Newsmakers: Nov. 26-Dec. 2, 2018

Banking and Finance
Arvest Bank added Ladd Lanier and Steve Kelly as commercial loan managers and Jerrod Harmon as a commercial banker. Lanier previously worked as a loan manager for Arvest in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Kelly has 14 years of banking experience in credit, special assets and relationship management, and Harmon has three years of experience, most recently as a credit analyst at Springfield First Community Bank.

John Rehani, a financial adviser with Ameriprise Financial Inc., received the 2018 Five Star Wealth Manager award from Five Star Professional. Recipients are scored on 10 evaluation criteria, including client retention rates, assets administered and favorable regulatory and compliant histories. Rehani has 37 years of experience with Ameriprise.

BluCurrent Credit Union promoted Caroline Richardson and Kyle Short to directors of business services. Richardson has seven years of experience and started with BluCurrent as branch manager in 2014. Short started in 2010 as a member service representative and spent six years in the training department.

Government
Retired Springfield Fire Department Chief David Hall was honored by Gov. Mike Parson with the Governor’s Medal, awarded to public safety officers for service above and beyond the call of duty. Hall, currently the emergency manager at Missouri State University, began his career at the Mountain Grove Volunteer Fire Department in 1983 and retired in 2017. He’s served as a University of Missouri Fire Rescue Training Institute adjunct instructor, co-developed Fire Officer I and II curricula, and held leadership roles in the Region D Homeland Security Oversight Committee.

U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Missouri, was elected chairman of the U.S. Senate Republican Policy Committee. The RPC, established in 1947, advances party positions on legislation, floor debate and votes.

Missouri Sen. Sandy Crawford, R-Buffalo, was elected as majority caucus whip. She will make sure caucus members are present to cast votes. Crawford filled the District 28 Senate seat vacated by now-Gov. Parson, representing Benton, Cedar, Dallas, Hickory, Laclede, Pettis, Polk and St. Clair counties.

Law
Kent Hyde, a partner at Hyde, Love and Overby LLP, was recognized by Best Lawyers in America for his practice representing physicians, hospitals and attorneys. He has received the honor each year since 2007. Hyde has practiced law since 1984 and is board chairman of The Bar Plan Mutual Insurance Co. in St. Louis.

Recreation
Kampgrounds of America Inc. selected the Branson KOA Holiday Campground for the 2019 KOA President’s Award and the KOA Founder’s Award. The President’s Award recognizes exceptional quality standards and high customer scores. The Founder’s Award is the organization’s highest honor. The awards were presented at the KOA International Convention in Fort Worth, Texas.

Transportation
Aurora native and fourth-generation cattle farmer Glen Cope was elected to the eight-member MFA Oil Co. Board of Directors to represent the southwest district. He currently serves on the FCS Financial Board as well as U.S. Rep. Billy Long’s agriculture advisory committee.