Mary Jane Sauer has joined the American Family Insurance Agency sales force.

Sauer, a graduate of Southeast Missouri State University with a degree in early childhood development, will work out of the American Family Insurance office at 2612 "B," E. Jackson Boulevard in Jackson.

She previously taught at Christian School of The Young Years. More recently she served as manager at Bent Creek Golf Course.

American Family Insurance, with offices in 13 states, employs more than 3,300 agents. The company offers auto, home, health, business and life insurance.

Ronald J. Long, a native of Cape Girardeau, has received a promotion from the British Petroleum Co.

Long has been appointed tax director for the company's U.S. exploration operations in the Gulf of Mexico. He will also serve as head of tax for the company's international aviation, marine and solar energy activities in the Western Hemisphere.

Long has served in BP corporate headquarters in London, where he was responsible for development and implementation of global tax planning initiatives. He previously served in Cleveland as head of tax planning for the company's U.S. refining and marketing operations.

Long is a graduate of Southeast Missouri State University, has a law degree from the University of Missouri and a master's of law degree in taxation from Washington University in St. Louis.

Prior to joining BP, Long served with the office of chief counsel of the Internal Revenue Service and on the graduate legal faculty at DePaul University in Chicago.

He will move to Houston for his new position.

Two Dana Corp. teams have advanced in the competition for the Missouri Team Quality Award.

The Dana teams -- "Blue Chips" and "Specialists" -- will make oral presentations to a panel of judges Aug. 15.

Blue Chip team members are Tom Masterson, Rich Webb, Sam Mungle, Lonnie Cook, Eddie Harris, Brian DeBrock, Jeff Essner, Mike Lough, Daryl Ross, Roger Cundiff, Erma Seabaugh, Steve Leible, Gary Semmler, Larry Jordan, Tom Pingle and Stan Koeller.

Specialists team members are Keith Hency, Dwayne Mitchem, Rick Knight, Lisa Maurer, Karen Hornbuckle, Rodney Phelps, Melissa Criddle and Jeff Hoehn.

The Missouri Quality Award is sponsored by the Excellence in Missouri Foundations and recognizes teams throughout the state for organizational or community improvement projects in a number of categories -- manufacturing, service, health care, education and community.

A number of annual awards were presented recently by Mary Kay Cosmetics sales director Wilma J. Dooley.

Award winners were:

Diane Thorne, Jackson, Go-Give award.

Norma Parker, Leopold, Queen of Recruiting.

Roberta Jansen, Leopold, and Sue Gloth, Chaffee, Court of Recruiting.

Debbie Balsman, Perryville, Queen of Sales. Other sales honors went to Sheila Hahs, Sedgewickville; Kelly Hartmann, Cape Girardeau; Jansen, Leopold; and Leah Shrum, Jackson.

Bridget Bryant and Gloth, both of Chaffee; Parker, Tammy Richardet, Perryville; and Debra Utterback, St. Clair, Court of Sales.

Jeanne Friedrich, assistant manager of Arrangements by Joyce, 100 S. Sprigg, has been certified as a "Master Designer" by the FTD Association.

Friedrich received her certification following a recent test in St. Louis. She was tested in flower identification, design style identification and flower care and handling.

Friedrich had to complete a specific floral arrangement within a specified time frame during the testing. Joyce Kuntze, owner of the company, is also an FTD certified master designer.