Education Nixa Public Schools named Ashley Van Gorden Support Staff of the Year, Marilyn Guernsey Volunteer of the Year and Kelly “Simon” Matney Teacher of the Year. Van Gorden served as the district’s substitute caller before working as an accounting assistant in the second semester of the year, and Guernsey is the PTA president of the John Thomas School of Discovery. Matney, a high school teacher, also was one of two teachers to receive state teacher of the year honors for the 2014-15 academic year.
Karen Shepherd, an assistant professor of nursing at College of the Ozarks, received the school’s Veteran Faculty Member award.
Jeff Elliot, C of O associate professor of psychology, received the New Faculty Member award.
Government The Springfield Police Department made four promotions: Mike Lucas and Robert Byrne to lieutenants; Len Henry to police services supervisor; and Jeanie Priebe to records management system coordinator.
U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., named Joelle Cannon district director in the Springfield office. Cannon holds a bachelor’s from Missouri State University and a master’s from Johns Hopkins University.
Health Care Dr. Jennifer Freeman joined Cox Medical Center Branson as a pediatrician. Freeman, who worked most recently in the Kansas City area, has 15 years of experience that includes outpatient care, inpatient management and running a Level 2 neonatal intensive care unit.
CoxHealth selected three workers for its Prestigious Partners awards for going above and beyond their responsibilities: Dr. Sara Smitherman of Springfield Inpatient Physicians, Casey Sumner of Cox Monett and Katie Mader of Ferrell-Duncan Clinic.
Hospitality The Ramada Plaza Hotel & Oasis Convention Center was named the Property of the Year for Ramada Worldwide North America. Selected out of 500 hotels, the award is based on quality assurance scores, revenue growth, guest service scores and engagement with Wyndham Worldwide.
Marketing JBC Tire and Service Centers named Shelby Williams its regional marketing director. Williams, who worked most recently as an event sales manager at the University Plaza Hotel and Convention Center and holds an MBA from MSU, has 15 years of marketing experience.
Nonprofit The Doula Foundation selected five board members: Rhonda Donnelly of CoxHealth, Christie Clemmons of Mercy, Mendie Schoeller of Alternative Opportunities Inc., Shayne Silvers of Great Southern Bank and Winter Kinne of Community Foundation of the Ozarks.
Logan Aguirre, vice president and executive publisher of 417 Magazine, received the Junior League of Springfield’s Cheri Clark Bouquet of Enthusiasm Award.[[In-content Ad]]
A relocation to Nixa from Republic and a rebranding occurred for Aspen Elevated Health; Kuick Noodles LLC opened; and Phelps County Bank launched a new southwest Springfield branch.
