Names in the News

BRITTON, OWENS CERTIFIED

The Missouri Association of Realtors recognized Sue Britton and Kyle Owens of the Cape Girardeau Excellence School of Real Estate for completing the Learning-Centered Instructor Workshop and becoming LCI-certified. The October workshop, held in St. Louis, gave hands-on opportunities for instructors to focus on refinement of presentation and facilitation skills to stimulate learning in the classroom. LCI is endorsed by the National Association of Realtors.

REALTORS ATTEND TRAINING

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Several Poplar Bluff Realtors completed the National Association of Realtors Code of Ethics Training. They include Natali Ketcherside, Missouri Association of Realtors CEO R. Dennis McClelland, Donna Fisher, Sandy Rickman, Doris Frantz, Chris Rickman, instructor Vicki L. Henderson, Kim King, Lisa Sheehy, Michael McKuin, Monda and Jeff Darnell, Melba Jean McCoy, Sandy Taylor, Rick Lansford, Dale and Renee Williams, Stella Firebaugh, Lu Warren, Ken Warren, Charles Kendle, Jill Shepherd and Margaret Carter.

LOCAL REALTORS RECOGNIZED

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- R. Dennis McClelland, CEO of the Missouri Association of Realtors, presented 2009 Realtors Political Action Committee 100 Club awards to Audrey Holifield, Vicki L. Henderson and Kurt Knodell. Rick Lansford received a 250 Club Award. Members receive the awards for their contributions to the committee.

MATTINGLY FINISHES COURSE

DUDLEY, Mo. -- James "JW" Mattingly, financial representative with Modern Woodmen Fraternal Financial, completed Kaplan Financial's Basic I for Ethics for the Insurance Professional Course. The course outlined parameters of a life insurance agent's ethical responsibilities and detailed an agent's responsibilities to insurers, policyowners and the public.

COTRELL OWNERS ATTEND MEETING

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Randy and Lorrie Schulz, owners and operators of Cotrell Funeral Service, attended the 2009 National Funeral Diectors Association International Convention and Expo. The event connected funeral directors to thousands of peers, products and new ideas for serving families.

TWO JOIN CHAMBER STAFF

SIKESTON, Mo. -- The Sikeston Area Chamber of Commerce added Garth Fuchs as program director and Susie Glasgow as office manager.

RIVER RADIO HOLDS RIBBON CUTTING

MINER, Mo. -- The Sikeston Area Chamber of Commerce and Mississippi River Radio held a ribbon cutting for the radio station's new location at the Sikeston Factory Outlet Mall in Miner. General manager is Scott Richards.

TREECE JOINS FIRST STATE BANK

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Tasha Treece was named real estate loan officer of First State Bank & Trust, 750 S. Main St., Sikeston. She began her duties Oct. 15. Treece last worked as housing director for Delta Area Economic Opportunity Corporation, Portageville, Mo., and is co-owner of Gator's Pizza, Portageville.

PEARSON-JOHNS LEADS SB40 BOARD

CHARLESTON, Mo. -- The Mississippi County SB40 Board hired Amy Pearson-Johns to plan and direct a day program for adults with developmental disabilities. The program will be located in Charleston and serve Mississippi County.

MCCOIN JOINS TOUCH OF CLASS

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Daniel McCoin joined Touch of Class Salon and Spa. He has been a cosmetologist and esthetician for 20 years and is taking appointments for styles, cuts, color and perms.

EDINGTON CERTIFIED

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Lucas Edington completed a 16-week study to earn Land Specialist Certification. He is an agent for Mossy Oaks Properties, Turn-Key Investments.

CAR DEALERSHIP HIRES THREE

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Jared Kennedy, Rick Huber and Parker King joined the sales staff at Blackwell-Baldwin.

RICHARDSON IS TEACHER OF THE YEAR

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Jennifer Richardson, physical education teacher for the Poplar Bluff School District, earned the Missouri Elementary School Physical Education Teacher of the Year 2009 award from the Missouri Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. The award was presented at a Nov. 14 ceremony at Lake Ozark. Richardson is now a candidate for the central district's Elementary School Physical Educator of the Year award from the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education Recreation and Dance.

TOP AM. REALTY AGENTS NAMED

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Melba Jean McCoy was Top Producer and Sandy Rickman Top Lister for September at Century 21 American Realty.

WAL-MART HONORS FOUR

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Four Wal-Mart employees were honored for serving 20 years at the Poplar Bluff store. Brenda Kirkley, Pam Stratton, Louise Lindsay and Clara Birdsong received certificates of recognition from Matt Looney, store manager.

