People in the News

Engineering

Ben Francka joined Pendergrass Associates as a senior geologist. Fran-cka, a registered professional geologist in Missouri, Kansas and Nebraska, is responsible for phase I and II environmental site assessments and subsurface site investigations. Francka has more than 20 years of experience as an environmental consultant and previously was employed by SECOR.

Financial Services

Don Gibson joined Guaranty Federal Sav-ings Bank as president and chief executive officer. Gibson, has 39 years of experience in the banking industry, 25 with Great Southern Bancorp Inc. or related entities. Gibson retired from Great Southern in February 2000, at which time he was vice chairman, executive vice president and chief operating officer for Great Southern.

Tim B. Piatchek, LUTCF, joined Piatchek & Associates Inc. as an associate.

Piatchek will focus on the insurance concerns of small businesses. Piatchek recently owned and operated Insurance Services and has more than 14 years of experience in the insurance and financial products industry.

Hospitality

Hamra Enterprises announced two staff additions and a promotion.

Steve Davidson joined Hamra Enter-prises as executive vice president and chief operating officer. Davidson's prior positions include chief financial officer and vice president of operations and planning for several start-up and Fortune 500 companies in California. He previously worked for Apple Computer Corp., Marriott Corp., Saga Corp. and Qantle Business Systems. Davis holds a master of business administration degree from the University of Wisconsin and a master of science degree in taxation from San Jose State University.

Mike Hamra joined Hamra Enter-prises as vice president and general counsel. Hamra previously worked as an attorney in the law offices of Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer LLP in Washing-ton, D.C., and he served as chief of staff and legal adviser for the Federal Com-munications Commission Wireless Tele-communications Bureau. Hamra specializes in the area of communications law and is a graduate of the University of Missouri Law School.

J. Kevin Maxwell of Hamra Enter-prises was promoted to vice president and chief financial officer. Maxwell served as controller for Hamra Enter-prises since 1992, and prior to that he worked as a senior accountant for Baird, Kurtz & Dobson. He is a graduate of Southwest Missouri State University and a certified public accountant.

Retail

Debbie Savage was promoted to store manager at Gamble's Gift Gallery, owned by San-dy and David Harrison. Savage has worked in sales at Gamble's for six years. In her new position, Savage will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the 41-year-old gift store. Savage replaces Nancy Seaton, who retired from the position of manager after 20 years with Gamble's.