OKLOK CRISS AWARD: Oklok Criss and Associates recently was recognized for 75 years of professionalism and service excellence representing Westfield Insurance.

A leading independent local insurance agency, Oklok Criss and Associates have represented Westfield since 1933.

"For three-quarters of a century, Oklok Criss and Associates has teamed with Westfield to deliver on our promise of protection," said Westfield President Jim Clay. "We are proud to honor them on this service milestone."

Westfield presented Jeff Criss and Debbie Hukill with a Howard Miller Olympia Barometer to honor the 75-year milestone.

Oklok Criss has been serving the area for more than 100 years. For information, call (740) 282-3656 or visit www.oklokcriss.com on the Internet.

INVESTMENT TRAINING: Gerald Clancey, owner of Clancey Financial Services of Steubenville, attended the H.D. Vest Elite Academy, an exclusive, advanced wealth management conference for H.D. Vest's top advisers, in Seattle.

Clancey is among the firm's top advisers. His training included a concentrated workshop focusing on creating a consistent client experience. He learned how to put efficiencies in place, enabling him to spend more quality time with clients and assess their financial needs by focusing on eight wealth management issues facing Americans today.

"After attending this seminar, I realized how to streamline some of my business practices so I can focus more on meeting with clients, which is what I truly enjoy," Clancey said.

Clancey Financial Services is at 588 Lovers Lane and may be reached by calling (740) 264-9522.

PRUDENTIAL HONOR: Nikolas Kamardos, a financial planner with Prudential's Follansbee office, 929 Main St., recently completed an exclusive full-day consulting skills workshop hosted by Prudential Wealth Management Solutions in Cranberry, Pa.

The education program, which qualified for certified financial planner continuing education credits, provides select financial professionals advanced training focused on developing and articulating a unique value proposition, practical application of the investment consulting process, and an update on the managed accounts competitive landscape.

Kamarados is one of approximately 315 financial professionals from around the country to attend the program. The program reinforced essential consulting concepts and gave him the skills training critical to working with clients more effectively, particularly in the current tough market environment.

As a Million Dollar Roundtable producer with Prudential Financial, Kamarados offers his clients a variety of financial planning services.

Kamarados, who joined Prudential in 1998, is serving customers throughout mid-America. He is a graduate of West Virginia University, with a bachelor of science degree in civil/environmental engineering; and has also has earned the Certified in Long Term Care and Chartered Mutual Fund Consultant industry designations. He has qualified for the Million Dollar Roundtable for four consecutive years.

Kamarados, a resident of Follansbee, can be reached at nikolas.kamardos@prudential.com and at (304) 748-3156.

CURVES FIGHTS CANCER: Tiffany Boury, owner of Curves of Wintersville, 251 Main St., said Curves is among locations that will offer the Liv Aid breast self-exam kit during Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October. The purpose of the kit is to help women become more comfortable performing their monthly at-home exams.

"Curves has always been an advocate of breast cancer awareness, but now we're taking it a step further and helping the women in our community exercise good breast health," Boury said. "We're proud to be part of a company whose goal is to put the Liv Aid into a million women's hands this October."

For information, contact Curves of Wintersville at (740) 266-6077.

(Send news items or photographs for inclusion in the Sunday Business section to Paul Giannamore, Business Editor, 401 Herald Square, Steubenville, OH 43952; or fax to (740) 284-7355. We cannot guarantee the return of photographs. Questions? Call Giannamore at (740) 283-4711, ext. 357.)