Newsmakers: Feb. 15-21, 2016

Accounting
Judy Hadsall, president and CEO of CU Community Credit Union, was elected chairwoman of the Heartland Credit Union Association. Hadsall leads the board recently formed in the merger of the Kansas Credit Union Association and the Missouri Credit Union Association.

Paula Melton was promoted to tax supervisor at Roberts, McKenzie, Mangan & Cummings PC. She holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in accounting from Missouri State University.  

The Whitlock Co. hired Jacob Hall as a staff accountant. He served as a tax department intern in 2015 and graduated from MSU in December with a bachelor’s in accounting.

Banking and Finance
Arvest Bank added Robin Schilling to the bank’s Republic Road branch as a mortgage loan officer. With a bachelor’s in business administration from the University of Michigan, Schilling has 20 years of lending experience in the Springfield area.

BluCurrent Credit Union promoted Brad Christman to vice president of finance, Brian Roy to senior vice president and Jacqueline Post to vice president of marketing. Christman has worked with the credit union since 2006, and his responsibilities include managing the credit union’s investment portfolio, liquidity and cash. A five-year employee, Roy oversees the business, mortgage and indirect lending departments. Post, who manages day-to-day operations, strategic planning and budgeting, has been with BluCurrent since 2012.

Education
Rachel Tennison, Bolivar Primary School assistant principal, received the Outstanding Research Award for Cognitive Coaching from Thinking Collaborative, an organization maximizing individual and organizational thinking and professional collaboration. Tennison successfully presented her dissertation in December to earn a doctorate in educational leadership from Southwest Baptist University.

The Aspen Institute College Experience Program named Ozarks Technical Community College among 150 finalists to compete for the 2017 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence and $1 million in prize funds. OTC was one of two Missouri community colleges recognized in for student outcomes in student learning; certificate and degree completion; employment and earnings; and access and success for minority and low-income students.

The Whitlock Co. created an annual scholarship fund at Drury University to award one $1,500 scholarship to a current accounting student.

Health Care
Alps Discount Pharmacy hired 22-year pharmacist Jim Britton and Sales and Marketing Director Mike Petit. Britton earned a bachelor’s in pharmacy from Oklahoma State University and a pharmacy doctorate from University of Oklahoma. Petit has eight years of sales and marketing experience.

Hospitality
Springfield’s DoubleTree by Hilton received a top 10 ranking for guest service among all DoubleTree Hotels by Hilton in the Americas. The hotel was No. 7 based on guest surveys.

Insurance
Anthony Haney joined Nixon & Lindstrom Insurance as an employee benefit customer service representative. He has 25 years of insurance marketing and service experience.

Connell Insurance Inc. hired William Wells as a commercial insurance consultant. He studied communications at MSU.

Law
Douglas, Haun & Heidemann PC partner Patrick Douglas earned the AV Preeminent Rating from Martindale-Hubbell, the highest possible rating for both ethical standards and legal ability. Qualifying attorneys have been reviewed and recommended by members of the bar and the judiciary.