People in the News

Community

Court Appointed Special Advocates of Southwest Missouri, announced the addition of two volunteer coordinators to its staff.

Kathleen VanBeber holds a master's degree in social work from Southwest Missouri State University. She is an experienced social worker, having worked previously with the Missouri Division of Aging and Life Enhancement Village of the Ozarks. Diana Ytell also is a volunteer coordinator with CASA. She previously spent eight years supervising volunteers and serving as a volunteer for a church-based program that worked with families in crisis situations. Ytell also has worked as an administrative assistant and in office management.

Andrew Marquart joined Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Ozarks as a recruiter and event specialist. He is a graduate of SMSU, where he earned a bachelor of science degree in public relations/communications. His new duties include volunteer recruitment, particularly Big Brothers, and organizing the agency's fund-raising events.

Construction

Shannon D. Jones joined the Concrete Promotion Council of the Ozarks as promotional adviser. Her responsibilities include facilitating the council's marketing focus through promotion of and education about all concrete applications in the area. Jones is a graduate of SMSU. Her professional background includes time as a project manager with Bass Pro and MoDoCo.

Financial

Shawn Keys joined the mortgage division of Liberty Bank. He has more than 15 years of experience in the Springfield-area banking industry. In his new position, Keys will assist customers with all types of mortgage needs, including purchases or refinances of primary residences, second homes or rental properties.

First National Bank of Springfield announced two appointments to its advisory board of directors.

Robin Melton, owner and president of Environmental Works Inc., joined the board. She has more than 13 years of experience managing environmental projects in Missouri and across the United States. Her business received the W. Curtis Strube Small Business of the year Award from the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce. Randy L. Smith also was appointed to the board. Smith, a member of the Law Offices of Randy L. Smith LLC, serves a clientele of businesses and individuals. He serves as general counsel to several entities, including Southeast International Hotel Brokers and Contract Lodging of Missouri Inc.

John Twitty, deputy general manager and chief operating officer for City Utilities of Springfield, was elected to the board of directors of Empire Bank.

Medicine

Jay Lorance Pearcy MD will join the practice of Thomas Westbrook Lynch MD, effective Aug. 12. Pearcy, a Springfield native, earned his medical degree from the University of Missouri Medical Center in Columbia. He completed his dermatology residency at the University of Kansas. During his residency, he served as chief resident. Pearcy's practice will be limited to dermatology, including skin cancer.

Travel

Carolyn Smith, ACC, DS, joined House of Travel as a travel consultant and independent contractor coordinator. She has eight years of experience as a vacation specialist in the Springfield-area travel industry.