Newsmakers

Cecily L. Laney of Sam A. Winn & Associates Architects PC passed the Missouri registration exam to become a licensed architect.

Laney, a graduate of Drury University’s Hammons School of Architecture, has been with the firm nine years and has worked on numerous projects including St. Robert’s Freedom Elementary and Waynesville High School.

Community

Doula Foundation of Mid America named Julie Waldie its executive director. Waldie has been with the foundation since 2001 and has seven years of experience in child and family development.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Ozarks added Cody Smith to its board of directors. Smith, branch manager for Commerce Bank’s Nixa location, has a Bachelor of Science in administrative management.

Construction

Queen City Roofing and Contracting Co. received Master Select Roofing Contractor certification from GAF Materials Corp. Only 2 percent of roofing contractors nationwide earn the designation.

Finance

Jay Titus, U.S. Bank’s senior vice president of commercial banking in Springfield, received U.S. Bank’s annual Pinnacle Award.

It’s the fourth award for Titus, who has 14 years of financial services industry experience including seven with U.S. Bank.

Sarah Anderson joined Northwestern Mutual Financial Network’s Springfield office as director of recruitment and selection. She is a Neosho native with a degree in business management from Missouri State University.

Health Care

Christi Watkins, Citizens Memorial Healthcare’s director of patient care services, received the Excellence in Service Award from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

She was recognized for her contributions to the national DNA Research and Registry program, which began in 2002 and has been used for numerous projects including identification and recovery following the Sept. 11 attacks and hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Morgan Simpson, director of the CMH Sports Medicine Center, was named president of the Missouri Athletic Trainers Association.

Simpson is a licensed athletic trainer and has a degree in sports medicine and athletic training from MSU. He has been director of the Sports Medicine Center – in the Meyer Wellness and Sports Center on the campus of Southwest Baptist University – for 10 years.

Dr. Brian D. Biggers joined the surgical staff of Crighton, Olive & Dunn Surgical Group Inc. Biggers is a fellowship-trained surgeon in breast surgical oncology.

He received his medical degree from University of Missouri-Columbia and completed his fellowship at Baylor University.

St. John’s Health System announced five promotions: Ann Yen-Gilmore to executive director of Nurse On Call, Michelle Haney to executive director of St. John’s Health Plans Business Management, Debra Appleby to quality resources director at St. John’s Hospital-Springfield, Toni Messenger to assistant nursing director for postpartum rooms and the Teddy Bear Club, and Cindy Kapica to executive director of St. John’s Health Plans Medical Management.

Law

Richard Walters, a Springfield partner in Husch Blackwell Sanders, was named to Missouri Lawyers Weekly’s Up and Coming Lawyers list. The attorneys profiled were chosen for their professional work as well as community betterment efforts. Walters represents developers, contractors and lenders.

Technology

Sherry Coker, computer training manager for Ozarks Technical Community College’s Center for Workforce Development, achieved the status of master instructor for the Microsoft Office Specialist program.

Sales

Local Avon Products Inc. representatives Patrick Flanagan, of Ozark, and Debbie Sheehan, of Springfield, received a trip to Las Vegas as part of Avon’s President’s Recognition Program Celebration. The annual event brings together representatives who have distinguished themselves as sales leaders.

Dave Long joined Cabinet and Bath Supply as sales manager. He relocated from Des Moines, Iowa, where he had managed a large building-products distributor for 16 years.

Mia Davis, an independent consultant with Tastefully Simple Inc., earned team leader status with the gourmet food direct seller.