Newsmakers

Robin Rees, marketing officer for Peoples Bank of the Ozarks, successfully completed the two-year course of study at the American Bankers Association School of Bank Marketing and Management.

Guaranty Bank hired Teri Harris as assistant vice president/controller and promoted Darlene Mabins to branch manager of the East Sunshine Street branch.

Harris has an accounting degree from Missouri State University and 12 years of experience in banking. Mabins has been with the bank for nearly two years as assistant branch manager on West Battlefield Road.

Community

Two Springfield high school students were among more than 140 in the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry Leadership in Practice program in Columbia. Patricia Prater represented Glendale High School, while Olivia Peterson represented Central High School.

Community Foundation of the Ozarks made several changes to its staff. Kandice Alexander was promoted from receptionist to development assistant. Winter Skelton was promoted from coordinator of foundation relations to director of donor services. Julie Leeth was named vice president. Bridget Dierks was hired as coordinator of foundation relations, and Brian Heyman was hired as communications coordinator.

Sandy Howard, manager of public affairs with the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce, was elected as 2006–2007 chair of the Missouri Chamber Federation. The federation is a partnership maximizing the collective legislative strength of local chambers. At the Springfield chamber, Howard focuses on state legislative affairs and advocacy.

Education

Sharon Rees from the Houston R-I School Board was named as the new president of the Missouri School Boards Association during the association’s annual Leadership Summit in Columbia. She replaces Bruce Renner of the Springfield R-XII board, who will serve as immediate past president.

Youngwei Zhang was named director of international programs and affairs at Missouri State University. As director, Zhang will be responsible for the administration of the office of international programs, the international study programs, international exchanges, international faculty development and student and faculty support services. Zhang’s half-time appointment is part of the University College reorganization plan approved by the MSU Board of Governors.

Employment

WillStaff Worldwide named Jennifer Atchley area vice president and promoted Lauren Sawyer to assistant sales manager in Springfield. Atchley works with offices in Springfield; Tulsa, Okla.; and Siloam Springs and Springdale, Ark. She is also the sales manager in the Springfield office.

Environment

Neosho National Fish Hatchery was chosen to receive $2.95 million in federal funds for construction of a new visitors center.

The hatchery, which provides restoration efforts for lake sturgeon and paddlefish, is the oldest operating federal fish hatchery in the United States; it opened in 1888.

Ozarks Environmental and Water Resources Institute was chosen to receive $1 million in fiscal 2007 federal appropriations. The institute, part of MSU’s College of Natural and Applied Sciences, will use the funding to address regional water resource issues through research on the relationship between urban growth and water supply and quality problems.

Finance

Springfield Trust Co. made three promotions: Kelley Brockman to assistant vice president and account officer, Peggy Martin to vice president of financial and information technology, and Brenda Mings to vice president and office manager.

Insurance

Croley Insurance and Financial added Charlotte McMillan to its staff as an administrative assistant to Andrea Croley. McMillan has more than 30 years of administrative experience. With Croley Insurance, she assists with individual health and dental benefits.

David Endacott joined Nixon & Lindstrom Insurance as a business insurance specialist. Endacott worked in the insurance industry for five years, most recently with Ollis & Co. He is a graduate of Oklahoma State University and holds the accredited adviser in insurance and certified insurance counselor professional designations. [[In-content Ad]]