Former Abilenians Eric and Cindy Van Pelt of Mesilla, N.M., have formed the Van Pelt Appraisal Group, a real estate appraisal office serving southern New Mexico and Far West Texas. Until recently, Eric managed Bank of America's appraisal department in New Mexico. The award is the highest company honor that can be attained by a New Holland dealership. Bill Leach has been named employee of the year in the Abilene district's transportation planning and development division of the Texas Department of Transportation. Leach, who is title environmental coordinator, has been with the highway department since June 1979.
Leach is responsible for writing environmental documents for the district's individual projects.
He is a 1968 graduate of Cooper High School and a U.S. Navy veteran. Engineering technician Scott Davis has been named employee of the month for April by the city of Abilene. Davis was cited for customer service skills and for his drafting and design work in road and drainage projects. He also was recognized for his volunteer photography work. Mindy Keesee of Brownwood was named employee of the month for April by Goodwill Industries of Abilene.