Newsmakers

Accounting

Derek L. Smith and David S. Taylor were promoted to managers in BKD LLP's Springfield office. Smith provides tax and business advice to clients working in historic preservation, low-income housing and real estate. He graduated from Truman State University with a bachelor's degree in accounting and business administration and a Master of Accountancy degree. Taylor assists BKD's hospitals and medical practices team, prepares Medicare cost reports for hospitals and assists in the audit department. He graduated from Drury University in 2002 with a bachelor's degree in accounting, economics, computer information systems and business administration.

Banking

Arvest Bank promoted Michal Moss Early to vice president and sales manager in the Springfield and Branson market. Early, previously assistant vice president and private banking manager, maintains productivity of Arvest branches, ATMs and new accounts, as well as directing sales and marketing programs.

Community

The Missouri Department of Economic Development awarded Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Ozarks $31,477 in Youth Opportunities Program tax credits to sponsor mentoring programs for at-risk youth. The program is designed to improve academic performance, self-esteem and relationships with adults and peers, and to deter substance abuse and reduce violence in resolving problems.

The Springfield-Greene County Park Board received the Caring Communities' 2008 Reaching for the Stars Neighborhood Organization Volunteer Award. The board was commended for its efforts to restore playgrounds and work with neighborhoods to offer programs such as softball and soccer.

Education

Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar was named one of America's 100 Best College Buys for the 13th consecutive year and one of America's Best Christian Colleges for the 12th consecutive year by Institutional Research and Evaluation Inc. SBU also was named among schools with America's Best College Scholarships for the second year in a row.

Glendale High School swimming coach Jim Whytlaw was named 2008 Coach of the Year in girls swimming and diving by the National Federation of State High School Association "Coaches Association." Whytlaw, a 35-year Springfield Public Schools teacher and coach, has received the award seven times, beginning in 1986.

Missouri State University recognized employees who have been with the university for up to 35 years: Ginger Allard and Sheila Ponder in library administration; Larry Shields in health and wellness; Kenneth Boatright in design and construction; L. Marlene Frazo in residence life and services administration; Daniel Hayden and Mike Wilson in custodial; Jackie McConnell in public safety; Henry Myers in printing services; Janice Presley in media, journalism and film; Joyce Seale in financial aid; Donald Simpson in enrollment services; and Randy Stewart in KSMU programming and production.

Insurance

Sue Smith was manager of the quarter for third-quarter 2008 at American National Property and Casualty Insurance Co. Smith, manager of the company's records department since 2000, has been with the company for 35 years and helped develop the company's first centralized clerical department.

Law

Randell Wallace of Lathrop & Gage, Joseph Passanise of Law Offices of Dee Wampler and Joseph "Chip" Sheppard of Carnahan, Evans, Cantwell & Brown were three of the 16 attorneys selected as lawyers of the year by Missouri Lawyers Weekly. Each year, the publication recognizes a handful of Missouri attorneys who are doing innovative work.

Media

Journal Broadcast Group hired Sherry Farmer as a KTTS-FM 94.7 morning show co-host, joining Andy Taylor. Farmer began her radio career in 2000 in Cape Girardeau and before joining KTTS was a radio personality and program director in Columbia, Quincy, Ill., and, most recently, St. Louis.

Sales

Erica Mincks, of Ozark, was promoted to an independent distributor director by nutrition research and health food company Reliv International.

Utilities

City Utilities transit driver T.J. Davis was named 2008 Driver of the Year. Davis, a CU bus operator since 1995, also received the peer-selected award in 2003. Transit employees base their choice on performance, courtesy, neatness, attendance, accident-free driving and attitude.