Newsmakers

BKD LLP recently made 10 personnel moves. Rikki Holmes and Robert Stoops were added as staff consultants to assist with general consulting services in health care. Jeremy Clopton, Jesse Dziurawiec, Wyatt Jenkins, Joshua Morrill and Brett Ruether were hired as staff accountants. Stephanie Richter, Benjamin Stone and Waylon Wood were promoted to senior accountants.

Architecture

H Design Group added Tyler Peck as a project architect. Peck has a bachelor’s degree in architecture from the University of Kansas and has more than 12 years of experience with a variety of projects, including educational and religious facilities.

Community

Community Foundation of the Ozarks awarded The Springfield Little Theatre Youth Players a $500 Youth Empowerment Project grant to help provide entertainment to nursing home and retirement facility residents.

The American Cancer Society chose several local citizens to represent their communities as ambassadors at Celebration on the Hill 2006, a nationwide event Sept. 19–20 in Washington, D.C. Chosen to participate: Jenifer Crosby, Jerry Neville, Cindy Norman, Laura Roberts and Lucille Sharp of Springfield; Louis Bigley and Ann Branstetter of Marshfield; Rosemary Henderson of Aurora; Dianne Murdaugh of Republic; Brooke Rentfro of Joplin; and Lisa Goodnight of Gainesville.

Education

The Missouri State Library, a division of the Missouri Secretary of State’s office, awarded seven scholarships to Missourians pursuing degrees as professional librarians. Local recipients were Springfieldians Lisa Gann and Erin Gray, both of whom will be attending University of Missouri-Columbia.

Nadia Cavner, executive vice president of The Signature Bank Investment Services, was the keynote speaker for the Women’s Leadership Conference on March 17 at Westminster College in Fulton. The conference was designed to inspire and guide Westminster women students, faculty, staff and alumni to excel both personally and professionally.

Finance

Diane Whorton of The Commerce Trust Co. was awarded Certified IRA Services Professional designation from the Institute of Certified Bankers. Whorton, vice president and team leader of Commerce Trust Co.’s Springfield region, has more than 20 years of experience in trust administration and financial services. She also holds certified trust and financial adviser certifications.

Health Care

Springfield dentist Charles Vogel taught a course at the 50th anniversary celebration of the American Academy of Dental Practice Administration in Dana Point, Calif. The course, “Building and Growing Your Implant Practice,” focused on current concepts, techniques and technology in implant dentistry. Vogel also shared unique aspects of his and other patient- and health-centered dental practices.

Insurance

Ollis and Co. added Bill Ekiss as employee benefit department manager. Ekiss has 33 years of employee benefit insurance experience, most recently as regional manager for Rogers Benefit Group’s offices in Springfield, St. Louis and Kansas City.

Ollis and Co. also promoted Erica Gaynor to account manager and Mindy Pippin to employee benefits select department manager. Gaynor has four years of experience and is responsible for customer service and claims assistance. Pippin is responsible for designing, implementing and maintaining employee benefit programs for clients with 25 or fewer employees.[[In-content Ad]]