Newsmakers: Oct. 2-8, 2023

Banking & Finance
Marcus Puryear joined The Bank of Missouri as a commercial loan officer. With eight years of experience in commercial banking, he holds a bachelor’s in finance from Drury University.

Engineering
Terracon Consultants Inc. promoted Joshua Elson to senior associate. With 13 years of experience, mostly in geotechnical engineering, he serves as the regional department manager overseeing field operations for subsurface exploration and geophysical investigations.

Government
Springfield Deputy City Manager Maurice Jones earned the certified municipal official credential, which was presented at the annual meeting of the Missouri Municipal League. Participants complete 12 hours of study in core areas, including budgets, economic development and personnel law, and four hours of elective training.

Health Care
Citizens Memorial Hospital promoted registered nurse Jamie Jones to the director of the Intensive Care Unit and made several hires: family nurse practitioner Linzi Smith at the Dallas County Family Medical Center & Walk-In Clinic; licensed clinical psychologist Sara Neal at the Willard Medical Center; Dr. Katherine Davis at the pediatric clinics in Bolivar and Willard; Dr. Brian Robinson at the endocrinology center in Bolivar; and Samuel Gardner as director of operations for primary care. With 13 years of industry experience, Jones holds an associate degree in nursing from Southwest Baptist University and a bachelor’s in nursing from Southeast Missouri State University. Smith previously worked in the neonatal ICU at CoxHealth and CMH’s The Birth Place and holds a bachelor’s in nursing from Cox College and a master’s in nursing from Chamberlain University. Neal has 13 years of industry experience, previously at Burrell Behavioral Health and at New Beginnings Behavioral Health in Nixa, and holds a master’s in counseling from Assemblies of God Theological and a doctorate in clinical psychology from American School of Professional Psychology in California. Davis holds a doctorate in medicine from University of Alabama and completed an internal medicine and pediatrics residency at Ochsner Health/Louisiana State University-Shreveport. Robinson has practiced 21 years and holds a doctorate in osteopathic medicine from Oklahoma State University-Tulsa and completed a residency in internal medicine at Penn State University, as well as an endocrinology fellowship at the University of Oklahoma College in Oklahoma City. Gardner has six years of experience, previously as regional executive director for behavioral health at Mercy Springfield Communities and holds a bachelor’s in economics and an MBA from Arizona State University.

Law
Lowther Johnson Attorneys at Law LLC Managing Member Gregg Groves was selected by Missouri Lawyers Media as a 2023 Top Managing Partner. The selection recognizes lawyers who maintain their practices and meet with clients while managing the firm’s bottom line and day-to-day office needs.

Nonprofit
The Friends of the Zoo hired Allyson Tuckness as director to succeed the retiring Don Tillman. She has 18 years of experience in the nonprofit field, most recently as chief operating officer for Breast Cancer Foundation of the Ozarks the past four years.