Newsmakers in Financial Services

Elliott, Robinson and Co. LLP hired Chris Myers as a full-time staff accountant. Myers, who started as an intern in January 2006, works with business clients on monthly accounting and also handles tax returns for businesses and individuals. He graduated from Missouri State University with a Master of Accountancy in July and is studying for the certified public accountant exam.

Certified public accounting firm Kirkpatrick Phillips & Miller CPAs PC announced three staff promotions. Joy E. Ward, CPA, was promoted to shareholder from manager with the firm. She leads the firm’s accounting outsourcing and consulting group and specializes in customizing accounting systems and small-business consulting. Ward, who also is a certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor, joined KPM in 1984 after graduating with a bachelor’s degree in accounting from MSU.

Crystal N. Adkins, CPA, was promoted to supervisor with KPM. She holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting and business management from Drury University. Adkins joined KPM in 2003, and she specializes in taxation and employee-benefit plan audits.

Jill S. Perryman, CPA, also was promoted to supervisor with KPM. Perryman earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Southwest Baptist University and joined the firm in 2003. She specializes in audits and nonprofits.

Central Trust & Investment Co. named Keith Schawo business development officer for its Springfield office. He previously worked for Jefferson City-based Central Bancompany, serving as the assistant vice president and assistant director of educational finance for SmartFunds, a statewide student loan provider, primarily in the Columbia area. Schawo has 14 years of experience in financial services. In his new role, Schawo’s primary responsibility is developing new investment management relationships, including individual retirement account rollovers, investment advisory accounts and executor and successor trustee accounts.

Richard L. Weston, CFP, of Tax and Financial Advisors, was re-elected president of the Missouri chapter of the National Association of Tax Professionals during the group’s annual meeting Nov. 1 in Boonville.

Chris Harville joined Guaranty Bank’s commercial lending team as senior vice president. Harville has 15 years of banking experience in the Springfield market. He holds a degree in finance from MSU. In his new role, Harville is responsible for new business development, including commercial loan and commercial real estate loan relationships.