Names in the news

CHAMBER HONORS FARMER

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Kenny Mayer received the Farm Family of the Year Award from the Sikeston Area Chamber of Commerce. The award was presented at the chamber's annual Farmers Recognition Luncheon Jan. 28.

MOORE JOINS BANK OF MISSOURI

Philip Moore joined Bank of Missouri as assistant vice president and commercial loan officer. He has 15 years of lending experience and works at the East Main Street branch in Jackson.

JEFFERSON PRINCIPAL HONORED

Mark Cook, principal at Jefferson Elementary School, was honored by the VFW Ladies Auxilary with the Educator of the Year Award.

WEST NAMED TO COMMERCE BOARD

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Greg West was appointed director to Commerce Bank's advisory board. A lifelong resident of Poplar Bluff, West owns and operates Mills Iron & Supply and West Properties.

DENKLER IS NEW SPECIALIST

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Sarah Denkler joined the Butler County University of Missouri Extension Center as horticulture specialist headquartered in Poplar Bluff. She replaces retired agronomist Bruce Beck and is responsible for programming in Butler, Carter, Dunklin, Mississippi, New Madrid, Pemiscot, Ripley and Stoddard counties.

4-H SPECIALIST ANNOUNCED

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Tim Hicks is the new 4-H youth specialist headquartered in Ripley and Butler counties. He is also responsible for youth programming in Dunklin County.

TJ'S ADDS TWO STYLISTS

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Two stylists joined TJ's Hair Salon and Spa. Ariel McComb offers haircuts, color, eyebrow waxing, perms, relaxer, manicures and pedicures. Melanie Stricklin offers haircuts, color, perms, manicures and pedicures and eyebrow waxing.

LITTLES LEADS COLDWELL

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Brock Littles was named Top Lister and Top Producer for December at Coldwell Banker Ruth Holloway Realty; he was also Top Lister and Top Producer for 2009.

MATTINGLY FINISHES COURSE

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- J.W. Mattingly of Dudley, Mo., financial representative with Modern Woodmen Fraternal Financial, completed Kaplan Financial's Needs Analysis course. The course teaches agents to analyze and explain personal life insurance needs of prospects, determine the amount of insurance required and explain why life insurance is the best solution for meeting those needs.

STOCKTON JOINS BLACKWELL

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Qulin, Mo., native Keith Stockton joined the team of car salesmen at Blackwell Baldwin dealership.

AYOTTE RETIRES

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- After 20 years of service, Kathy Ayotte retired from Poplar Bluff Federal Credit Union.

TROOP E ADDS PATROL OFFICER

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Twenty-five new Missouri State Highway Patrol troopers graduated in December at the Patrol's Law Enforcement Academy in Jefferson City, Mo. New troopers reported for duty Jan. 4. Among them is Taremba Karizamimba of Kansas City, Mo., assigned to Pemiscot and New Madrid counties in Troop E.

STARR EARNS CDA

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Chelsie Starr of Sikeston was awarded a child development associate (CDA) credential in recognition of outstanding work with young children. The credential was awarded by the Council for Professional Recognition in Washington, D.C.

SEIFERT GETS STATE HONOR

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Jo Nell Seifert, drama teacher at Poplar Bluff Senior High School, was named teacher of the year during the Missouri State Thespian Society convention in St. Louis.

BIEN JOINS MORLAN

Mike Bien joined Morlan Chrysler in Cape Girardeau.

LINCOLN LACY WELCOMES MORRILL

MALDEN, Mo. -- Keith Morrill joined the sales staff at Lincoln Lacy Motors.

TWO FINISH FIVE-DAY PROGRAM

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Modern Woodmen of America representatives Shannon D. Bradley of Poplar Bluff, Mo., and James W. Mattingly of Dudley, Mo., completed a five-day education program at Modern Woodmen's home office in Rock Island, Ill. The program focused on helping families with Modern Woodmen life insurance plans, annuities and fraternal member benefits.

CAUSBIE JOINS P.B. REALTY

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- John Causbie joined Poplar Bluff Realty Inc. as a real estate agent.

