People in the News

Advertising

Sparlin Advertising Associates announced five staff changes.

Dave Bates was named art director. Bates graduated from the Center for Creative Studies in Detroit. He is responsible for illustration and design for a variety of clients.

Shari Beckley was named director of the Springfield office. Beckley has eight years' experience with the agency, and previously worked as an account supervisor. She maintains lead service on several accounts and leads sales operations, including new business ventures and day-to-day business of the agency.

Kristy Pierce was named print production manager. Pierce has 10 years' experience in the printing and gra-phic arts industry. She received a bachelor's degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. She is responsible for estimating all production jobs, selecting vendors and coordinating print schedules.

Patti Roberts was named as administrative assistant. Roberts previously worked for Bass Pro Shops coordinating the institution's major events.

Gretchen Snowden was named senior account executive. Snowden has eight years' experience in sales and customer service. She received a bache-lor's degree from Drury University. She is responsible for acquisition of new business and client service.

Education

Ozarks Technical Community College announced five staff additions.

John Ankrom was promoted to assistant director of the OTC Area Vocational Technical School. Ankrom joined OTC in 1996 and holds a master's degree in education.

Rita Jackson was promoted to assistant dean and director of the OTC Area Vocational Technical School. Jackson earned her master's degree from Southwest Missouri State University, and previously held the title of assistant director in the vocational school.

Kelly Koeneman was named program coordinator of the proposed dental hygiene program. Koeneman has been with OTC since 1998, and has 20 years' experience in the field.

Sandy Ray joined the practical nursing program faculty. Ray earned her degree in nursing from SMSU, and has worked in the field for five years.

Layla Stanek was promoted to service desk manager in the OTC learning resource center. Stanek earned her degree in psychology from Northwestern University.

Southwest Missouri State University named two deans.

Cynthia L. Pemberton was named dean of the College of Health and Human Services. Pemberton has been the acting dean since July 2000, and previously taught at the University of Missouri-Kansas City for 10 years.

Lorene Stone was named dean of the College of Humanities and Public Affairs. Stone previously taught at Lamar University and served in the College of Arts and Sciences.

Springfield Public Schools announced new positions for six educators for the 2001-2002 school year.

Kim Applegate was named assistant principal at Glendale High School. Applegate previously served as assistant principal at Study Middle School.

Justin Herrell was named assistant principal at Parkview High School. Herrell previously worked as an administrative intern for the district.

Susie Newton was named assistant principal at Glendale High School. Newton previously served as an assistant principal at Carver Middle School.

Gary Prouty was named principal at Sequiota Elementary School. Prouty previously served as an assistant principal at Kickapoo High School.

John Utne was named principal at Disney Elementary School. Utne previously served as principal at Jeffries Elementary School.

Sheila Wynn was named assistant principal at Parkview High School. Wynn previously taught physical education at Hillcrest High School.

Financial Services

Colleen Harmon was named a customer service representative for Barker Phillips Jackson Insurance. Harmon has seven years' experience in the field.

John G. Himmel was named vice chairman and chief credit officer for Commerce Bank's Springfield Region headquarters. Himmel has 28 years of experience, and transfers from Commerce's Wichita, Kansas affiliate. He is a graduate of Missouri Western State College.

Mike Noggle joined Gail Noggle Investment Firm LLC as a representative of the company's insurance division, which includes life, accident, health and long-term care insurance.

Jenny Jo Smith joined Barker Phillips Jackson Insurance's Springfield office as an administrative assistant.

Health Care

Christopher M. Miller, MD joined Ozarks Area Orthopedic Associates. Miller is an orthopedic surgeon with special expertise in sports medicine. He received his medical degree from the University of California.

Law

Richard E. Walters was named an associate for Black-well Sanders Peper Martin LLP. Walters handles business and commercial litigation, commercial transactions and real estate. He received his juris doctor degree from the University of Tulsa.

Manufacturing

EFCO Corporation announced new positions for three staff members.

Ron Brown was named quality manager for EFCO's Monett production facility. Brown has been with the company since 1993, and has previously worked as a team leader in the paint and glass departments. He holds a degree from Iowa State University.

Carey Lawton was named quality manager for the Barnwell facility. Lawton joined the company in August 2000, and earned his degree from the University of North Florida.

Robert Nation was named quality director for the Monett and Barnwell production facilities. Nation joined EFCO in April 2000 as a quality manager. He earned his degree in industrial engineering from Southwest Missouri State University.

Retail

Garry Arasmith was named general manager of Bass Pro Shops Sportsman's Warehouse in St. Charles. Arasmith has been involved in many of the new store openings for Bass Pro Shops. The store is scheduled to open in August 2001 in the Mark Twain Mall.

Signs

Sign*A*Rama announced several staff changes.

David Haney and Kevin Postel have been named marketing associates for the executive office. Haney and Postel will manage new and pre-existing accounts for the company. Both have 23 years experience in the field.

Courtney Kirk was named executive assistant and national install coordinator. Kirk works with sales and marketing and coordinates installation jobs across the nation for the company.

Technology

Roy W. Prince has been named systems engineer at KPM Technology LLC. Prince is responsible for providing a variety of network design and installation services for clients.

Utilities

Empire District Electric Company announced the elections of three vice presidents.

Bradley P. Beecher has been named vice president - energy supply. Beecher received a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering from Kansas State University. He previously worked for Empire in various parts of the company. Beecher is responsible for operation of the company's power plants, fuel supplies, and for energy procurement and trading.

Ronald F. Gatz was named vice president - nonregulated services. Gatz received a bachelor's degree from Kansas State University, and holds a graduate degree in banking from the University of Delaware. He previously spent 12 years with Mercantile Bank in Joplin. He is responsible for organization and development of Empire's existing lines of nonregulated business, as well as developing new nonregulated lines as market and economic conditions permit.

Michael E. Palmer has been named vice president - commercial operations. Palmer received a bachelor's degree from Pittsburg State University, and he has been with the company since 1986. He is responsible for all interfaces with customers, and delivery of energy to them.

Wholesale

Decorize.com announced two staff additions.

Thesha Farris was named a customer service representative. Farris graduated from Southwest Missouri State University, and previously worked for Naegler Oil Company.

Nathan Taylor was named creative director. Taylor will direct product selection and development, and assist account partners and the sales team. He previously owned a pair of furniture and interior design stores in Texas.