Southwest Missouri News

Joplin

Auxiliary presents donations

The auxiliary of St. John's Regional Medical Center has presented a $27,000 donation to the medical center and a $2,500 donation to the Ronald McDonald House.

The funds to the medical center will be used to purchase specialty wheelchairs, recovery chairs, heavy-duty commodes and a pulse oximetry machine.

King Press names president

J. Chris Moos has been appointed president of King Press Corporation in Joplin.

Moos joined the King Press Corporation March 1, 1999, and has held the positions of chief financial officer and chief operating officer. He holds a bachelor of science degree and a master of business administration degree, and he has more than 20 years of industry experience. Moos previously held positions with Ingersoll-Rand, Electrohome Ltd. and Center Industries Corporation.

In announcing his promotion, Evans Kostas, chairman of the board stated, "Chris has demonstrated his capabilities in management and the ability to rapidly acquire the fundamentals of our business. In his capacity of chief operating officer, Chris has guided the operations of the company with both understanding and skill in achieving our objectives."

Disc jockey gets national nod

A local disc jockey is getting national attention for a tribute song he put together.

KOBC's morning DJ David Garrison recorded President George W. Bush's first address on the Sept. 11 terrorist attack to play on his morning show. He later decided to put parts of the speech to music, mixing it with Twila Paris' song "God is in Control."

The song has been so popular in the Joplin area that a number of national Christian stations are requesting copies to play on their shows.

Company achieves ISO 14001

FAG Joplin recently achieved top environmental certification, ISO 14001.

The ISO 14001 standard, established by the International Organization for Stan-dardization, specifies requirements for an organization's environmental management system.

"Achieving ISO 14001 registration demonstrates FAG Joplin's commitment to a better environment," said Rick Williams, the plant's environmental officer. "This assures that we will mange our facility in an environmentally responsible manner."

Monett

JHA OKs stock repurchase

On Sept. 21, Jack Henry & Associates' board of directors approved a program to repurchase up to 3 million shares of common stock, as conditions warrant. Com-mon shares may be repurchased in the open market or through negotiated transactions.

The timing of purchases and the exact number of shares to be purchased will depend on market conditions, company officials said. The share repurchase program does not include specific price targets or timetables and may be suspended at any time.

The company intends to finance the purchases using its available cash and, if necessary, its line of credit.

Repurchased shares will be principally used for ongoing stock issuances under employee stock plans and other general corporate purposes.

"We remain confident in the strength of our customers, our business, our economy and the spirit of America," said Michael E. Henry, chairman and chief executive officer, in a prepared statement. "We believe this program will serve our shareholders well over the long-term."

Jack Henry & Associates provides integrated computer systems and ATM and debit card transactions for banks and credit unions.

Neosho

DED grants loan to city

The Missouri Department of Economic Development has granted a $180,000 Action Fund loan to the city of Neosho.

The city requested the state loan on behalf of Ozark Plastic Products, with the money to be used to provide working capital and to pay for land, building, machinery and equipment expenses that will allow the company to locate in the Neosho Industrial Park. The company will occupy the former Diamond Rose Truck Facility near Outland Sports.

Ozark Plastic Products produces custom injection molds for industrial and commercial use. The company also uses customers' molds to produce plastic parts for some clients.

Ozark Plastic Products is expected to create 22 jobs next year when it moves from Rogers, Ark., to Neosho, to be near some of its larger customers, such as Daisy Outdoor Products and Outland Sports.

The Action Fund loan program provides a subordinate loan to certain types of for-profit companies that need funds for the purchase of new machinery and equipment or working capital and have exhausted other sources.