Newsmakers

Bruce Adib-Yazdi, architect and managing principal with Butler, Rosenbury & Partners, received Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design professional accreditation. LEED-accredited professionals demonstrate a thorough understanding of green-building practices and principles, as well as familiarity with LEED requirements, resources and processes.

Communications

U.S. Cellular promoted Teri Twyman to direct sales manager in its Missouri service area. Her responsibilities include sales of wireless products and services. Twyman has been with the company since 1992 and has a bachelor’s degree in management from William Woods University in Columbia.

Gary Whitaker, co-owner and publisher of Whitaker Publishing, received the Silver Medal Award from Springfield Ad Club at the club’s annual Addy Awards. Silver Medal recipients are selected by a panel of judges based on contributions to their company, creative ability, general advancement of advertising and community service.

Community

Josiah Modes joined the Springfield-Greene County Park Board as figure skating director for Jordan Valley Ice Park. He has a long ice-skating history, including placing at the 1998 U.S. National Championship in pairs skating. He also spent 11 years as a professional, performing in Florida and touring Germany, Japan and Southeast Asia. His wife, Yulia Sudakova, is also an instructor at Jordan Valley Ice Park.

Jim D. Morris, founder of Morris Oil Co., donated $300,000 to child treatment programs at Boys & Girls Town of Missouri. The donation will support therapeutic recreation programs at the Meramec Wilderness Learning Ranch and expanded intensive treatment for children with severe mental illness or persistent mental disorders.

Education

Drury University promoted Krystal Compas to assistant to the president for alumni and development. Compas has been with Drury since 1990, beginning as an instructor of languages and literature. She also has served as associate dean of educational services and vice president of enrollment management.

She received a master’s degree in education from Drury and a doctorate in curriculum and instruction from University of Missouri.

Springfield R-XII School District named Ron Snodgrass principal of Central High School beginning in the 2008-09 school year. Snodgrass has been with the district for 22 years, serving as principal of Pleasant View Elementary and Middle School since 2001. He has bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education and an Educational Specialist in Administration from Missouri State University and a doctorate in educational leadership from University of Missouri.

Springfield schools psychologist Anne Gardner received the Missouri School Psychologist of the Year award from the Missouri Association of School Psychologists.

Government

Gov. Matt Blunt received the Missouri Corn Growers Association President’s Award for his commitment to renewable fuels. Blunt signed legislation in 2006 that required gasoline sold in Missouri to contain 10 percent ethanol by Jan. 1. He also signed an executive order requiring at least 70 percent of vehicles purchased by the Office of Administration’s state fleet to be flex-fuel vehicles.

Hospitality

John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts’ Embassy Suites-Dallas received its second consecutive Four Diamond Award from the American Automobile Association. The property scored highly on AAA’s rating criteria for upscale accommodations, hospitality, guest service and attention to detail.

Law

Andy Bennett, a shareholder with Carnahan, Evans, Cantwell & Brown PC, joined the firm’s executive committee. Bennett practices in the firm’s transactional and litigation practice groups, concentrating in the areas of civil litigation, real estate, banking, commercial transactions and insurance law. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Missouri and his law degree from the University of Tulsa College of Law.

Real Estate

Century 21 recognized Teresa Hall and Malcolm Chase of Century 21 Integrity Group for their sales production in 2007. Hall received the Century 21 Masters Award for being the top producer in Integrity Group in 2007. Chase received the Million Dollar Producer award.

Transportation

Two Springfield-based drivers are among 259 FedEx Freight drivers to reach the 20-year mark without a preventable accident. The two honorees are Mark Poynor, of Strafford, and Donald Higdon, of Willard.