Newsmakers

Rachael Morrow of ADsmith Communications attended the Agency Management Roundtable’s public relations conference in Chicago. Topics covered at the conference included how to maximize a Web site, the importance of relationships and improving communications.

Banking

Citizens National Bank recently appointed Mark Jenkins as assistant vice president of commercial and real estate lending. Jenkins has eight years of banking experience. He holds a Bachelor of Science in accounting from Southwest Baptist University and a degree from the Graduate School of Banking at Louisiana State University.

Metropolitan National Bank added Scott McDonald as its vice president of lending. McDonald specializes in commercial real estate and is based in the bank’s Nixa branch. He has a degree in finance from Missouri State University.

Guaranty Bank promoted Brandon West to vice president of commercial loans. West has been in banking for eight years, the last three with Guaranty. West has a Bachelor of Science in business from MSU.

Broadcasting

Dale Moore, past MSU administrator and broadcaster, will host Ozarks Public Television’s “OzarksWatch Video Magazine.” The program, which began in 1999 and will air its 100th episode this fall, presents interviews and features revealing the richness and complexity of Ozarks heritage.

Education

MSU senior Kelli A. Wolf was named one of Glamour magazine’s Top 10 College Women. She was recognized for her work with the Missouri Senate and the founding of the university’s Public Affairs Week. She flew to New York in June for a magazine photo shoot and was honored in September at an awards banquet. She will be featured in the magazine’s October issue.

Author Marlene Chism presented “Success is a Given: Insights to Reaching Your Potential” Aug. 27 at A Day for Women, organized by Grace Magazine. The event was devoted to women’s issues and was held at John Q. Hammons Convention Center in Joplin.

Grants

Ozarks Area Community Action Corp. received $9,000 in grants to assist in serving low-income children and elderly residents. The Ozarks Health Advocacy Foundation and O’Reilly Auto Parts each provided $3,000 for mental health services for children enrolled in the Head Start Program. HCR Manor Care Foundation provided $3,000 to fund the transportation needs of low-income seniors involved in the foster grandparent program.

The state of Missouri has received more than $600,000 in U.S. Department of Labor grants. Of the sum, $500,000 was earmarked for tax projects, including the Internet Employer Tax Registration System. The system provides new employers with secure and convenient methods for filing employer registration information. Missouri also was awarded $108,035 after the passing of the State Unemployment Tax Act Dumping Prevention Act of 2004. The law requires states to implement laws that deter employer tax manipulation and sets penalties for such acts.

Dr. Brian Mahaffey, St. John’s Clinic board member and physician, and Donn Sorensen, senior vice president/chief operating officerm presented checks totaling $54,000 to Court Appointed Special Advocates and The Child Advocacy Center. The money was raised through St. John’s Force for Good, a fund within St. John’s Foundation for Community Health that has raised more than $200,000 since its creation in 2003. St. John’s Clinic employees raised the money through bake sales and casual dress days.

Networking

The Springfield Business Builders Club announced the following new members: Paul Elmer of Allstate Insurance, Robin Melton of Environmental Works Inc., Alan Roy of Pressed 4 Time and Kelly Shaw of Kelly Shaw Interiors.

Small Business

Gov. Matt Blunt received National Federation of Independent Businesses’ Guardian of Small Business award in recognition of his support and aggressive advocacy for the business community during the 2005 legislative session. NFIB/Missouri Director Brad Jones presented the award at a weekend planning session of the NFIB Leadership Council by. This year, Blunt pushed for, and with help of legislators, secured meaningful tort and workers’ compensation reforms.