Newsmakers: Sept. 11-17, 2023

Accounting
KPM CPAs & Advisors promoted four certified public accountants: Josh Brock and Gretchen Russell to shareholders, Meredith Bosso to manager and Will Koch to senior accountant. Brock and Russell each has over 10 years of accounting experience and provides tax services; Brock holds a bachelor’s in accounting from Southwest Baptist University, and Russell holds a bachelor’s in accounting from Missouri State University. Bosso has 13 years of experience and handles accounting outsourcing, tax services, and tax planning and preparation, with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in accounting from MSU. Koch provides audit services and holds a bachelor’s in accounting and information assurance from SBU.

FORVIS LLP promoted Landon Emmerth, Paige Klempel and Luke Orso to senior consultants. Each works in Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement consulting and holds bachelor’s degrees in finance from Missouri State University. Orso also holds a bachelor’s in risk management and insurance.

Abacus CPAs was named a 2023 Inside Public Accounting Best of the Best Firm, recognizing the top 50 firms nationwide for excellence in management, growth and strategic vision. Companies were selected out of 600 firms participating in the IPA Practice Management Survey.

Education
Evangel University was recognized as the No. 1 Best College in Springfield and No. 2 Best Christian College in Missouri in Niche’s rankings of higher education institutions. Nationally, EU ranked in the top 20% of Christian colleges and in the top 10% for education degrees, top 12% for religious studies and top 25% each in the best academics, best small colleges, best college campuses and safest college campuses.

Law
Richard “Rick” Van Pelt of Van Pelt & Van Pelt PC was named in the 2024 Best Lawyers in America for Family Law. He has been listed in the publication each year since 2001.

Kutak Rock LLP attorneys Randell D. Wallace and Dan R. Nelson received 2024 Lawyer of the Year awards from Best Lawyers. Wallace was recognized for real estate law and Nelson in the bankruptcy and creditor debtor rights/insolvency and reorganization law category. Additionally, Wallace was listed in Best Lawyers for practicing in the areas of banking and finance law, corporate law and land use and zoning law.

Nonprofit
Ozarks Food Harvest promoted three employees to director roles: Jordan Browning, director of communications; Cassie Hanson, director of development; and Alexa Poindexter, director of the Full Circle Gardens program. Browning, a 10-year employee, previously served as public information officer, while Hanson was development and grants manager and has worked at the food bank for 13 years. In their roles, they succeed Denise Gibson, who retired as director of development and communication. A six-year employee, Poindexter previously managed Full Circle Gardens; the director position is new.

The Developmental Center of the Ozarks added Christine Marsh as assistant executive director and promoted Mandi Brown to quality specialist and Ben Haldiman to community resource coordinator.

Council of Churches of the Ozarks received the 2022 Outstanding Community Service Award from United Way of the Ozarks. The award recognizes organizations for their dedication to upholding the values and principles of United Way and celebrates the meaningful impact of giving back to their communities.