Newsmakers

Kristin Persson joined Ridewell Suspensions as advertising director. She is responsible for marketing Ridewells full line of truck, trailer and motorcoach suspensions. Her duties also include public relations, Web site management, event management and advertising. Kristin has more than 10 years of experience in marketing, advertising and market research. Previously, she worked as the market development manager for Springfield News-Leader.

Finance

Rob Covey was promoted to loan officer at Empire Banks Strafford banking center. He has more than 10 years of banking experience. He is responsible for personal, residential, agricultural and commercial lending.

Gus Krafve joined Sterling Trust Company as assistant vice president. Krafve holds a bachelors degree in accounting from Southwest Missouri State University. He previously worked as an equity analyst, responsible for buy-and-sell decisions for institutional accounts and a model portfolio. In his new position with Sterling Trust, Krafve is responsible for portfolio management, equity analysis and business development activities.

Metropolitan National Bank announced two staff additions. Justin Cox joined the banks Springfield location as a loan officer in training. He is a 2002 graduate of Southwest Baptist University. Prior to joining Metropolitans loan officer training program, Cox worked in building manufacturing. Nancy Dollins joined Metropolitan National Banks Marshfield operations as a loan officer. Prior to joining Metropolitan, Dollins was a customer representative and loan officer with Empire Bank.

Government

Springfield Mayor Tom Carlson was elected to a one-year term on the board of directors of the Missouri Municipal League. The Missouri Municipal League is a nonpartisan, voluntary association serving 627 municipalites.

Health Care

Dr. Jeremy Mabe has relocated his practice to Skaggs Southside Family Clinic in Hollister after more than two years with Skaggs Family Health Clinic in Branson. Mabe, a graduate of Branson High School, completed a three-year family practice residency at Trinity Family Medical Center in Kansas City. He holds a medical degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City school of Medicine, and an undergraduate degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. He is board-certified in family practice.

Larry D. Wallis, president and CEO of CoxHealth, was appointed to the Missouri Hospital Association Board of Trustees Executive Committee for a four-month term that began in September. He fills the unexpired position of a committee member who resigned his hospital position. As a member of the MHA Board of Trustees, Wallis responsibilities include overseeing the administration of MHA and developing association policies.

Information management

Executive Data Control named a new president and announced three new hires.

Stephen Visio was named the companys president. He has a bachelors degree in marketing from SMSU. He has been with the company for 12 years. During his time with the company, Visio has introduced online document procurement services, online company stores and he has diversified the companys product and service offerings.

Dan McKillip joined EDC as an account executive. He has more than 14 years of experience in printing and promotional product sales and management. In his new position, McKillip is responsible for promoting advanced technology solutions, online ordering and developing new marketing ideas.

Bryan Freeman also joined the company as an account executive. Freeman has a bachelors degree in accounting and has eight years of experience as a controller of a local manufacturer. In his new position, Freeman’s focus is on the implementation of technology-driven solutions, including online procurement systems, for the company’s clients.

Ross Nash, who has more than 10 years of experience in printing and on-demand document sales and production, also joined the company as an account executive. In his new position, he helps clients improve productivity through the development of technology-driven, on-demand document solutions.

Law

Lois M. Zerrer and Rebecca L. Pruitt of Zerrer & Pruitt LLC received the Missouri Bars Pro Bono Publico Award at the bars annual meeting in Columbia. The award recognizes outstanding pro bono service to indigent or low-income individuals in need of legal assistance.

Zerrer and Pruitt are members of the Judicare panel and the Volunteer Lawyers Program of Legal Services of Southern Missouri. They were recognized for their development and presentation of the program Grandparents as Caregivers.

Springfield lawyers James P. Gray, Robert W. Schroff, Warren Turk Stafford and Raymond E. Whiteaker where honored as senior counselors of the Missouri Bar during the bars annual meeting held Oct. 1-3. The senior counselor title is bestowed on lawyers who have reached the age of 75 or who have been admitted to the Missouri Bar for 50 years.

Real estate

Helen Brummitt, broker with Benchmark Realty, was awarded the Graduate Realtor Institute designation by the Missouri Association of Realtors. She received the designation after successfully completing 90 hours of specific education outlined by the National Association of Realtors.

Kay Gerken, GRB, GRI, LTC, co-broker/owner of Gerken & Associates in Branson, was sworn in as the 2004 president of the Missouri Association of Realtors.