Names in the news

Martha Hill joins Circle of Excellence

FARMINGTON, Mo. — U.S. Bank has named a Farmington woman as one of the latest inductees into the company's Circle of Service Excellence, a quarterly award given to employees who provide exceptional service and attention to customers and coworkers. Martha Hill, a universal banker at U.S. Bank in Farmington, was among the 19 employees company-wide who were recognized with this honor for first quarter of 2008.

The Circle of Service Excellence winners, who were nominated by U.S. Bank employees and customers, were recognized in June at an awards luncheon in Minneapolis, hosted by Richard Davis, president, chief executive officer and chairman of U.S. Bancorp, the parent company of U.S. Bank.

In addition, each winner's portrait is being displayed in the company's Circle of Service Halls of Fame, located in nine of the company's major cities, including Cincinnati, Denver, Fargo, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Portland, Seattle, St. Louis and St. Paul.

Lane retiring after decades of aiding local communities

SIKESTON — After nearly three decades of helping communities secure funding for important projects, Joe E. Lane is retiring as director of community planning for the Bootheel Regional Planning and Economic Development Commission in Dexter.

Lane has worked on more than 90 projects for local communities over the years. While his name may not be recognized by the average resident of the Bootheel, Lane was well known by government officials.

Limbaugh joins St. Louis law firm as senior counsel

Stephen N. Limbaugh Sr., former United States District Court judge for the Eastern District of Missouri, has joined Armstrong Teasdale LLP law firm as senior counsel. Limbaugh will be a member of the firm's litigation practice in St. Louis. A lifelong resident of Cape Girardeau, Limbaugh holds degrees from Southeast Missouri State University and the University of Missouri School of Law. At the age of 17, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served for one-and-a-half years at the end of World War II. Early in his legal career, he was the prosecuting attorney for Cape Girardeau County, and later joined his family firm in the same town with his father, Rush Limbaugh Sr. During that time, he served as president of The Missouri Bar.

MDA recognizes KFVS-12 television anchor

Jeff Cunningham, news anchor for Heartland News on KFVS-12, has been honored in the Muscular Dystrophy Association's 29th annual Broadcast Journalism Awards. The awards recognize television programming that increases public understanding of the diseases targeted by MDA, and awareness and support of the Association's programs. Cunningham received the Gold Award in the News category for his entry titled "Our Little Miracle," his personal story that chronicled the birth of his daughter and her battle with nemaline rod myopathy, one of the diseases associated with muscular dystrophy.

Gill awarded MAI designation

DEXTER, Mo. — Cash Gill of Gill Group has been awarded the MAI designation by the Appraisal Institute. This is the highest designation a real estate appraiser can receive. Gill earned a bachelor of science in business and is a member of an executive council of the National Council of Affordable Housing Market analysts and of the advisory board of Montgomery Bank. Gill Group, Inc., founded in 1976, is a national company having completed appraisals in 49 states. It is headquartered in Dexter.

Mueller joins Bank of Missouri

Wendell J. Mueller joins The Bank of Missouri as Vice President and Commercial Loan Officer.

Mueller comes to The Bank of Missouri with over 13 years of banking experience. He is a member of the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce and the Cape Girardeau Noon Optimist Club. In addition to these activities, Mueller is an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church of Cape Girardeau where he currently serves on the Youth Board.

Judge retires; will soon join Cape law firm

Jack Knowlan Jr. of Jackson has retired as chief administrative law judge at the Missouri Division of Workers' Compensation in Cape Girardeau. Before serving as a judge in 1992, Knowlan was a legal adviser with the organization. He has joined the newly-opened Cape Girardeau private law firm of Little, Shellhammer and Richardson. Knowlan and his wife, Bonnie, have four children and one grandchild.

Sterne joins Cape Edward Jones branch

April Sterne recently joined a Cape Girardeau office of the financial services firm Edward Jones as a branch office administrator trainee. Sterne must successfully complete the firm's in-depth training program within six months to graduate from the trainee designation into the position of branch office administrator. Sterne has lived in Southeast Missouri for 15 years.

