Accounting Bookkeeping Plus hired certified public accountant Beverly Anderson as a bookkeeping specialist. Anderson, who holds a bachelor’s in business administration and an MBA from Pittsburg State University, worked previously as a senior analyst for Pricewaterhouse Coopers and as the director of finance for Gardner Capital.
Banking Peoples Bank of the Ozarks promoted Melodie Rooker to assistant vice president and branch manager in Ozark. Rooker has worked for the bank for six years.
CU Community Credit Union named Alisa Lawler vice president of business development. Lawler has 20 years of experience in marketing, advertising and business development, working most recently as an account executive for Springfield Business Journal.
BluCurrent Credit Union promoted Cindy Singleton to branch manager in Nixa. Singleton joined BluCurrent as a teller in 2001 and has 15 years of industry experience.
Nick Burlison joined Metropolitan National Bank as assistant vice president and commercial loan officer at the bank’s Glenstone Avenue branch. Burlison, who has 10 years of commercial lending experience, spent the past five years as a commercial lines producer in the insurance field.
Education U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan recognized Nixa, Bolivar and Spokane high schools as 2013 National Blue Ribbon Schools among 286 schools nationwide and eight in Missouri. The award honors public and private elementary, middle and high schools where students perform at high levels or where significant improvements are being made.
John Dickey and Elaine Graham Estes were inducted into Springfield Public Schools Hall of Fame. Dickey, a graduate of Springfield Senior High School, spent 50 years of his professional career as a litigator for New York-based firm Sullivan & Cromwell, where he has argued and won a case in the U.S. Supreme Court. Estes, a graduate of Lincoln High School, worked at the Public Library of Des Moines, Iowa, for 39 years, including 19 years as director.
Government Sen. Bob Dixon, R-Springfield, was honored by the Missouri Judicial Conference with its 2013 Special Recognition Award for contributions to improve the administration of justice statewide.
Health Care Andrew McCormick was named regional director of operations for The Gardens Assisted and Independent Living. McCormick, a licensed nursing home administrator who holds a bachelor’s in entertainment management from Missouri State University, has worked for The Gardens for 10 years – the past six as executive director.
CoxHealth added four physicians. Dr. Anitha Koduru, who completed medical school at Shiri B.M. Patel Medical College in India, joined CoxHealth Senior Center South specializing in geriatric medicine. A graduate of the Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences, Dr. Jennifer Snyder joined CoxHealth’s Diagnostic Clinic. Dr. Stephanie Pendergrass, who received her medical degree from University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine, joined CoxHealth’s Diagnostic Clinic. Dr. Ian Fawks, who attended the Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine, joined Springfield Inpatient Physicians at CoxHealth.
John Dougherty was promoted to chief information officer for Integrity Home Care. Dougherty has worked with the company, including Integrity Pharmacy, since 2007.
Hospitality Ramada Plaza Hotel & Oasis Convention Center received The Best of 2013 Award by Ramada Worldwide, ranking it among the top 5 percent of the brand’s U.S. and Canadian portfolio for customer service, revenue generation and overall quality.
Insurance Connell Insurance hired Tom Jensen as employee benefits department manager and Noah Alldredge as an insurance broker and employee benefits/wellness services consultant. Jensen is a former corporate account executive at CoxHealth Network and holds a bachelor’s in organizational communication from William Jewell College. Alldredge, who owns and operates Big Time Results, is integrating his fitness training services into Connell’s managed group health accounts.
Ollis & Co. was selected to participate in the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America Best Practices Study Group. Qualifying agencies, selected every three years through nominations, submit extensive financial and operational data for review each year. More than 1,100 independent agencies in the U.S. were nominated.
Tourism The city of Ava was one of nine U.S. cities listed on the 2013 “Great Places You’ve (Maybe) Never Heard Of” by Mother Earth News in its October/November issue. The publication ranks Ava for its natural resources and beauty, passionate gardeners and welcoming feel.
This installment of Springfield Business Journal’s Architects & Engineers Project Report showcases 26 endeavors by area design and engineering professionals.
