Banking & Finance Gretchen Cliburn, managing adviser with BKD Wealth Advisors LLC, received the certified divorce financial analyst designation. Cliburn works with clients to help them navigate their financial situations through a divorce.
Amy Frizzell, a managing adviser with the BKD Wealth Advisors office in Springfield, was promoted to director of the Indianapolis, Ind., office. Frizzell is a certified financial planner who has 12 years of experience with the company.
BluCurrent Credit Union hired two new employees and named DeAnna Harris branch manager on Division Street. Harris, who holds a bachelor’s in business administration from Missouri State University, is responsible for daily operations at the Division Street branch. Timothy Ricke, a 30-year financial services veteran with a finance and economics degree from Missouri Southern State University, was named manager for BluCurrent’s Nixa branch. Erin Kramer, a former Great Southern Bank employee with 13 years of experience in financial services, was hired as assistant branch manager on Sunset Street.
Jennifer Huber, branch manager for U.S. Bank’s Springfield office, received the bank’s Pinnacle Award. One of a select number of employees nationwide to receive the award, Huber is a graduate of University of Central Missouri and has three years of experience in financial services.
Arvest Bank named Chrystal Hays as a mortgage lender at the East Sunshine Street branch. Hays, a Drury University graduate, has worked in the banking industry since 1998.
Pension Consultants Inc. added Melissa Travis as a research analyst. Her responsibilities include examination of retirement plans, technical research, analysis and consultation about the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, as well as developing ERISA education materials.
Education Evangel University alumni Carol Taylor, Ron and Monique Harris, and RyanDeBoef were honored by the school’s alumni association at a banquet at University Plaza Convention Center.
Taylor, president of Vanguard University, received Evangel’s 2012 Distinguished Alumnus Award for her 30 years of contributions in teaching and administration, as well as for her church and community involvement.
The Harrises received the President’s Award for their work as owners of Springdale, Ark.-based nonprofit A Level Up. Missouri State University legal counsel DeBoef was named Outstanding Young Alumnus, an award for those under the age of 36.
Nonprofit Dottie Mullikin was named executive director for Isabel’s House, succeeding Francine Pratt, who in July accepted the newly created position of program coordinator for Drury University’s Scholars program, an enrichment program for black middle-school students in Springfield. Mullikin, a Springfield native, most recently served as director of prevention for the Missouri Department of Mental Health and previously worked as executive director for a residential treatment facility for special needs girls in the Boston area.
John Sellars returned to the executive director post for The History Museum for Springfield-Greene County. Sellars has been involved with the museum since its founding in 1976 and served as director 2005–March 2011, when he moved to director of The Fremont retirement community.
Springfield Score named Jack Hubbs the 2012–13 president, succeeding Bill McNeil, who plans to remain active in the group. Score also honored several of its business mentors with service awards. Jason Graf, Jerry Meyers, John Flemming and Robert Headlee received Distinguished Service Awards, and Woody Knight, Dennis Jones and John McKearney received Platinum Leadership Awards, the highest service recognition available.
Downtown Kiwanis Club elected new officers: President Kim Hopkins-Will of Missouri State University; President-Elect Niki Wetteroth of Boys & Girls Clubs; Secretary Sandy Heer, retired; Treasurer Carol Cruise of City Utilities; and Past President Pat Dierking of CU. New members to the organization are Jason Cruise of Melaleuca; Gayla Jones of CU; Ernie Moore Jr. of Ernie Moore’s Gym; Luke Montgomery of Boys & Girls Clubs; Rorie Orgeron of The Kitchen Inc.; Audrey Esther of Salvation Army; and Stephanie LaFollette of University of Phoenix.
The Springfield-Greene County Library Foundation named new board members: Richard Cravens, a retired psychologist; Jamie Scott, a retired physician; Karen Shannon, human resources consultant for Ollis & Co.; and Sherry Williams, an accountant with Elliott, Robinson & Co.
The sixth annual Taste of Springfield announced its 2012 people’s choice winners: Jimm’s Steakhouse, Best Appetizer for its bacon-wrapped Peppadew peppers; Dublin’s Pass Irish Pub, Best Entree for its cottage pie; The Cup, Best Dessert for its pumpkin harvest cupcake; and Enoch’s BBQ & Southern Classics, Best Booth.
Service Chateau on the Lake Resort, Spa & Convention Center named Trina Fox-Konz – who is based in St. Louis – as a sales manager for the St. Louis, Illinois and Indiana territory.
This installment of Springfield Business Journal’s Architects & Engineers Project Report showcases 26 endeavors by area design and engineering professionals.
