Architecture The Springfield Chapter of the American Institute of Architects honored Miller-O’Reilly Co. Inc. with the Public Recognition Award for its Deep Elm student housing development. The project, honored for its location, technology and amenities, was selected by a public jury who reviewed 45 projects from 19 architecture firms.
Banking and Finance Arvest Bank hired Melissa Box as a community lender in Hollister and Alan Banta as a commercial banker in Branson. Box has 17 years of banking experience, including three years working for Arvest Bank in Berryville, Ark. Banta has 30 years of experience, most recently as commercial lender for 10 years with Branson Bank.
Connie Rush took a private banking relationship manager position with U.S. Bank. She has worked for the bank since 2012 as a branch manager.
U.S. Bank promoted Jacob Barnes to officer, Cindy Street and Kelly Vansyoc to vice presidents, and Christina Craig, Jacob Fauvergue, Adrianne Smith, Maria Stockton and Donna Strait to assistant vice presidents.
Education Nixa Public Schools inducted two graduates into the Academic Hall of Fame: Susan Jones and Brenda Rantz. Both Nixa school district employees, Jones works as a K-4 technology instructor, and Rantz is chief financial officer. They were honored for pursuing higher education, being positive role models and contributing to the community.
Retired educator Sandy Gold received Nixa Public Schools’ Service to Education Award for helping the district’s special services department update procedures and guidelines.
Geri Upp, a substitute teacher for Springfield Public Schools through Kelly Educational Staffing, was selected by the staffing agency as its 2014 Missouri State Substitute Teacher of the Year. Upp has worked with Kelly as a substitute since 2011.
College of the Ozarks was recognized by Samaritan’s Purse for its 10 years of commitment to Operation Christmas Child. The 10 Year Award honors the college for its efforts in helping the Christian-based nonprofit serve 100 million boys and girls in 130 countries with shoebox gifts.
Environmental Kaylen Reilley-Hanks was hired as an environmental scientist for Midwest Environmental Consultants. She specializes in industrial environmental compliance.
Health Care Dr. Dani Engle joined Meek Chiropractic as a chiropractor. Engle, who has experience in multidisciplinary care, holds a doctorate in chiropractic from Logan University.
Four Springfield-area physicians were awarded the Missouri State Medical Association’s 50-Year Physician Pin. Recipients were Dr. Andres Apostol of Cox-Monett Hospital; Dr. John Bentley of Jordan Valley Community Health Center; Dr. Michael Gentry, a Springfield dermatologist; and Dr. Donald Wantuck, a Springfield pulmonologist affiliated with Citizens Memorial Healthcare.
Insurance Dave Willingham, an American Family Insurance agent in Buffalo, and Jeff Yoakam, and American Family agent in Springfield, received the American Star Excellence in Customer Experience Certification. The honor is eligible to American Family agents who rank in the top 20 percent for customer satisfaction based on customer surveys.
Media The Missouri Broadcasters Association inducted Norma Champion into its Hall of Fame. During her career, Champion hosted the “Children’s Hour” program on KY3 for 30 years, and served as a professor at Evangel University, a Springfield councilwoman, a state representative and a Missouri senator.
Nonprofit Hospice Compassus named Donal Dunbar executive director for the programs serving Springfield, Osceola and surrounding areas. Dunbar, who has 20 years of experience in health care management, including as a hospital administrator for the U.S. Air Force, holds an MBA from Auburn University and a bachelor’s in finance from the University of South Alabama.
The Home Builders Association of Greater Springfield named Jamie Zastrow as events coordinator. Responsible for developing and managing the organization’s events, Zastrow has 14 years of related experience.
Retail Taylor-Martin Group in Springfield hired Michael Robertson as store manager. He has 10 years of experience in the design industry and in customer service.
Sports The Springfield Sports Commission hired Whitney White as assistant director. With responsibilities including membership sales and communications, she has a bachelor’s in public relations from Missouri State University and a master’s in communication from Drury University. Previously, White performed marketing duties in the athletics department at Drury.
This installment of Springfield Business Journal’s Architects & Engineers Project Report showcases 26 endeavors by area design and engineering professionals.
