Names in the news

King joins Ozarks Federal Savings board

FARMINGTON, Mo. — Michele L. King, CPA, was elected to the board of directors of Ozarks Federal Savings and Loan Association at the annual meeting on Jan. 9.

King began her employment with Ozarks Federal Savings in April 1999 and now serves as the senior vice president and treasurer. She has held the position of chief financial officer and chief operations officer since January 2004. She has coordinated the technology advancements of the organization and implemented the association's information security program.

King is a 1985 graduate of Southwest Baptist University and has been a licensed CPA since 1988. Prior to joining Ozarks Federal Savings, she spent more than 10 years in public accounting where she managed audits and tax preparation services for several financial institutions.

King is also a member of the board of directors of the Farmington Chamber of Commerce and is active in the First Baptist Church of Farmington. Her husband, Patrick, is an assistant prosecuting attorney for St. Francois County. They have two children, Andrew and Melanie.

Manpower names Martha Minton a high performance sales person

Martha Minton, branch manager for Manpower in Cape Girardeau, was recently named to Manpower's Circle of Stars, a national recognition program that honors high-performing sales people that excel above and beyond their peers. Minton earned her place at the Circle of Stars Recognition Event by being among the top 10 percent of salespeople in Manpower's North American organization.

"Martha is a true asset to this community, consistently exceeding client expectations and serving as an expert in our changing world of work," said Liz Crawford, regional director for the Missouri/East Arkansas Region.

Martha Minton joined Manpower in 1990 and has 18 years of experience in the staffing industry. She holds a degree in marketing from Southeast Missouri State University, and is a member of the Cape Girardeau, Jackson and Perryville Chambers of Commerce and the Cape Girardeau and Sikeston Personnel Groups.

Auction service owner named to hall of fame

Claueda Barks, owner of Barks Auction Service in Jackson, was named to the Missouri Professional Auctioneers Association Hall of Fame during the organization's annual conference in Springfield, Mo. Barks is the first woman to achieve the honor and joins her husband, Bob Barks, on the list. Claueda Barks has been an auctioneer for 22 years.

FedEx driver recognized for accident-free service

FedEx Freight recognized driver Jackie Peterson, based in Cape Girardeau, for 20 years' service without a preventable accident. He joins a list of 259 drivers with FedEx who have earned the distinction. Peterson, of Chaffee, Mo., has driven for 21 years without an accident.

Assistant news director named at KFVS12

KFVS12 has named Jeff Mulligan to be assistant news director. Mulligan moved to KFVS12 from WDAF-TV, the Fox affiliate in Kansas City, where he was an executive producer. Mulligan is a graduate of Southern Illinois University and has been a broadcaster in Terre Haute, Ind., Peoria, Ill., New Orleans and Los Angeles. Mulligan will oversee daily coverage for the station's news programs.

Direct marketing firm hires plant manager

PERRYVILLE, Mo. —Wilkes Group, a direct marketing firm in Perryville, announced that Perry Hale has been hired as plant manager to oversee daily operations at Wilkes Integrated Packaging and Fulfillment Systems. Hale has 25 years' experience in the direct mail and packaging field and has lived in Perryville for 20 years.

Health department names homemaker of the month

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. — Christina Thompson has been named as Homemaker of the Month by the Butler County Health Department. She has worked for the health department since October 2003.

Visitors bureau director to take part in program

Chuck Martin, executive director of the Cape Girardeau Convention and Visitors Bureau, was chosen to participate in Leadership Missouri, a seven-month program sponsored by the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The program is designed to train emerging leaders and help business, government and civic leaders understand the issues confronting businesses, communities and government.

Tara Luther recognized at conference

FARMINGTON, Mo. — Tara Luther has been recognized by Money Concepts and International Financial Planning Network as Outstanding Administrative and Marketing Assistant for the Midwest Region. Money Concepts is the Wealth Management and Financial Planning firm associated with Belgrade State Bank.

Luther, a Desloge native, received the award at a recent conference in St. Charles, Mo. She is the first recipient in more than 30 years. This is the highest award presented to Money Concept staff in Missouri, Oklahoma, Kansas and Southern Illinois.

