Newsmakers

Glenner Richards, PhD, associate professor of biology at Evangel University, was the first-place winner of the 2004 Dr. Jim Ayres Young Investigator Award from the Georgian Association for Food Protection. The award, cash and a plaque, recognized her research in food safety. Richards presented two papers at the International Association for Food Protection in Phoenix. Those papers, and another that Richards co-authored, have been published in the Journal of Food Protection.

Linda Wellborn, director of graduate and professional studies at Evangel University, was recently elected to the Christian Adult Higher Education Association Leadership Council. The council, which has eight elected members, plans and coordinates meetings and facilitates support for institutions that are members of the Christian Adult Higher Education Association, an independent organization that promotes, supports and nurtures alternative delivery methods of Christian post-secondary education. Approximately 50 institutions are members of the organization. Wellborn will serve on the council for three years.

Finance

Laura Kiesel, assistant trust administrator with Springfield Trust Co., recently completed the Cannon Financial Institute’s personal trust course, which provides a complete overview of personal trust services and estate planning.

Kay F. Addington of Professional Tax Service completed a comprehensive course to obtain the certified senior advisor designation from the Society of Certified Senior Advisors.

As a CSA, Addington participates annually in continuing education provided by the society, which has trained more than 14,000 individuals. Training enables CSAs to meet the key needs and issues affecting senior citizens.

Insurance

Pamela Van Horn was appointed director of client relations for Benefits Unlimited Inc. In her new position, she oversees customer service operations.

Officers with the Springfield Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors recently attended the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors’ Association and Executives Conference, held in September in Las Vegas.

Representing the local organization were Gregory K. Tope, president; Jean Harmison, executive; and Roy W. Kern, past president. During the event, SAIFA was honored with the National Membership Excellence Award, for an outstanding year of membership, and Kern was recognized for having sponsored more than 20 new members in the past year.

Law

Crista Hogan, executive director of the Springfield Metropolitan Bar Association, received a scholarship to attend the National Association of Bar Executives Communication Section’s annual workshop Oct. 6-9 in Minneapolis.

Attorney Dee Wampler of Law Offices of Dee Wampler recently was interviewed by Tim Wildmon on American Family Radio Network, regarding the separation of church and state. The 45-minute program aired locally on 90.1 KSCV-FM.