Home decor company hires Jackson resident

Home and Garden Party direct selling company has added Belinda Arnzen of Jackson as its newest master designer. To qualify, individuals must sponsor one new designer and sell at least $300 in products each month. Founded 12 years ago, Home and Garden offers customers home decor and gourmet food nationwide.

Local Edward Jones Associate honored for client service excellence

FARMINGTON, Mo. — Senior Branch Office Administrator Cheryl LaChance has been honored for her client service excellence. LaChance works at the branch office of Kevin Engler in Farmington.

This recognition earned LaChance an invitation to Edward Jones' annual Branch Office Administrators Managing Partner's Conference at the firm's headquarters in St. Louis.

The three-day meeting will pool 300 of Edward Jones' branch office administrators to collectively recognize and reward their client service excellence, as well as take time to pinpoint the critical activities necessary to provide excellent client service.

Parker completes program

Geoff Parker, vice president of First Missouri State Bank of Cape Girardeau, was among the 219 bankers receiving diplomas on May 30 from the Graduate School of Banking at Louisiana State University. This three-year program provides courses covering all aspects of banking, economics and related subjects.

Sponsored by 15 southern state bankers associations in cooperation with the Division of Continuing Education at LSU, the banking school requires attendance on campus for three years, with extensive bank study assignments between sessions. The faculty consists of bankers, business and professional leaders and educators from all parts of the U.S.

During their three years at the Graduate School of Banking, students receive 180 hours of classroom instruction, 30 hours of reviews, planned evening study and written final examinations at the end of each session.

Parker is a 1988 graduate of Sikeston High School and a 1992 graduate of Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau. He is the son of Mike and Dawn Parker of Sikeston.

Employee of month chosen

SIKESTON -- Carol Clark was chosen as May employee of the month at Sikeston Health Care.

She has been involved in the medical profession since 1968 when she started working for A.D. Martin, M.D., followed by Jennifer Swiney, M.D. and Stephen Welton, M.D. She has been an employee of Systems Services for 12 years with the last three years as the business office manager at Sikeston Health Care. She also does medical records and assists with social services.

She lives in Bell City with her husband Jim. They have two sons and three grandchildren.

DAEOC leader completes training

PORTAGEVILLE, Mo. — Training completed by Head Start Director Cindy Huey will ultimately benefit children and their families from Delta Area Economic Opportunity in Portageville. Huey is one of 40 graduates of the Head Start Johnson & Johnson Management Fellows Program, an intensive two-week program, conducted at the UCLA Anderson School of Management in Los Angeles. The program was developed in 1991 to strengthen the management skills of Head Start administrators.

Throughout the program, fellows are equipped with the tools they will need to effectively lead and deliver developmental services in changing environments, secure funding, efficiently implement programs and network with other Head Start managers across the nation. Fellowships are awarded annually to Head Start administrators who have been selected by a specially assembled Program Advisory Board. Since the program's inception, more than 1,080 executives, representing 820 agencies, have graduated with enhanced management and leadership abilities.

Head Start programs provide comprehensive developmental services to low-income preschool children and their families. Head Start also provides a range of medical, dental, mental health, nutrition care, and parent involvement services. Program directors supervise nearly 50,000 classrooms, 210,000 paid staff and 1,350,000 volunteers nationwide. In 2007, Head Start enrolled more than 900,000 children, making a total of more than 25 million since its inception in 1965.

Sikeston Area Humane Society animal welfare workers attend workshop

SIKESTON — Melanie Wood, DeAndra Smith and Lanette Baker recently represented Sikeston Area Humane Society and No Throwaways at a one-day workshop presented by Petfinder.com, the on-line database of homeless pets.

The workshop was hosted by the Humane Society of Southeast Missouri and sponsored by Petco.

Petfinder.com is the largest database of homeless pets on the Web, with over 240,000 animals listed.

Pace Joins FOCUS Bank staff as customer service representative

SIKESTON, Mo. — FOCUS Bank is pleased to announce the addition of Robin Pace as customer service representative at the Sikeston branch. Pace, who has more than 27 years of banking experience, previously worked for US Bank as assistant vice president.

