Newsmakers: Oct. 13-19, 2025

Accounting
KPM CPAs & Advisors hired Ryan Cook, Sarah Elisseau and Rebecca Stewart as staff accountants and Dustin Smith as senior accountant. Cook, who has his master’s in accountancy from the University of Missouri, provides accounting outsourcing services to clients in a variety of industries. With a bachelor’s in accounting from College of the Ozarks, Elisseau provides audit services to clients in the governmental, education and nonprofit industries. A graduate of Missouri State University with a bachelor’s in accounting, Stewart provides audit services to clients in the governmental, education and nonprofit sectors. Smith, who provides accounting outsourcing services to clients in a variety of industries, has a bachelor’s in economics/finance from Southwest Baptist University and holds the certified public accountant credential from the American Institute of CPAs.

Civics
Cy Griffith, a senior at Kickapoo High School, was one of two students who represented Missouri at American Legion Boys Nation in Washington, D.C. Griffith was named Missouri’s Samsung American Legion Scholarship recipient, which makes him a national finalist for a competitive, merit-based youth scholarship initiative. Additionally, Griffith is student body president at Kickapoo.

Journalism
Irving, Texas-based Nexstar Media Group Inc. (Nasdaq: NXST) appointed Taylor Becker as general manager to oversee its Ozarks First operation in Springfield. With more than 12 years of experience at Nexstar, Becker was named vice president and GM for Ozarks First, the umbrella for KOLR10, FOX49, KOZL and OzarksFirst.com. Becker, who most recently served for over two years as Nexstar’s local director of sales, leads roughly 100 employees at Ozarks First.

Law
Richard “Rick” Van Pelt of Van Pelt & Van Pelt PC was listed in the 2026 edition of the Best Lawyers in America for family law. Van Pelt has made the publication for family law each year since 2001.

Managed Services
Andy Rappard, senior service supervisor for Paladin Managed Solutions LLC, was named Technician of the Month in March by Konica Minolta. The honor was bestowed based on recommendations and client input. Rappard has roughly three decades of experience in the industry and has worked for Paladin Managed Solutions since 2022.

Manufacturing
Ozarks Coca-Cola/Dr Pepper Bottling Co. promoted Paul Willbanks to senior quality manager. A company employee for three years, he previously served as quality systems manager and oversees manufacturing regulatory and compliance practices and quality systems programs.

Nonprofit
The Ozarks Food Harvest board added members Chris Launius and Brian Rehagen. Plant manager at The Kraft Heinz Co., Launius also serves on the Missouri Enterprises board. Rehagen, who is vice president and division manager at Associated Wholesale Grocers Inc., additionally serves with the Missouri Grocers Association and the Ozark Empire Grocers Association.

Restaurant
Dean Falk, a multiunit Goodcents franchise owner in Springfield, was named Franchisee of the Year by the sandwich chain. Falk, who opened his first Goodcents shop in 2006, was recognized for his team’s customer service, among other metrics.