Newsmakers

GHN Architects/Engineers President Charles C. Hill received the 2008 Distinguished Service Award from the American Institute of Architects’ Missouri chapter. Hill is a past president of AIA Springfield and serves on the Missouri Professional Board for Architects, Engineers, Land Surveyors and Landscape Architects, as well as the Professional Advisory Council for Drury University’s Hammons School of Architecture.

Densel Kimbrough, owner and principal architect of Kimbrough Design Studio, achieved reciprocal registration and license to practice architecture in the state of Mississippi.

Matthew Thornton joined Dake Wells Architecture. He is a graduate of Drury University’s Hammons School of Architecture and has experience in design and management on a variety of projects, including historic renovations, retail and banking facilities, and corporate offices.

Banking

Matt Soutee joined First Home Savings Bank in Springfield as a residential loan officer. He has five years of experience in banking and received a Bachelor of Science in finance from Missouri State University in 2005.

Kira Owens joined Commerce Bank as assistant vice president and branch manager for the bank’s Glenstone Banking Center. Owens, who has 14 years of experience, is responsible for branch operations and developing consumer banking, lending and small-business banking relationships.

Community

The Arc of the Ozarks received $100,000 in Youth Opportunities Program tax credits from the Missouri Department of Economic Development. YOP provides tax credits to organizations administering positive youth development or crime prevention projects, such as Arc, which serves individuals with developmental disabilities.

Two southwest Missouri residents received awards from the Missouri Community Service Commission. Kay Buehler, of Lebanon, was one of four recipients of the Gold President’s Volunteer Service Award, and Gayle McAllister, of Joplin, received the Silver President’s Volunteer Service Award.

Junior Achievement of Springfield announced its 2008 board members: Stephen Spence of Village Bank; Brent Brown of Summer Fresh Markets; Nathan Baxter of Dixie Stampede; Pat Dierking of City Utilities; Matt Dillane of JA Middle America; Jeff Baldner of Great Southern Bank; Matt Connell of UMB Bank; Krystal Russell of Whitlock, Selim and Keehn; Matt Scheihing of Ollis & Co.; Tommy Smith of Associated Wholesale Grocers; and Rex Stephens of Marketing Solutions Group.

Walnut Grove received $1.6 million in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development agency for an upgrade and expansion of the town’s water system. Walnut Grove will use the funds to replace and upgrade water lines, provide additional fire hydrants and add a backup well.

Education

Ozarks Technical Community College named Joan Barrett dean of students and registrar, which she’s been serving as interim since October. Barrett has a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in public administration from Missouri State University.

Janell Bagwell, principal of Mark Twain Elementary School, received one of 13 Outstanding New Principal awards from the Missouri Association of Elementary School Principals.