Newsmakers

Commerce Bank hired commercial banking officer Ryan Jones and branch manager Cody Smith. Jones previously worked as a commercial relationship officer in Lebanon and graduated from Drury University with a Bachelor of Arts in business administration. Smith manages the Nixa banking center. He has more than six years of banking and financial experience and a degree in administrative management from Missouri State University.

Andy Hall, vice president and banking center manager of Empire Bank’s Fair Grove location, completed the two-year course of study at the Missouri Bankers Association School of Bank Management in Columbia. Hall graduated with honors from the program, which is a comprehensive study of banking issues for industry professionals.

Empire Bank named Mary Erickson vice president and relationship manager. She has more than 28 years of banking experience, serving most recently as Empire’s vice president of administration and corporate secretary.

Guaranty Bank promoted Kent Chambers to operations officer from deposit operations department supervisor. Chambers joined the bank in 2003 and has more than 20 years of banking experience.

Cindy Bruce joined Bank of Bolivar as assistant cashier at its downtown Bolivar banking center. She has worked at local banks for more than 20 years.

Community

Judith Lee Nelson joined Family Violence Center as director of development. Her duties include providing leadership with the center’s financial efforts by identifying donors and securing financial gifts.

David Yaktine, managing director of the Northwestern Mutual Financial Network in Springfield, joined the board of directors for Court Appointed Special Advocates of Southwest Missouri. Yaktine has a bachelor’s degree in finance from MSU.

Breast Cancer Foundation of the Ozarks hired Jill Hodges and promoted Erin Brandt. Hodges is program coordinator. She has 12 years of experience in nursing management, most recently serving as a case management nurse with Oxford Healthcare’s HomMed division. Brandt was promoted to BCFO business manager. She has been with the organization for four years, previously serving as events coordinator. She has a bachelor’s degree in business from MSU.

Nadia Cavner joined the executive committee of the American Bible Society, which aims to make Bibles available in multiple languages. Cavner, a certified financial planner with BancorpSouth, has served as an advisory member of the group’s investment committee since 2003.

Nancy Bright rejoined the staff of Missouri Entertainment & Event Center as assistant manager. She previously worked for the center from 1999–2006 as an event coordinator and commercial exhibits director. She received her certified fair executive designation in 2006 from the International Association of Fairs and Expositions.

Education

Bryan Sanders, professor of legal studies and government at Evangel University, spoke about “Preventive Conflict Resolution in the Family: Wills, Trusts and Business Agreements” at the World View Saturday conference in Sikeston. The one-day annual event is designed to make participants aware of public policy issues impacted by a biblical worldview.

Martin Sellers joined Cox College of Nursing and Health Sciences as vice president for academic affairs. He previously served as vice president for academic affairs for St. Mary’s College in Omaha, Neb. Sellers has a master’s degree from New York University and a doctorate from Temple University.

Finance

Shari Hoffman, senior managing adviser for BKD Wealth Advisors, received the 212 Degree Award at the companywide conference in Kansas City. An employee from BKD Wealth Advisors is recognized each year for extraordinary efforts and commitment to help his or her co-workers. Hoffman has 20 years of experience in banking and investment management.

CU Community Credit Union promoted Jenny Reynolds to vice president of marketing from marketing director. Reynolds’ duties include graphic design, event planning and media relations for the credit union, where she has worked since January 2006. She graduated from MSU with a Bachelor of Science in marketing, advertising and promotion.

Health Care

Leona Beezley, nursing faculty member at Cox College of Nursing and Health Sciences, joined the board of directors for the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Southwest Missouri. Beezley has been with Cox College since 2005, teaching mental health nursing theory and clinical courses.

Insurance

American Family Insurance agents David Potter and Scott Loveland earned recognition from American Family as All-Lines Leaders for 2007. The award recognizes sales of American Family insurance products. [[In-content Ad]]