Overheard

Sinara Stull O’Donnell, whose Springfield-based company sent her across the country speaking on varying business topics, died Sept. 16 of cancer. O’Donnell, a Springfield Business Journal columnist for several years, was 60.

After working as an actress and appearing on such shows as “General Hospital” and “Cheers,” O’Donnell was an executive recruiter for companies including Dunhill Executive Search and The Disney Store.

She then founded SinaraSpeaks in Springfield. She spoke to dozens of businesses and organizations – local and nationwide – on topics ranging from improving the workplace to communication to training.

O’Donnell’s husband, John O’Donnell, will keep up the company’s Web site, www.sinaraspeaks.com, until he closes SinaraSpeaks Dec. 31, he said on the site.

Sinara Stull O’Donnell also wrote “Be The Star Of Your Life: Are You Ready For Your Close-Up?” and was a columnist for The Wall Street Journal’s Online Career Journal, Today’s Woman Magazine and other publications.

A memorial service was scheduled for 1 p.m. Sept. 29 at River of Life Lutheran Church, 4900 S. Farm Road 149 in Rogersville. Donations in her name may be made to the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Medical Melanoma Oncology Department or the CoxHealth Foundation.

Naming Rights

A Kansas City firm that sued Springfield-based Blacksuits Creative LLC for trademark infringement has dropped the suit following Blacksuits’ recent name change. Blacktop Creative LLC, a K.C. graphic design firm, dismissed the suit Sept. 17 in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri. The lawsuit had been filed Aug. 22 against Blacksuits – also a graphic design firm – demanding a name change. Blacksuits owners say they had been planning a name change since March, however, and officially changed the firm’s name to Departika about a week after the suit was filed.

Snow in the Ozarks

Former White House Press Secretary Tony Snow will speak Dec. 6 at College of the Ozarks. After 16 months in office, Snow resigned in September amid a two-year struggle with colon cancer, and he is hitting the speaker’s circuit with the message: “Battling Adversity.” There is no charge to attend, and tickets are available beginning Oct. 15 by calling (417) 334-6411 ext. 4200. Seating is limited.

Slice of Nice

United Way of the Ozarks has reached 29 percent of its $3.67 million fundraising goal for the 2007–08 campaign, officials on Sept. 20. The campaign, which runs through mid-November, is on track to meet its goal, said campaign chair and U.S. Bank Regional President John Wilson. Volunteers began raising funds in July. Campaign updates will be given at two breakfast events at 7:30 a.m. Oct 4 and Oct. 18 at the Salvation Army. United Way distributes the funding to both member and nonmember agencies.[[In-content Ad]]