Texas Land Bank

Texas Land Bank, Corsicana, donated a $500 scholarship to be awarded to the high-point Freestone County senior winner of the land judging career development event conducted by the Freestone County Soil and Water Conservation District No. 424.

The FY-08 land judging contest was held March 11. The Freestone County high-point senior winner, John McKinney of Teague, was presented the scholarship by Kasey McGraw, credit office president, Texas Land Bank, Corsicana. Luminant Power, Big Brown Mine set up and conducted the contest held annually for the area FFA students.

This contest requires contestants to correctly identify the texture, depth and permeability of the top and sub soils. They also have to determine the thickness of the original topsoil, the possibility of flooding, and the soil pH, which are all factors in determining the best use of land, be it farming, grazing, wildlife, or recreation. The slope of the surrounding area reveals many factors which are crucial to the capability of the land, including water erosion, surface runoff and soil permeability. Contestants must also decide the best management practices for the use of the land, such as improving the soil, mechanical treatment (control of brush, trees, gullies, etc.), or nutrient management.

On behalf of the Freestone County SWCD, chairman Donald Schill expresses thanks to McGraw with the Texas Land Bank for funding this scholarship to help McKinney as he proceeds with his education.



Corsicana National Bank & Trust

Kim C. Wyatt, president and CEO of Corsicana National Bank & Trust, has announced that Charles Campbell has been named vice president and commercial loan officer of the bank. Campbell grew up in Corsicana and is the son of Dr. and Mrs. David Campbell.

Campbell graduated from Texas Tech University, where he served as student body president. He was awarded the Paul Harris International Graduate Fellowship by Rotary International, allowing him to receive his M.B.A. degree from the Australian Graduate School of Management.

Campbell gained experience in the financial industry, working for Wells Fargo for over 10 years. He owned and operated a successful award-winning seafood restaurant in San Diego, Calif., for the past 10 years.

Campbell’s wife, Hollye, grew up in Graham, and has transferred to American Airlines in Dallas. Corsicana National Bank & Trust is fortunate that Campbell comes to the bank with excellent experience and hometown ties.



PHI Air Medical

PHI Air Medical Inc. announced recently that it has achieved accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Systems (CAMTS) in the state of Texas. The commission awards this honor to air medical services that “provide the highest possible quality to their constituents” and demonstrate that their main priorities are “patient care and safety of the transport environment.”

In order to receive accreditation, bases must go through months of rigorous inspections and service evaluations. Considerable financial and human resources are invested into the process and many air medical transport services do not pass inspection.

“As a company, we have made an extraordinary commitment to our patients, employees and communities that we will do everything possible to encourage and promote a culture of safety,” says Duane Sherrill, Texas program director for PHI Air Medical. “Being recognized for our standard of care is a tremendous achievement, and it also acknowledges the professionalism and compassion of the men and women we have at PHI Air Medical.”

The CAMTS accreditation serves as a “marker of excellence” in the eyes of state and federal regulatory bodies. It also ensures that air medical transport services comply with requirements pertaining to training, technology and medical and flight certification. All PHI Air Medical bases in the state of Texas will be recognized by the accreditation and will benefit from being affiliated with the CAMTS name. The comprehensive evaluation takes approximately four to six months and 210 hours of human resources.

CAMTS is a non-profit organization whose main goal is preserving safety and quality in the air medical industry. Accreditation standards are revised every two to three years and apply to both fixed and rotor-wing aircraft. As of January 2008, there were only 138 accredited services in the nation, of which five are PHI Air Medical services.

The CAMTS accreditation comes after the recent announcement of PHI Air Medical receiving the first-ever Vision Zero Aviation Safety Award. The award was given for PHI Air Medical’s groundbreaking efforts in developing a comprehensive Enhanced Operational Control (EOC) system for its entire air medical operation, which numbers over 70 helicopters across the country. It also recognizes one company in the air medical industry that embodies the goal of flight safety and zero accidents of consequence.

In addition, PHI made a commitment to helping initiate the Foundation of Air Medical Research and Education (FARE) Survivors Scholarship Fund. Proceeds from the Vision Zero Aviation Safety Award, totaling $10,000, will establish an endowed scholarship fund for the dependents of Air Medical Transport crews who lost their lives in the line of duty. This scholarship fund will be self-supporting, and will provide a scholarship source for surviving dependents’’ higher educational needs.

Referring to both achievements, PHI’s director of air medical operations Howard Ragsdale commented, “This is truly a remarkable time in the history of the air medical industry in Texas. We have worked very hard to provide a superior service grounded in unwavering commitment to safety and clinical excellence. While we are pleased with CAMTS accreditation and the Vision Zero Aviation Safety Award, we are most pleased with the recognition of our commitment to superior service and going beyond by our customers.”

PHI Air Medical Inc. is a business unit of PHI Inc., the world leader in rotary flight for over 50 years, and provides support for many of the nation’s leading health care organizations. PHI Air Medical pilots have recorded more than 10 million flight hours, in virtually every type of helicopter and terrain known. Single helicopters or fleets are provided to customers and capabilities range from hospital-based programs to the total EMS transportation systems. Years before the first civilian helicopter ambulance took to the air, PHI assisted in emergency medical support. PHI Air Medical headquarters are located in Phoenix, Ariz., with 12 bases in Texas, including one located at the Corsicana Municipal Airport.