Newsmakers

Empire Bank named Robert D. Berlin senior vice president and commercial loan team leader. He has more than 28 years of banking experience and a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Missouri State University.

Brent Kembell joined UMB Bank as Springfield commercial banking officer. Prior to joining UMB, Kembell worked as a certified public accountant with Kirkpatrick, Phillips & Miller in Springfield. He holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting and a Master of Accountancy from MSU.

Community

David McCready joined Rainbow Network as special assistant to the president. His responsibilities include a special emphasis on Nicaraguan operations and U.S. funding development. McCready previously spent 11 years with O’Reilly Auto Parts, most recently as senior vice president of distribution.

Education

Southwest Baptist University made Institutional Research & Evaluation Inc.’s list of America’s Best Christian Colleges for the 11th consecutive year and its list of America’s 100 Best College Buys for the 12th straight year. The college also was named one of America’s Best College Scholarships.

Two MSU students received the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship from the U.S. Department of State, the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and the Institute of International Education. Sophomores Linde Underwood and Rona Babb each received the $5,000 award.

Trudy Pischer joined United Way of the Ozarks as vice president of resource development. She earned her certification as a certified fundraising executive in 2006. She has more than 20 years of nonprofit and fundraising experience and most recently served as senior development officer for Missouri University of Science & Technology. Pischer was also one of Springfield Business Journal’s Most Influential Women in 2002.

Finance

Heather D. Duncan joined the Springfield office of Bush, Ramlow & Shore PC. Duncan graduated from Drury University with bachelor’s degrees in accounting and business management. She provides individual and business tax services, including audits.

Government

Krystal Compas, assistant to the president at Drury University, was appointed to the Board of Public Utilities. Her appointment began Jan. 31 and will expire Dec. 1, 2010.

Health Care

Laurice Flasnick joined Skaggs Community Health Center in Branson as its new recruiter and certified senior professional in human resources. She works with department directors and managers to facilitate the hiring of staff for both clinical and ancillary positions with the health center. Flasnick works on advertising, screening, interviewing and job placement. She has more than 20 years of experience in health care human resources and recruitment in California.

Law

Ginger Gooch is the newest partner in Husch & Eppenberger LLC’s Springfield office, practicing in the business litigation and appellate practice groups. Gooch, who graduated from University of Missouri-Columbia School of Law in 2000, received the 2007 David J. Dixon Appellate Advocacy Award from the Missouri Bar.

Real Estate

Two employees of Murney Associates, Realtors made Real Trends magazine’s list of the Top 50 agents in the country by individual closed transaction sides. Tom Rieken ranked No. 17, and Sherrie Loveland ranked No. 22 on the list, which was published in The Wall Street Journal.

Sales

Jim Chittenden joined LCS Kleen-Aire Inc. as industrial sales manager. Chittenden has more than 27 years of experience in industrial sales, including air and vacuum systems.

Senior Services

Theresa Sharp joined The Montclair Retirement Community as community relations director. She works with prospective residents and provides them with information and options for senior housing. She has 20 years of experience in the Springfield area senior housing market as a long-term-care social worker.

Transportation

J. Howard Fisk, owner of Fisk Transportation, participated in the 2007 United Motorcoach Association Safety Management Seminar, held at the National Transportation Safety Board Training Academy near Washington, D.C. Fisk met with industry leaders to learn the latest safety management practices and discuss regulations governing the bus and transportation industry.

Fisk was also chosen to preside over The Local Coordinating Board for Transit. The organization reviews grant applications and make recommendations to the Ozarks Transportation Organization for final authorization. For eight years, Fisk has been the citizen at-large representative for the OTO, a group made up of elected officials from the metropolitan area.

Springfield Brake Co. promoted Nathan Young to account representative in the sales department for the Springfield location. Young has been with the heavy-duty truck parts and service company for 11 years, serving most recently as parts manager.[[In-content Ad]]