Newsmakers

Architecture
Steven Ownby earned a landscape architect license from the Missouri Board for Architects, Professional Engineers, Professional Land Surveyors and Landscape Architects. Ownby received a bachelor’s degree in landscape architecture from Kansas State University in 1998.

Education
Shirley Lawler was named vice president for academic affairs at Ozarks Technical Community College. Lawler will take over the position, currently held by Randy Humphrey, on July 1. She has 28 years of experience in education and 13 years at OTC. Humphrey will retire after 15 years with OTC and will continue as a part-time instructor.

MasterCard Worldwide donated a $16,000 grant to 16 schools in Missouri, including Drury University and Evangel University in Springfield and Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar. The $1,000 scholarships will provide aid to schools and will be given based on financial need to students preparing to teach math.

Parkview High School named Eric Ramsey its new principal. Ramsey is assistant principal of Willard High School and has 14 years of experience with Springfield Public Schools and Missouri State University.

Springfield Public Schools named four new assistant principals to begin during the 2010-2011 school year: Kelly Jacobs, Pleasant View elementary and middle schools; Robert Kroll, Pershing elementary and middle schools; Stacye Manlove, Hickory Hills elementary and middle schools; and Tammy Quinn, Glendale High School.

Finance
Guaranty Bank named Mark McFatridge executive vice president and chief operating officer. McFatridge has more than 16 years of banking experience and most recently served as president and chief operating officer at OakStar Bank. He will be responsible for the strategic oversight, development and direction of administrative functions.

Government    
Jonathan Gano was named the American Public Works Association Young Leader of the Year for 2010. Gano joined the city of Springfield in 2004 and is interim assistant director of public works and operations. Gano was selected based on commitment and leadership potential in public works.

U.S. Sen. Kit Bond received a 2010 Mouse Award from the Congressional Management Foundation for having one of the best Web sites in Congress. The foundation rated 620 congressional Web sites on audience demographics, relevance and targeted information, ease of use and innovation.

Vince Crunk and Mike Brothers were named co-interim department heads in the city public information department. Crunk and Brothers will lead the department temporarily. Crunk is the CityView production manager and Brothers is special projects coordinator.

Kevin Hess, water pollution section chief for the division of environmental quality, Missouri Department of Natural Resources office in Springfield, was chosen MDNR April employee of the month. He has worked for the department for 18 years and lives in Strafford.

Reggie Hoskins was confirmed by the Missouri Senate as a member of the Missouri Workforce Investment Board. Staff at the Missouri Department of Economic Development nominated Hoskins, a work force specialist business manager for the Center for Workforce Development.[[In-content Ad]]