Newsmakers

Noble Communications promoted John Scroggins to director of integrated communications. He is responsible for media strategy and integrated planning for the agency’s food industry clients. Scroggins has more than 18 years of marketing experience.

Banking

Toni Jarrett joined Guaranty Bank as loan administration manager and assistant vice president. Jarrett has 34 years of experience in the banking industry, including work with Commerce Bank, Boatmen’s Bank and The Signature Bank.

Guaranty Bank promoted Linda Lindsay to database administrator. Lindsay, who previously was a bank vice president, is responsible for managing and directing the use of the bank’s suite of software applications. She has 27 years of industry experience, including nine years with Guaranty’s loan administration department.

Linda Smith joined Peoples Bank of the Ozarks as internal operations manager. Smith has two years of experience in the banking industry and more than 20 years of experience with computers and computer software.

Education

Timothy Huddleston is the new director of development at College of the Ozarks. Huddleston has 20 years of experience in the financial services industry and had been partner/manager at Akers & Arney insurance agency in Branson since 2000. He has also served on the Board of Directors of the College of the Ozarks Associates.

Leah Blakey, assistant professor of history and coordinator of faculty for the College of Continuing and Graduate Studies at Drury University, was chosen as the Sue Rollins Educator of the Year. The award honors a faculty or staff member for significant and/or longstanding contributions to the academic advancement of continuing studies students.

Jason Steingraber is the new principal of Bowerman Elementary School, replacing Wes Zongker. Steingraber has been with Springfield Public Schools for nine years, including the last two as process coordinator for the district’s Special Education department. He has bachelor’s and master’s degrees in communications disorders from Northeast Missouri State University and a master’s degree in education administration from Missouri State University.

Finance

Liberty Mortgage, a division of Liberty Bank, was chosen as 2006 Correspondent Lender of the Year by national financial service company Sun Trust. The award recognizes Liberty Mortgage as a top residential lender in southwest Missouri. Award criteria included loan volume, loan quality and customer service.

Mark Toft joined the Springfield office of Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, a division of Wells Fargo Bank, as a home mortgage consultant. Taft has more than 20 years of corporate sales management and financial industry experience and is a member of the Women’s Council of Realtors. He has a bachelor’s degree in behavioral science.

Health Care

Dr. Storm Shannon joined The Healing Center after earning his Doctorate of Chiropractic in April from Logan College of Chiropractic in St. Louis. Shannon, whose specialties include biomechanical analysis, acupuncture and pain relief, has a Bachelor’s of Science in sports medicine and athletic training from Missouri State University.

Law

Seven Springfield professionals attended a training session presented by faculty of University of Missouri-Columbia School of Law’s Center for Dispute Resolution. The group from Springfield comprised attorneys Mary Lou Martin; Peggy S. Hedrick; John C. Holstein of Shughart, Thomson & Kilroy PC; and Donald W. Jones of Hulston, Jones & Marsh; as well as Missouri State University professors Karen Lee Woodall and Lois Shufeldt, and emeritus communications professor John I. Sisco.

Insurance

Anthum Deal joined Ollis and Co.’s Employee Benefits Department as wellness coordinator. He works with clients to design and implement wellness programs to promote healthy lifestyles for employees, reducing long-term total benefit costs. Deal has a degree in health and fitness from Central Missouri State University.

Media

Evangel University’s student newspaper, The Lance, and yearbook, Excalibur, earned a combined 29 awards at the annual Missouri College Media Association convention. First place awards in Division 3 for The Lance were for best news photo, best editorial cartoon, best information graphic and best story illustration. Excalibur won first place for best sports design.

Real Estate

Twila Hillme, chief operating officer for Murney Associates, Realtors, was appointed to the Missouri Real Estate Commission. The seven-member commission is responsible for the examination, licensing and regulation of people and firms engaged in the real estate business in Missouri. Commission members are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state Senate.