Accounting Randy Coonce joined Elliott, Robinson & Co. LLP as a supervisor. With a bachelor’s in accounting from Missouri State University, Coonce has 23 years of public accounting experience, with expertise in government accounting.
Banking Southern Missouri Bank of Marshfield hired Sterling Huff Jr. as an executive vice president. Huff has 25 years of banking experience, having served previously as president and CEO of Metropolitan National Bank but more recently as a business manager at Ozarks Technical Community College.
Education Rountree Elementary was authorized as an International Baccalaureate World School in the Primary Years Programme. The program curriculum is designed for students ages 3 to 12 and emphasizes development inside and outside of the classroom by leaning on six subject areas and inquiry-based learning.
The Missouri School Boards Association named the Nixa Board of Education as Outstanding Board of Education for its work in the areas of governance, leadership and accountability. The statewide association also selected the Nixa Public SchoolsEarly Childhood Program as an Exemplary Program of the Year for innovative approaches to engage and support student development.
Gov. Jay Nixon visited the Fair Grove R-10 School District to recognize its 93.9 percent score on the 2013 Missouri School Improvement Program, as well as attendance and graduation rates, and percentage of graduates going onto higher education above the statewide average.
Global University appointed the Rev. Steve Handy as dean of its Berean School of the Bible, succeeding Randy Hedlun, who held the post for six years. Handy previously served as Berean department chairman and as an undergraduate faculty member.
The National Writing Project awarded three Missouri State University faculty members a renewed grant of $195,000 for the school’s College Ready Writers Program. This funding was awarded to Angela Kohnen and Catherine English, assistant professors of English, and Keri Franklin, director of assessment. The grant money will be used to help offer more than 90 hours of local professional development programs to a majority of the 7–10th grade English language arts teachers participating in the local program.
Finances Darla Carson joined Qualified Pension Services Inc. as a plan consultant. With 10 years of experience in retirement plan administration, Carson performs operational and compliance oversight for retirement plan sponsors and their advisers.
Government The Springfield Public Works and Environmental Servicesdepartments were accredited by the American Public Works Association – a designation that 1 percent to 2 percent of city departments across the country receive. Also, the city’s Police, Fire and Emergency Management departments and the Dickerson Park Zoo attained national accreditation, and the Springfield-Greene County Park Board received a National Gold Medal Award from the National Recreation and Park Association.
Health Care CoxHealth Family Medicine & Obstetrics added Dr. Kaichun Wei. With medical school completion at Xiangya School of Medicine at Central South University in China, Wei has spent the past three years providing OB-GYN care at Truman Medical Centers/University Physician Associates in Kansas City.
Media KWFC 89.1 FM of Springfield was named 2013 Radio Station of the Year at the National Quartet Convention Music Awards. The honor recognizes the station as a leader in both quality of broadcasting and positive influence in promoting the southern gospel industry.
Nonprofit The Missouri Mathematics and Science Coalition awarded a $5,000 grant to the Missouri Institute of Natural Science. Called a STEM grant, the funds are designed to expand science, technology, engineering and mathematics opportunities for K-12 students in the area. The Springfield institute was one of two community groups in the state to receive the award.
Restaurants Four restaurants were honored at Taste of Springfield, a culinary competition that featured more than 20 locally owned and operated restaurants. Parlor 88 received Best Appetizer with its bacon-wrapped peppadews, and Best Entree went to Jimm’s Steakhouse & Pub for its French dip sliders. The gelato taco from Benissimo Gelato was voted Best Dessert, and Best Booth went to Dublin’s Pass Irish Pub.
Transportation Jenkins Diesel Power made several promotions. Jeff Larimer was promoted to director of parts and service. Larimer, who has been with the company 23 years, previously worked as heavy duty parts manager. Jon Joyce was promoted to heavy duty parts assistant manager; Danny Miller was promoted to heavy duty service assistant manager; and Don Lung was promoted to medium duty parts and service assistant manager. In addition, Alan Phillips, who previously worked in medium duty service, joined the Jenkins Diesel Power’s truck sales team.
This installment of Springfield Business Journal’s Architects & Engineers Project Report showcases 26 endeavors by area design and engineering professionals.
