People in the News

Banking

Debbie Flowers joined Firstar Bank as vice president in commercial lending. Flowers has 20 years of experience in the banking industry and is a graduate of Southwest Missouri State University where she majored in accounting and management. Following her graduation, Flowers worked as a bank examiner for the Federal Deposit Insurance Corpora-tion.

Robert Wilczewski was appointed vice president of risk management at Great Southern Bank. Wilczewski's re-sponsibilities include managing risk in the areas of credit, audit and compliance. Prior to joining Great Southern, Wilczewski was a bank examiner with the FDIC for 14 years. He holds a bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of Nebraska.

Clothing

Brian Preston joined the staff of Tom James Company, a men's and women's clothing business that offers ready-made and custom apparel to clients at their home or business. Preston holds a degree in business administration and accounting from Southwest Baptist University.

Community

Margaret Ann Geiger was named the new director of the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, a project of the Council of Churches of the Ozarks. Geiger graduated with a degree in gerontology, and previously worked at the Southwest Missouri Office on Aging at the South Side Senior Center.

Financial Services

BKD LLP announced several staff changes.

Jeffrey E. Allen, Certified Public Ac-countant, was promoted from supervisor to manager. Allen works with community health centers and community mental health centers. He supervises assurance and cost-report preparation services, as well as Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement consulting and federal grant reporting and consulting services. Allen holds a bachelor of science degree in accounting from Southwest Missouri State Univers-ity.

Robyn A. Devore, CPA, was promoted from manager to senior manager.

She provides consulting services to the real estate and not-for-profit industries, including colleges, universities, museums and foundations. Devore holds a bachelor of arts degree in accounting and business administration from Drury University.

Jacob M. McWay, CPA, was promoted from supervisor to manager. McWay has worked with health care providers exclusively for more than six years and concentrates on hospitals and health systems.

He holds a bachelor of science degree from SMSU.

Carter M. Peters was promoted from manager to senior manager. Peters oversees audit, tax and consulting engagements for financial institutions, manufacturers and retailers, and assists with Securities and Exchange Commission regulatory filings. He holds a bachelor of science degree in accounting from SMSU.

Jason L. Rader has been admitted to the firm partnership. Rader, director of the financial services industry team for BKD's southern Mis-souri practice, provides accounting, auditing, tax and consulting services for clients primarily in the financial services industry. He has been with BKD since 1991.

Stephanie C. Weis was promoted from supervisor to manager. Weis provides assurance, cost preparation and Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement consulting services for rural hospitals. She holds a bachelor of science degree in accounting from SMSU.

Marketing

Jim Fuqua joined Noble & Associates as senior vice president on the agency's senior management team. Fuqua has more than 31 years of food marketing experience on the manufacturing and agency sides of the business. Fuqua was most recently vice president of marketing for Quick-to-Fix Foods in Dallas, Texas, and many years ago worked for Noble as a vice president.