Architecture
Nick Beishir of Hood-Rich Inc. passed his architectural registration examination. A Drury University graduate with a master’s in architecture, he has worked at the firm since 2015.
Education
Nixa Public Schools inducted two graduates into its Academic Hall of Fame: Lucinda Luetkemeyer, a 2004 graduate, serves on the general council for Gov. Eric Greitens, and Dr. Craig Naugle, a 1989 graduate, is a dermatologist specializing in surgically removing skin cancer.
Springfield Public Schools hired Penney Rector as chief human resources officer. She’s worked since 2011 in the Jefferson City School District as assistant to the superintendent for human resources and legal counsel. Previously, she directed legal services and governmental relations for Missouri Council of School Administrators, Missouri Association of School Administrators, Missouri Association of Elementary School Principals and Missouri Council of School Administrators Outreach.
Marian House, assistant principal and activities director at Nixa Junior High School, and Brandon Clark, activities director at Nixa High School, were recognized as certified athletic administrators by the National Interscholastic Administrators Association.
At College of the Ozarks’ 110th graduation ceremony, Tammy Holder, an associate professor of agriculture, received The Mildred Letton Wittick Professional Achievement Award. Bonnie Todd, an associate professor of nursing, received The Eugene Charles Wittick Teaching Excellence Award. For the past year, Holder has led a forage agronomy curriculum for the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to introduce high school students to the subject. Todd has taught nursing at C of O for seven years and was noted for encouraging students in academic and spiritual growth.
Blake Richter, a music teacher at Inman Intermediate School, received Nixa’s 2017 Teacher of the Year Award, qualifying him to compete for Missouri Teacher of the Year. Other nominees were Kara Kelly at Matthews Elementary, Lori Elliott at John Thomas School of Discovery and Amanda Grisham at Nixa Junior High.
Financial
Certified Financial Planner Andrea McKinney of Central Trust Co. was selected for the Greater Missouri Leadership Challenge’s Class of 2017. She is one of 38 women members who will meet for four, three-day continuing education sessions on leadership, state policy, and business, cultural, educational and political issues.
Government
Michael Dixon was hired as director of the Springfield-Greene County Office of Emergency Management. Previously serving as director of the Benton County Emergency Management Agency in Arkansas, he received certified emergency manager credentials by the International Emergency Manager Association in 2014.
Nonprofit
Marthe Drummond Close was named the 2017 Junior League of Springfield Lifetime Achievement Award recipient. One of her most notable achievements was the development of Close Memorial Park in 1998, and she has served on the Drury University Women’s Auxiliary for five decades and the Vestry Board of Directors at St. John’s and Christ Episcopal churches.
Technology
NorthStar Battery Co. received the Sally Breidegam Miksiewicz Innovation award by Battery Council International for NorthStar’s Advanced Connected Energy system that connects batteries to the cloud through Bluetooth communication. NorthStar ACE is being implemented in City Utilities of Springfield’s battery-powered electricity storage system under development.
