Newsmakers

David Whitlock, PhD, dean of Southwest Baptist University College of Business and Computer Science, was named to the 2004 Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers. He was nominated for the recognition by a former SBU student. Whitlock was named dean in 1999 after serving as chair of the department of business information management at Southeastern Oklahoma State University in Durant, Okla. He holds a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and a master’s degree in business administration from SOSU, as well as a doctorate of philosophy from the University of Oklahoma.

Finance

General Council Credit Union announced several staff changes. Ed Hirsch joined the credit union as its president. He previously worked for GCCU for five years in the mid-1990s as a mortgage loan officer. Prior to returning to the credit union, Hirsch was with Essex Savings Bank in Suffolk, Va. He has a degree in accounting and economics and 31 years of experience in banking.

Greg Snyder was promoted to vice president and chief financial officer for the credit union. He has been with the credit union for more than seven years, with more than 18 years of experience in the industry. He holds a finance degree from Southwest Missouri State University and he also has completed Credit Union National Association Management School at University of Wisconsin. In his new position, Snyder is responsible for overseeing all financial functions of the credit union.

Annette Messerli was promoted to vice president of financial services with the credit union, where she has been employed 15 years. She is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the consumer lending and member services department.

Ron Penney, CFP, ChFC, senior financial advisor with American Express Financial Advisors Inc., was inducted into the company’s Diamond Ring Club. To achieve this recognition, Penney, who is the branch manager of Penney, Murray & Associates, established himself in the top echelon of the company’s field force with above-average sales consistently over at least 13 years. Less than 5 percent of the company’s total sales force is part of the Diamond Ring Club.

Kathleen Norris, trust administrator with Springfield Trust Company, completed Level II of the Cannon Financial Institute’s trust course. The training focused primarily on trust and estate administration, updated tax issues and estate planning.

Franchises

Tracye Corbin and Brent Fesperman are new business partners in the DirectBuy franchises in Springfield and in Johnson County, Kan. The franchises are owned by Lynn and Tammy Corbin. Tracye Corbin formerly was regional showroom manager and Fesperman was regional sales manager. Both have been with the franchise for more than seven years, with experience in sales, operations, interior design, graphic design and operations knowledge.

Insurance

Ollis and Co. was included in the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers Best Practices Study Group for the seventh year. More than 900 independent agencies in the United States were nominated to participate, but only 195 agencies qualified. To be chosen, agencies had to be top-performing in their revenue categories.

Michael Greenlee of Springfield was hired as a partner of New York Life Insurance Co.’s Kansas City general office. He recruits and trains new registered representatives in southwest Missouri.

Law

Thomas D. Peebles Jr., a shareholder of Carnahan, Evans, Cantwell & Brown, PC, was keynote speaker at the Community Foundation of the Ozarks’ Planned Giving Institute & Recognition Luncheon. His presentation, titled “A Sampling of Charitable Giving Techniques,” discussed the importance of planned charitable giving and reviewed six separate techniques that can be used by donors.

Office systems

Carroll Business Systems Inc. was ranked the fourth largest independent reseller in North America by Micros Systems Inc. for the company’s fiscal year, which ended June 30.