Newsmakers: Sept. 25-Oct. 1, 2023

Architecture
Hood-Rich Inc. hired registered architect Emily Effland. She has experience in higher education, commercial and residential projects and holds a bachelor’s of architecture from University of Texas-Austin.

Banking & Finance
Central Bank in Springfield added Nathan Francis as a business development specialist, Jacob Raulston as a branch manager and Joyce Wong-Hsu as a private banking relationship manager. Francis provides clients with financial advice and banking solutions. Raulston, who’s worked seven years in banking as a teller, personal banker and assistant manager, oversees daily operations at the Springfield Plaza branch. With a decade of experience in wealth management, Wong-Hsu provides full-service banking solutions and builds client relationships.

Arvest Bank hired Sara Alexander as a commercial banker. She has 13 years of industry experience and holds a bachelor’s in business administration from College of the Ozarks.

The Bank of Missouri promoted Kristie Williams to regional retail manager over the southwest market. With 24 years of retail banking experience in the Branson market, she has worked for The Bank of Missouri for two years and holds an MBA from Western Governors University.

Education
College of the Ozarks added eight professors for the 2023-24 academic year: First Lt. Andrew Ashley, instructor of military science; Jennifer Hernandez, associate professor of applied nutrition; Eveline Lewis, associate professor of business; Lloyd Nguyen, associate professor of criminal justice; Bryan Osborne, assistant professor of computer science; Cpt. Jamin Pyatt, instructor of military science and physical education; Kimberly Smith, assistant professor of nursing; and Shelli Starrett, professor of engineering and physics.

With a 10-year career in property management and development and experience in food and equipment logistics, Ashley also serves as a Blackhawk pilot for the Missouri National Guard. Hernandez has experience as a clinical dietitian and an adjunct professor, and she holds a bachelor’s in nutrition and food science from Middle Tennessee State University. Lewis previously served as business department chair at Evangel University and holds a master’s in hospitality management from University of Houston, an MBA from Baylor University and a doctorate in business administration from Anderson University in South Carolina. Nguyen has worked heavily in public service and military jobs, including serving in both the U.S. Marine Corps and Air Force Reserve. Osborne has a career in information technology and holds a bachelor’s in computer science from Arkansas State University, a master’s in atmospheric science from Texas Tech University and a doctorate in computer science from Colorado Technical University. Pyatt, a three-year C of O adjunct professor, previously worked for the Missouri Army National Guard. Smith served as an acute care/cardiac nurse for eight years and holds a master’s in nursing education from Cox College. Starrett has taught electrical and computer engineering 25 years between stints at Le Tourneau University in Texas and Kansas State University, and she holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in electrical engineering from Missouri University of Science & Technology as well as a doctorate in electrical engineering from Iowa State University.