Newsmakers in Financial Services

Old Missouri National Bank announced a staff addition and a promotion. Michelle Batson joined OMNB as branch manager for the bank’s West Sunshine Street location. Batson has nearly 20 years of experience in several areas of banking, including branch management, individual retirement accounts and new accounts. In her new position, she supervises the new accounts and teller departments and manages all branch operations.

Matt Kelley, a six-year OMNB employee, was promoted to senior vice president of loans. Kelley has a Bachelor of Science in finance from MSU. In his new position, Kelley handles U.S. Small Business Administration loans and commercial, real estate and consumer loans. He also supervises the loan review department.

Springfield-based The Payroll Co. received the Gold Level Award from payroll software provider Payroll Associates. The award recognizes The Payroll Co. as one of the nation’s fastest-growing independent payroll service bureaus between 2005 and 2006. The company, owned by President Jeff Hunter, serves nearly 500 clients in the Springfield-area and northwest Arkansas markets.

Wayne Clark, chairman of the accounting department at Southwest Baptist University, recently served as moderator for a Springfield training seminar sponsored by the Missouri Society of Certified Public Accountants. The seminar was for Lead and Enhance the Accounting Profession ambassadors who visit Missouri high schools to talk about the accounting industry. Clark’s presentation focused on strategies for educating high school students about career opportunities in public accounting.