Newsmakers

Village Bank promoted Brooke Bojko, Tracy Fields, Judy Lacy and Mindy Bunch to personal banking officers. With a combined 32 years of banking experience, they are responsible for their respective branch growth and for building customer relationships.

Deron Burr was appointed president and CEO of People’s Bank of Seneca. A 1998 graduate of Seneca High School, Burr holds a bachelor’s degree in economics and finance from Missouri Southern State University and a master’s degree in finance from Missouri State University.

Communications

ACR Nally Communications hired Jennifer McClure as creative director and project manager. McClure has nearly 15 years of experience in communications, marketing and public relations. She’s a graduate of Drury University with a bachelor’s degree in philosophy, and she also has a master’s degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Journalism.

Community

Springfield entrepreneur John Q. Hammons received the National Medal of Honor from the Daughters of the American Revolution. The national organization recognized Hammons for his service in World War II, his leadership in community development across the country and his philanthropic contributions in southwest Missouri.

Lucille Emerson was named full service/community coordinator for the American Red Cross Greater Ozarks Chapter. She is the main contact for local residents wanting to learn CPR and first aid skills.

Engineering

SCI Engineering received two 2006 Engineering Excellence Awards from the American Council of Engineering Companies of Missouri. SCI Engineering received the Honor Award for both the Richland Creek Mitigation Bank project, for which it served as primary consultant, and the Fox Creek Mitigation Bank project, for which the company performed engineering work.

Health Care

Brian Copeland was hired as coordinator of Ozarks Technical Community College’s Fitness Center. His responsibilities include oversight of the day-to-day fitness center operations and designing exercise programs to help OTC students and employees. Copeland has a bachelor’s degree in health and wellness and previously was an exercise specialist with Cox Fitness Centers.

Dr. Keith LaFerriere was appointed to the Missouri State Board of Registration for the Healing Arts. LaFerriere, a board certified plastic surgeon with St. John’s Health System, has specialized in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery in Springfield for 27 years and is a clinical professor of surgery at University of Missouri-Columbia.