Monica Richards was promoted to a process quality engineering training position at 80/20 Inc. Richards has been with the company since May 2011.

Mike Starnes was promoted to jobs coordinator at Dirig Sheet Metal. Starnes has been with the company since 1999.

Sweetwater Sound hired Jeff Ostermann as director of business optimization, Jeff Gastineau as director of technical services and Orion Taylor as a web designer.

Randi Bortles-Lincoln formed Exit 25 Business Networking one year ago and is celebrating the anniversary with a party from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday at Vince’s Restaurant, 10460 Maysville Road.

Mark Ulmschneider joined Carson Boxberger LLP in the Fort Wayne office and will focus his practice in the areas of insurance defense, insurance arson defense and insurance coverage.

Katie Henry of One Eleven Design was chosen as a finalist in the Mannington Carpet 2012 tx:style Design Challenge. Go to www.manningtontxstyle.com by June 12 to vote for Henry’s design.

Kristen Kirchhaine joined WFFT Local News’ 3D local weather team as chief forecaster. Kirchhaine’s first on-air date was May 7.

John Long, Larry Newman and James Biggs of Ruan Transportation Systems were named region finalists for Ruan’s Driver of the Year award. The drivers were selected based on safety records, customer service and quality of work.

Jim Dingle joined Tower Bank as branch manager for the Covington Plaza location. Dingle was most recently with US Bank in Ohio.

Beth E. Noland was named director of business development by Memorial Coliseum and Aramark. Noland was previously sales manager at Eddie Merlot’s in Fort Wayne.

Alyssa Rodriguez joined Primary Engineering as a CAD technician for commercial electrical lighting and mechanical HVAC system design.

Mark Dobson, president of WKChamber (Warsaw and Kosciusko County), recently returned from a trade/cultural mission to Brazil. Dobson was introduced to the business culture and political environment of Brazil during the trip.

Kristin D. Whitacre joined SYM Financial as associate adviser. Whitacre was most recently a wealth manager in Minneapolis.

Dean Spangler was named chairman of the board of trustees of Sauder Village. Spangler is the organization’s first “non-family” chairman.

PHD Inc. promoted John Proegler to marketing manager and hired Sara Owen as a marketing communications coordinator and Paul Kendall as a market research analyst.

The winners of Fort Wayne Newspapers’ first-quarter Above and Beyond awards were Jennie Durand for leadership initiative and Mark Gaines for outstanding performance. Rosie Key, Sandy Waldrop, Cathy Abernathy, Megan Reinewald, Sarah Reinewald and Jessica Troxell won for Group Initiative.

Kevin M. Carretta joined Rothberg Logan & Warsco LLP and will practice in the areas of banking, commercial transactions and real estate law.

Orizon Real Estate in Kendallville announced that Dawn Hurley was named Salesperson of the Month and that Tim and Anita Hess were named the listing team of the month. The Hess Team listed 12 properties in April.

Charlene Purtlebaugh joined Harrison College as president of the Fort Wayne campus. Purtlebaugh was most recently president of Harrison College’s Muncie campus.