Luther has worked for Money Concepts and Belgrade for more than five years. A 2000 graduate of North County High School, she received her bachelor's degree in 2004 from Central Methodist University. Luther has recently passed her Life and Health Insurance examination. She is married to Kyle Luther and is the daughter of Harold and Denise Parker, and Ronald Mahurin, all from the Desloge area.

Nash joins Jones office

FARMINGTON, Mo. — Tara Nash recently transferred to the Farmington Edward Jones office as a branch office administrator.

The title of branch office administrator was adopted for this position at Edward Jones because of the wide range of responsibilities associated with the job.

Prior to joining the Farmington office, Nash worked for an Edward Jones office in Bonne Terre, Mo.

Caton promoted as FOCUS assistant V.P.

CHARLESTON, Mo. — FOCUS Bank has announced the promotion of Leah Caton of the Sikeston, Mo., branch facility, to assistant vice president.

Caton joined FOCUS Bank in November 2001 as a teller. Caton is an active member of the Sikeston community and supports many clubs and organizations.

Two real estate agents receive new designation

Two area real estate agents, Becky Buehler and Debby Galemore, were awarded the graduate, Realtor Institute, designation by the Missouri Association of Realtors. Buehler and Galemore received the designation for completing 90 hours of education outlined by the National Association of Realtors. Buehler and Galemore are associated with Realty Executives of Cape County.

Travel magazine publisher recognized

KENNETT, Mo. — Gary Figgins, publisher of the Kennett-based Show-Me Missouri magazine, was recognized as the longest-serving president of the Missouri Travel Council.

Figgins, who was elected to the organization's 20-member board of directors in 1998, has spearheaded the travel industry's legislative agenda since 2001 and was instrumental in developing the annual travel industry lobbying event. He has advocated ways in which rural communities can benefit from developing tourism identities.

Man recognized by AmerenUE

Dennis Bible, was recently recognized by AmerenUE. The city of Ladue, where Bible is the director of Public Works, received a letter thanking Bible for his help and support, saying he stands out among his peers in other municipalities. Bible is married to former East Prairie, Mo., resident Jennifer Bible, the daughter of Mrs. Leo Allen of East Prairie and the late Leo Allen.

Kennett Rent-One manager awarded

KENNETT, Mo. — Angela Fobbs, manager of Rent One's Kennett store, has received the Silver Club of the Year award at the company's recent 2008 Rentastic annual meeting. The award is given to members who have exhibited outstanding performance, concern for their customers and fellow team members, are valued by peers, exhibit positive traits and exude a positive image of Rent One.

Certification program completed by agent

Sheila Carlton of Realty Executives of Cape County has completed the Realtor e-Pro course to obtain certification from the National Association of Realtors. The e-Pro course is designed to provide real estate professionals with the tools to provide services over the Internet.

Bishop named bank president

DEXTER, Mo. — First National Bank, with offices in Malden, Kennett, Dexter and Clarkton in Missouri, has announced that Kevin D. Bishop has joined the bank as Dexter Community Bank president.

Bishop is a graduate of Arkansas State University and worked in Jackson, Tenn., for several years before moving to Dexter in 2006. He also worked in Tupelo, Miss. Bishop and his wife Lori have three children. He has served as vice president of the Dexter Kiwanis, is active in Dexter Parks and Recreation and is involved in other areas of the Dexter community.

Farm Bureau agent honored

KENNETT, Mo. — Robin Venters, Dunklin County Farm Bureau insurance agent, achieved membership in the Missouri Farm Bureau Insurance Companies' Brokerage P&C Pyramid Club. Venters is one of the company's top agents, qualifying for the award this year in Branson, Mo.

Real estate agent named among top producers

KENNETT, Mo. — Nelda McClain-Morgan of Century 21 SEMO Realtors was named one of the top producers in five states recently. Robert W. Richter, regional services director with Century 21 Real Estate, said that Morgan is the No. 9 producer by units in Region 142, from among 3,700 agents in 185 offices in Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois and Missouri. She is also the third top producer of the St. Louis region, which includes 140 agents in 70 offices.

