Newsmakers

Sapp Design Associates Architects PC named Bryon Oster, Matthew Trtan and Michael Hampton as intern architects. Each is a graduate of Drury University’s Hammons School of Architecture.

Community

Ralph and Retha Bowman were named the 2008 CoxHealth Volunteers of the Year. The Bowmans have volunteered at CoxHealth for more than 15 years, with 13 of those years spent working installing and repairing the Lifeline personal alert program in people’s homes. The couple has logged nearly 17,500 service hours.

CoxHealth surgery receptionist Pat Haas received the Gift of Time Award for her work with Compassionate Friends, an organization that offers support to families following the death of a child.

Court Appointed Special Advocates of Southwest Missouri’s “Stand Up for a Child” tagline was selected as the winner in the Civic Benefit category of the 2008 Nonprofit Tagline Award Competition. The competition featured more than 1,000 taglines submitted from companies around the world. CASA’s tagline was developed in 2005 as an in-kind donation by The Marlin Co.

Finance

Eric Leonard joined Guaranty Bank’s commercial lending team as a senior vice president. Leonard has 17 years of banking experience and has degrees from the School of Banking in Boulder, Colo., and George Mason University.

BKD LLP promoted James Ashley to senior accountant in the firm’s Springfield office.

Ashley graduated in 2004 from University of Missouri-Columbia with a Bachelor of Science in accounting and a Master of Accountancy.

BKD also announced several staff accountant additions. Kathryn A. Christian graduated from University of Central Missouri with a bachelor’s degree in accounting and a Master of Accountancy. Catherine M. Gilpin graduated from Drury with a bachelor’s degree in business and accounting and from Missouri State University with a Master of Accountancy. Trista A. Larson has a bachelor’s degree and Master of Accountancy from MSU. Kailey A. Mock has a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Drury. Christine M. Ommen has bachelor’s and master’s degrees in accounting from MSU. Ryan A. Sivill has a bachelor’s degree in accounting and finance and a Master of Business Administration from MSU.

Insurance

Jim Osburn of Senior Financial Solutions in Springfield was recognized as one of the top 10 producing life insurance agents for 2007 during Creative Marketing’s 2008 agent convention. Osburn also was recognized as a qualifier for the Million Dollar Roundtable Association. He has more than 30 years of life insurance sales experience and has been affiliated with Creative Marketing since 2004.

Amy Francis joined Ollis & Co. as an account manager in the employee benefits department. She has life and health insurance licenses in both Missouri and Arkansas and has worked in employee benefits since 2003.

Dave Willingham, a 28-year agent with American Family Insurance in Buffalo, was named the company’s State Agent of the Month. American Family also awarded its local All American Agents. They are Willingham; David Potter, Chad Brodersen and Don Woodward, of Springfield; Kim Norris, of Mountain Grove; Kathy Wells, of Cabool; Jamie Loge, of Ava; Gene Loge, of Mansfield; Lee Freeman, of West Plains; and Donnie Wells, of Willow Springs.

Real Estate

Sperry Van Ness/Rankin Co. added Lori Wanamaker to its Springfield staff as executive assistant to Senior Adviser Mike Fusek. Wanamaker’s hire is part of the company’s national expansion program.

Ryan Murray, sales associate with R.B. Murray Co., achieved Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional status. Murray graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Leeds School of Business at University of Colorado. [[In-content Ad]]