Bryan Fisher joined ACR Nally Marketing Group as public relations manager. Fisher has a communications degree from Southwest Baptist University and oversees public relations for several company clients, including Murney Associates, Fisk Transportation Group and LCS Kleen-Aire. He previously worked for Noble Communications.
Community
Mary Erickson, vice president and relationship manager with Empire Bank, joined the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Springfield Board of Directors to assist with agency growth and events.
Erickson has 31 years of banking experience, including the last 19 years with Empire. She also serves on the Ozarks Technical Community College Business Advisory Committee.
United Way of the Ozarks elected officers to its board of directors: John Wilson of U.S. Bank, chairman; Maurice Henry of Associated Wholesale Grocers, vice chairman; Gary Garwitz of BKD LLP, secretary; and Norm Ridder of Springfield Public Schools, secretary.
Jana Bachus received the Star Volunteer award from Boys & Girls Town of Missouri. The award recognizes dedicated service to children at Boys & Girls Town.
Education
Missouri State University's Defense and Strategic Studies Department received a contract to provide graduate courses to the instructors at the Army Management Staff College. Courses will be held at Fort Belvoir outside of Washington, D.C.
Arbindra Ramal, MSU associate professor of agriculture, received an agreement from Ellis Management Marketing Group Inc. to begin his marketing study for brandy products from Missouri apples. The $7,244 award will be used to pay summer salaries for faculty and students involved in the project.
Evangel University's Department of Social Sciences awarded Troy Paino, provost and vice president of academic affairs at Truman State University in Kirksville, with the 2009 Regius Award.
Paino, a 1985 Evangel graduate, has a law degree from Indiana University School of Law-Indianapolis and worked as a trial lawyer in Indianapolis before earning his doctorate in American studies from Michigan State University.
Southwest Baptist University issued honorary doctorates to Jimmy Edwards and William Ray Leininger.
Edwards, who was director of SBU's Salem campus for nine years and is a member of the school's Salem Campus Advisory Board, earned a Doctor of Education. He began teaching in 1949 at the age of 17 and served as principal of Dent County R-I elementary school for 24 years.
Leininger, who has served as virtual strategy coordinator for the International Mission Board in Tomsk, Russia, since 2005, received a Doctor of Missions. He was pastor of First Baptist Church in Bolivar for 20 years.
Finance
Curtis Donnelson joined Northwestern Mutual Financial Network-RPS Financial Group as an investment specialist. Donnelson has a bachelor's degree in business administration from Graceland University and spent two years as a financial adviser with Merrill Lynch.
Joannie Miller joined LFE Institute in Springfield as a certified workplace money coach director. Miller has more than 20 years of banking experience, most recently as regional manager for Citibank.
She is responsible for program coordination and certification training of money coaches.
Government
State Rep. Sara Lampe, D-Springfield, received the Outstanding Legislator award from the Missouri Staff Development Council for her legislative work in support of educators and professional development.
This installment of Springfield Business Journal’s Architects & Engineers Project Report showcases 26 endeavors by area design and engineering professionals.
