Newsmakers

Jeff Shields was transferred to the Springfield office of Wood & Huston Bank as vice president and commercial lending officer. Shields has 23 years of banking experience, mostly in commercial lending. He spent 15 years with what is now U.S. Bank as a commercial lending officer and market president before joining Wood & Huston in West Plains in 2004.

Community

The city of Bolivar received a $250,000 community development block grant to help fund the proposed Simon Place housing development. The award is contingent upon the project receiving low income tax credits from the Missouri Housing Development Commission.

The city of Urbana received an $8,410 grant from U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development to help fund installation of new storm warning sirens. The $11,225 cost of the sirens, the remainder of which was funded by the city, includes activation of the sirens by the Dallas County 911 system.

Communications

Rod Kittleman, president of SquareOne Communications, was named the new southwest Missouri public information officer for the Amateur Radio Relay League. He is responsible for providing information about ham radio to the public and to the area’s ham radio community. Kittleman is an active ham radio operator and has more than 29 years of media experience.

Construction

Walton Construction Co. promoted Rick Quint to president of the Springfield division. Quint’s responsibilities include business planning, client relationship management, customer service, team building, leadership development, retention management and marketing. He has more than 30 years of experience in the construction industry and a bachelor’s degree in construction management from Kansas State University.

Finance

BKD LLP promoted Kristen G. Bright and Sarah R. Norris to supervisors in the Springfield office. Bright graduated in 2003 from Drury University with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and planning. She is a member of the BKD not-for-profit and government group, providing auditing services to government and nonprofit entities. Norris graduated in 2002 from Drury with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. She is a member of the BKD health care group and provides audit services for hospitals and community health centers.

Michael Babcock of Financial Planning Advocates attended the Kinder Institute of Life Planning’s Seven Stages of Money Maturity workshop in Kansas City. The workshop, based on a book by George Kinder, helps individuals develop clarity and a sense of purpose in their relationship with money.

Springfield Trust and Investment Co. added two staff members. Diane Whorton joined the company as senior vice president and account officer. She has 21 years of experience in personal trust, investment administration and probate service. She also has professional certified trust and financial adviser and IRA services certifications from the Institute of Certified Bankers.

Tim Weidknecht joined the company as an account officer. He has eight years of banking and investment experience. He earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing from the University of Phoenix and holds licensed financial planner and certified retirement specialist designations.