Newsmakers: July 14-20, 2025

Accounting
Forvis Mazars LLP promoted Springfield employees Andy Kaempfe, Emily Reese, Jenine Vincent, Elizabeth Wilson and Angie Yarbrough to managing director. Their promotions, which became effective June 1, were among 28 new managing directors named at the company.

Banking & Finance
Heritage Bank of the Ozarks hired Mark Campbell as senior vice president of lending. Campbell has more than 30 years of banking experience.

Chambers of Commerce
The Table Rock Lake Chamber of Commerce won a Gold honor in the Best Chamber of Commerce category at the Best of Southwest Missouri gala. It was the chamber’s third consecutive win for the award, which involves nominations and votes from the community.

Education
Branson Public Schools appointed new principals for Branson High School and Cedar Ridge Primary. The new Branson High School principal, Sara Strohm most recently was the high school’s assistant principal. She has her undergraduate degree from Missouri State University, a master’s and specialist degree from William Woods University, and a doctorate in educational leadership from Arkansas State University. Kara Swofford was selected to lead Cedar Ridge Primary as principal after previously serving as director of the teacher education department at College of the Ozarks. She has her undergraduate, master’s and specialist degree from MSU, as well as a doctorate in curriculum and instruction with an emphasis in elementary reading from the University of Arkansas.

Aubrey Hardy, who recently graduated from Missouri State University with a bachelor’s in special education and was hired to teach special education at Nixa Public Schools, was recognized among the 2025 Missouri Teacher Leaders of Tomorrow by the Missouri Milken Educators in collaboration with the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Honorees received a year of coaching and mentorship through the Missouri Milken Educators network.

Government
The city of Ozark’s Garrison Springs Community Forest received the 2025 Innovation Award in the Large City category from the Missouri Municipal League. The honor goes toward municipal projects that showcase community impact and forward-thinking solutions.

Law
Branden Twibell, trial attorney and co-owner of Springfield law firm Twibell Pierson Criminal Law LP, was selected for inclusion on the 2025 list of the Nation’s Top One Percent by the National Association of Distinguished Counsel. Members are vetted by a research team, selected by a panel of attorneys and approved by a judicial review board.

Logistics
Erlen Group promoted Joe Sharp to vice president of finance from controller. Sharp’s career experience includes roles at Republic Services, Emerson Climate Technologies and Prime Inc, and he has a bachelor’s in accounting from MSU.

Cold Zone, a subsidiary of Erlen Group, hired Kelly Petty to lead the company’s expansion into Partnership Industrial Center West. Petty, who brings experience from Mercy, is additionally an alderman for the city of Fair Grove.