Zoë Lees named regional vice president at Xcel Energy

Xcel Energy has expanded its Texas and New Mexico executive leadership team with the naming of Zoë Lees as regional vice president, Regulatory Policy.

Lees previously served the company as a principal attorney representing the General Counsel group in Xcel Energy’s southwestern region. In her new role, she is joining Brooke Trammell, regional vice president, Regulatory and Pricing, in providing leadership on all aspects of regulatory strategic planning, policy and pricing in Texas and New Mexico. Her team will lead regulatory activities related to rulemaking, customer growth initiatives, and new customer products under the leadership of Adrian J. Rodriguez, president, Xcel Energy – New Mexico, Texas. Lees assumed the new duties March 1 and will continue to be based in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

“Zoë’s practice has given her a wide array of experience with the policy and legal issues Xcel Energy is addressing as we enter a time of significant transition,” Rodriguez said. “We are uniquely positioned to provide the solutions that will help our customers and communities succeed and adding Zoe to our team will ensure we remain focused on the future while taking care of our customers’ needs on a daily basis.”

Born and raised in Santa Fe, Lees graduated cum laude from Wheaton College in Massachusetts. After graduation, she spent a year in Malaysia as a Fulbright Scholar. She returned to New Mexico and graduated cum laude from the University of New Mexico School of Law, where she was the editor-in-chief of the Natural Resources Journal and the recipient of the Albert E. Utton Natural Resources Award. Lees is the past-chair of the American Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Division Committee on Infrastructure and Regulated Industries, the past-chair of the Foundation for Natural Resources and Energy Law (FNREL) Young Professional Committee and sat on the FNREL Renewable Energy Task Force. She currently sits on the FNREL Programs Committee and has presented on utility resource planning.

Ty Cox Joins First Bank & Trust as Vice President and commercial lender

Greg Garland, President and CEO of FirstBank & Trust announced the recent hiring of Ty Cox as Vice President and commercial lender. Cox will have an office at the Amarillo banking center, located at 5701 Time Square Blvd.

“Ty brings a wealth of knowledge in the financial services industry and local expertise to our team,” said Garland. “Combined with his impressive business acumen and intimate knowledge of Amarillo, Ty will be an invaluable resource for our business customers.”

Born and raised in Amarillo, Cox earned his bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in finance from West Texas A&M University. His career in banking began in 2000 during which he has amassed a wide array of skills and experience in customer service, relationship management, credit analysis, bank compliance, and finance. Most recently he served at the chief financial officer for a local community bank.

“Joining First Bank & Trust is a great opportunity for me,” said Cox. “First Bank & Trust has the capability to lend at levels comparable with large national institutions but still offer local, personalized service. I’m excited about my new role and look forward to helping our customers achieve their business goals.”

Cox currently resides in nearby Canyon with his wife Hope and three daughters Cami, Crosby, and Callan.

Physicians Surgical Hospitals offers Inspire procedure for obstructive sleep apnea

Physicians Surgical Hospitals, Quail Creek campus offers the innovative Inspire procedure for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Inspire is a clinically proven treatment option for sleep apnea patients who cannot use Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy. OSA affects 22 million Americans and when left untreated can cause vehicle and workplace accidents, worsening mood and memory, stroke, heart attack, and even sudden death.

Inspire works inside the body, sensing the breathing cycle and gently stimulating the tongue to maintain an open airway. The patient uses a small handheld remote to turn the Inspire device on at bedtime and off in the morning upon awakening. The Inspire system is implanted during a short procedure with small incisions on the neck and chest. Most patients can go home the same day and have minimal pain that is controlled with over-thecounter medications.

“We are excited to offer the Inspire procedure at Physicians Surgical Hospitals.” said Dr. Robert Stroud. “Inspire represents a significant advancement in the treatment of sleep apnea and offers a viable alternative for patients who do not tolerate CPAP. It is clinically proven to be effective in the treatment of sleep apnea, has high patient satisfaction and high long-term compliance with therapy.”

To learn more about Inspire, please visit InspireSleep.com OR call us at 1-833-509-CARE (2273).

Physicians Surgical Hospitals recognized for patient loyalty

Physicians Surgical Hospitals (PSH) has been awarded Ardent Health Services’ Best Patient Loyalty Award. Presented annually, the Best Patient Loyalty Award recognizes the hospital with the highest patient loyalty, as measured by consumer surveys including the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) and net promoter patient surveys.

