Newsmakers

Chamber

Kristin Lochner joined the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce staff in the community development/special events department. Lochner, a recent graduate of Evangel University with a business administration degree in marketing, management and communication studies, provides department staff support and helps coordinate chamber of commerce events. She also works with Leadership Springfield. Prior to joining the chamber, Lochner worked as an intern for the city of Springfield.

Community service

Dr. Rose Utley, associate professor in the department of nursing at Southwest Missouri State University, was appointed by Gov. Bob Holden to serve a five-year term on the Missouri Community Service Commission. The commission effects and administers the National and Community Service Act of 1993 and strives to make service and volunteerism a common expectation of all Missourians.

Finance

Mark Lee of A.G. Edwards earned the certified financial planner designation. To earn the CFP designation, Lee had to demonstrate the ability to analyze and develop personal financial plans and successfully complete a series of financial planning courses and examinations offered by the College of Financial Planning.

Gustave Krafve joined Sterling Trust Company Inc. as an assistant vice president. He is responsible for portfolio management, equity analysis and business development activities. Krafve began his financial services career in 1996 with Salomon Smith Barney. Krafve is a graduate of Southwest Missouri State University with a bachelor's degree in finance.

Thane Kifer joined Mid-Missouri Bancshares Inc. as vice president and general counsel. He is responsible for the management of legal matters and human resource functions. Prior to joining Mid-Missouri Bancshares Inc., Kifer was preseident and CEO of Mid-Missouri Bank in El Dorado Springs. Kifer has 20 years of experience in bank management, compliance, security and trust. He is a graduate of Bolivar High School and a summa cum laude graduate of Southwest Baptist University, and the University of Missouri-Columbia Law School.

David Burnett was appointed to the board of directors of First National Bank in Mt. Vernon. Burnett has 16 years of experience in banking. He joined First National Bank in 1993 as a loan officer and now serves as its executive vice president.

Health care

Dr. Keith A. LaFerriere, a facial plastic surgeon with St. John's Clinic and fellow of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, was installed as the academy's president at its annual meeting in Orlando, Fla. Based in Washington, D.C., the academy is an association of facial plastic surgeons whose cosmetic and reconstructive surgery focuses on the face, head and neck.

Dr. Andrew L. Evans, MBA, joined St. John's Clinic as the director of its hospitalist program.

Evans received his medical education at the University of Washington in Seattle. He completed a residency at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. He is board certified in internal medicine.

Evans earned his undergaduate and master of business administration degrees from Drury University. Most recently, he practiced as a hospitalist a doctor who treats patients exclusively in a hospital setting at the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Medicine.

St. John's Cardiac Rehabilitation and Pulmonary Rehabilitation programs have been awarded certification from the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation. Certification recognizes programs rigorously reviewed by a national board and found to meet essential requirements for standards of care.

Insurance

Casey M. Chastain received the First-Year Marketing Award from Federated Insurance for surpassing production goals during his first year with the company.

Cindy Callahan of Connell Insurors Inc. has received her producer license in commercial lines. She specializes in all aspects of business insurance.

Professional

Deanna Ford was elected second vice president of the Missouri Business and Professional Women's Organization.