Newsmakers

Kirkpatrick, Phillips & Miller CPAs PC announced three promotions. Kathy Allen, Beau Barrett and Brooke Liggett were each promoted to manager. Allen, who specializes in taxation, has more than 20 years of public accounting experience, including 13 years with KPM. Barrett, who specializes in employee benefit plans, financial services and valuations, has 11 years of experience with KPM. Liggett, who specializes in accounting and consulting, has more than a decade of public accounting experience, including five years at KPM.

Whitlock, Selim and Keehn LLP added Sara Stepp as a full-time staff accountant. Stepp, who joined WSK as an intern in January 2006, earned her bachelor’s in accounting from Missouri State University and is currently pursuing the CPA designation and a Master of Accountancy.

BKD LLP’s Springfield office promoted Jessica Z. Bouray and Brandy N. Buckler. Bouray was promoted to senior consultant. Bouray graduated in 2005 with an associate’s in accounting from Ozarks Technical Community College. Buckler was promoted to senior accountant. Buckler graduated from MSU in 2004 with a bachelor’s in accounting and a master of accountancy in 2005.

Community

Table Rock Lake Area Chamber of Commerce hired Wyli Barnes as president and CEO. She previously served as director of public and government affairs at the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce, where she worked as the chamber’s chief legislative liaison. Barnes has more than a decade of chamber experience.

Talbird Lovan joined Ozark Mountain Family YMCA as executive director. Lovan is the former CEO of Ozarks Family YMCA, an association of four rural Missouri locations. He has a bachelor’sin business and architecture from the University of Kansas.

Education

OTC has named Joan Barrett acting dean of students and registrar. Barrett, who will serve in this acting position through June 30, spent three years as the college’s assistant registrar, and has also served OTC in academic advising, financial aid advising and registration. Barrett has a bachelor’s in psychology and a master’s in public administration, both from MSU.

The Drury Alumni Association honored Jerry L. Redfern and Don Weber at a luncheon during its Alumni Weekend. Redfern, an attorney with Neale & Newman LLP, was honored for career achievement. Redfern graduated from Drury in 1957 and from Washington University School of Law in 1961. Weber, a professor of physics at Drury, received the 2007 Distinguished Faculty Award.

Brad Oliver, vice president of design at The Team Inc., received Drury University’s inaugural Crest of Excellence Award. Oliver, who graduated from Drury with a marketing degree, has more than 15 years experience in corporate and consumer communication. Oliver led efforts to develop Drury’s new academic logo.

Finance

Peoples Bank of the Ozarks promoted Stephanie Cumley to human resources director. Cumley has been with Peoples Bank for three years and has more than 10 years of experience in human resources.

Guaranty Bank added Melissa Carr as director of human resources. She has more than eight years of experience in the banking industry.