Innes joins car firm

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. — Ralph Innes has joined Larry Hillis Dodge. Innes has been selling cars in Poplar Bluff for 33 years. He is an honorary lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus and active in community and civic activities.

Area residents are appointed to board

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Two area residents are slated to serve on the Missouri Workforce Investment Board.

The appointments of Martha E. Black of Charleston, Mo., and Sheila L. Hitt of Advance, Mo., were announced recently by Gov. Matt Blunt.

The executive director for the Susanna Wesley Family Learning Center, Black holds a bachelor's degree from Memphis State University, a master's degree from Murray State University and a Ph. D. from Southern Illinois State University.

Hitt, the vice president and senior loan officer for First Commercial Bank, holds an MBA from the Barrett School of Banking and has attended Southeast Missouri State University.

Both appointments are subject to Senate confirmation for terms ending on March 3, 2011.

Area student selected as intern for association

University of Missouri senior Christine Tew, daughter of Cindy Tew of Scott City and Dennis Tew of Benton, Mo., will be the spring intern for the Missouri Pork Association. Tew is studying agricultural journalism and natural resources management and has had previous internships with University of Missouri Extension and the Missouri Department of Conservation. Tew is a graduate of Kelly High School.

Four named among top 50 producers in region

Ross and Cynthia Austin and Jeff and Deb Martin of Realty Executives of Cape County were named among the top 50 producers for the Mid-America Region of Realty Executives. The award recognizes the top 4 percent of sales producers among 1,200 agents in the region that includes St. Louis, Kansas City, Mo., and Denver, among other cities.

Man completes training on glass installation

Robert Pulley of Davis Glass Co. received a certificate of completion for attending the Kawneer Mechanic's School in Atlanta. The course, given over a four-day period, provides training in the installation of commercial storefronts and systems.

Cox wins category in corn growers contest

Scott City farmer Matthew Cox was honored as a state winner in the 2007 National Corn Yield Contest sponsored by the National Corn Growers Association. Cox placed first in the AA no till/strip till non-irrigated class with a yield of 257.68 bushels per acre. Cox was one of 529 state winners nationwide. His yield beat the 218.6 bushels per acre average for all entrants in the contest and the national average of 151.1 bushels per acre.

Area sales rep honored at banquet in Las Vegas

Ken Steffens, sales representative for Luby Equipment Sales & Service, received the Distinguished Salesman award from the Doosan Infracore Construction Equipment Corp. at a recent banquet at the CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2008 in Las Vegas.

Stanley Grimm named in top 10 state lawyers list

Lawyer Stanley Grimm of Cape Girardeau was named one of the state's best lawyers in the area of alternative dispute resolution in a recent edition of St. Louis Magazine. The list included 10 lawyers from across the state, including three from St. Louis, three from Kansas City, two from Clayton, one from Springfield, and Grimm. He has served as a mediator in more than 500 mediations and works in the St. Louis area as well as throughout Southeast Missouri. Grimm is a former judge of the Missouri Court of Appeals and a former circuit judge in the 32nd Judicial Circuit.

Bowman named to Woodmen's President's Club

SIKESTON, Mo. — Lee A. Bowman Jr., a representative of Modern Woodmen of America, has been named to Modern Woodmen's 2007 President's Club. This distinction recognizes Bowman's high achievement in life insurance sales among the organization's representatives nationwide.

Deering native advances in Ark. bank department

KENNETT, Mo. — Gary W. Bush, son of Damon and Judy Bush of Deering, Mo., has been named supervisor of one of Arkansas State Bank Department's two commercial examination groups based in Little Rock. Bush is a longtime examiner in the Jonesboro, Ark., field office. He will supervise seven other examiners who conduct safety and soundness examinations of state-chartered commercial banks located in central and south Arkansas.

New landlord in Cape Girardeau

Lawyer Gordon Glaus is in the rental business. He's started a new real estate investment firm called GLG Realty LLC and has purchased three properties to start, two on South Sprigg Street and one on Elm Street. That will be it for a while, he said, unless a great deal comes along. "I am not looking to become the rental property baron of Cape County," he said. "We'll see how it works out."

