Newsmakers

BKD LLP announced several promotions. C. Sean Adams, Timothy Chitwood, Jennifer Dwyer, Kenneth Ray and James Smithwick were promoted to senior accountants. Bryan Brady was promoted to senior consultant.

Arts

The Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts Advisory Committee appointed several new members: Byrne Blackwood, Ethel Curbow, Melanie Earl-Replogle, Brian Fogle, Mike Freelander, Brian Jared, Samuel Knox, Steve Moore Sr., Adele Newson-Horst, Richard Ollis, Barbara Page, Layla Palmer, Doug Pitt, Bette Sellers, Debra Shantz, Robert Spence and Kim Crosby Westenberg.

Communications

Two members of the Southwest Missouri Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America received accreditation in public relations from the Universal Accreditation Board. Don Hendricks, director of university communications at Missouri State University, and Jennifer Riley, vice president and public relations director at 2balance, earned APR status after passing exams in January.

Community

The Louis and Dorothy Coover Regional Grantmaking Program, a partnership between Community Foundation of the Ozarks and Commerce Trust Co., awarded about $230,000 to 11 area agencies. The agencies: All Creatures Animal Rescue & Sanctuary, $20,000; Boys & Girls Club of the Ozarks, $14,447; Bryant Watershed Project, $21,055; Child Advocacy Center, $30,000; Community Health Center of Joplin, $10,000; Hand in Hand Ministries/Multicultural Center, $30,000; Missouri Southern State University International Piano Competition, $30,000; Ozarks Literacy Council, $15,277; Safety Council of the Ozarks/Safe Kids, $18,500; National Kidney Foundation of Western Missouri, $30,000; and Wildcat Glades Conservation and Audubon Center, $10,000.

Lisa Slavens, executive director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Ozarks, was selected to serve on a 10-member focus group of executive directors for Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. The group will assist in creating a strategic direction for the national network.

Education

Ann Elwell joined the staff of Webster University in Springfield as community relations coordinator. Prior to joining Webster, Elwell spent seven years as communications manager for the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce. She holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mass communications from the University of Central Missouri-Warrensburg.

Government

Several area citizens were appointed to state councils, boards and commissions. Kathleen F. Morrissey, of West Plains, joined the Missouri Humanities Council. She is theatre and events coordinator at Missouri State University-West Plains. James P. Baker, vice president of research and economic development at MSU, was reappointed to the Missouri Technology Corp.

Evangel University President Robert Spence was appointed to the Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority.