Newsmakers: Sept. 19-25, 2022

Education
College of the Ozarks presented Christy Patrick with the New Faculty Member Five-Fold Mission Award and Tammy Holder with the Veteran Faculty Member Five-Fold Mission Award for 2022. Patrick, chosen among faculty members who have worked at the school six years or less, has served as assistant professor of education since 2018 and holds a doctorate of education in instructional leadership from Lindenwood University. She has 20 years of teaching experience. Holder, awarded among faculty at C of O for at least seven years, is associate professor of agronomy and the chair of agriculture. With a master’s in crop science from the University of Arkansas, she’s taught 12 years at the college and also serves as general farm manager. The awards recognize the embodiment of the college’s academic, vocational, Christian, patriotic and cultural goals.

Sergio Navarrete was named director of Hispanic initiatives at Evangel University’s Assemblies of God Theological Seminary. He previously served a 20-year tenure as superintendent of the Southern Pacific District of the Assemblies of God and holds a doctorate in ministry from Azusa Pacific University, a master’s in divinity from Fuller Theological Seminary and an MBA from Vanguard University.

Health Care
Dr. S. Craig Morris joined Citizens Memorial Hospital’s Orthopedic & Spine Center in Bolivar. He is a fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon sports medicine specialist, with a doctorate in medicine from University of Utah. Morris completed a residency in orthopedic surgery at Loma Linda University Medical Center in California and a fellowship in orthopedic sports medicine at Cedars-Sinai Kerlan-Jobe Institute in Los Angeles, where he worked with members of professional sports teams including the Anaheim Ducks and L.A. Rams, Angels, Dodgers and Galaxy.

Nonprofit
Leadership Springfield added Cindy Mergen as program director of the Signature Class, academy and alumni programs. She’s a graduate of Signature Class 37.

U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Missouri, and Springfield area business owners Chip and Teresa McGeehan were selected among five honorees for the Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation’s National Lewis & Clark Conservation Awards. Blunt was selected for the Governor’s State of Missouri Conservation Award, reflecting a spirit of conservation and leadership in its principles and programs. He’s credited with working on the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act and other projects. The McGeehans, owners and operators of 19 McDonald’s franchise locations in southwest Missouri, were chosen for The Missouri Legacy Conservation Award, recognizing commitment and service to the cause throughout the state – particularly supporting youth archery and conservation scholarships and funding turkey habitat research. Also, Chip McGeehan served six years as a Missouri Department of Conservation commissioner and helped champion the reintroduction of elk into the state’s wildlife population and oversaw habitat development for Missouri’s black bear population.

Sales
Kingsley Group hired certified public accountant Blaire Chrouser as business valuation manager. She previously was a partner with Bohl, House & Samek CPAs.