Newsmakers: March 13-19, 2023

Architecture
Nia Bard of Dake Wells Architecture Inc. earned the designation of registered architect in Missouri and membership in the American Institute of Architects after passing the architectural registration exams. She’s worked as a designer and intern at the firm and holds a master of architecture from Drury University.

Banking & Finance
The Goldsmith Oplotnik Group at Morgan Stanley was named to Forbes Magazine’s 2023 Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams. Ranked No. 39 in Missouri, the selection is based on in-person, virtual and telephone meetings to measure best practices, client retention, industry experience, credentials and compliance, as well as assets under management and revenue.

First Midwest Bank named Matt Bower as community bank president for the Springfield market. He’s worked 22 years in financial services and holds bachelor’s degrees in business administration and leadership studies from Drury.

Carley Baker was promoted to wealth management marketing manager for Central Bank in Springfield, responsible for its trust company, and investment and private banking divisions in the region. Previously the marketing coordinator for Central Trust Co., she has five years of marketing experience and holds a bachelor’s in marketing/advertising from Missouri State University.

Construction & Development
Terracon Consultants Inc. promoted Ty Alexander to senior principal, managing the firm’s offices in Springfield, Joplin and Rolla. The professional engineer has 26 years of experience, specializing in geotechnical services, and he holds a bachelor’s in civil engineering from University of Wyoming.

O’Reilly Development Co. LLC added Kevin Harris and Hunter Hein a partners and hired Ashley Simpson as director of investor relations. Each previously worked at TPB Wealth Advisors in Texas. Harris serves O’Reilly Development as chief investment officer and has 25 years of experience in business and asset management, while Hein works in developments and acquisitions, and previously served as an investment strategist. Simpson’s experience is in wealth strategies.

Law
Missouri Lawyers Media recognized several local attorneys in its 2023 Missouri Lawyers Awards: Nick Smart and Jacob Lewis of Strong, Garner & Bauer PC as Legal Champions for taking on the pro bono defense of an employee accused of embezzlement and winning her acquittal, and in the Law Firm Leaders category, Joseph Passanise of Wampler & Passanise for leading the firm through the death of his law partner and Elizabeth Wente of Spencer Fane LLP for chairing the firm’s diversity, equity and inclusion committee.

Manufacturing
Storyteller Overland LLC named Trent Tiffin as general manager and executive vice president of its Global Expedition Vehicles subsidiary. He has eight years of recreational vehicle industry experience, previously working in sales and marketing for his family business, Tiffin Motorhomes.

Nonprofit
The Nixa Area Chamber of Commerce issued its annual Nixies Awards.

Honorees were Small Business of the Year: Massengale Real Estate Group of Keller Williams; Large Business of the Year: Sam’s Club-South Springfield; Ambassador of the Year: Jeff Snelling of PlumThumb Web Design; Member of the Year: Tony Manasseri of Prudential Financial; Chamber Board of Excellence: 4C Sertoma (Christian County Children’s Charities); Sharon Whitehill Lifetime Achievement Award: Wayne Glenn, a Nixa resident and historian; The Big Nixie MVP: Rob Marsh of Price Cutter; and Citizen of the Year: Steve Rook of Nixa and Larson Heating, Air & Plumbing.