Accounting
Elliott, Robinson & Co. LLP promoted eight of its certified public accountants: Matthew Blackwell, Matthew Calhoun and Wes Darnell to senior accountants; Carrie Brown and Stephanie Rice to managers; and Michele Smith, Andrea Stevens and Kyrie Stewart to supervisors. Blackwell and Smith hold bachelor’s and master’s degrees in accounting from Missouri State University. Calhoun holds an accounting bachelor’s from MSU, and Stewart earned her bachelor’s in accounting from Drury. Darnell earned a master’s in accounting from Saint Louis University and has a Juris Doctor from University of Missouri. Rice holds a bachelor’s in accounting from Missouri Southern State University and an accounting master’s from MSU. Brown earned a bachelor’s in accounting and an MBA from Drury University. Stevens holds a bachelor’s in management and marketing from Evangel University and a master’s in accountancy from MSU.
Banking & Finance
Guaranty Bank added Krystal Kauffman as director of risk management. With 15 years of banking, audit and accounting experience, she is a certified internal auditor through the Institute of Internal Auditors and holds a bachelor’s in accounting from Central Methodist University, as well as an MBA from Webster University.
Pension Consultants Inc. was named one of five finalists for the 2016 Plansponsor Retirement Plan Adviser of the Year award. The national publication helps employers navigate retirement plan design and strategy.
Construction
Interpres Building Solutions added Reed Norphy and Justin Gathright as project engineers. Norphy earned an architectural engineering degree from Missouri University of Science and Technology. Also a Missouri S&T graduate, Garthright holds a mechanical engineering degree and has nine years of engineering experience with expertise in hydronic system design.
Government
Springfield Fire Department Assistant Operations Chief David Pennington was named Fire Officer of the Year and Rescue Specialist Jeff Elliott was named Firefighter of the Year. Also, members of the Springfield Water Rescue Team who performed dangerous swift water rescues during flooding the past year were honored, along with two civilians who rescued two young boys from a house fire in January. The department also awarded its first Medal of Valor to firefighter Michael Kuss for saving a family of five from floodwaters in May.
The city of Branson appointed Jennifer Langford as communications manager. She has 20 years of global marketing communications and grant-writing experience.
Hospitality
The Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau presented its Pinnacle Award to hotelier Greg Walker for years of service and contributions to the area’s travel industry. The Hospitality Award was given to Ramada Plaza Hotel & Oasis Convention Center and the Diplomat Award went to U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt for support of the industry.
The Spotlight Award went to David Eslick, a founding member of the Birthplace of Route 66 Festival, and the Ambassador Award was presented to Kirk Hansen, public relations director at Fantastic Caverns, for his work to encourage tourism. The John and Mary Williams Volunteer of the Year Award was presented to Clarlene Stewart, a five-year CVB volunteer, and the Decade of Service Award was given to Harold and Mary Peterson.
Also, Mary Williams, one of the CVB’s first volunteers, was honored for 25 years of service.
Media KTTS 94.7 FM was named Station of the Year for small markets by the Academy of Country Music.
This installment of Springfield Business Journal’s Architects & Engineers Project Report showcases 26 endeavors by area design and engineering professionals.
