Newsmakers: March 24-30, 2025

Architecture
Annie Hamel joined Buf Studio’s Springfield office as an architectural intern. Hamel is a fifth-year student at the Drury University Hammons School of Architecture.

Banking & Finance
Branson Bank promoted Karla Yeary to community bank officer from lender. Yeary has 25 years of banking experience, the past 18 of which have been at Branson Bank.

Accredited investment fiduciary Richard Baker, the CEO and executive wealth adviser at Fervent Wealth Management LLC in Springfield, was named among LPL Financial’s Ascent Wealth Advisors for 2024. Baker has a doctorate from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Construction
Kam Evans joined Nabholz Construction Corp. as business development officer in Springfield. Evans, who has a bachelor’s in psychology from Missouri State University, previously worked in sales for Mercer Zimmerman.

Education
Evangel University hired Jennifer Carter as a professor of its Ministry Leaders of Tomorrow initiative and as assistant academic director for Assemblies of God Theological Seminary, the university’s embedded seminary. Most recently serving as Southeastern University’s chair of the Center of Teaching and Learning, research professor and director of two doctoral-level organizational leadership programs, Carter has a bachelor’s in pastoral ministry from the University of Valley Forge, a master’s in higher education from Geneva College and a doctorate in higher education from Azusa Pacific University.

The Ozark School District promoted Anna Thurman to executive director of student services from director of interventions, effective July 1. With the promotion, the district is combining the two roles.

Insurance
Marci Ballard joined Nixon & Lindstrom Insurance Inc. as a private risk specialist with a focus on advising personal risk solutions. She has past insurance experience working with AAA and previously owned Bass & Ballard Feed & Farm Supply in Rogersville.

Law
Matt Russell, partner at MRD Lawyers, was sworn in as the 2025 president of the Springfield Metropolitan Bar Association. Russell is the 99th president of the SMBA, which serves more than 800 attorneys, and succeeds 2024 President Debbie Dodge.

Carnahan Evans PC hired Justin B. Cantwell as an associate attorney. A third-generation attorney in southwest Missouri, Cantwell has a Juris Doctor from California Western School of Law and a Master of Laws in taxation from University of San Diego School of Law.

Nonprofit
Good Samaritan Boys Ranch received a 2024 Aging Out Institute Fire Award in the category of midsize and large programs. The award recognizes transitional living programs for youth aging out of foster care.

Technology
Springfield resident Mark Garner was promoted to executive vice president by Bartlett, Tennessee-based technology and wireless telecommunications company SurgePays Inc. (Nasdaq: SURG). With a bachelor’s from Missouri State University, Garner joined SurgePays in 2019 as vice president of technology.