Newsmakers

Len Barend of Barend Agency Inc. has been named 2012-13 president of the Clark County Association of Health Underwriters, a health professionals' industry organization.

Kelly Benavidez has been re-elected to the position of chair of the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District board.

Ron Kirsh was re-elected as vice chair, Keiba Crear was re-elected as secretary, and Michael Saunders was re-elected as treasurer.

The board's term started July 1 and runs through June 30, 2013.

Tami Belt, founder of Blue Cube Marketing Solutions, was honored for having one of the Top 300 Small Businesses in the West by Business Leader Media.

Belt founded the marketing company and is trying to transform the way companies approach communication strategy and community engagement.

Anna Severens of the Nevada Department of Education has been appointed to Nevada Volunteers for a three-year term by Gov. Brian Sandoval.

Nevada Volunteers is the Governor's Commission on Service.

Severens is an early education program professional for the Nevada Department of Education.

Harriet Trudell celebrated her 80th birthday Aug. 22 at The Springs Preserve's Springs Cafe, where she was honored by the Women's Democratic Club of Clark County.

U.S. Sen. Harry Reid has described Trudell as "one of Nevada's living legends."

She has been a key player in many organizations and groups in Nevada and across the country for more than 50 years.

Easter Seals Nevada has elected three new board members:

n Tom Nelson, a district manager for Vons

n Kenny Allwein, a regional director of operations for EZCORP Financial Services

n Jeffrey Clemons, a general agent for MassMutual Financial Group

Easter Seals Nevada serves more than 7,000 Nevadans with disabilities.

Teri Janison has been appointed senior director of health and community development for the United Way of Southern Nevada.

Janison previously worked for Gov. Brian Sandoval in community relations and economic development and has served on the Clark County School Board for five years.

Currently, she serves on the board for Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada, Hope for Prisoners and the Vegas PBS advisory boards for Keeping Kids Fit and the American Graduate Program.

Six hospitality industry professionals have joined the Las Vegas Hospitality Association, a tourism industry nonprofit organization. They are:

n Jodi Bugliani, event sales manager for 9Group

n Lee Ann Short, COO of Creative Endeavors

n Constance Petronella, special events director of Constance Rose Events

n Ricci Shiplett, sales and marketing manager for Fogo de Chao

n Jennifer McTaggart, events manager for Blue Martini

n Sue Covey, account executive for The Miles Partnership

A major focus for LVHA is to raise money for scholarships to aid students going into the hospitality industry.

Allstate agent Dwain Frazier earned an Allstate Foundation Agency Hands in the Community Award for outstanding commitment to community service.

The award comes with a $1,000 grant from The Allstate Foundation to Galex Foundation.

The program recognizes Allstate agents' volunteerism within the community and provides financial support to organizations through the Allstate Foundation.