Newsmakers

Construction

Varsity Contractors Inc. announced three staff changes.

Kim Nash, who previously served as operations director for Varsity's Battlefield Mall projects, was promoted to business development manager for the Springfield/Branson market. Her duties include developing business in the area, and overseeing training of the new operations director. Nash has a bachelor's degree in marketing from Southwest Missouri State University.

Raymond Wade joined Varsity Contractors as operations director for Battlefield Mall projects. For the past 10 years, he worked as a site manager for the company's Harrah's Casino in St. Louis. He holds a bachelor's degree in business management and an associate's degree in accounting from Baker University in Topeka, Kan.

Ken Bolls joined the company as project manager for Varsity's new concrete designs division. Bolls has four years of experience in decorative concrete.

Education

Ken Rutherford, PhD, assistant professor of political science at SMSU, has been awarded a Fulbright Fellowship to Jordan for the 2004-2005 school year. He will teach Introduction to American Government at the University of Jordan.

Royal Osterhoudt of Ozark has been named Student of the Year for Vatterott College's Springfield campus, where he earned an associate of occupational studies degree in computer-aided drafting technology. The award recognizes professionalism, work ability, attendance, achievement and helpfulness. Osterhoudt is also a graduate of Vatterott's heating, ventilation and air conditioning program, which he completed in 1994. Through the career services department at Vatterott, he secured post-graduate employment with Crocker Consulting Engineers.

Finance

Kathy Yates joined Citizens Bank of Rogersville as vice president/branch manager of the Highland Springs branch. Yates has 26 years of experience in banking. Prior to her new position, she was a branch manager for US Bank. She replaces Lisa Smith, vice president with Citizens Bank of Rogersville, who has relocated to the bank's main facility to manage the mortgage department. Smith has been with the bank since 1998.

Nichole Goddard and Stephanie Rutledge were promoted to retail group managers with Commerce Bank. In their new positions, they are responsible for the management of all retail banking activities of assigned branches in the region. Duties include planning and implementing sales and quality service programs, and oversight of established policies and procedures related to operations, security and human resource management. Goddard has 10 years of experience in banking and lending, including serving as a consumer loan processor, assistant branch manager and branch manager. As vice president and manager of Commerce's Battlefield Banking Center, Goddard also oversees several other banking center locations. Rutledge has 13 years of industry experience in banking and lending, and she has served in key positions including credit manager, training manager and branch manager. She also is vice president and branch manager of Commerce's Kansas Expressway Banking Center, overseeing several locations.