Morelock-Ross hires Arvest exec, opens temporary Joplin office

Morelock-Ross Builders Inc. has hired former Arvest Bank executive Michal Moss Early as vice president of business development.

Early, who worked most recently as senior vice president of Arvest Bank in Springfield, said she left the bank May 16. Her first day at Morelock-Ross was June 14, a partnership aided by Kirk Elmquist, a Morelock-Ross partner who focuses on business development and community relations.

"Kirk called me as soon as he heard I was going to make a change," Early said. "We are pretty excited about the opportunity to partner together and work side-by-side."

Though Early and Elmquist now have similar positions at the construction firm, Early will focus her efforts on meeting residential and commercial development needs in Joplin caused by the May 22 EF-5 tornado that hit the city.

Early said Morelock-Ross has set up a temporary office in the parking lot of Mid-Missouri Bank on East 32nd Street in Joplin and that the company will be looking to place a permanent presence in the city.

"They're not going to rebuild in two years or three years," Early said of Joplin redevelopment. "This is a five-to-10 year situation. You need good, solid companies to build Joplin back. Morelock-Ross is there for the long-term."

Early said she's had an interest in construction as her father worked as a building consultant from Joplin.

It was this interest and working alongside Morelock-Ross for Arvest construction work that spawned her decision to switch jobs.

"It was the right time. It was the right opportunity," Early said.

Rodney Shepard, president of Arvest Bank in Springfield, said via e-mail that Early voluntarily resigned her employment but declined to give further details.

"We wish her every success in her new position with Morelock-Ross," Shepard said.

Arvest Bank has hired Shane Cowger to succeed Early as senior vice president, effective July 5. Cowger is senior vice president of Arvest Bank in Siloam Springs, Ark., said Michael Gandy, marketing officer for Arvest Bank in Springfield.[[In-content Ad]]