Newsmakers

Don Jones was appointed senior vice president and branch manager for Citizens National Bank’s Ozark facility, which will open in summer 2005. Jones has 23 years of banking experience. He holds a finance degree from Kansas State University and he completed the Graduate School of Banking in Boulder, Colo. In Ozark, his responsibilities will include business development.

Community

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Ozarks Inc. announced three new members of its board of directors: Terri Eftink, vice president of Bug Zero Inc.; Mary Lou Toth, instructor at Southwest Missouri State University; and Jeff Robinson, wealth management consultant with Commerce Trust Co.

Construction

Killian Construction Co. received the Presidents Award from The Associated Builders and Contractors Heart of America Chapter in Kansas City for the work it performed on Hammons Field. The award is the highest honor awarded to a general contractor. It recognizes work that exemplifies quality construction, safety and teamwork. The chapter announced 2004 Excellence in Construction Award recipients at a Dec. 2 ceremony in Overland Park, Kan.

Bales Construction Co. Inc. announced three staff changes in its Springfield office. Aaron Frigerio was named lead estimator. Jill Kukal joined the company as a health care project manager, and Greg Crain joined the staff as food service and educational project manager.

Craig Jones, owner of Country Home Elevator and Stairlift LLC, addressed the National Association of Elevator Contractors as a speaker for an accessibility and residential committee educational session in Baltimore. Jones’ presentation topic was project management.

Education

Evangel University was approved to participate in the Higher Learning Commission’s academic quality improvement program. The commission is part of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. The academic quality improvement program model is designed to align accreditation with an institution’s program of continuous quality improvement in order to meet the shifting needs of educational institutions. As part of the process, Evangel officials will attend a strategy forum within one year to identify and commit to several strategic action projects.

Southwest Baptist University was selected as one of the 100 best college buys and one of the best Christian colleges in the United States. Inclusion on the best college buys listing is based on 2004-05 annual reports created by survey data from more than 1,400 accredited colleges and universities. Inclusion as a best Christian college is based on the high school grade point average and college entrance examination scores of the entering freshman class. Additionally, selected schools must be affiliated with a recognized Christian denomination or have a historical association with such a denomination, and they must incorporate basic Christian principles and beliefs into the curriculum and/or social environment.

Finance

Paula Dougherty, certified financial planner with American Express Financial Advisors Inc., received high ratings from her clients in the company’s annual client satisfaction survey. Dougherty is among the 30 percent of all participating advisors whose clients rated her highly in overall satisfaction and financial knowledge.

Manufacturing

Edward Woods joined Hydro Aluminum North America as architectural sales manager at the company’s Cassville facility. He has 25 years of experience in building and construction, including more than 16 years of experience in architectural products. In his new position, Woods is responsible for expanding sales of Hydro’s existing patio doors and introducing new products as they are developed.

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