Newsmakers: April 7-13, 2025

Advertising
Wilkins Media, a New York City-based advertising and marketing company, hired Julia Hare as director of client partnerships for the Springfield region. With a bachelor’s in mass communications and journalism from the University of Iowa, Hare most recently worked as an account executive at OnMedia.

Banking & Finance
Paula Dougherty, a certified financial planner and private wealth adviser with Achieve Private Wealth, Ameriprise Financial Services LLC in Springfield, was named by Forbes to the 2025 Best-in-State Women Wealth Advisors list. Dougherty, who has 30 years of experience with Ameriprise Financial, was recognized for assets under management and industry experience, as well as her compliance record and best practices. Additionally, Dougherty qualified for Ameriprise Financial’s Circle of Success annual recognition program that recognizes the firm’s top advisers.

Achieve Private Wealth, Ameriprise Financial Services LLC in Springfield was named by Forbes to the Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams list. The list recognizes firms for their ethical standards, professionalism and business successes.

Education
Greenwood Laboratory School, a Missouri State University-affiliated private K-12 school, hired David Geurin as director, effective July 1. Succeeding the retiring Ron Snodgrass, Geurin brings experience as Fair Play R-II School District superintendent, a role he’s held since mid-2022. Geurin’s career also has included working as principal at Bolivar High School and as a teacher and coach at Marshfield High School.

Tim Casey in July is scheduled to take on the newly created head of school role at Springfield-based private Christian school New Covenant Academy. Casey has served as the district’s chief academic officer since April 2024.

Nonprofit
Better Business Bureau Springfield added Sam Arthur, Daniel Koren and Rafael Vite to its advisory board. Arthur is chief technology officer of ACIS IT Solutions; Koren owns Branson/Springfield Roofing Co.; and Vite is founder and digital marketing director of Primate Digital Marketing.

The Finley River Community Foundation, an affiliate of Community Foundation of the Ozarks Inc., honored Heather Alder with its annual Citizen of the Year Award. Currently an ambassador with the Ozark Chamber of Commerce, Alder formerly owned Heather Hill Farms LLC and has served as a chamber board member and city of Ozark alderman.

The Salvation Army of Springfield recognized Republic Mayor Eric Franklin, Elks Lodge #409 in Springfield and Republic High School as the winners of its annual Red Kettle Campaign. Franklin raised more than $240 in less than two hours of bell ringing to win the Mayoral Red Kettle Challenge. Elks Lodge #409 was the Red Kettle Bucket Blitz winner for raising more than $485 and volunteering eight hours at the kettles. Republic High School won the Battle of the Bells – Area Schools Challenge for raising more than $220 and volunteering nearly 150 hours.

Public Service
The Carnahan Policy Center honored Herschend Family Entertainment Corp. co-owner Peter Herschend during the Mel and Jean Carnahan Public Service Awards. Herschend, of Branson, was honored for his total of 33 years on the Missouri State Board of Education.