Education
Branson resident Doug Hayter was selected as executive director of the Missouri Association of School Administrators. He previously served MASA as associate executive director of leadership development and as a superintendent for the Branson and Logan-Rogersville school districts.
The Ozark School District earned a 99.3 percent rating in its annual performance report by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. The district ranked 11th highest in the state, receiving 139 points out of 140 possible based on MAP scores, attendance, graduation rates and placement, and advanced programs.
Government
U.S. Rep. Billy Long, R-Springfield, received the National Association of Home Builders’ Defender of Housing Award during the Salute to Construction banquet. He was credited with a 100 percent voting record in support of NAHB’s legislative priorities.
The Greene County Commission hired Trysta Herzog as director of communications and public engagement to succeed Jennifer McClure. She previously worked as strategic communication specialist at Missouri State University, leading a multimedia brand awareness campaign for the College of Arts and Letters. She has a master’s degree in communications from MSU.
The Senate Republican Conference re-elected Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., as vice chairman. Blunt will continue leading Senate Republicans’ communications efforts across multiple digital platforms.
Human Resources
Penmac Staffing Services Inc. President Paula Adams was named to the 2016 Global Power 100-Women in Staffing by Staffing Industry Analysts for her leadership, creativity and influence. She oversees more than 30 Penmac branches in seven states and guides managers in sales and customer service.
Law
Attorney Thomas Peebles and Joseph “Chip” Sheppard of Carnahan, Evans, Cantwell & Brown PC were selected by their peers to The Best Lawyers in America 2017 listing. Peebles also was recognized as Lawyer of the Year for trusts and estates in the Springfield market, and CECB received a Tier I ranking in the U.S. News-Best Law Firms list.
Nonprofit
Heather Zoromski joined the Darr Family Foundation as executive director. Zoromski has 14 years of nonprofit experience in the Springfield and Branson areas, most recently as grants administrator for the Skaggs Foundation. She has a master’s in public health and a bachelor’s in child and family development from MSU.
Greene County Sheriff Jim Arnott and Springfield Police Chief Paul Williams were named co-chairmen for the 2016 Salvation Army Tree of Lights. The campaign aims to raise community support and awareness for Salvation Army programs and services.
Community Foundation of the Ozarks awarded $50,000 in Metro Springfield Community Innovation grants to five projects: Springfield Community Gardens, $12,000 to train urban farmers on increasing production; Hear Our Voice, $11,900 for a pilot program on civic responsibility, voter education and volunteerism at Reed Academy and Central High School; Ride417, $11,000 to start a safe-ride program for college students; Diaper Bank of the Ozarks, $10,600 to provide starter kits for cloth diapers; and Stars for Autism, $4,500 to add training seminars and resource materials on autism.
Hurts Donut Co. received Lost & Found Grief Center’s first Whole Heart Award for a business. Nominated by the Wrinkle family, Hurts Donut committed to delivering special holiday doughnuts to the longtime customers after learning of father Chris Wrinkle’s sudden death last fall.
Utah-based gourmet cookie chain Crumbl Cookies opened its first Springfield shop; interior design business Branson Upstaging LLC relocated; and Lauren Ashley Dance Center LLC added a second location.
