Newsmakers: Jan. 1-7, 2018

Advertising
Money Music Inc. promoted Charlene Nicholson to business development director. Handling day-to-day operations, she manages client engagements and relationships with radio and television stations.

Arts
Barth Fraker, director of public and governmental affairs for the Greater Springfield Board of Realtors, was named as a board member of the Missouri Arts Council. As a pianist, he has worked with various musical artists throughout the country and has served as a musical instructor.

Education
Springfield Public Schools hired Josh Scott as director of athletics, effective July 1. He has 10 years of athletic administration experience with the Waynesville School District.

BestColleges.com recognized Missouri State University among its Top Online Colleges of 2018, based on factors such as the flexibility and quality of online programs, in addition to affordability. MSU was in the top 50 of more than 2,100 colleges considered.

Personal finance website MagnifyMoney.com ranked Springfield as one of the most affordable cities in the United States for students working their way through college and avoiding student loan debt. The Queen City scored 76 out of 100 points based on factors such as rent costs, average in-state tuitions, minimum wages and unemployment rates.

Six MSU students received 2017-18 Citizen Scholar awards for living out the school’s public affairs mission and excelling in their studies: Connor Aller, DeAntra “Shae” Darough, Lily Johnson, Kendell Loyd, Brandon McCoy and Micaela Wiehe. The award also honors those involved in extra-curricular or service activities. 

Roseann Bentley and Stephen Kleinsmith were selected for Missouri State University’s 22nd and 23rd honorary doctorate degrees during the May 2018 commencement ceremonies. Bentley is a longtime public servant: She was the first woman from southwest Missouri elected to the Missouri Senate in 1995 and has served on the Springfield Public Schools Board of Education, the Missouri Board of Education and the National Association of State Boards of Education. Kleinsmith, who is retiring as superintendent of Nixa Public Schools, has worked as an advocate for public education in Missouri and as chairman of a national committee for the American Association of School Administrators.

Engineering
GeoEngineers Inc. selected principal engineer Mark Miller to lead the company’s new pipelines business unit. An 18-year employee with the firm, he’s assisted in the role by Jon Robison, another principal in the Springfield office, and Trevor Hoyles, a principal in GeoEngineers’ North Carolina office.

Manufacturing
CNH Industrial Reman received the 2017 Safety Manufacturing Company of the Year award from the Missouri Association of Manufacturers. CNH Industrial has worked 4 million safe hours in 24 years.

Municipal
The city of Springfield selected Harlan Hill as director of the Building Development Services Department. The college architect for Ozarks Technical Community College for six years, Hill succeeds the retiring Chris Straw, who’s served in the role since 2010.

Nonprofit
The Network selected Neale & Newman LLP attorney Britton Jobe as its Young Professional of the Year for his leadership and focus on Springfield’s talent retention. Award finalists were Kristin Carter of Central Trust Co., Jeremy Snow of Environmental Works Inc. and Shanda Trautman of Old Missouri Bank.

Retail
Maxon’s Diamond Merchants Manager Joshua Pruschen became a certified gemologist upon completing comprehensive gemological education and testing on American Gem Society standards for business ethics. Pruschen also is a registered jeweler by the society.