Newsmakers: Feb. 16-22, 2026

Accounting
Elliott, Robinson & Co. LLP promoted four certified public accountants: Regan Fish, Kailynn Kneibert and Abigail West were named supervisor, and Garrett Perryman was appointed to senior accountant. Fish has a bachelor’s and master’s in accounting from Missouri State University. Kneibert earned her degree in accounting from Southwest Baptist University. West has a bachelor’s in accounting and MBA from MSU. Perryman has a bachelor’s and master’s in accounting from MSU.

Architecture
Hood-Rich Inc. promoted Chris Burkhart to associate principal and Ryan Phillips to principal architect. An employee with the architecture firm since 2024, Burkhart has a bachelor’s in business management from Missouri State University. Phillips, who has worked at Hood-Rich since 2022, has a bachelor’s in architecture from Louisiana Tech University.

Entertainment
Silver Dollar City announced the promotions of Brandei Clifton to senior manager of publicity and Sawyer Nichols to influencer marketing manager. Clifton, who joined Silver Dollar City in 2023, has a bachelor’s in journalism from Missouri State University. With a bachelor’s in communications and public relations from College of the Ozarks, Nichols has been an employee with the theme park since 2022.

Government
The city of Springfield’s Planning and Development Department promoted Bob Atchley to principal planner. Hired by the city of Springfield nine years ago, Atchley previously worked as a planning administrator in Christian and Taney counties. Atchley has a bachelor’s degree in community and regional planning from Missouri State University and has completed 30 credit hours toward a master’s degree in public administration with a planning emphasis.

Nonprofit
Community Blood Center of the Ozarks promoted Kenny Hamilton to senior director of donor room services. Previously an assistant director, Hamilton joined CBCO in 1996.
Better Business Bureau Springfield added John Marion to its advisory board. Marion owns John Marion Custom Homes, a homebuilding and remodeling company that was honored in 2025 with a BBB Torch Award for Ethics.
O’Reilly Automotive Inc. received the Child Advocacy Center’s 2026 Dr. John P. Ferguson Award. Named in honor of the late physician who helped to establish CAC, the award recognizes O’Reilly Automotive for its support of children. CAC is one of the eight original beneficiaries for O’Reilly Automotive’s charity golf tournaments.

Real Estate
Cantrell Real Estate added Dawn Kirkpatrick as productivity coach. Kirkpatrick holds a bachelor’s in education, with concentrations in history and Spanish, from Missouri State University.