“Caring for others is our purpose, and this award speaks volumes about our team’s ability to go above and beyond expectations in service to our patients,” said PSH CEO Bryan Bateman. “We are extremely honored to earn the opportunity to care for our community each day.”

Ardent is the parent company of PSH. Winning facilities were chosen from among other eligible entities including 30 hospitals and more than 200 sites of care.

BSA Health System recognized for employee loyalty

BSA Health System has been awarded Ardent Health Services’ Best Employee Loyalty Award. Presented annually, the Best Employee Loyalty Award recognizes the facility with the highest employee satisfaction and engagement.

“In a year filled with challenges and opportunities to improve how we serve our community, our teams of nurses, medical providers and support staff have shined as they carry out our mission,” said BSA Health System CEO Michael Cruz. “We are extremely proud to earn this recognition and could not be more grateful to our team members who made this possible.”

Ardent is the parent company of BSA Health System. Winning facilities were chosen from among other eligible entities including 30 hospitals and more than 200 sites of care.

AC captures 9 national advertising awards

Amarillo College's Communications and Marketing Department has received nine prestigious accolades, including six of Gold and three of Silver, in the 38th Annual Education Advertising Awards.

AC captured Gold Awards for a variety of initiatives, from its Relaunch of Badger Athletics to its efforts in support of AC’s comprehensive campaign, Badger Bold. The largest educational advertising awards competition in the country, the Educational Advertising Awards received more than 2,000 entries from colleges, universities and secondary schools in all 50 states and numerous foreign countries.

“There is a never-ending supply of outstanding programs, activities, and accomplishments to market and publicize at Amarillo College, and our talented team has a knack for making the most of every opportunity,” Kevin Ball, AC vice president of communications and marketing said.

Gold Awards presented to AC were for the following:

• Blog Sites – AC News

• Class Schedules – Kids’ College 2022 Camp Schedule

• Special Promotions Campaign – Relaunch of Badger Athletics

• Television Advertising Series – Make Success Personal

• Total Digital Marketing Program – AC Digital Marketing 2022

• Total Fund Raising/Development Campaign – Badger Bold

The College captured Silver recognition for:

• Installations – Athletic Center Wall Wrap

• Integrated Marketing Campaign – Level UP at AC – 2022 Integrated Campaign

• Public/Internal – Teaching for Transformation Magazine 2022

Texas Beef Council to host research panel, cutting demo and more at 2023 Cattle Raisers Convention & Expo

AUSTIN – Beef producers throughout Texas will be able to connect with Texas Beef Council (TBC) in numerous ways during the 2023 Cattle Raisers Convention & Expo, March 24-26 at the Fort Worth Convention Center. Hosted by the Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA), the event invites attendees to explore the wide world of cattle industry challenges, advancements and possibilities.

Producers can find TBC during the convention's Opening General Session on Friday. McAdams will moderate a panel, “The Sparks That Accelerated Beef Demand,” with the following industry experts: Mike Jarzombek, Senior VP Sales and Merchandising, H-E-B; Dan Halstrom, President and CEO, U.S. Meat Export Federation, contractor to the Beef Checkoff; Mandy Carr Johnson, Ph.D., Sr. Executive Director of Scientific Affairs, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, contractor to the Beef Checkoff; and Shalene McNeill, Ph.D., Executive Director of Nutrition Science, Health and Wellness, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, contractor to the Beef Checkoff.

From 4 to 5 p.m. that Friday, Jason Bagley, TBC’s vice president of beef resources, and Dr. Dan Hale, associate director of Ag and Natural Resources for Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, will lead a Beef Cutting Demonstration. TBC will also be hosting a booth during the Cattle Raisers Expo where producers can chat with TBC staff. Visitors can enter to win prizes by signing up for TBC’s Cattle Talk newsletter and purchase Beef Loving Texans merchandise like t-shirts and hats. Giveaways will include Beef Loving Texans bumper stickers, recipes and more.

Learn more about the 2023 Cattle Raisers Convention & Expo at CattleRaisersConvention.com. For more information about the Texas Beef Council and Beef Loving Texans, visit TexasBeefCheckoff.com.

This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Amarillo area business news and developments for March 12, 2023