall forming systems and accessories for use by residential and commercial concrete contractors, recently announced the appointment of Michael White to CEO and president of the company.

Most recently, White held the position of general manager at TRACO Architectural Systems Inc., a building products manufacturing company that sells into the residential and commercial markets. In his new role at Durand, White's charter will be to drive the strategic growth of the company, build upon its strong foundation of profitability and continue to elevate Durand's reputation for providing superior customer service and the highest quality of products.

Commenting on his new position, Michael White said, "I am very excited to have been chosen to lead Durand Forms through its next stage of growth. I am confident in my ability to meet the challenges that come with this new position. My keen understanding of the construction industry, coupled with Durand's team of extraordinary people, will enable the company to solidify our leadership role in the construction industry."

White's senior management positions have included positions at Swanson Inc., a $100 million food service and distribution company; Wirtz Manufacturing, a $50 million manufacturer of engineered equipment; and Amarlite, Inc., a $30 million manufacturer of architectural building products.

He holds a bachelor's degree in business administration from Century University and an MBA certification from the University of Minnesota Graduate School of Business. He also holds a Construction Contract Certification from the Construction Institute.

Darrell Moore

Louisiana Operations employee Darrell Moore has been named a recipient of The Dow Chemical Company's Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Recognition Award for 2004.

The award is presented each year to Dow employees who demonstrate a significant commitment to encouraging and promoting racial harmony and unity within their workplace and community. The program honors individuals who have made valuable contributions toward keeping Dr. King's "Dream" alive through specific efforts to improve racial relationships and the quality of life in our community.

Moore, Dow Process Control Technologist, was selected in part based upon his ten years of service as a mentor for local elementary and middle school students. As a Dow Promise volunteer, Darrell has also championed the After-School Tutorial Program at Port Allen Middle School; he serves as a volunteer for Habitat for Humanity, and helped organize and direct the first "Back to School on the Westside," a joint project between 100 Black Men of Metro Baton Rouge and Dow.

In addition, Moore has partnered with five other area mentors at Cohn Elementary School in Port Allen to officially launch a $4 million drive to preserve the "Old" Cohn High School buildings next door and establish several year-round programs for youth.

"Darrell Moore's actions demonstrate his commitment to promoting racial harmony for all. In his quiet, soft-spoken manner, he firmly directs community outreach activities that meet community needs, help to solve problems and assist others. A long time volunteer in church, schools and the community, he is one of the first to volunteer for a project," said Dow Community Relations Manager Babs Babin.

Joni Fine

Thompson Pump is pleased to announce that Joni Fine has been promoted as Thompson Pump's regional credit manager at the company headquarters location in Port Orange, Fla. Joni joined Thompson Pump a year ago and has quickly adapted to her areas of responsibility.

She excels in working with the variety of customers and business transactions Thompson Pump handles.

As regional credit manager she will be responsible for all levels of account receivable management for the accounts assigned to her throughout the country, from approving the opening of the account through to collection management, contract negotiations and dispute settlement.

Since 1970, Thompson Pump has specialized in assisting contractors worldwide with high quality pumps, dewatering equipment and engineering expertise. Based in Port Orange, Florida, Thompson Pump operates sales, rental and service centers throughout Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Rhode Island, Mississippi, Louisiana, Missouri and Washington.

Thompson pumps meet the requirements for certification as defined by the Contractors Pump Bureau. The company is a Blue Chip Enterprise Award winner and is in the process of achieving ISO 9001 - 2000 certification.