Newsmakers: Aug. 7-13, 2023

Architecture
Sapp Design Associates Architects Inc. promoted Kristi Beattie, Brad McKenzie, John McNabb, Ben Sapp and Stephen Telscher to partners as a succession plan for founder and President Michael Sapp. Combined, the new partners have 80 years of experience at Sapp Design.

Banking & Finance
Guaranty Bank added 18-year banking veteran Blake Sobieralski as an officer in the Commercial Lending Department. He’s worked for Guaranty Bank since 2015, first as a loan administration assistant, then in credit administration and, most recently, as a portfolio manager. With a bachelor’s in finance from Missouri State University, Sobieralski also had stints at Great Southern Bank and Bank Midwest as a loan support analyst and branch manager.

Edward Jones financial adviser Bill Scorse, of Nixa, earned the certified private wealth adviser designation from the Investments & Wealth Institute. He completed coursework from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business on wealth and legacy strategies for high-net-worth individuals, human and family dynamics in financial matters, and needs of business owners, executives and retirees.

Education
Charity Navigator gave Evangel University a four-star rating, the highest available in its assessment process. Evangel scored 100% in the accountability and finance evaluation, and the rating indicates the school meets or exceeds industry standards and best practices of transparency and financial metrics.

Health Care
Citizens Memorial Hospice added Tony Rankin as a chaplain to provide spiritual and emotional support for hospice patients and their families.

With a bachelor’s in recreation and education from Abilene Christian University in Texas, he taught in public schools for 21 years and also had a career in preaching, having earned a bachelor’s in theology from Bear Valley Bible Institute in Denver.

Law
Wampler & Passanise PC was voted the region’s top criminal defense firm in 2023 by the Best of SWMO. Presented by NWA Media in partnership with Explore Branson, more than 89,000 Missouri residents voted for organizations from 16 southwest Missouri counties. The firm was recognized with the gold award in the Services-Criminal Defense category, while Branson attorney Michael Horn received the bronze.

 Military
Springfield native Capt. John Van Slyke, the senior mental health executive for Naval Medical Forces Atlantic, received the Admiral H. James T. Sears Award for contributions to Navy psychiatry. He was recognized for providing guidance and support to service members, particularly working with the Special Psychiatric Rapid Intervention Team.

Nonprofit
Skaggs Foundation issued a $4,380 grant to the Cedar Creek Volunteer Fire Protection District in Taney County to install LED lights around a helicopter pad. Since its establishment in 2013, the Skaggs Legacy Endowment has awarded $8.3 million to improve health and wellness throughout Stone and Taney counties.

The Kitchen Inc. received a $49,910 grant from Ohio-based Timken Foundation of Canton for a learning center at its Rare Breed Youth Services. At the center, which is designed to provide youth with critical life skills and education/job preparation, the money will fund technology, including computers, tablets, a printer, and a projector; furnishings; online training materials for case managers; and two air conditioning units.