Banking and Finance Wood & Huston Bank ranked No. 88 on DepositAccounts.com’s 2014 list of the 200 Healthiest Banks in America. The bank received high marks for its Texas ratio, Texas ratio trend and capitalization.
Sharina Smith joined Strategic Financial Concepts Inc. as a financial adviser. Smith has past experience as vice president of marketing with Enactus’ U.S. division and as director of marketing and communications for Southwest Baptist University.
Education Alumni and supporters of Drury and Southwest Baptist universities raised $21,535 during the inaugural Highway 13 CatFight Giving Challenge for student scholarship and athletic programs at the schools. Held in conjunction with the longstanding basketball rivalry, SBU won the challenge by raising $13,161 to Drury’s $8,375.
Affordable Colleges Online ranked Missouri State University’s Master of Business Administration program among the 68 Best Online MBAs for 2015. ACO reviewed 500 online MBA programs, considering such factors as full accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business and low student-teacher ratios.
Law U.S. News & World Report listed Polsinelli PC among its 2015 Best Law Firms, naming Polsinelli the Law Firm of the Year in Health Care. The designation incorporates client feedback and peer reviews across the firm’s 19-city footprint, including its health care practice in Springfield.
Rick Van Pelt of Van Pelt & Van Pelt PC was named a diplomate of the American College of Family Trial Lawyers, based on litigation skills and courtroom abilities, as well as membership in the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers.
Nonprofit The Southwest Missouri chapter of Score named Thomas Nelson as a mentor. With experience in information technology management, Nelson is retired from a 35-year career with CoxHealth.
Tourism The Champions Tour honored Big Cedar Lodge Legends of Golf with the Outstanding Achievement Award for hosting the tournament at Top of the Rock par-3 course in Ridgedale. The venue was prepared within five months of scheduling the tournament dates, and the event attracted over 1,000 volunteers.
