Newsmakers: March 2-8, 2026

Education
College of the Ozarks promoted Natalie Rasnick to assistant vice president for advancement from dean of development. A College of the Ozarks employee for more than 15 years, Rasnick has a bachelor’s in mass communication and public relations from College of the Ozarks, a master’s in communication from Missouri State University and a doctorate in leadership and learning in organizations from Vanderbilt University.

Engineering
Own Inc. appointed three employees as board members. They are Jared Davis, vice president and land development division leader; Anna Ruis, vice president and director of strategy; and Cody White, vice president and director of operations.

Health Care
Jennifer Murray was hired as senior director for the partnership between Mercy Springfield Communities and Children’s Mercy. Murray most recently served as director of nursing for women’s and children’s services at Mercy Hospital Springfield. She has more than 18 years of leadership experience. Beth Polivka, senior vice president and system chief nursing officer for CoxHealth, joined the board of Mid-America Transplant, which facilitates organ and tissue donation in the region. With more than 20 years of experience in the health care industry, Polivka has a bachelor’s in nursing from Southwest Baptist University and a master’s in organizational leadership from Evangel University. Additionally, she’s certified in executive nursing practice through the American Organization for Nursing Leadership. Michelle Boehne, administrative director of clinics at Citizens Memorial Hospital, was elected to a three-year term on the board of the National Association of Rural Health Clinics. The NARHC supports rural health clinics through quality assurance and affordable care. Boehne has more than 20 years of experience in clinical operations and health care administration. Jaime Renfro joined the medical staff at Citizens Memorial Hospital’s El Dorado Springs Medical Center and Walk-In Clinic. With more than 22 years of nursing experience, Renfro’s career has included serving as emergency room director and ICU director at CMH and as an urgent care nurse practitioner at CoxHealth. Certified by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, Renfro has a dual MBA and public health master’s from Benedictine University, as well as a family nurse practitioner master’s and a nursing doctorate from Maryville University.

Nonprofit
Mandy Anthes, Courtney Clark and Dillon Low joined the board of Harmony House for three-year terms. Anthes is vice president and director of business banking at Central Bank; Clark is technical product manager at T-Mobile; and Low is sales manager at Prime Inc.

Trucking
Strafford-based trucking company TransLand was named a 2026 Best Fleet to Drive For by CarriersEdge, a provider of online driver training and performance management solutions. The Best Fleets to Drive For program recognizes for-hire trucking businesses for creating sustainable work environments for company drivers and independent contractors. The recognition marks the fifth consecutive Best Fleet designation for TransLand.