People in the News

Advertising

The Marlin Company announced several additions to its staff.

Nate Hag-emann joined the Marlin Company as copywriter. He will be responsible for concepts, writing copy and proofreading. Hagemann is a graduate of Drury University.

Denise Gib-son joined the company as part of the account service staff. She is responsible for account supervision of marketing efforts for Mission Foods, Saputo USA and Borden Foods. Gibson has been in the food service marketing/advertising sector for 20 years and has worked with Noble & Associates in Springfield among other companies.

Wesley Johnson joined the company as chef. Johnson is responsible for developing creative concepts for a monthly culinary Web article highlighting client products, as well as introducing a culinary perspective to the company's client communications and keeping a culinary file on clients and competitors to keep up on current trends. Previously Johnson has worked as a chef at Bijans and a pastry and sous chef at Highland Springs Country Club.

Rob Nelson joined the Marlin Company as account executive. He oversees the ConAgra Poultry and Food-Handler accounts. Nelson has extensive experience in food and industrial products market-ing.

Rich Nor-ton joined the company as creative designer. He designs advertising concepts for companies including Borden, ConAgra, FoodHandler and Mission Foods. Norton was an intern for the Marlin Company for a year before becoming a full-time employee. He graduated from SMSU in August 2000.

Conservation

Steve Van Rhein was named project coordinator for the Little Sac Watershed Restoration Project. He received a degree in microbiology from the University of Missouri in 1990. In 1991, he began two years of work in Cameroon, Africa, as an Aquaculture Extensionist with the U.S. Peace Corps. In 1999, he received a master's degree in ecology from Illinois State University.

Counseling

Patty Moore joined the staff of The Victim Center as adult therapist. Moore was licensed in marital and family therapy in 1989. She has conducted research for Stanford University and the Office of Naval Research and also had a private practice in psychotherapy for nine years in Palo Alto, Calif. She became a licensed professional counselor after returning to Missouri. Moore holds a master's degree from Santa Clara University and a bachelor's degree from Southwest Missouri State University.

Education

Rick Bright joined Vatterott College as a lead computer technology instructor. He is responsible for teaching Computer Technology students in laboratory and theory applications of computer hardware, software, networking and operating systems. Bright has 16 years of experience in the computer industry, including five years as service manager at ComputerLand. He earned a bachelor's degree from the Northside School of Biblical Studies in Harrison, Ark., has an advanced electronics certification from Northwest Arkansas Vo-Tech, and holds several industry certifications.

Financial

Services

Baird, Kurtz & Dobson, certified public accountants, announced a number of promotions and staff additions.

Matthew J. Aug, CPA, was promoted from senior accountant to supervisor. He provides audit and consulting services for long-term care facilities and hospitals. Aug is a 1996 graduate of Southwest Missouri State University with a bachelor of science degree in accounting.

Rachel R. Dwiggins was promoted from staff accountant to senior accountant. She provides audit and consulting services for governmental and not-for-profit organizations as well as clients in real estate and health care. She is a 1998 graduate of SMSU with a bachelor's degree in accounting.

Michael S. Hill, CPA, also was promoted to supervisor from senior accountant. He provides auditing, consulting and electronic date processing services primarily for clients in the financial services industry. Hill received a bachelor of science degree in accounting in 1993 and a masters degree in accounting in 1997, both from SMSU.

Donald P. Johns was promoted from staff accountant to senior accountant. Johns provides audit and consulting services for clients in the real estate industry. He is a 1998 graduate of Evangel University with a bachelor of business administration degree in accounting.

Kerry B. Koone, a new hire, is a 1999 graduate of Arkansas State University-Jonesboro with a bachelor of science degree in accounting and a 2000 graduate of SMSU with a master's degree in accounting. She will be responsible for assisting with general tax, audit and accounting work.

Mary C. Lightwine, a new hire, is a 1991 graduate of Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kan. with a nursing degree and a 2000 graduate of SMSU with a master's degree in accounting. Lightwine will be responsible for assisting with general tax, audit and accounting work.

Jeri Ann Loomis was promoted from staff accountant to senior accountant. Loomis provides individuals and businesses with tax planning and preparation services, with an emphasis in tax services for financial institutions. She is a 1998 graduate of SMSU with a bachelor's degree in accounting.

Erica L. McCoy, a new hire, is a 2000 graduate of Southwest Baptist University with a bachelor of science in accounting degree. She will be responsible for assisting with general tax, audit and accounting work.

Government

Carolyn S. Little was appointed Greene County public administrator by Gov. Bob Holden. She replaces Carolyn D. Gross, who resigned. Little served as Greene County public administrator from 1980 until her defeat in the November election.

Minnie Stottle of Hollister was appointed Taney County auditor by Gov. Bob Holden. Most recently, Stottle was senior accountant at the Tony Orlando Yellow Ribbon Theater from 1993 to 1998. She also was an instructor at Southwest Missouri State University and Sam Houston University. She is a graduate of the School of the Ozarks, has a bachelor's degree in business from Austin College in Sherman, Texas, and holds a master's degree in accounting from SMSU. Due to its recent first-class-county status, Stottle is Taney County's first auditor.

Health care

William T. Wester, MD, orthopedic surgeon, has joined Ozarks Area Orthopaedic Associates. Wester specializes in adult reconstruction. He received his medical degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City and completed a fellowship in orthopedic surgery at Massachusetts General in Boston.

Law

Enforcement

The Missouri State Highway Patrol announced two transfers.

Trooper Jason M. Pace transferred to Troop D, Springfield, from Troop I, Rolla. Pace received a bachelor's degree in business administration from Harding University in Searcy, Ark. in 1993 and received a master's in public administration in 1995. He began his career with the patrol in 1997 with an assignment to Laclede County in Troop I.

Trooper J. Todd Vermillion transferred to Zone 2, Greene County. He was previously in Zone 6, Lawrence/Dade Counties, where he was assigned when he began with the patrol in 1996. Vermillion is a Springfield native who graduated from Drury University in 1989.

The Springfield Police Department announced a number of promotions.

Steve Hamilton was promoted to major. Rick Headlee and Kevin Routh were promoted to lieutenant. Ben King, Randall Latch and Troy Smith were promoted to the rank of sergeant. The following officers were promoted to corporal: Mike Castrodale, Kevin Clark, Patrick Haenni, Greg Higdon, Maggie Krull, Tom Luellen, Norm Muelleman, Robert Schroeder and Darren Whisnant. Sherry Royal was promoted to police services shift leader.

Legal Services

Dan R. Nelson was named a member of the Springfield office of Lathrop & Gage. He joined the firm as of counsel in 1998. Nelson specializes in the areas of bankruptcy and creditors' rights and has 17 years of experience as a bankruptcy attorney. He is a member of the American, Missouri and Springfield Metropolitan Bar associations and the National Association of Bankruptcy Trustees and serves on the panel of Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Trustees for the Western District of Missouri. Nelson received his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Missouri-Columbia.