Newsmakers

Aaron Owen, of Bois D’Arc, was elected chairman of the American Simmental Board of Trustees, a Bozeman, Mont.-based association that maintains cattle breed registries. Owen, owner-operator of Osage Orange Farms and Owen Brothers Cattle Co., is a 25-year veteran of the Simmental cattle business. He has served as a trustee on the ASA’s executive committee.

Community

The Alzheimer’s Association Southwest Missouri Chapter hired Erin Virtue as special events coordinator and Rob Hulstra as community outreach director. Virtue has experience in fund raising for special events and political campaigns. Hulstra has more than 20 years of experience in public relations, education and organization of blood drives.

The Springfield Sister Cities Association elected six new board directors: Gretchen Boisse, Jane Fast, Carolyn Gerdes, Steve Grant, Tedd Hamaker and Bob Nelson. The association also elected new officers: Mike Williamson, president; Dianne Elizabeth Osis, vice president; John Price, secretary; and Brad Bodenhausen, treasurer.

Rotary Clubs of Springfield created a five-person management team in preparation for the 2006 Rock’n Ribs BBQ Festival Children’s Charity Event. Team members are David Caffey of the Community Blood Center of the Ozarks; Gary Deaver of Springfield City Council; Scott Gibbons of Tritel Communications; Mike Redmon of Kirkpatrick, Phillips & Miller; and Steve Scott of Scott Financial Services.

Education

Ashley Gillig, of Aurora, and Hope Herd, of Fair Grove, each received a Missouri Cattlemen Foundation $1,000 scholarship. Recipients were chosen from 136 applicants representing 61 Missouri counties.

Drury President John Sellars was appointed to a policy analysis and public relations committee of the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities. The committee sets strategy and policy for independent colleges and universities.

Government

State Rep. Mark Wright, R-Springfield, was appointed to the newly formed Special House Committee on Healthcare Facilities. The committee is charged with examining and reporting on bills relating to the regulations and laws governing hospitals, nursing homes and ambulatory surgical centers.

Springfield City Council appointed three citizens to various city advisory committees at its Feb. 6 meeting. William Robert “Bob” Cole was sworn in to the Building Trades Examination and Certification Board, and Bob Torp and Steve Bowen were appointed to the city’s Board of Adjustment.

Retail

J’Neal McCoy was hired as a marketing administrative assistant for Simon Property Group’s Battlefield Mall. McCoy, who graduated from Missouri State University with a degree in advertising, previously served as a marketing manager for Hardee’s restaurants.

Real Estate

Reece Tarwater joined Mid-Missouri Mortgage Co. as a mortgage loan officer. Tarwater graduated from Missouri State University with a bachelor’s degree in sales and marketing in May. He recently returned to southwest Missouri from Tulsa, where he worked as a commercial real estate appraiser.

Sales

Anjanette LaBellarte, sales manager for the University Plaza Hotel and Convention Center, added the Springfield Expo Center to her sales duties. LaBellarte is responsible for selling, event planning and promotions for the facility.

Sports

The Springfield Cardinals retained Chris Maloney as manager and Blaise Ilsley as pitching coach, and named Joe Cunningham hitting coach. The minor league team also hired Hope Hunt and Tom Ladd to the front office. Hunt, a recent graduate of Drury University with a master’s degree in business administration, is office services coordinator. Ladd, who spent 11 years with Meyer Communications, is sales manager. Ladd will continue to serve as the radio voice for Missouri State University Lady Bears basketball.

The Greater Springfield Area Sports Commission added Bob McBride to its board of directors. McBride is owner of Springfield’s Stamina Products, a manufacturer of various types of exercise and fitness equipment.

Retired Springfield-Greene County Parks Director Dan Kinney was among 15 inductees to the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame during a Feb. 12 ceremony. They are Tony LaRussa, baseball; Jeff Montgomery, baseball; Gary Spani, football; Bill Snyder, football; Kristen Folkl, basketball and volleyball; Bob Chandler, broadcasting; Greg Marecek, broadcasting; Chuck Shelton, football; Gene Bess, basketball; Lynn Nance, basketball; Kinney, athletics administration; Richard Osborn Sr., martial arts; David Colt, sports medicine; Norris Patterson, football; and the 1984 Central Missouri State University men’s and women’s basketball teams. Additionally, the John Q. Hammons Founder’s Award was presented to McQueary Brothers Drug Co.

Utility

Everett Gardner was named 2005 City Utilities Bus Driver of the Year. Gardner, who was selected by fellow operators and supervisors based on job performance, courtesy, attendance and accident-free driving, also received the award in 2002.