Newsmakers: July 21-27, 2025

Education
Jordan (Cochran) Duda and David Kelly were inducted into the Nixa Public Schools Academic Hall of Fame for their career successes after graduating from the district. Duda, a 2012 graduate of Nixa High School, works as a pediatric endocrine nurse practitioner at CoxHealth. A 2000 Nixa graduate, Kelly is now principal of Nixa High School.

Jennifer Maloney, associate professor of psychology at College of the Ozarks, was honored with the school’s Eugene Charles Wittick Teaching Excellence Award during its 118th commencement ceremony in May. The award recognizes professors for their teaching ability and impact on students’ lives and careers.

Engineering
Jacob Fitzpatrick, an environmental engineer at Gredell Engineering Resources Inc.’s Springfield office, earned his professional engineer license in Missouri. Fitzpatrick, whose career started at GER with two internships while in college, has a bachelor’s in environmental engineering from the Missouri University of Science and Technology.

Insurance
Josh Nixon, business development specialist at Nixon & Lindstrom Insurance, earned the Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter designation from The Institutes Designations, which requires continuing education in insurance and risk management. Nixon has an MBA from the University of Illinois.

Nonprofit
Community Blood Center of the Ozarks Executive Director Anthony Roberts was elected to a two-year term as vice president of the America’s Blood Centers Board of Directors. America’s Blood Centers represents independent, community blood centers on a national scale. Roberts has worked at CBCO for more than 13 years following a 26-year career with the Federal Bureau of Prisons.

On Angels’ Wings founder and Executive Director Michelle Cramer earned the Certified Fund Raising Executive credential from CFRE International. The credential recognizes competence, ethics and accountability in philanthropic fundraising. Cramer founded OAW in 2013 to provide professional therapeutic photography and grief services for families of children with an often fatal medical diagnosis or who die at or shortly after birth.

Junior League of Springfield, Missouri Inc. recognized Nila Hayes with the 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award, the organization’s highest honor. Currently sustainer at large on the Junior League Board of Directors, Hayes became involved with the organization in 1993 and has held roles including treasurer and vice president of finance. Hayes retired from Missouri State University in 2011 after working as chief financial officer and in other positions with the college.

Additionally, Junior League awarded its 2025 Founders Fund Scholarship to Clara Dean, who graduated from Branson High School this spring and plans to study political science, economics and media studies at Barnard College of Columbia University in New York City. The valedictorian of her graduating class, Dean received the Junior League scholarship for her academic performance and work in volunteering and improving communities.

The Brightli Foundation hired Christopher Upton as annual giving manager for the southwest region. The foundation is the philanthropic arm of Burrell Behavioral Health parent company Brightli Inc. Upton has a dual bachelor’s degree in sociology and psychology from Drury University.