Newsmakers: July 4-10, 2022

Accounting
KPM CPAs & Advisors accountant Mykkah Buchanan completed the certified public accounting examination and earned her CPA license through the American Institute of CPAs. She has two years of experience providing audit services and holds a bachelor’s in accounting from Missouri State University.

Banking & Finance
Edward Jones financial adviser Weston Kissee of Springfield was named among the 2022 Best-in-State Wealth Advisors in Missouri by Forbes and Shook Research. He is one of 117 Edward Jones advisers on the list published in the April/May issue.

Matt Graham was hired as a mortgage loan officer for Central Bank’s Highlandville branch. He’s a longtime Highlandville resident, and the appointment represents the first full-time mortgage lender at the branch.

Education
Southwest Baptist University hired Ryan Griffith as vice president for strategic initiatives and chief of staff, effective Aug. 1. He’ll also serve as an associate professor of church history. He previously worked as pastor and director of operations and training at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, and as the executive director and director of global training for The Gospel Coalition. Griffith holds a bachelor’s in political science from Wheaton College, a master’s in biblical exegesis from Wheaton College Graduate School, a master’s in biblical and pastoral studies from Bethlehem College & Seminary, and a doctorate in biblical spirituality and church history from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

SBU named Stedman Valentine as director of discipleship and campus pastor. He previously worked as the young adult and college director at First Baptist Church-Branson, The Bridge, as well as a similar role for Watermark Community Church, The Porch, in Dallas. He’s also held leadership roles for Kanakuk Kamps in Branson.

Drury University selected Jeffrey Zimmerman as dean of the Breech School of Business Administration. He holds a bachelor’s in computer science and economics from State University of New York-Albany; a master’s in economics from West Virginia University; and a master’s and doctorate in economics from Purdue University. Zimmerman has nearly 20 years of experience as a business dean, most recently for the Robert W. Plaster College of Business at Missouri Southern State University in Joplin. 

Evangel University named Mark Entzminger as vice president for student development. succeeding the retiring Greg Johns. Entzminger comes from the Assemblies of God National Office, where he’s served as the ministries and resources administrator since 2017. He holds a bachelor’s in Bible, theology and youth ministry from Central Bible College and a master’s in leadership and ministry from the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary.

Engineering
Rachel Goeke, the client services manager and geotechnical engineer at Palmerton & Parrish Inc., was installed as president of the Missouri Society of Professional Engineers for the 2022-23 term. She’ll lead the organization in advocating for engineering licensure and promoting the protection of public health, safety and welfare through ethical and competent practices.

Nonprofit
Leadership Springfield named Francine Pratt as the 2022 O. Franklin Kenworthy Award for Outstanding Leadership, recognizing her 30 years of experience working in government, private, public and nonprofit organizations to help those in need. Pratt serves as director of Prosper Springfield and the Missouri College Access Network, and she also co-owns Pratt Consultants and is creative partner for Queen City Soul Kitchen. She is a graduate of Leadership Springfield Signature Class 27 and has served on its board of directors.