MORGAN-PIERCE EARNS SIXTH CAR

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Jeri Morgan-Pierce, independent sales director with Mary Kay, earned her sixth career car. The Dexter, Mo., resident earned use of a new Chevy Equinox through her business achievements.

GIFFORD TO RECEIVE ARTS AWARD

Dr. Robert Gifford of Cape Girardeau won a Missouri Arts Award in the Arts Education category. The awards honor individuals and organizations that have made profound and lasting contributions to the cultural and artistic climate of the state; they will be presented at a Feb. 10 ceremony in Jefferson City.

CONCEPTS ADDS COLOR SPECIALIST

Concepts Styling Salon of Cape Girardeau hired Jessica Haws as stylist and hair color specialist.

WELCH NAMED ADVISER OF THE YEAR

The National Association for Insurance and Financial Advisors of Cape Girardeau presented board member Jerry Welch of American Family Insurance in Cape Girardeau the M. Luther Hahs, CLU, Insurance and Financial Adviser of the Year Award. Welch received the award for his contributions to the industry; he has been a member of NAIFA-Cape Girardeau for 12 years.

BIG RIVER HIRES FIVE

Big River Telephone in Cape Girardeau hired Michael Howe, sales engineer; Jahir Estrada, cable technical support; Codey Williams, wholesale voice provisioning; Benton Anderson, information technology; and Josh White, information technology.

TWO APPOINTED TO STATE BOARDS

Gov. Jay Nixon appointed Steven B. Martin of Portageville, Mo., to the Missouri Agricultural and Small Business Development Authority. The authority makes capital available to Missouri farmers, agribusinesses and small businesses at competitive interest rates on a scale to make a major impact. Martin is division manager for Crop Production Services for Missouri and Arkansas and is involved in the operation of a family farm. Nixon also appointed Thomas B. Bradley of Matthews, Mo., to the State Soil and Water Districts Commission. The group formulates policies and programs for saving Missouri soil and water. Bradley is a farmer and is currently serving his fifth term as treasurer for New Madrid County.

NORDENIA RECOGNIZES EMPLOYEES

NORDENIA USA named Richard Way, plate finisher operator II of Jackson, employee of the month for November. He has been with the company since November 1998. NORDENIA also recognizes the following employment anniversaries: 15 years of service, Kevin Moyers; 10 years, Leeman Medlin and Willie Drew; and five years, Gregory Morton.

LYNCH JOINS CAPE CVB

The Cape Girardeau Convention and Visitors Bureau hired Stephanie Lynch as director of public relations and marketing; she began her duties Oct. 28. Lynch last worked for Columbia TriStar Film Distributors International, a Hollywood company that manages PR and marketing materials for films in several countries.

SOUTHARD EARNS CERTIFICATION

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- James N. Southard of Bi-State/Fallert Appraisal Service in Perryville received state certification as a general real estate appraiser. He has been a state certified residential real estate appraiser since 2003, with previous experience in commercial banking, agriculture, and business. He is now certified to appraise commercial, agriculture, conventional and FHA residential real estate.

HOUSE JOINS CANCER SOCIETY

The American Cancer Society, High Plains Division Inc. in Cape Girardeau, hired Sheri House as community manager for the Health Initiative Department.

GOLDEN TAPPED FOR AMBULANCE JOB

SIKESTON, Mo. -- As of Oct. 1, Brad Golden is director of the South Scott County Ambulance District. Golden, a registered nurse, has experience as a paramedic and emergency responder, served as Jackson fire chief, and has a master's in business administration.

STODDARD CO. CLERK ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT

DEXTER, Mo. -- After nearly 23 years of service, Don White will retire from his position as Stoddard County clerk Dec. 31. He cited health issues as the reason for his decision. White's replacement will come from Gov. Jay Nixon, who will likely contact the Stoddard County Democrat Central Committee for a final recommendation. An announcement of White's replacement is expected in December.

KIMMEL NAMED INTERIM MAYOR

ADVANCE, Mo. -- In a special meeting Nov. 5, the Advance Board of Aldermen chose Alderman Keith Kimmel to serve as mayor after a previously planned Nov. 3 election was found to violate state statutes. Kimmel was completing his second term of office as alderman and was scheduled to retire April 6. He will serve as mayor until a permanent mayor can be elected in April. With Kimmel's acceptance of the mayoral office, Mayor Pro Tem Leeman Shirrell returns to his position of alderman until April 2011.

