Newsmakers

Aaron Schwartz joined Elliott, Robinson & Co. on Jan. 2 as a staff accountant. He graduated from Missouri State University in December with a bachelor’s degree in accounting and is currently preparing for the certified public accountant exam.

Community

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Springfield received $250,000 in tax credits from the Youth Opportunities Grants Program to fund construction of the new Henderson Unit. The club offers drug and alcohol awareness programs along with Youth Enhancement Opportunity Programs for at-risk youth.

Distribution

Brian Gelner of Springfield-based Premium Beverage Sales was elected treasurer of the board of directors for the Missouri Beer Wholesalers Association. Along with other duties, the MBWA promotes responsible consumption of beer and develops programs to benefit its members.

Education

AT&T contributed $15,000 to Missouri Colleges Fund to underwrite AT&T scholarships at each of the fund’s 15 member colleges and universities. Scholarships will be awarded based on financial need to students studying business, engineering, design or information technology. Local MCF memberschools are Drury, Evangel and Southwest Baptist universities.

Media

Whitaker Publishing announced two staff promotions. Katie Pollock was promoted to senior editor from assistant editor of 417 Magazine. In her new job, Pollock helps manage editorial work and develop in-depth features, department pages and columns. Pollock holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Missouri School of Journalism. Evan Fisk was promoted to Web editor from staff writer for both 417 and GO magazines. He manages editorial and technical aspects of Whitaker Publishing Web sites. He graduated with a journalism degree from Evangel University.

Real Estate

Charlie Gerken, Realtor with Gerken & Associates Realtors in Branson, received the Rookie of the Year award from the Tri-Lakes Board of Realtors. The award is given to a real estate agent who has joined the board within the last two years. Gerken was nominated for his achievements in just 10 months as a board member.

Kathy Gallegos joined Coldwell Banker Vanguard Realtors. Gallegos has more than 10 years of realty experience and holds both the Graduate Realtors Institute and Accredited Buyer Representative accreditations. She also served as the 2006 chapter secretary for the Women’s Council of Realtors.

Sales

Springfield Pool and Spa received the Dealer of the Year award for Region 9. The award was given by spa manufacturer Watkins Manufacturing for outstanding spa sales and service in a five-state region. The company received a trip to Greece for reaching its spa sales goals in 2006.

Tourism

The Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau chose five new board members. Doug Pitt, owner of ServiceWorld Computer Center, is the chair-elect. Brad Gebhard, Matt Gifford and Paula Frazier were each selected for three-year terms as board members, and Missy Handyside joined the board as president of the Springfield Hotel-Motel Association.[[In-content Ad]]