It's Your Business includes Keith Warta, Joe Caldwell, Danielle Hologram, Chuck Espinoza, Emily Hernandez

Hires

Emily Hernandez has joined the staff at i.h.s. salon, also known as Indian Hills Styling Salon, 5642 SW 29th St. in Barrington Village Shopping Center, as a full-time stylist and nail technician. She is a graduate of Washburn Tech Academy of Cosmetology, where she placed in Skills USA Competition with her make-up skills. She specializes in balayage, foil placement, high and low lighting, pedicuring and Shellac manicures, including elaborate detailed nail art. She also has a background in art education from Wichita State University.

Retirement

Keith Warta, chief executive officer of Bartlett & West, announced his planned retirement. He will transition out of the role of CEO in June 2022 but will remain as the chairman of Bartlett & West’s board of directors. Warta began his career with Bartlett & West in 1984 in the company’s Topeka office as a project engineer. During the decades, he helped the company grow from about 35 employees to an employee-owned firm of more than 350 with offices spread throughout the Midwest. As someone who values service to others, Warta is chair-elect on the board of directors for the Topeka Community Foundation, is a co-chair for the community strategy of Momentum 2022, is a 2009 graduate of Leadership Kansas, is Chair’s Council past chair for the Greater Topeka Partnership and is a passionate supporter of Kansas State University.

Promotions

Joe Caldwell will succeed Keith Warta as CEO of Bartlett & West’s CEO. Caldwell's 29-year career with the company started as a project engineer and most recently including acting in the roles of market leader and marketing director. “This transition for Bartlett & West is made much easier thanks to Keith’s many years of visionary leadership,” said Caldwell.

The Kansas Society of Certified Public Accountants announced Danielle Hologram will be its ninth president and CEO. Hologram started her career with KSCPA in 2011 as its membership and marketing coordinator. She was promoted to director of membership, then senior director of membership and career development. In addition to her experience with KSCPA, Danielle earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Kansas in 2011 and the certified association executive credential in 2019. She is also a board member of the Kansas Society of Association Executives. “I am honored to serve the Society in this new capacity as president and CEO,” said Hologram. “I look forward to continuing our mission of supporting the essential work being done by CPAs in Kansas every day and working with the board and members to chart a course for the future of the profession. I’m excited to see what we can accomplish together.”

Anniversary

Chuck Espinoza, engineering technician specialist in the Bureau of Research, is celebrating 50 years of service at the Kansas Department of Transportation. He graduated from Topeka High School and started soon after as a Laborer at the KDOT District One office. He then moved to storekeeper for five years, then promoted to an engineering technician at the Gage Construction office. Two years later, he went to the Materials and Research Center and has received several promotions. Espinoza has been in his current job as engineering technician specialist since 2001, leading the Research Unit/Asphalt section. “I like the variety, it’s something new every day,” he said. “I always try to do a good job and make a good product for the state.” He plans to retire next year and spend more time with his wife, Tammie, five children and six grandchildren.

Honors

Brewster Health Center was recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a Best Nursing Home for 2021-2022, receiving its “High Performing” rating in Short Term Rehabilitation and Long Term Care. Brewster Health Center is among the elite 13% of skilled nursing facilities receiving this coveted designation. Meeting or exceeding the rating criteria for long- and short-term care, Brewster Health Center was acknowledged for its storied history of resident safety and quality of post-acute care. Joe Ewert, Brewster CEO, said, “Receiving this recognition during a pandemic when the Coronavirus has sadly been a significant risk factor to seniors is of unprecedented significance.”

Mid-States Materials, a division of Bettis Cos. based in Topeka, received the prestigious Governor’s Mined Land Reclamation Award for its work in returning a 100-acre piece of the Plummer Creek Quarry to a productive agricultural asset. This is the fourth time Mid-States has won this award. “Our goal is to return the land that has provided the resources necessary for our infrastructure to a better condition than upon our arrival,” said Nick Jackson, environmental specialist with Mid-States.

Topeka-area hirings, promotions, retirements and other announcements can be emailed to iyb@cjonline.com.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: It's Your Business includes Bartlett & West, KDOT, Brewster Health