Local printing company earns 'best workplace' honor
Hopkins Printing in Columbus has been awarded the designation "Best Workplace in the Americas 2006" for its "exemplary human resources practices."
Used to specifically honor printing companies that provide a superior work environment, this year marks the sixth year of the Best Workplace in the Americas program.
Hopkins Printing is a commercial printer with more than $16 million in annual sales.

Otterbein recognized as 'patriotic employer'
Otterbein College has been honored by the U.S. Department of Defense as a "Patriotic Employer" for the treatment and support of one of its employees whose spouse was deployed to Iraq and Kuwait.
Col. Rufus Smith, husband of Phillipa Smith, an executive assistant in the school's office of admission, recommended Otterbein for the award. Col. Smith served in Kuwait for more than a year in 2003 and 2004.

Newsmakers
Bruce A. Harkey, a Honda of America Mfg. leadership team member and landscape horticulturist, has been named executive director of Franklin Park Conservatory.

Columbus-based SBC Advertising has hired Ryan Ankrom as a public relations account coordinator; Mike Keating as a traffic manager; Julie Lust as broadcast coordinator; Joseph P. Sano III as a programmer; and Chris Lilley as a senior media buyer.

Vargo Companies, a Columbus software firm, has hired Phil S. Harris as director of software engineering.