Newsmakers: Jan. 19-25, 2026

Banking & Finance
Four States Bank hired Davis Neal, Alysha Turner and Ryan B. White. Joining the company as senior vice president and mortgage manager, Neal has 17 years of mortgage and lending experience, and he has a bachelor’s and MBA from Drury University. Turner, who was appointed as mortgage operations manager at 4SB, has 15 years of mortgage operations experience. White was hired as senior vice president and director of mortgage; he has 27 years of mortgage and banking experience, most recently working as director of real estate for Central Bank.

Government
Fire Marshal Jeremy Gohl of the Springfield Fire Department graduated from the Springfield Police Department’s Lateral Academy, which provides advanced instruction in criminal law, investigative methods, defense tactics, community engagement and operational procedures. Gohl serves the Springfield Fire Department’s Fire Prevention Bureau.

Health Care
The Springfield-Greene County Health Department appointed Whitney Stamm as community health strategy coordinator. A Health Department employee since 2021, Stamm previously served as the organization’s public health strategist. With more than 10 years of public health experience at the local and state levels, Stamm has a bachelor’s in anthropology from Missouri State University and a master’s in anthropology from the University of Missouri-Columbia.

Children’s Mercy added Dr. Troy Spilde to its Springfield team in partnership with Mercy Springfield Communities as a pediatric general surgeon. With more than 20 years of experience in pediatric general surgery, Spilde marked his return to Children’s Mercy, where he completed his residency and fellowship training after graduating from the North Dakota School of Medicine & Health Sciences. Spilde has previous leadership roles at Mercy Springfield and St. John’s Children’s Hospital in Springfield, Illinois.

Insurance
Chase Marable, managing director at Higginbotham Insurance Agency Inc., was named to Insurance Business America’s Hot 100 that recognizes the top 100 insurance leaders in the United States. Honorees are first nominated before being narrowed down by the Insurance Business America team based on leadership and innovation. An eight-year employee at Higginbotham, Marable has a bachelor’s in risk management, insurance and finance and an MBA from Missouri State University.

Law
Springfield criminal defense attorneys Thomas D. Carver and Joseph S. Passanise of Wampler & Passanise Law Office PC were recognized in the 2026 edition of Best Lawyers in America. Based on peer review, the Best Lawyers publication is in its 32nd year. Passanise, the firm’s managing partner, was named Lawyer of the Year for Criminal Defense: White Collar in Springfield, and he additionally was recognized in Criminal Defense: General Practice, Criminal Defense: White-Collar and DUI/DWI Defense. Carver, who serves as of counsel at Wampler & Passanise Law Office PC, was recognized in Criminal Defense: General Practice and Criminal Defense: White Collar.