Newsmakers: March 31-April 6, 2025

Banking & Finance
The Oplotnik Group at Morgan Stanley was recognized by Forbes on the publication’s 2025 list of America’s Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams. Based in Springfield, The Oplotnik Group ranked on the list based on criteria such as assets under management, client retention and industry experience.

Government
Springfield native Ben Ryan Sauce, petty officer second class with the U.S. Navy, received a Flag Letter of Commendation. Sauce was honored for his work as a dental technician and dental readiness fleet liaison while serving with Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Unit Bahrain.

Taj Suleyman, director of the Office of Belonging and Intercultural Development and Americans with Disabilities Act coordinator at the city of Springfield, earned the Intercultural Development Inventory’s qualified administrator certification. The certification recognizes intercultural competency. Suleyman, who has worked at the Springfield municipality since 2021, has a bachelor’s in international studies from University of Utah and a master’s in intercultural relations from University of the Pacific.

Insurance
Nixon & Lindstrom Insurance Inc. hired Luke Fischer as a commercial insurance specialist. Fischer has a bachelor’s in marketing and professional sales from Missouri State University.

Law
The Springfield Police Department honored nine city residents during its annual Leadership Council award ceremony for their assistance of the department. They are Brian Batey, James Bench, Carson Coffelt, Meagan Grundy, Shelby Mitchell, Roper O’Brien, Lyndel Schrieber, Jana Van Loan and James Wood.

Nonprofit
The Harmony House Board of Directors approved the following 2025 officer appointments: Chair Brooke Smith of Vessell Bridges Murphy Law Offices; Vice Chair Jennifer Henry of American National; Secretary Julie Cummings of KPMG; Treasurer Tracy Barnas of Modern Woodmen of America; and past Chair Gregg Scholtens of KCI Construction Co. New board members are Courtney Brown of O’Reilly Hospitality Management LLC; Jeff Loafman of O’Reilly Automotive Inc.; Maria Neider of the city of Ozark; and Dr. Sadaf Sohrab of Mercy Springfield Communities.

The nonprofit Missouri Sports Hall of Fame inducted the following people during its annual enshrinement ceremony: Johnny Damon of the Kansas City Royals; Matt Adams of the St. Louis Cardinals; Brock Olivo of St. Francis Borgia High School and University of Missouri; Willard Harrell of the St. Louis Cardinals football team, now the Arizona Cardinals; Kris Flood of Republic High School; the Godwin golf family of Poplar Bluff; Brent Thomas of Missouri State University; Nyla Milleson of Glendale High School and Drury and Missouri State universities; Denny Thum of the Kansas City Chiefs; the Jefferson City High School cross-country program; David Glover of the University of Central Missouri; Benny Lawson of Monett and Parkview high schools; Horner Askins of Kickapoo High School; sports broadcaster Corey Riggs; tennis coach Jean Larrick; Larry Cowger of Carl Junction Athletics; Lockwood High School’s 1983-2008 volleyball team; Seneca native and football coach Larry Garman; and Jeffrey Brummet and his quarter horse Tucker, for mounted shooting. The Missouri Sports Hall of Fame additionally recognized Wilson Logistics with the John Q. Hammons Founder’s Award; MSHOF volunteer Rita West with the President’s Award; and Rod Staggs of St. Louis High School with the Missouri Sports Legend honor.