Newsmakers

Jim and Mary Harriger of Springfield Victory Mission were added to the Association of Gospel Rescue Missions Honor Roll in recognition of their exemplary service to the association. To be eligible for the award, an individual must have served at least 30 years in rescue ministry and been involved in significant service to the rescue mission movement.

Education

Randy Tate, Evangel University professor of humanities, was appointed to a four-year membership of the North Central Association’s Accreditation Review Council. The council makes accrediting recommendations for the North Central Association Board of Trustees. Tate has been with Evangel since 1985.

Chuck Cox, Evangel’s director of alumni relations for 21 years, will be a presenter at the 2006 Alumni Professionals Conference for the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities. The conference, scheduled July 24–28 in Grand Rapids, Mich., will feature two Cox presentations: one on homecoming alumni events and one on alumni and development.

Several area school boards were among the 23 semifinalists for the Outstanding Board of Education Award from the Missouri School Boards’ Association. Local education boards on the list are Ash Grove R-IV, Republic R-III and Springfield R-XII. Semifinalists must rank above the 50th percentile statewide in both student achievement and student improvement; have had all board members complete MSBA’s Certified Board Member Essential training; and have had representation at each of the last three MSBA conferences. The winner will be announced in October.

Mount Vernon High School senior Joanne Bellis was one of the recipients of the National Federation of Independent Business’ Young Entrepreneur Awards. The program, aimed at potential future small-business owners, gave a $1,000 scholarship to each of 408 recipients nationwide. Students had to submit two essays, which were considered along with standardized test scores, grade point averages and class ranks.

Kevin Evans, MSU assistant professor of geography, geology and planning, received $10,300 from the U.S. Geological Survey for the project: “Geological Mapping of the Weaubleau Structure, St. Clair County, Missouri.” The structure is one of three ancient meteorite impact sites in southern Missouri. The grant will support the work of graduate student Melissa Cox.

Several members of Evangel University’s chapter of Phi Beta Lambda, the college division of Future Business Leaders of America, received awards at the national PBL conference in Nashville, Tenn. Elizabeth Fletcher, chair of the Business and Economics Department and PBL adviser, was named 2005-2006 Outstanding Local Adviser for Missouri. Bryan Newswander, a senior management major, was recognized in the Who’s Who in PBL publication. Senior Teresa Palser and junior Michael Vandersteen earned a first-place award in the business ethics competition at the conference.

Finance

St. Louis-based investment firm Edward Jones hired Chris Curtis as its new investment representative for the Springfield branch office at 300 John Q. Hammons Parkway.

Health Care

Dr. C. Norman Shealy, president of Holos University Graduate Seminary in Fair Grove, presented the keynote lecture at the Bowenwork International Conference. Shealy has presented his lecture, “Life Beyond 100 – Secrets of the Fountain of Youth,” at lectures and workshops in more than 20 cities this year.

Two employees of Skaggs Community Health Center in Branson were certified as health care access associate professionals. Joyann Doublin and Nancy Edwards, both hospital patient access employees, received the certification from the Certified Healthcare Access Associate program. Doublin and Edwards have a combined 22 years of experience with Skaggs.

Dr. Gerry Catapang gave a lecture at the annual convention of National Healthcare Facilities in St. Louis. Catapang, the owner of Physical Therapy Care, Manual Physical Therapy and Industrial Rehab Center in Springfield, presented “The Significance of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy in Detecting the Cause of Pain.”

David Metz, owner of The Rehab Co. in Springfield, was a featured presenter at the national Augmented Soft Tissue Mobilization Symposium in Indianapolis. Metz, a licensed physical therapist, earned national certification in the technique in 2003, and he reported on the success he has had using the system to help people regain motion and function following surgery, injury or chronic tendonitis.

History

The Greene County Archives received a Local Records Preservation Grant for $14,112 from the Missouri Secretary of State’s Office. The grant will be used to purchase new shelving and organizational materials for the Archive Center annex building.

Hospitality

The Best Western Center Pointe Inn in Branson received the Best Western Director’s Award following its inspection in the spring. The award is given to hotels in the chain that have met established criteria, including a required inspection score, as part of a property assessment. The inspection focuses on cleanliness, hotel appearance and overall guest satisfaction.

Insurance

Darlene Wagner was named the Leader of the Quarter for American National Property and Casualty in the first quarter of 2006. Wagner is a manager in the claims services division for the company’s central region.

Law

Husch & Eppenberger LLC added Kristy Runk Bryan to its staff as of counsel in the firm’s business transactions group. Bryan represents small business, corporations and limited liability companies in various stages of organization and provides assistance in drafting buy-and-sell agreements, succession planning and employment agreements. She earned her law degree in 1992 from Washington University School of Law.

Shannon L. Davis joined the law office of Reynolds, Gold & Grosser PC as an associate attorney. Davis practices in the areas of family law and bankruptcy. She is a 2005 graduate of the University of Missouri Law School and is a member of the Women’s Law Association. She also has previous trial and legal research experience with law firms in St. Louis.

Frank M. Evans II joined the executive committee of Lathrop & Gage LC. Evans, the partner in charge of the Kansas City-based firm’s Springfield office, will serve a three-year term on the committee. The committee develops the firm’s strategic direction and policies, oversees the financial matters and department managers, and serves as a liaison to the firm’s regional offices and operating committees.

Marketing

The Hollister Area Chamber of Commerce named Branson-based marketing company Image Works Inc. Business of the Month for June. The award is given to member businesses that exemplify community spirit and actively support chamber initiatives.

Citizens Memorial Healthcare received several awards from Healthcare Marketing Report Publications Group. CMH received Gold Awards in newspaper advertising, printed materials and special video production. The company received Silver Awards in magazine advertising, radio advertising series and special event. CMH also received Merit Awards for external publication, newspaper advertising series, television advertising series and total advertising campaign.

Travel

Springfield-based travel Web site Gusto LLC recently added several members to its executive ranks. Mike Englehart is chief technology officer; Whit Ehrler is chief financial officer; Michael Bauer is chief operations officer; and Noah Dorrance is executive producer. All four worked with Gusto founder Jeff Wasson at his previous company, TravelNow.com.

Tourism

The Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau Board of Directors elected officers for 2007. John Ford, publisher of Welcome to Springfield! magazine, is president. Sally Hargis, vice president of marketing for Ozarks Coca-Cola/Dr Pepper Bottling Co., is vice president. Gary Leonard, owner of Springfield Steak ‘n’ Shake restaurants, is treasurer. Steve Thompson, general manager of Fantastic Caverns, is assistant treasurer. [[In-content Ad]]