Newsmakers

Betty K. Stroll received the Golden Sun Award from the Ozarks Trail Council of Boy Scouts of America. The annual award is presented to adult Boy Scout leaders for outstanding service.

Court Appointed Special Advocates of Southwest Missouri hired Lori Summers and Peter Pinnell. Summers, formerly the program director for CASA in Dallas, will serve as program and training coordinator. Pinnell, who has worked for Goodwill Industries and the Missouri Rehabilitation Hospital in Mount Vernon, will serve as volunteer supervisor.

Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce announced chairs for several task committees: Randell Wallace, China Business Council; Lisa Turner, Committee for Education and Workforce Solutions; Jeff Childs, Development Issues Input Group; Pete Radecki, Health Care/Higher Education Task Force; Ronnie Walker, Manufacturers Council; Dean Thompson and Steve Coller, Regional Council; Cary Jones, Small Business Council; and Brad Tate, Transportation Committee.

Education

Andy Denton joined Evangel University as the school’s vice president for enrollment management. In this newly created position, he oversees admissions, financial aid, student retention and academic support systems. The 1998 Evangel graduate served as the school’s director of admissions 2000–2002. Prior to returning, he was associate pastor at Timbercreek Community Church.

Evangel seniors Dalene Schober and Joshua Allen received Citigroup Teacher Excellence scholarships. Citigroup Foundation underwrites the $3,900 awards through a donation to Missouri Colleges Fund. The need-based awards are given to students pursuing a career in teaching.

Leah Kidwell, a bachelor’s degree student at Cox College of Nursing and Health Sciences, is the new president of the Missouri Nursing Student Association. She was appointed president during the annual MONSA convention in St. Louis. The group works to enhance professional education and practice for the state’s nursing students.

Finance

Empire Bank hired Becky Wright and Laura Johnson. Wright joined the bank as banking center manager for Empire’s Highlandville branch, where she is responsible for managing retail operations and business and community development. She has nine years of banking experience. Johnson joined Empire as a commercial loan officer. She has seven years of banking experience, most recently as a private client manager.

Dennis Wentworth, financial adviser and district supervisor with Waddell & Reed Inc., recently passed the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor course from the College of Financial Planning.

Health Care

Dr. Kara L. Amstutz, owner of Hometown Veterinary Hospital in Springfield, was named secretary/treasurer of the Missouri Veterinary Medical Association. She serves as the recording secretary for the board, the budget committee and general membership meetings; custodian of MVMA funds; and reviewer of financial reports. She is a 2000 graduate of the University of Missouri-College of Veterinary Medicine.

Harshman Chiropractic Clinic and Meek Chiropractic each received the Five Star Quality Award from Integrity Management. The award recognizes chiropractic clinics that excel in patient treatment, customer service and professionalism.

Amy Beckett, internal auditor with CoxHealth, received certified internal auditor designation from the Institute of Internal Auditors. The designation is awarded to internal audit professionals who complete the institute’s requirements, including a four-part exam and standards of character, education and experience.

Ozarks Counseling Center elected its 2007 officers. Chuck McCann is president; Lisa Turner is president-elect; Diane Bailey is treasurer; Kathy Starnes is secretary; and Terri West McQueary is past president. Randy Allen, Marci Dowdy and Vicki Lindsey also joined the board.

Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Michael Clarke of Clarke Orthopedic Clinic gave a scientific presentation at the University of Philippines Medical Center in Manila. Clarke, an associate clinical professor of the University of Missouri Medical School and editor emeritus of the Journal of Surgical Orthopedic Advances, spoke on pathological conditions of the pediatric hip.

Hospitality

Several John Q. Hammons Hotels and Resorts properties received awards from the Embassy Suites hotel brand. Hammons’ Embassy Suites properties in St. Louis-St. Charles and in Hampton Roads, Va., received Connie Awards, named after Hilton founder Conrad Hilton. In addition, 11 Hammons properties received Top Quality Awards: St. Louis-St. Charles; Hampton Roads; Hot Springs, Ark.; Albuquerque, N.M.; Dallas-Frisco; Nashville South-Cool Springs, Tenn.; Dallas-Fort Worth; Lincoln, Neb.; Greenville, S.C.; Rogers, Ark.; and Charleston, S.C. Hammons properties also won awards for Best Hotel Marketing Effort, Best Revenue Per Available Suite Index Growth, Sales Team of the Year and customer satisfaction.

Real Estate

Tom Rankin of Sperry Van Ness Rankin Co. received a performance award from Sperry Van Ness for closing 27 transactions in 2006.[[In-content Ad]]