Newsmakers: March 1-7, 2021

Accounting
Abacus CPAs LLC selected Chris Abercrombie for its “Abe’s Golden Microphone” Communication Award Distinction, the highest honor for staff. A supervisor in the firm’s transportation tax department, he’s credited with leading in staff development, personalized training and positive influence.

Banking & Finance
Heritage Bank of the Ozarks promoted Jase Glendenning to vice president of lending and Terrie Maynor to vice president of customer service. The Lebanon-based bank also hired Lance Link to serve as a wealth manager. Glendenning has a bachelor’s in agribusiness management from University of Missouri and joined the bank in 2016 working on agricultural loans. Maynor has 17 years of banking experience, and Link previously worked as a financial representative for Edward Jones.

Central Bank of the Ozarks’ holding company Central Bancompany rated No. 4 on America’s Best Banks in 2021 by Forbes magazine. The rankings are based on five key metrics: return on equity, efficiency ratio, nonperforming assets, revenue growth and Tier 1 equity.

Financial adviser Daniel Seitz joined Edward Jones. With five years of financial services experience, he holds a bachelor’s in accounting from Tiffin University and an MBA in finance from University of Findlay in Ohio.

Education
The Ozarks Technical Community College Foundation earned a $25,000 grant to fund scholarships for female students pursuing education in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The Coca-Cola Foundation Women in STEM Scholarship will give 25 students a $1,000 scholarship for the 2021-22 academic year.

Health Care
Integrity Home Health Care LLC promoted Tiffany Burche to operations director in the home care division. In 10 years with the company, she’s worked as director of continuous improvement, an in-home administrative support assistant and key roles in auditing, policies and project management. Burche has a bachelor’s in child and family development from Missouri State University.

State Sen. Eric Burlison, R-Battlefield, received the Excellence in Health Care Legislation Award from the Missouri Nurses Association for his support of nursing professionals in Missouri. It’s the second time he’s received the award, and this year Burlison has sponsored legislation relating to advanced practice registered nurses and occupational therapists.

Law
Attorneys Patrick Baird and Katherine Thompson left Baird Lightner Millsap PC to become partners at Neale & Newman LLP. Baird had worked at Baird Lightner Millsap since in 2014, and Thompson started there the year prior. With a law degree from University of Missouri-Kansas City, Baird also has experience as assistant attorney general for Missouri and assistant prosecuting attorney for Cass County. Thompson, who earned a law degree at Saint Louis University, previously worked as an intern with the Missouri State Public Defender’s Office Capital Division. Both practice in the areas of civil litigation, including insurance defense and municipal law.

Douglas, Haun and Heidemann PC partner Craig Heidemann was recognized as a Super Lawyer by the Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers Magazine. This is the fourth year he has made the list that honors the top 5% of lawyers in Missouri.

Media
Springfield Business Journal hired Emily Cole as a reporter. With a bachelor’s in journalism from Missouri State University, she previously covered city government and business for the Jefferson City News Tribune.