Accounting Gov. Jay Nixon appointed Certified Public Accountant Robert Helm, of Springfield, to the Missouri State Board of Accountancy. Helm is a managing partner for Elliott, Robinson & Co. LLP.
Education Sarah Odom, assistant principal at Kickapoo High School, was named Assistant Principal of the Year in the southwest district of the Missouri Association for Secondary School Principals.
Renee White, Missouri State University field education coordinator and social work clinical instructor, participated in a Federal Emergency Management Agency roundtable meeting about Joplin tornado recovery efforts. White discussed her role on the Long-Term Recovery Committee as the chairwoman of the emotional/spiritual support subcommittee.
Robert Mayanovic, professor in the physics, astronomy and materials science department at MSU, received a $391,765 grant from the National Science Foundation. The funds will be used to acquire new equipment for the department.
Kim Blevins, a teacher at Mount Vernon High School, wrote an essay published in “Great Educators,” a book of inspiring stories from teachers and principals nationwide. Blevins’ essay, “The Broken Skateboard Museum,” tells how she acquired the broken skateboards displayed in her classroom.
Government The Missouri Deputy Sheriff’s Association named Christian County Sheriff Joey Kyle its Sheriff of the Year.
Health Care The Missouri Optometric Association presented Dr. Stephen Rice with the Missouri Optometrist of the Year Award. Rice is president of the Greater Ozarks Optometric Society and a partner at The Vision Clinic.
Dr. James Gibson of Ferrell Duncan Clinic, Jeff Tynes of Springfield Grocer Co. and Jack Prim of Jack Henry & Associates were elected to the CoxHealth Board of Directors. The new board members replace John Wolfe, Michael Nietzel and Judge Michael Garrett, who retired from the body.
Hospitality Andy Hampshire was named executive chef for the Branson Convention Center, Hilton Hotel and Hilton Promenade at Branson Landing. Hampshire manages catering and kitchen operations at each facility, including Level 2 Steakhouse.
Insurance Jill Hunt and Jason Clamors joined Nixon & Lindstrom Insurance’s business insurance department. Hunt has 11 years of insurance industry experience, and Clamors has four years of experience.
Adam McGrath, a sales representative for Liberty Mutual Insurance, received the company’s Lamplighter and Pursuit of Excellence awards. McGrath recently completed his first year of selling with Liberty Mutual.
Media Jennifer Moore, senior news producer for KSMU Radio, received the Missouri Bar’s Excellence in Legal Journalism Award for her five-part series entitled “The Missouri Public Defender System in Crisis.”
Nonprofit Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Ozarks elected Jarod Michel and Shawn Calhoun to its board of directors. Michel is the vice president of architecture firm Bates & Associates Inc., and Calhoun is human resources director for wholesale power supplier Associated Electric Cooperative Inc.[[In-content Ad]]