Overheard

Gubernatorial transition

Missouri Governor-elect Jay Nixon has named Springfield financial adviser Nadia Cavner as co-chairwoman of his transition team.

Cavner and two other chairs - Judge Ronnie White of St. Louis and former state senator and representative Philip Snowden of Kansas City - will work with Transition Director Charles Burson, former chief of staff to the vice president and assistant to the president in Bill Clinton's administration. Nixon's chief of staff is John Watson, who has been chief of staff in the Missouri Attorney General's Office since December 1997.

Cavner is executive vice president and senior financial consultant for the Nadia Cavner Group at BancorpSouth Investment Services.

State revenue collections fall

Missouri's net general revenue collections fell 2 percent in October, Commissioner of Administration Larry Schepker said Nov. 7. For the month, collections were $514.8 million, compared to $525.5 million in October 2007. For the year to date, collections were $2.41 billion, down 1.1 percent from $2.44 billion a year ago. Sales and use tax collections were down 3.3 percent for the year to date at $645.1 million and were down 2.1 percent for October. Individual income tax collections were up 2.1 percent for the year to $1.68 billion and up 1.5 percent for the month. Corporate income and corporate franchise tax collections fell 12.6 percent for the year to $151.8 million and were down 16.7 percent for the month.

All other collections were up 0.8 percent to $135.5 million for the year and were down 16.4 percent for the month. Refunds increased 11.1 percent to $202.4 million for the year and were up 6.2 percent for the month.

Pretty Baby

Springfield Business Journal Editor Eric Olson and his wife, Aubrey, welcomed their third child to the world on Nov. 10. Lyla Noelle Olson made her entrance at 9:34 a.m., at 7 pounds, 7 ounces and 21 inches long. Helping to welcome her home were proud siblings Alexa and Liam. Only time will tell if Lyla will follow in her daddy's footsteps and become a Chicago Cubs fan.

Slice of Nice

Boys & Girls Clubs of Springfield is accepting nominations for its recently created Hall of Fame, geared toward honoring individuals whose contributions or talents have had a significant impact on the development, evolution and growth of the organization. Individuals nominated must have exhibited leadership, excellence, inspiration, and integrity. Hall of Fame categories include the following: alumni, staff, board members, and donors/community leaders. Honorees may be inducted posthumously.

The hall's selection committee will honor no more than five individuals at a time, no more often than every two years.

Complete criteria and nomination forms are available online at www.bgclubspringfield.org or by calling the club's administrative office, (417) 862-9249. The deadline for the first round of nominations is Dec. 1.