STROUP, RHODES PROMOTED

PARK HILLS, Mo. -- Thurman, Shinn & Company promoted CPAs Sherri Stroup and Katie Rhodes to partner.

SOUTHLAND SUPERINTENDENT TO RETIRE

CARDWELL, Mo. -- Raymond Lasley, superintendent of the Southland School District, announced that he will retire at the end of the 2009-10 school year, citing health reasons. He has worked in education for over 30 years.

RUBLE NAMED PRINCIPAL OF THE YEAR

FARMINGTON, Mo. -- Following a nomination from fellow administrators, Farmington High School Principal Matt Ruble was named Principal of the Year for the Southeast Missouri Region, which reaches from Hillsboro south to Poplar Bluff. Ruble is now nominated for Principal of the Year on the state level along with seven other principals from eight regions in Missouri. The Principal of the Year for the state, one from a high school and one from a middle school, will be named March 29 at Lake of the Ozarks.

PIERCE IS EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH

Jerry Pierce, a maintenance worker in the Division of Youth Services, was the Department of Social Services' employee of the month for November. He works at the Girardot Center for Youth and Families, Cape Girardeau.

THOMPSON JOINS ELITE TRAVEL

Shannon Thompson joined Elite Travel of Cape Girardeau as a certified destination wedding and honeymoon consultant. She has more than 10 years of experience in sales and customer service. In addition to wedding and honeymoon duties, Thompson will focus on public relations and marketing the launch of Elite's "Get Married Free" program.

SUNDHAUSEN ATTENDS FINANCE SEMINAR

PARK HILLS, Mo. -- Laurie Sundhausen, managing accountant in the accounting firm of Crouch, Farley & Heuring, PC, attended a training seminar on physicians' finances. The seminar, hosted by the Missouri Society of Certified Public Accountants, was designed to equip CPAs to assist physicians in business management strategies and foster an understanding of Medicare's effect on medical practices.

RALEY JOINS DAILY JOURNAL

PARK HILLS, Mo. -- Randy Raley of St. Louis is the new advertising sales manager for The Daily Journal, Farmington Press, Democrat News and Parkland AdVantage. He supervises a staff of five; a sixth employee was to be hired by the end of November. Raley has been an on-air DJ in Illinois' Quad Cities, Kansas City, Mo., Denver and St. Louis. He previously managed three radio stations in Illinois.

BLACKMAN JOINS JUST KIDS

Just Kids hired Amy Blackman as director of its East Main Street location in Jackson. She previously served 11 years with Southeast Missouri State University's child care program.

DUNCAN EARNS MRE DESIGNATION

Wanda Duncan of Realty Executives of Cape County received the Master of Real Estate designation from the Missouri Association of Realtors. The award was given in recognition of Duncan's completion of several advanced real estate education courses.

LOCAL OFFICERS EARN MEDALS OF VALOR

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Shawn Dougherty and Andrew Ward were two of seven state officers to receive the Missouri Medal of Valor from Gov. Jay Nixon. The award recognizes extraordinary acts of bravery and heroism that saved lives in 2008. Nixon presented the state's highest public safety award in his Capitol office and was joined by Department of Public Safety Director John M. Britt and Col. James Keathley, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

Dougherty, of Troop G, Missouri State Highway Patrol, was honored for his rescue of two occupants of a vehicle caught in a flash flood in Carter County on March 18, 2008. Ward, of Troop D, Missouri State Highway Patrol, was honored for rescuing a motorist trapped inside a burning car on Route W in Butler County on Jan. 7, 2008.

BIG RIVER ANNOUNCES TWO PROMOTIONS

Cape Girardeau-based Big River Telephone promoted Chris Simmons to vice president of operations and Chris Foeste to general manager. Simmons has worked for the company for 11 years and previously served as general manager. He is now responsible for management of retail and wholesale operations. Foeste brings experience in systems administration and organizational management to the company.

WILLIAMS JOINS COIN BUSINESS

Heritage Coins and Currency, 119 W. Main St., Jackson, added Garry Williams to its team.

LARGENT COMPLETES FIRE ALARM CERTIFICATION

Chuck Largent of Hi Tech Communications completed Farady fire alarm certification in San Antonio. The Faraday MPC-6000 is a single-loop fire alarm panel that supports up to 252 addressable inputs and 252 signal/relay outputs, a total of 504 programmable points on a single loop. It is intended for application in schools, strip malls and stores.