Newsmakers: Sept. 26-Oct. 2, 2022

Architecture
Dake Wells Architecture Inc. hired James Pottberg as an associate and Trevor Cairns, Grant Umlauf and Brooklyn Wheeler as design interns in the firm’s Springfield office. Pottberg holds a master’s of architecture from Drury University and participated in the school’s study abroad program in Athens, Greece. Cairns, Umlauf and Wheeler are pursuing master’s of architecture degrees from Drury.

Banking & Finance
Guaranty Bank promoted Sara Gugel to vice president and Bank Security Act officer. She has 19 years of banking experience and joined Guaranty in 2004 as a teller and has worked as a deposit operations coordinator and electronic services officer. Gugel holds a bachelor’s in business management from Evangel University.

Law
Becky Borthwick was appointed as a judge for the Missouri Court of Appeals, Southern District, succeeding the retiring Judge Gary Lynch, and a Greene County Circuit Court seat was filled by Jerry Harmison Jr., who succeeds retiring Judge Calvin Holden. Borthwick, who earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Oklahoma, most recently served as a circuit judge for the 31st Judicial Circuit. Harmison, who earned his Juris Doctor from Drake University, previously worked as an associate circuit judge in the 31st Judicial Circuit.

Nonprofit
United Way of the Ozarks named Amber Alcorn as director of communication and volunteerism. She has nearly 10 years of nonprofit leadership and communication experience, formerly as marketing and communications assistant at Boys & Girls Clubs of Springfield, and as a club director for six years.

Michael Brittain was promoted to volunteer and neighborhood engagement manager at Habitat for Humanity of Springfield, Missouri Inc. He joined Habitat in April as volunteer coordinator and holds a bachelor’s in history from Drury, along with two years working in the community service sector with an emphasis on food insecurity, education and housing.

Discovery Center of Springfield Inc. received the Roy L. Shafer Leading Edge Award at the Association of Science and Technology Centers international conference for its educational work during the COVID-19 pandemic. The award recognizes organizations for community service beyond science, technology, engineering and math engagement.

Tourism
Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium received accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Commission, joining 300 facilities nationwide recognized for achieving standards in conservation, animal welfare and education. WOW passed a summer inspection by the AZA and earned a vote of approval from a panel of 16 experts in zoological and aquarium operations, animal welfare and veterinary medicine.

The Springfield Art Museum received a $25,000 gift from the Melinda J. McDaniel Charitable Trust to support the Humanities exhibit, Vol. 1 and Vol. 2. Humanities, Vol. 1, which runs through Nov. 13, features 49 works and highlights the people who keep the museum moving forward including staff, board and committee members, and community partners. Humanities, Vol. 2, which runs through Feb. 12, highlights three local artists in different disciplines – musician Jin J. X, poet Kate Murr and dancer/choreographer Sarah Wilcoxon.