Accounting The Information Technology department of BKD LLP received the Enterprise Technology Award from the southwest Missouri chapter of the Association of IT Professionals.
Banking and Finance
Guaranty Bank named Ken Johnston chief information security officer. He’s worked as a vice president since 2001, previously serving the bank as chief technical officer and chief information officer.
Education
Melanie Dreyer-Lude, assistant professor of theater and dance at Missouri State University, received a one-year Fulbright scholarship to Germany. She will be participating in a fellowship to introduce the students at Freie Universitaet Berlin to the American version of applied theater and community engagement.
Government
Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Missouri, received the Missouri Department of Veterans of Foreign Wars Lifetime Achievement Award. Blunt has cosponsored legislation including the Veterans Access to Community Care Act and the Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability Act.
Health Care
Faith Giedd joined the Mercy Health Foundation as a regional major gifts officer. Formerly executive director of the Doula Foundation and development director for the Missouri State University Foundation, she holds a master’s in administrative studies from MSU.
Bill Hennessey was named vice president of mission for Mercy Springfield Communities. A 25-year Mercy employee, he most recently served as regional vice president of marketing and communications for the central region.
Emily Hobbs joined Phoenix Home Care as the home health quality assurance nurse in the company’s Missouri service area. A 15-year registered nurse, she works to enhance outcomes and ensure regulatory compliance.
Mercy Springfield Communities filled five health provider positions. Lindsay Banta joined Mercy Clinic Anesthesiology as a certified registered nurse anesthetist. She received a bachelor’s in nursing from the University of Missouri and a master’s in nurse anesthesia from Webster University. Amy Grover was hired by Mercy Clinic Emergency Medicine as a physician assistant. She received a bachelor’s in cell and molecular biology and a master’s in physician assistant studies from MSU. Melissa Rowland joined Mercy Clinic Family Medicine on West Kearney Street as a family nurse practitioner. She received a bachelor’s in nursing from MSU and a master’s in nursing from Walden University. Dr. Loki Skylizard joined Mercy Clinic Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery. He was training in minimally invasive and advanced robotic surgery at the University of Alabama Medical Center and holds a doctorate in medicine from the University of Michigan. Dr. Kayla O’Toole joined Mercy Clinic Anesthesiology. She holds a doctorate in medicine from Saint Louis University.
Hospitality John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts was awarded Marriott International Inc.’s 2015 Spirit to Preserve Award. The award recognizes the highest percentage of activated hotels and highest level of environmental practices based on Green Hotels Global data and companywide sustainability programs.
Insurance
The American Heart Association awarded Connell Insurance as a Gold Fit-Friendly Worksite. The achievement recognizes worksites, with a minimum of 25 employees, that advance wellness through support of physical activity, healthy eating options and promoting a wellness culture.
Law
Springfield attorney Adam Woody of the Law Office of Adam Woody LLC was listed among the Top 10 Under 40 attorneys in Missouri by the National Academy of Criminal Defense Attorneys. He also was named a Top 40 Under 40 criminal defense attorney in Missouri by the Society of Legal Advocates.
Media
Mid-West Family Broadcasting hired Scott Meier as general manager for KKLH The Cave, KOMG Bob 105.1, KOSP The Beat and KQRA Q102. He previously worked as regional vice president and market manager with Cumulus Media in Detroit.
Mediacom Communications rose two spots in the Netflix ISP Speed Index for January and is now ranked among the top five Internet service providers nationally. Measured among major U.S. ISPs, Mediacom streamed Netflix content at an average bitrate of 3.68 Mbps during the month.
Nonprofit
The Pediatric Brain Foundation hired Paul Madar as executive director. Directing independent schools for 18 years, he received a doctorate of divinity from the School of Metaphysics, an MBA from Butler University and a bachelor’s in biology from Cornell University.
The Kitchen Inc. selected officers for its trustees’ board: President Jim Newman, retired from State Farm Insurance; Vice President Simeon Shelton of Hamra Enterprises; Secretary Heather DeHart of Nixon & Lindstrom Insurance; and Treasurer Mark Clark of Bank of Missouri.
The Kitchen Inc. also added Ben Clutter as special events coordinator and Sean Barnhill as community development manager.
Rhonda Lewis, facility manager of Burrell Behavioral Health’s Bramblewood Residential Home, received the Patriot Award from the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, an agency of the U.S. Defense Department. The award recognizes support of employees who serve in the National Guard and reserves.
The Doula Foundation received a $25,000 grant from Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Missouri. The funds will expand the pre- and postnatal doula services the Doula Foundation offers expectant mothers.
Retail
Jeff Munzinger, owner of Munzinger & Co. Inc., received the 2015 Old Pro Award from the Chicago-based National Marine Representatives Association. He has 24 years of service selling boat products in 10 states to manufacturers, wholesales distributors and retailers.
Springfield event venue Belamour LLC gained new ownership; The Wok on West Bypass opened; and Hawk Barber & Shop closed on a business purchase that expanded its footprint to Ozark.
