Newsmakers

Banking
Postal Federal Community Credit Union promoted Donna Wilson to lending services director, Megan Ramey to branch services director and Tim Sperr to assistant branch manager. Wilson is responsible for underwriting consumer loans, securing new mortgage loans and managing the loan department. She previously worked as a senior loan officer and has been with the credit union for 13 years. Ramey manages the daily functions at three of the credit union’s five branches including lending, member services and product sales. She previously worked as senior branch manager of the Sunset branch and joined the credit union in 2006. Sperr’s responsibilities include assisting in the administration and operation of a full-service branch office, including operations, lending and customer service. He previously served as a member-service representative after joining the credit union in 2010.

Branson Bank appointed Jerry DeGraffenreid, an agent at Shelter Insurance in Forsyth, and Dan Boone, a broker/owner at Coldwell Banker in Branson, to its board of directors. Both men previously served on the bank’s advisory panel.

OakStar Bank Mortgage Banking President Aaron Jernigan was listed among the Scotsman Guide Top 100 Originators. Jernigan ranked No. 67 in the nation with 338 loans closed, and by dollar volume, he ranked No. 143 with $64.2 million. Scotman Guide Media based its rankings on information submitted by 700 mortgage loan originators nationwide.

David Murray, vice president of R.B. Murray Co., joined Commerce Bank-Springfield Region’s advisory board of directors. Murray, who also serves on the real estate advisory committee of the Community Foundation of the Ozarks, was selected for his insight in real estate and development issues. He graduated from Missouri State University with a bachelor’s in economics in 1973.

Education
Nixa Public Schools counselors Cindy Smith and JoLynne Reppond were recognized as counselors of the year by the Southwest Missouri School Counselor Association. Smith was named Secondary Counselor of the Year, and Reppond was named Middle/Junior High Counselor of the Year. Both recipients will move on and compete for state awards that will be announced at the Missouri School Counselor Association conference in the fall.

Pat Sutherland, principal of Mathews Elementary in Nixa, was named Southwest District Distinguished Principal at the recent Missouri Association of Elementary School Principals’ conference.

Lynn Robbins, professor of biology at MSU, received two awards totaling $116,000 from West Inc. for two studies that aim to determine potential risk factors to endangered bats from the operation of wind energy facilities in northern Missouri.

Financial
John Rehani, a Springfield financial adviser with Ameriprise Financial, was ranked in the top 18 percent of 2,694 participating advisers who scored 96 percent or higher in the recent Ameriprise financial adviser client satisfaction survey.  Rehani, who has 30 years experience in the financial services industry, received an overall rating of 98 percent in the survey.

Hospitality
John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts’ Residence Inn by Marriott-Joplin received four awards at the 2010 Marriott Brand Conference: Platinum Award for Overall Guest Satisfaction category, Highest Guest Satisfaction in Staff Service, Service So Memorable, and Least Problem Experience.

Human Resources
Sigma House of Springfield Inc. selected Lynette Weatherford as it human resources partner, assisting employees and managers at Sigma’s five locations. Weatherford is the founder and president of Human Resource Advantage LLC and has 20 years of experience in the field.

Insurance
Debi Campbell and Jodie Webb joined the staff of the Naught Naught Agency.

Campbell sells all lines of insurance coverage, including auto, home, farm, crop, life, health and business. She brings 30 years of experience in servicing, selling and managing personal insurance.

Webb serves commercial lines of coverage, including workers’ comp, business auto, general liability, bonds, contractors and property. Webb brings 14 years of experience in selling and managing commercial insurance.

Investments
Benjamin F. Edwards & Co. in Springfield named Gregory V. Sullivan senior vice president of investments. Sullivan, a 23-year securities industry veteran, is transferring from the Lebanon branch of Wells Fargo Advisors, where he served as its branch manager since 1997.

Making the move with Sullivan to assist with his client service responsibilities is Joan Bondra, his longtime assistant, who serves as a senior registered financial associate.[[In-content Ad]]