Neighbors in the News
Gates Corporation named Scot Manna, an automotive professional in Des Plaines, its Gates/ASE Master Automobile and L1 Technician of the Year for 2009.
Each year, the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) teams with Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM), and Aftermarket industry sponsors, to recognize and honor outstanding technicians working in the auto, truck and collision categories. Award winners are selected based on their ASE certification test scores, on-the-job excellence, community service and other factors. Manna, who began his automotive career during high school, opened his first shop with his brother in 1980, in Skokie. In 1993, he purchased his current location in Des Plaines. His shop is a full-service, repair facility specializing in emissions and hi-tech diagnostic service and repair. Manna also owns Top Tech Training and conducts aftermarket training and seminars on emissions diagnostics for the Illinois EPA emissions outreach program.
• Maine Township hired Edward P. Beauvais of Des Plaines as its new Code Enforcement officer, responsible for working with residents and government officials to resolve community issues and correct code violations.
Beauvais, who holds a criminal justice degree from Illinois State University, has about 10 years experience in township government, mostly with the highway department. He also served as a seasonal Code Enforcement officer in 2008.
• Julie Praxmarer of Palatine, a 2006 Fremd High School graduate, received the Praxis Series ETS Recognition of Excellence Award for outstanding scores in mathematics. The Praxis Series assessments are the national licensure and certification exams required to complete teaching credentials. Praxmarer plans to graduate with a bachelor of science degree in mathematics and education from Marquette University in May, 2010.
• School District 62 appointed Cumberland Elementary School Principal Leah Kimmelman to the Chippewa Middle School principalship, effective July 1, 2010.
Kimmelman has served as principal of the preschool through fifth grade elementary school since 2005. She began her teaching career as a seventh grade teacher at Jack London Middle School in Wheeling. Prior to coming to District 62, she was an assistant principal at Hawthorn Elementary School in Vernon Hills and taught sixth grade Language Arts at Maple School in Northbrook.
Kimmelman, of Northbrook, earned a bachelor's degree in education from the University of Kansas, and holds master's degrees in educational leadership and curriculum from Northeastern Illinois University and North Park University, respectively. She will earn a doctoral degree in educational leadership/superintendent from Argosy University in May 2010.