Newsmakers

Jim Batten, treasurer of O’Reilly Automotive, and Missouri State University economics professor Thomas Wyrick presented at the Institute of Management Accountants annual professional education seminar in Tulsa, Okla. Batten was the keynote speaker, and Wyrick discussed the nation’s economic forecast. Conference attendees were eligible for up to 17 hours of professional training credit.

Banking

Bank of America added Vice President Sharon Miller to its Springfield mortgage division. Miller is responsible for mortgage-lending duties to clients throughout southwest Missouri and the nation. She was formerly a client manager in Bank of America’s Private Bank.

Community

Laura Roberts, a Realtor with Carol Jones, Realtors, was chosen as an ambassador to represent the local community at the American Cancer Society’s national Celebration on the Hill Sept. 19–20 in Washington D.C. Roberts was among 10,000 ambassadors from every congressional district in the country who worked to engage members of Congress in the fight against cancer.

The Kitchen Medical Clinic received a $58,000 grant from the CoxHealth Foundation. The foundation’s board of director voted to approve the grant in early September. The grant will be used for operational expenses. The clinic is finishing a renovation effort made possible primarily by a grant from the Missouri Foundation for Health.

Education

Evangel University hired five full-time faculty members. Melinda Booze is instructor of communication and adviser to The Lance student newspaper. Jeffrey Hittenberger is professor of education and program coordinator for graduate studies in education. Dale Jenses is assistant professor of library sciences and a reference librarian. Lance Quessenberry is assistant professor of physical education and head baseball coach; Larry Toll is assistant professor of history and social science.

Southwest Baptist University added 13 new faculty and staff members for the 2006–07 academic year: Chris Dinwiddie is an instructor of psychology; Tena Jenkins is assistant professor of physical therapy; Shelly Francka is assistant director of the Master of Business Administration program; Brian Hopwood is an assistant professor of music and director of instrumental studies; Elissa Sartwell is assistant professor of theater; Ted Bachman is resident director of Woody-Gott Hall; Christine Saladino is an instructor and coordinator in the behavioral sciences department at SBU’s Salem campus; Mike Wolhoy is the head athletic trainer; Laura Compton is a professor of vocal music; Andrea Miller is acquisition and collection development librarian; Elaine Glor was promoted to administrative assistant to Ron Maupin, vice president for administration; Roberta Rasor was promoted to assistant registrar; and Dana Whitlock is the enrollment coordinator in the office of the registrar.

Government

Sharon Garrett of Purdy was appointed to the Missouri Tourism Commission. Garrett replaces Raeanne Presley, of Branson, whose term expired. Garrett is the owner of Truck Line Children’s Clothing Store in Monett. She serves on the board of Purdy Bancshares Inc. and is past president of the Monett Chamber of Commerce.

Real Estate

Gerken & Associates added Bradley Pride to its staff as a licensed Realtor. Pride is a graduate of Arkansas Tech University with degrees in accounting, economics and finance.

Speaking

Marlene Chism, a relationship development expert and Springfield Business Journal columnist, spoke at the 2006 Building Cities of Character Conference Sept. 21 in Oklahoma City. Chism presented her 16-page booklet, Character Builders, developed for Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce’s Character Education initiative.

Technology

SLS International Inc. appointed Tom Tyson as vice president of sales and engineering. Tyson, head of SLS’ field engineering since February 2005, has overseen new product development. He also spent 10 years as head of field engineering for Bose Professional and founded Tyson Sound Design, an independent sound design and acoustical consulting firm.

Utility

Empire District Electric Co. promoted Tina Gaines to director of telecommunication. In her new position, Gaines plans and directs the company’s telecommunications systems and manages Empire’s nonregulated fiber subsidiary. She received a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from University of Missouri-Rolla and has been with Empire since 1996. [[In-content Ad]]