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OPI techs earn Canon kudos
biz mlee opi james pat 01sm
James Weatherman, left, and Patrick Jacobs, OPI technicians, earned national recognition by passing rigorous Canon testing. - photo by COURTESY PHOTO
Updated: Oct 15, 2010, 1:52 PM
Published: Oct 15, 2010, 1:54 PM

 

 

 

Two Office Products Inc. technicians recently passed the Canon ATSP exams, accomplishments that place them at the top of their field.

Patrick Jacobs and James Weatherman passed different segments of the Canon Association of Technical Service Professionals program tests. Along with this comes prestige and national recognition, said Willie Spires, OPI service manager.

"These ATSP exams are extremely rigorous," Spires said. "Patrick and James demonstrated their in-depth knowledge and expertise by passing these tests. It is a very prestigious accomplishment."

"All OPI copier technicians are factory trained," Spires noted, "but these two have reached all levels and are fully trained and certified on the entire line of Canon ImageRunner copiers that OPI carries. This includes the new Advanced ImageRunner series with the newest digital color technology."

Canon factory training facilities are located in Dallas, Texas. Jacobs and Weatherman have attended many schools there, which made them eligible to participate in the Canon ATSP program. The testing is administered at Fort Hays State University.

The successful completion of the exams allowed Jacobs, senior technician, and Weatherman to gain certifications at a national level. Jacobs traveled to Hays twice and gained certification in the advanced high-speed digital technician for black/white segment and in the digital color technician segment, while Weatherman’s recent certification is in the low-mid speed digital technician for black/white segment.

"Not all Canon dealers employ technicians of this caliber," Spires said. "Patrick and James volunteered to further their education because they strive to be the best and want to better serve our customers."

Jacobs was one of the first at OPI to achieve and maintain this level of certification. But this was the first testing for Weatherman.

"We are proud that James achieved this level on his first try, especially because there is a 70 percent failure rate nationally," Spires noted. "OPI customers are in good hands."

OPI is located at 1204 Main in Great Bend, 516 Broadway in Larned and 724 Main in Russell.
Dirks fills new safety/security coordinator position at The Center
Jerry Dirks - The Center 2025
Jerry Dirks, originally from Albert, is the new safety/security coordinator at The Center for Counseling & Consultation. He brings 34 years of public service to the job.
Published: Apr 1, 2025, 10:00 PM

The first full-time safety/security coordinator at The Center for Counseling & Consultation, 5815 Broadway Ave., is relying on his 34 years of public service to “ensure the safety of our clients and staff.”

Jerry Dirks has served as a safety officer, special investigator, deputy sheriff, police officer, assistant chief and correctional officer at many entities throughout central Kansas. He also has experience with fire safety and Emergency Medical Services.

“This type of background is a good fit for this new position and I am glad to be of service to The Center,” Dirks said. “I have known for years about its solid reputation as a great community resource because of their many services for those who face behavioral-health issues.”

Responsibilities in the position include analyzing electronic cameras and updating when necessary; risk management; staff safety training; oversight of transportation safety; fire drills and inspections; and guidance for clients and staff during inclement weather.

Dirks noted that he eagerly accepts these responsibilities and also is “glad to again be working with a team face to face.”

His most recent position was special investigator for the Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission, which entailed working out of a home office most of the time.

“I think of myself as a people person and enjoy teaming up with my new colleagues,” Dirks commented. “My experience working with all types of personalities will help me in this new job.

“Also, I still have contacts with local law enforcement and fire officials. I look forward to collaborating with them about all types of safety issues.”

Dirks earned an associate’s degree in criminal justice from Barton Community College and a bachelor’s in business administration at National College in Kansas City, Mo.

He is certified in first aid and CPR.

Wendy Lockwood, executive director at The Center, noted the safety/security position is especially important now that The Center “is growing in the number of clients and number of services we offer. Since we are a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic, we provide not only various therapies and medication, but have also expanded community-based services such as housing, employment and veterans’ support services.

“It is gratifying to have Jerry here to coordinate all our safety efforts as we strive to meet the community’s needs in collaboration with our many partners. Jerry’s extensive background at the local and state levels will be invaluable to us every day.”

The Center for Counseling & Consultation, a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic, 5815 Broadway in Great Bend, serves Barton, Pawnee, Rice and Stafford counties. Professionally trained personnel offer: individual and group therapy; marriage and family counseling; community-support services; community-based services; psychosocial rehabilitation; peer support; and medication management. The confidential 24/7 crisis hotline number is 800-875-2544.