As a very active member of the Sikeston community, Pace is a past president of the Sikeston Area Chamber of Commerce, United Way board member, Sikeston Humane Society, past president of the Historic Midtown Development Group and is a member of Hunter Memorial Presbyterian Church. She is a graduate of Mississippi State University and resides in Sikeston with her husband Stan and their daughter, Emily.

FOCUS Bank is headquartered in Charleston, where two branches are located. Other Missouri branches are located in Cardwell, Caruthersville, East Prairie, Hornersville, and Sikeston. In Arkansas, FOCUS Bank presently operates with two branches in Paragould, one in Marmaduke and two in Jonesboro.

Bowman achieves membership in million dollar round table

SIKESTON, Mo. — Lee A. Bowman Jr. of Sikeston, a representative for Modern Woodmen of America, is one of the small percentage of life insurance agents worldwide to achieve membership in the prestigious Million Dollar Round Table this year.

MDRT is an international, independent association of more than 35,000 members, or less than 1 percent, of the world's best life insurance and financial services professionals. Membership is one of the highest professional honors a life insurance representative can obtain. MDRT members demonstrate high-level client service and production.

Founded in 1883 as a fraternal benefit society, Modern Woodmen of America celebrates 125 years of serving members and their communities. The organization offers financial services and fraternal member benefits to individuals and families throughout the United States.

NORDENIA USA names September employee of the month

Multi-Craft Technician, Steven Leimbach of Jackson has been named NORDENIA USA'S August employee of the month. Leimbach has been with NORDENIA since Jan. 28, 1991.

NORDENIA USA recognizes Dan Wolfe, Travis Hoehne, Jack Lemonds and Gregory Stafford for 10 years of service, and Christopher Davis and Scott Fluegel for five years of service.

NORDENIA USA manufactures plastic packaging and films.

Area jeweler attends Fall 2008 buying show

Dan Tuschhoff recently attended the Fall 2008 Retail Jewelers Organization buying show in Minneapolis. The event is held semi-annually and provides independent jewelers an opportunity to talk to industry leaders, view the latest trends and purchase jewelry at pre-negotiated prices. Tuschhoff is an associate at Harold's Jewelry Store, 123 Court St. in Jackson.

Cape vinyl window company hires specialist

Window World, a vinyl replacement window company at 3527A Perryville Road in Cape Girardeau, has hired Tony Harper as its lead window specialist. Harper previously worked as a specialist at Window World of Middle Tennessee in Nashville. Before becoming a specialist, he had four years' experience as an installer, where he learned how to install windows correctly.

Cook joins staff at Antonio's Salon

SIKESTON, Mo. — Lindsay Cook has joined the staff at Antonio's Salon, 127 N, New Madrid St., Sikeston, Mo. A graduate of Eclipse School of Cosmetology in Cape Girardeau, Cook is accepting walk-ins for cuts, color, styling, extensions, eyelash extensions and facials.

Stylist joins Studio Designs hair salon

Patty Cook has joined Studio Designs, 227 S. Broadview St. in Cape Girardeau, as a hair stylist. She brings 25 years of experience in the specialization of ammonia-free hair care and perms. For the past 15 years Cook worked at Gary and Company Hair Designs, 1017 Harmony St. in Cape Girardeau.

Realty Executives welcomes Bollinger

Realty Executives of Cape County has added Dave Bollinger to its staff. Bollinger began selling real estate in 2003. Bollinger previously worked for 30 years at Dow Chemical Company in Cape Girardeau and Pevely, Mo. His specific area of interest in real estate involves foreclosure property and residential, farm and land sales.

Probation and Parole officer is recognized for dedication

SIKESTON, Mo. — Probation and Parole Officer Denise Wheeler has been recognized as the Region V Employee of the Quarter for Department of Corrections, Probation and Parole.

Wheeler began employment with the Department of Corrections in September 1997 and initially worked at the District #23 Kennett Probation and Parole Office. She transferred to the #14 Sikeston in December 2000 and since then she has worked in the Scott County area.

As probation and parole officer, her duties include supervision of adults currently on probation and/or parole, conducting various investigations, and facilitating offender groups. Currently, Wheeler co-facilitates the District #14 Impact of Crime on Victims classes.

