Newsmakers: Aug. 18-24, 2025

Accounting
Grant Bowling and Maegan Dillon joined KPM CPAs & Advisors after serving as firm interns in their respective departments. Bowling, who provides tax services to clients in various industries, has a Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting from Evangel University. With a bachelor’s in accounting from Missouri State University, Dillon provides audit services for clients including financial institutions.

Banking & Finance
Branson Bank promoted Katie Hodges to executive vice president and chief operations officer. A Branson Bank employee since 2017, Hodges has a bachelor’s in accounting and psychology from College of the Ozarks.

Education
New Covenant Academy Chief Financial Officer Marlys Schoenwetter was honored by the National Business Officers Association with the Will J. Hancock Unsung Hero Award. Schoenwetter was one of 12 business officers globally to receive the award in 2025.

David Burton, field specialist in community development for the University of Missouri Extension in Greene County, was elected to serve on the Neighborhoods USA Board of Directors. The 19 members of the board serve three-year terms, direct ongoing business and policy for the NUSA and oversee each year’s annual conference. Burton has a bachelor’s in journalism and political science and a master’s in integrated marketing and communication from Drury University.

Government
The Springfield Fire Department announced 16 firefighters from Fire Academy Class 524 completed their year-long probation to earn their black helmets. The firefighters are Sean Conrad, Dakota Curnutt, Trenton Curry, Gage Curtis, Owen Fabro, Andrew Gall, Gabrianna Gardner, Trenton Herr, Corey Hodzic, Grant McNeill, Cash Miller, Kaden Olson, Brenna Ruyle, Draven Stapp, Zachary Stark and Jason Wassie.

Nonprofit
Boys & Girls Club of the Ozarks Executive Director Stoney Hays received the Masters and Mentors Award. The award, which recognizes growth and development among leaders, is the highest honor bestowed upon a Boys & Girls Club professional by The Professional Association, in partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s senior leadership. Hays is a career Boys & Girls Club employee, leading the Branson chapter for the past decade.

Kristen Snell joined Boys & Girls Clubs of Springfield as vice president of operations. Snell previously worked for more than nine years at Harmony House, most recently as assistant executive director.

Quinlan Pulleyking Meade was hired by Harmony House as marketing and communications director. Meade has a bachelor’s and master’s in communication studies from Missouri State University.

Leadership Springfield honored Andrea Brady with the 2025 O. Franklin Kenworthy Award for Outstanding Leadership and Chris Hoeman with the Visionary Volunteer Award. Brady, who is community outreach and development manager at Great Southern Bank, is a graduate of Leadership Springfield Signature Class 25. A graduate of Leadership Springfield’s Signature Class 37, Hoeman is chief litigator for the city of Springfield.

Technology
Talon Technology Systems hired Travis Miller as security and communications director. Miller has more than 12 years of experience in the industry and specializes in data, access control, camera systems and fire alarms.