Banking Jeff Johnson was named community bank president at Wood & Huston Bank. With two decades of experience, Johnson has worked since 2005 as a commercial lender with Metropolitan National Bank.
Casey Blacksher was promoted to facility manager for First Community Bank of the Ozarks in Branson. Blacksher has eight years of experience with the bank, where she began as a teller.
Education Southwest Baptist University received an A rating, based on general education course requirements, in the 2013–14 edition of “What Will They Learn?,” published by the American Council of Trustees and Alumni. Only 2 percent of the liberal arts schools graded, or 22 institutions, received an A rating based on factors including four-year graduation rate, freedom of speech on campus and college costs.
Ozarks Technical Community College received the Technology Innovation Award from the Missouri Community College Association, recognizing OTC’s website design.
The association also honored OTC instructor Doug Pursley with the Senior Service Award. Pursley, who began working at the college in 1991, directs OTC’s respiratory therapy program.
Computer science instructor Meilani Conley represented Southwest Baptist University on a panel at the 2013 Women in Computing regional conference.
Government Gov. Jay Nixon appointed Sam Schaumann, of Billings, to the state’s Soil and Water Districts Commission for a term ending Aug. 15. Schaumann, who operates a commercial beef cattle operation on his family’s Christian County Century Farm, assists the commission in formulating policies and programs for soil and water conservation.
Health Care Mercy Springfield Communities received four donations totaling roughly $1.7 million. Bobby Allison donated $650,000 for the Betty and Bobby Allison Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Mercy Hospital Springfield. A $500,000 donation came from Charles Eggers, who invested insurance money from a car accident that killed his daughter, Christy, and money from her checking account to raise funds for children’s services. The Mercy Health Auxiliary donated $500,000 earmarked for Mercy’s Family Resource Center, and another $41,916 came from Kohl’s Department Stores to fund a seat belt campaign of the Mercy’s Injury Prevention Center.
Karen Shepherd, assistant professor of nursing at College of the Ozarks, earned the designation of certified health care simulation educator from the Society for Simulation in Healthcare. She is one of 200 professionals worldwide who hold the certification.
The Missouri Community College Association honored Mercy Springfield Hospital’s Dennis Martin with the MoWins Partnership Award, presented to individuals working with community colleges or employers who participate in the MoHealthWins or MoManufacturingWins programs. The award recognizes Martin’s efforts to inform OTC students about careers in health care building maintenance and environmental services.
Hospitality TheBest Western Plus Coach House received the Best Western Champion Customer Care Award and the Best Western Green Award. The Springfield hotel was recognized for exceptional levels of service and for reducing its carbon footprint through design standards and using sustainable resources.
Insurance Laura Mitchell joined Empire Bank Insurance Agency as an account executive responsible for generating sales for both life insurance and Medicare supplements. Mitchell has several years of insurance experience.
Law Springfield attorney Joseph Passanise was elected a fellow in the American Board of Criminal Lawyers, which selects lawyers following a nomination and admission process. Passanise is now one of 200 members nationwide and five in Missouri on the board.
The University of Missouri’s Mizzou Alumni Association recognized Jay Dade, a Springfield attorney with Polsinelli PC, as one of 16 faculty and alumni honored at the association’s annual Faculty-Alumni Awards Ceremony. Dade received a bachelor’s degree in journalism and law degree from MU.
Jeff McCurry was named a partner at Chaney & McCurry LLP. McCurry, who has four years of legal experience, is active in construction, corporate, banking, transportation and business law.
Jennifer Fields joined Douglas, Haun & Heidemann PC. Fields received a law degree from St. Mary’s University and a bachelor’s from Missouri State University.
This installment of Springfield Business Journal’s Architects & Engineers Project Report showcases 26 endeavors by area design and engineering professionals.