In addition to her regular duties, she also volunteers her time as a mentor for Big Brother/Big Sisters, a Missouri Mentoring Initiative administered through the Lieutenant Governor's Office. This past spring she also helped to coordinate the District #14 annual Crime Victim Memory Walk, an activity that helped to raise money for local organizations.

Local farmers appointed to state board of directors

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — The Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council's board of directors appointed Gary Branum of New Madrid and Lewis Rone of Portageville to the board.

The soybean checkoff program began in Missouri in 1979 as a way for soybean producers to pool resources to promote their product. It is a producer-run organization, with 13 farmer-directors overseeing the investment of 50 percent of Missouri's checkoff dollars.

Bootheel Counseling Services employee is honored

SIKESTON, Mo. — Michelle Glaus was chosen by her co-workers at Bootheel Counseling Services as the employee of the quarter, for the third quarter 2008.

Glaus has been with the agency for 13 years and currently serves as the PSR coordinator.

Ledbetter is named representative of the month

ESSEX, Mo. — Ron Ledbetter of Essex, a financial representative with Modern Woodmen of America, was representative of the month in the Missouri East Region for the month of July.

Ledbetter joined Modern Woodmen's Rainwater Region, located in Farmington, in February 1992.

Modern Woodmen of America is a fraternal life insurance society headquartered in Rock Island, Ill. It provides life insurance and annuity products to more than 765,000 members nationwide.

Pampered Chef award goes to area woman

Carol Nunnery of Cape Girardeau received Pampered Chef’s Top Performance Cluster Award in three categories at its recent national conference in Chicago. Nunnery was recognized for her achievements in personal sales, personal recruiting and balanced business. In addition to the awards ceremony, conference attendees also received training where they learned to apply business fundamentals to maximize the success of their independent businesses. Pampered Chef is a direct selling company of kitchen tools and entertaining and serving sets.

VerVynck honored for 25 years of service

Magna-Tel Inc., 775 S. Kingshighway in Cape Girardeau, recently honored Dede VerVynck in recognition of her 25 years of service to the company. VerVynck was awarded a gift and recognized by Mary Ann Farmer, president and chief executive officer of the business. Founded in 1959, Magna-Tel manufactures a full line of magnetic and nonmagnetic promotional products.

Baker, Littles lead Coldwell Banker

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. — Coldwell Banker Realty has announced Terry Baker as Top Producer and Brock Littles as Top Lister for July.

Baker has been a realtor in the Poplar Bluff area for about 10 years and a resident of Qulin for almost 25 years.

Littles has worked at Ruth Holloway Realty, Inc. since January 2006. He attended Three Rivers Community College and obtained his degree from Southwest Baptist University in 1999. He is a member of the Three Rivers Board of Realtors and currently serves as a state director for the membership. He also has recently been elected to serve on the Poplar Bluff Kiwanis Club Board of Directors as well as the Three Rivers Community College Booster Club Board. Littles is also a member of the Greater Poplar Bluff Chamber of Commerce.

Miller, Stafford lead RE/MAX

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. —RE/MAX Real Estate Group has announced Jo Nell Miller as the Top Producer and Cathy Stafford as Top Lister for July.

Miller has been listing and selling real estate since March 2001. She is a member of the Three Rivers Board of Realtors, the Missouri Association of Realtors and the National Association of Realtors.

Stafford received her realtors license in March 2001. She has been in the real estate business for the past seven years and is a member of the Three Rivers Board of Realtors and the Missouri and National Association of Realtors. She has received the Award of Excellence for the last six years. She has received both the REMAX International Presidents Club and Executive Club awards for outstanding achievements.

Stafford is a lifelong resident of Poplar Bluff and a graduate of Poplar Bluff High School.

Parker joins Farm Bureau insurance team

SIKESTON, Mo. — Missouri Farm Bureau Insurance announces the appointment of Keith Parker of Sikeston as a career agent in Scott County. He has completed training emphasizing life, accident/health and property. Parker works in the Sikeston office, located at 1901 E. Malone Ave.