Newsmakers: July 28-Aug. 3, 2025

Banking & Finance
Branson Bank promoted Greg M. Baker to executive vice president and chief lending officer. With more than 40 years of banking industry experience, Baker has led business development and commercial lending efforts at Branson Bank since 2012. Baker has an undergraduate degree in business from the University of Kansas, a master’s in finance from the University of Missouri-Kansas City and completed the Graduate School of Banking at Louisiana State University.

Construction
Nathan Hoelscher, 33-meter concrete pump operator at AAA Concrete Pumping LLC, won the Boom Pump Operator Showdown at the Alliance Concrete Pumps Inc. open house in Fort Worth, Texas. Hoelscher represented Republic-based AAA Concrete Pumping in the head-to-head operator competition.

Education
Recent Evangel University graduates Madelyn Crain and Victoria Risner received the school’s Anne Spence Award for Meritorious Christian Character and Service. Crain, who majored in middle school education, accepted a role as a teacher at Jarrett Middle School following graduation. Risner intends to work toward a master’s in mathematics at Missouri State University.

Ozark School District’s East Elementary was one of eight Missouri Gold Star Schools for 2025, as designated by the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. East Elementary also received the honor in 2014. The Missouri Gold Star program honors schools for academic achievement or for performing at high levels while serving a significant portion of disadvantaged students.

Health Care
Ash Grove Healthcare Facility, operated by Citizens Memorial Health Care Foundation, hired Alecia Robinson as administrator. A licensed nursing home administrator, Robinson has worked in health care for more than 27 years, 11 of which have been as a long-term care administrator.

Licensed clinical psychologist Thomas Blansett joined the medical staff at Citizens Memorial Hospital. Blansett, who sees patients at the Humansville Family Medical Center, has a bachelor’s in correctional administration from Missouri State University, a master’s in clinical psychology and a clinical psychology doctorate from the California School of Professional Psychology.

Health Care Facilities of Missouri presented Outstanding Achievement in Safety awards to Bolivar-based Citizens Memorial Healthcare Facility and El Dorado Springs-based Community Springs Healthcare Facility, both of which are owned and operated by the CMH Foundation. The award honors facilities and staff for dedication to safety and the successful implementation of safety programs.

Insurance
Lauren Patison, employee benefits department manager and chief of staff at Nixon & Lindstrom Insurance, earned the Associate Professional in Human Resources certification from the HR Certification Institute. A Nixon & Lindstrom employee since 2020, Patison has a bachelor’s in business from Missouri State University.

Manufacturing
Ozarks Coca-Cola/Dr Pepper Bottling Co. promoted Anthony Miller to director of information technology. A company employee for seven years, Miller’s career includes work at EFCO Corp. and Bass Pro Shops.

Trucking
Strafford-based Christenson Transportation Inc. received the 2025 Career Catalyst Award from the Next Generation in Trucking Association. The award recognizes trucking companies for their work to promote the industry to high school and college graduates. Christenson Transportation collaborates with high schools and community colleges to establish commercial driver’s license programs and seeks to incorporate modern technology into its operations to enhance the job experience for younger workers.