New executive director appointed to Sikeston CVB

SIKESTON, Mo. —Lynne Williams of Sikeston has been appointed as the Sikeston-Miner Convention and Visitors Bureau executive director.

"Lynne was a natural choice for the position both for her background and personality, and the fact that she has served on the Convention and Visitors Bureau's advisory board for the past several months, and is familiar with the CVB's operations," said Hillary Shields, the current executive director. Shields resigned from the position in February after her husband accepted an unexpected job opportunity in Kansas City.

Williams, who moved to Sikeston as a teen, graduated from Sikeston High School in 1975 and returned to the community in 2004, said she is excited to have this opportunity to serve the area.

As a child, Williams' family often moved, due to her father, Jesse Lacefield's, position as a manager at J.C. Penney. However, Sikeston was one of her favorite places to live, said Williams. "Sikeston was always near and dear to my heart," she said.

Rent One honors employees at annual meeting

Rent One recently recognized several team members with special honors. Among them was former Sikeston store manager Joe Tubb, who is now regional manager. The new store manager is Charlie Lutes, formerly assistant manager. At the 2008 Rentastic annual meeting, Tubb was given the coveted Silver Club of the Year award, which is given to team members that have exhibited outstanding performance, concern for their customers and fellow team members, are valued by peers, exhibit positive personality traits and exudes a positive image of Rent One and the rental industry.

Modern Woodmen 'Agent of the Month' is named

BENTON, Mo. — Kasey Mathes-Klughart, a district representative with Modern Woodmen of America, was the Agent of the Month in the Allen Phillips district for February.

Mathes-Klughart joined Modern Woodmen's Rainwater Agency in Farmington in November 2006.

Pharmaceutical rep of the year goes to Elias

Christina Elias of Takeda Pharmaceuticals was recently honored as the 2007 pharmaceutical representative of the year by Cape Family Practice. The award is given to the individual who best serves the patients and staff of Cape Family Practice throughout the year.

Stembel completes course for certification

Cherie Stembel, vice president of Albrecht-Hodges Inc. in Cape Girardeau, received the designation of certified insurance counselor for successfully completing an education course sponsored by the Society of Certified Insurance Counselors. Stembel has been an insurance agent for Albrecht-Hodges Inc. for 26 years.

Nordenia recognizes employees

Nordenia USA has named as April employee of the month Jackson resident Richard Walton, an operations and manufacturing analyst. Walton has been with Nordenia since April 2003. Nordenia USA manufactures plastic packaging and films.

Honored for five years of service were: Andy Ambrose, Preston Wilkerson, Bill Burke, Rebecca Northern and Richard Walton.

Veterans home honors employees

The Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau announced three employee awards last week. Allen Simmons, employed in the housekeeping department of the 150-bed facility, was named employee of the year during the home's recent employee recognition dinner. Simmons, who has worked at the home since June 2005, "knows how to approach difficult problems with a positive attitude." The other employee awards are for Angie Sitzes, a certified medication technician who was named employee of the month for Missouri state government, and Kim Snell, an administrative assistant who was given the quarterly leadership award. Sitzes was recognized for an excellent work record, initiative and compassion for the residents. She spent two nights, off the clock, with a dying resident at the home to give a respite to his family and make sure he would not be alone. Snell, who began working at the home in 2001 as a housekeeper, was honored for attention to detail and dedication, including her work revising the home's emergency preparedness manual.

Action Realty Company has added Ed Erxleben

FARMINGTON, Mo. — Ed Erxleben, newly hired at Action Realty Co., is a native of Chicago. During his tour with the U.S. Navy he was an aerial photographer, serving in Vietnam. After his tour of duty he worked in the construction trade, becoming a Chicago contractor in the 1970s. At that same time he returned to school, receiving his bachelors degree in 1980. For the next 13 years he worked as a product engineer, developing products for the irrigation industry. He returned to the construction industry and worked up until September 2007.