Newsmakers

Architecture

Butler, Rosenbury & Partners architect Travis Tindall earned Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification. The LEED Green Building Rating system promotes a whole-building approach to sustainability in site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality.

Jerany Jackson, landscape architecture group leader at Great River Engineering, was elected Region II director for the Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards.

Community

Habitat for Humanity of Springfield received a $5,000 grant from the Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation to fund a native plant rain garden project at Habitat's Legacy Trails subdivision. The funds will provide Habitat homeowners with native plants, along with tools and supplies for volunteers and educational signage.

Education

Citi Foundation made a $50,000 grant to Missouri Colleges Fund for needs-based scholarships at its 16 member schools, including Drury, Evangel and Southwest Baptist universities.

Missouri Colleges Fund also received a $16,000 grant from Novus International to help underwrite science scholarships at MCF schools.

Finance

Ken Homan, senior vice president of portfolio management for Springfield Trust and Investment Co., had an article published in the October edition of Wealth Manager Magazine. The article talks about how to filter out information that can make strategic investment planning difficult and determine what advice investors should consider.

BKD LLP's Springfield office promoted two employees in its health care group. Eric Doerhoff was promoted to supervising consultant, and Leigh A. Patterson was promoted to senior accountant. Doerhoff has a bachelor's degree from University of Missouri in biological sciences. Patterson has a bachelor's degree in business administration and accounting and a Master of Business Administration from Drury University.

Hospitality

Jennifer Woodward and Mollie Crawford joined the staff of University Plaza Hotel & Convention Center. Woodward, a graduate of the University of Missouri hospitality program, is corporate sales manager.

Crawford, a Missouri State University hospitality graduate and former front office agent for Courtyard by Marriott, is sales and catering coordinator.

Insurance

Jon Haden joined SMI Group as a property and casualty insurance producer. Haden has a bachelor's degree in public relations and advertising with a minor in global studies from Drury University and more than two years of insurance industry experience.

Sean McQueary joined the board of directors for Barker Phillips Jackson as vice president. McQueary has 15 years of industry experience and at BPJ specializes in property and casualty insurance, property, liability workers' compensation and bonds. He has a degree in business communications from Missouri State University.

The Springfield chapter of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors received the association's 2007-08 Jack E. Bobo Award of Excellence. The award recognizes associations in the NAIFA federation that excel in member benefits, advocacy, membership and governance.