Newsmakers: Oct. 23-29, 2017

Advertising
ADsmith Marketing and Advertising hired Laura Bode as a marketing specialist developing strategic plans for clients. She previously worked for Gatesman Inc., formerly Noble Communications Co., as a senior account executive.

Education
Springfield Public Schools hired Stephen Hall as chief communications officer. Hall, most recently regional vice president of communications for the American Heart Association, is a graduate of University of Missouri-Columbia’s School of Journalism and has 15 years of communications experience.

The Aspen Institute College Excellence Program named Ozarks Technical Community College one of 150 finalists to compete for the 2019 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence and $1 million in prize funds. The award recognizes institutions for outcomes in four areas: student learning, certificate and degree completion, employment and earnings, and access and success for minority and low-income students. This is the third consecutive year OTC has been named a finalist.

Springfield Public Schools named Tracy Williams interim principal for Jeffries Elementary School for the remainder of the 2017-18 school year, as current principal Liz Cooper transitions into the role of district director of human resources. Williams is currently assistant principal at Pleasant View K-8 School, where he has worked since 2013.

Warren Davis of Warren Davis Properties, a 1959 graduate of Drury University, received the school’s Lifetime Achievement Award. During Drury’s 2017 Distinguished Alumni Award ceremony, five other community leaders were honored: Gail Summers, a 1963 graduate, with the University Engagement Award; David Gohn, a 1964 graduate, the Career Achievement Award; Raymond Hackett, a 1980 graduate, the Outstanding Service Award; Lauren Holtkamp, a 2003 graduate, the Young Alumnus Award; and Judy Grier Thompson, a 1961 graduate, the Faculty/Staff Appreciation Award.

Health Care
Advantage Therapy hired Nebraska-native Marla Munsen as a physical therapist. She is a recent graduate of Missouri State University’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program.

Scott George, licensed instrument hearing specialist for Mid-America Hearing Center, was honored at the 66th Annual International Hearing Society Convention and Expo. He received a 25-year All-Star Award from the society.

Human Resources
Camille Knowles joined Human Resources Advantage as an HR adviser. She works with area employers to provide support in compliance, employee relations, policies and training. Knowles previously served 11 years as the human resources director for Greene County.

Media
Mid-West Family Broadcasting hired Megan Sharman as a data entry and administrative assistant. A native of Bolivar, she spent two years studying creative writing at Truman State University before transferring to Missouri State University.

Municipal
Clay Goddard, assistant director of health at the Springfield-Greene County Health Department, was promoted to health director to succeed the retiring Kevin Gipson. Goddard first worked at the Health Department in 1996 as an intern, moved to the city as director of the Information Systems Department and returned to the Health Department as assistant director.

Money Magazine named Nixa the Best for Belt Tighteners on its list of the 7 Best Places to Retire Right Now. Described as a quiet community that boasts high quality living, Nixa was selected for its low median home price and property taxes, as well as job growth.

Nonprofit
Ozarks Food Harvest received a $125,000 grant from the Walmart Foundation to carry out The Hunger Challenge of the Ozarks for the eighth year. The challenge provides food bank partners the ability to increase funds through a dollar-for-dollar matching program to fight hunger in their local communities.

Retail
Askinosie Chocolate LLC hired David Langdon as retail manager. He first worked with the manufacturer as a high school student in 2010, when he took a trip to Tanzania as part of Askinosie’s experiential learning program Chocolate University.