Branson/Tri-Lakes News: Newsmakers

June Middleton was hired as chief operations officer and vice president of operations for Branson Bank. In the newly created position, she oversees new programs in Taney County. Middleton, both a certified public accountant and certified bank auditor, served nearly 11 years with Farmers and Merchants Bank. She was recently internal auditor for Jack Henry & Associates Inc.

Energy

White River Valley Electric Cooperative announced that Jeff Pardeck, its member services manager, was honored with a Touchstone Energy Brand Champion Award. The national award is presented annually for exceptional leadership, effectiveness, innovation and consistency in developing the Touchstone Energy brand.

Entertainment

Branson entertainer Tony Orlando has been re-elected to a one-year term with the Muscular Dystrophy Association as national vice-president during the association’s July 11 meeting in Los Angeles. Orlando is a longtime MDA volunteer who makes regular appearances on the Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon. He will host the telethon broadcast in the New York City area again this year.

Herschend Family Entertainment Corp. named Andrew Wexler chief financial officer. Wexler previously served in business development for HFE. Wexler’s work experience includes stints at Arthur Andersen and McKinsey & Co. He was also a co-founder and CFO of Derivion, a pioneer in Internet-based billing, and the chief operating officer of Martin Capital. Wexler is based in HFE’s Atlanta office, where the company operates Stone Mountain Park in partnership with the state of Georgia.

Health care

Dr. Mittie M. Dragosljvich joined Skaggs Community Health Center. Board-certified in radiation oncology, Dragosljvich specializes in the treatment of cancer patients using radiation treatment at Skaggs Cancer Center. Prior to joining Skaggs, Dragosljvich practiced for 17 years at Comanche County Memorial Hospital in Lawton, Okla., and in Delaware before that.

Dr. J. Chad White joined Skaggs in its Branson West Medical Care facility. White earned his medical degree from Des Moines University Osteopathic Medical Center in Iowa, and completed his internship and residency at Highlands Regional Medical Center in Prestonsburg, Ky. He is board-certified in family medicine and has served as an anatomy instructor at Drury University in Springfield. Prior to joining Skaggs, he saw patients at a walk-in clinic in Mountain Grove.

Skaggs registered nurse Jamille Twedt was selected from among southwest Missouri nurses to receive the fourth annual Florence Nightingale Memorial Award. Consideration was given to her contribution to nursing, demonstration of leadership and commitment to community. A registered nurse for 20 years, Twedt began at Skaggs in 1998 as a full-time staff nurse in the critical care unit, and later in ambulatory infusion services.

Insurance

Mike Coan joined Hollister-based Connell Insurance as a commercial insurance producer. A former sales representative for Sierra Building Products, Coan is currently president-elect of the Construction Specifications Institute. He’s a graduate of Missouri State University.

Manufacturing

Tantone Industries hired John Cox as general manager. Cox has 27 years of experience in plant management and manufacturing engineering.