People in the News

Finance

Rex A. Copeland joined Great Southern Bank as senior vice president and chief financial officer. Copeland, a certified public accountant, has 14 years of experience in banking and accounting. His responsibilities include directing and maintaining bank accounting functions, administering internal and external financial reporting, coordinating and monitoring asset and liability management, and administering the company's internal financial management processes.

Jeffrey L. Layman was named vice president of investments for A.G. Edwards & Sons Inc. Layman is a financial consultant in the firm's Springfield office. Layman is a graduate of SMSU. He joined A.G. Edwards in 1993 and is a member of the Investment Management Consultants Association.

Karen S. O'Brien joined Metropolitan National Bank as a personal banking representative. She has more than 20 years of banking experience, including 17 years in personal banking. O'Brien is responsible for opening and processing personal and commercial deposit accounts, and serving customers' needs with all deposit products at the bank's 600 S. Glenstone location.

Paula Moore was named banking center manager and loan officer for Empire Bank's South National location. She has more than 15 years of lending experience. Moore is a member of the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Springfield Board of Realtors. Her responsibilities include managing the banking center, and consumer and real estate lending.

Insurance

Brian Heming-way has been appointed a new American Family Insurance Agent. Hemingway is an SMSU graduate with a degree in insurance and risk management. His office is located at 342 E. Kearney.

Media

Sheila Krempges is now a full-time freelance writer covering the southwest Missouri region. She holds a bachelor of science in English from Drury University. Her writing includes articles, personal and business profiles, and company newsletters.

Technology

DeeDe Smith joined the staff at KPM Technology LLC as a systems engineer. Smith holds a bachelor's degree from SMSU, and she is a Microsoft certified professional and a certified Novell administrator. Prior to joining KPM Technology, Smith worked as a network engineer for St. John's Health System.

Her new duties include servicing clients with network design, configuration and installation. She also provides project planning for network and software installation, preventive maintenance and personnel training.

New Horizons Computer Learning Center of Springfield announced four staff additions.

Linda Bennett-Smith joined New Horizons Computer Learning Center as an instructor.

Bennett-Smith holds a doctorate of training and development from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. She has five years' experience in teaching and training, working previously for Bass Pro Shops as an instructor in customer service. Her new duties will include teaching several different courses, including Microsoft, Corel and Lotus.

Pamela Duncan recently joined New Horizons Computer Learning Center as an education consultant. She has more than 19 years of experience in banking, financial services and marketing. Duncan's duties include developing business and individual sales relationships in the southwest Missouri region.

Eduard Herman and John Raleigh were hired as education consultants for the company.

Herman has more than seven years of experience in customer service and sales.

Raleigh holds a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering, and has a sales background and several years of experience in computer support.

Herman and Raleigh will be responsible for inside sales for businesses and individuals in the southwest Missouri region.