Newsmakers

Chris Coulter has joined the city of Republic as assistant city administrator. Coulter previously was the assistant director of the Planning and Development Department for the city of Branson. He also has previous experience with the Christian County Planning Department. Coulter holds a bachelor’s degree from Drury University and a master’s degree in city and regional planning from Clemson University.

Health Care

Gary Jordan was named president of St. John’s West Region hospitals, effective July 5. He will be responsible for overseeing operations at St. John’s hospitals in Aurora and Cassville. He most recently served as president of St. John’s-St. Francis Hospital in Mountain View. Jordan has a master of business administration degree from Southwest Missouri State University and a bachelor’s degree in organizational management from John Brown University.

Mary Shook was appointed director of marketing and communications for the American Lung Association of Missouri. She coordinates strategic marketing, communications and media relations activities statewide on behalf of the organization and its activities. Her previous experience includes time with the American Cancer Society and the Developmental Center of the Ozarks. She is based in the American Lung Association’s Kansas City office.

Insurance

Jason Langston, an agent at Farmer’s Insurance Group in Nixa, was named a Championship Agent and will attend a conference in Hawaii. There were 330 agents and 81 district managers chosen to attend the conference, which will address business strategies and customer issues.

Law

Warren S. Stafford received the Distinguished Attorney Award from the Springfield Metropolitan Bar Association. The award is the highest honor given to an attorney by the association and recognizes at least 20 years of legal and nonlegal service at the highest standards. Stafford co-founded the law firm Taylor, Stafford, Clithero, Fitzgerald and Harris LLC, where he currently practices. He also is a member of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Terry W. Dodds was hired as an associate attorney at Ramsdell Law Firm LLC. He focuses on clients who have had catastrophic personal injury or need workers’ compensation. Dodds is licensed to practice law both in Illinois and Missouri and has served as the business editor of the Southern Illinois Law Journal.

Manufacturing

Decorize Inc. announced the addition of two directors to its board. Ron Jones, former chairman, president and CEO of Sealy Inc., and Rick Chalker, former partner with Ernst and Young in Kansas City, have been appointed. Jones served as president of Masco Home Furnishings before working at Sealy for six years. Chalker handled customs oversight at Hallmark Cards for eight years.

Service

Mr. Power Clean Inc. announced two staff accomplishments. Dana L. Jones and Bobby Salley have qualified, by education and examination, as certified master textile cleaning technicians, by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification. The institute is a nonprofit certifying and standard-setting organization that is dedicated to raising industry standards through technical proficiency.

Work force

Phillis Peach, work-force manager for Experience Works, was awarded the Notable Award for the Missouri and Illinois region at the company’s national conference. Peach has worked at the company for 10 years and supervises field operation coordinators in Missouri and Illinois.