PHILLIPS ATTENDS WOODMEN TRAINING

Richard A. Phillips attended Modern Woodmen of America's Essentials of Leadership and Management Program in Rock Island, Ill. A managing partner in Cape Girardeau, Phillips completed the course that fulfills steps toward the company's Chartered Leadership Fellow and qualifies him for 30 professional achievement in continuing education credits.

GOEHMAN JOINS TASTEFULLY SIMPLE

Melissa Goehman of Cape Girardeau is now an independent consultant with Tastefully Simple, a national direct sales company featuring more than 60 easy-to-prepare foods.

THORNE IS TOP SALES ADVISER

Leigh Thorne was named a top sales adviser with the lia sophia direct sales jewelry company. She achieved the honor by sales during her first four months in business.

THREE HONORED BY CITY COUNCIL

KENNETT, Mo. -- Brian Hively, Karen Vandiver and John Scherer received resolutions honoring their service to the City of Kennett. They were recognized by Mayor Roger Wheeler Sr. and the Kennett City Council. Hively was honored for serving 12 years as chairman of the Planning Commission in the City of Kennett. Vandiver was recognized for service on the Enhanced Enterprise Zone Committee. Scherer was honored for serving 12 years on the Planning Commission.

NORDENIA HONORS EMPLOYEES

NORDENIA USA Inc. named David Stoll, conversion operator of Cape Girardeau, employee of the month for January. He has been with the company since 1991. NORDENIA also recognized the following employment anniversaries: Brent Crites, 20 years of service; and Sherman Betts and Ronald Hale, 10 years.

JAMES EARNS CORPS OF ENGINEERS HONOR

NEW MADRID, Mo. -- New Madrid resident and Mississippi River Commission member R.D. James received the Bronze Order of the de Fleury Medal from Brig. Gen. Michael Walsh, president designee of the the MRC, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at the Mississippi Valley Flood Control Association's 74th annual meeting. James, appointed to the MRC by President Reagan in 1981, is one of the longest-serving commissioners in the organization's 130-year history. He earned the medal for demonstrating a high degree of professional competence, integrity and devotion to duty and country.

DOBBINS NAMED TO BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Kenneth W. Dobbins, president of Southeast Missouri State University, was named chair-elect of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities Board of Directors. The AASCU represents more than 430 public colleges, universities and systems of higher education throughout the United States and its territories. The appointment was made at the AASCU annual meeting Nov. 21-24.

PORT HONORS OUTGOING BOARD MEMBERS

At a recent meeting of the Southeast Missouri Regional Port Authority's Board of Commissioners, Vice Chairman Mark Kluesner presented plaques honoring two outgoing commission members. Gene Penzel of Jackson served as commission member at large in 2008-09 and 2004-05, and Mike Marshall of Sikeston, Mo., served as commission member from 1996-2009. Replacing Penzel is Martin Priggel, former presiding commissioner of the Scott County County Commission, and taking Marshall's seat is Rice "Pete" Burns Jr., a lawyer from Sikeston.

DENSON JOINS OFFICES UNLIMITED

Phil Denson joined Offices Unlimited as senior account executive. He provides customer service in the Cape Girardeau area.

HI TECH EMPLOYEE CERTIFIED

Darren Hyde of Hi Tech Communications attended training and certification held by BICSI in San Francisco. He completed 50 hours of self study before he qualified for training. As an ITS certified technician, Hyde is now a lead technician and project manager for Hi Tech's commercial construction division.

THURMAN EARNS CERTIFICATION

Debbie Thurman with Coldwell Banker Abernathy Realty, Jackson, earned short sales and foreclosure resource certification from the National Association of Realtors.

COOK COMPLETES NAIL WORKSHOP

Danielle Cook of Belladona Salon and Spa, Cape Girardeau, completed a technical workshop at The OPI Center for Nail Technology in the application of Axxium soak-off gel lacquer.

SOTO APPOINTED TO COMMITTEES

David Soto of SOTO Property Management, Cape Girardeau, was appointed to the governmental affairs, legislative and regulatory policy and technology committees by the Missouri Association of Realtors.

BECKER JOINS CAPE ARMORY

Spc. Stefanie Becker of Cape Girardeau was hired as full-time supply technician at the Missouri National Guard armory in Cape Girardeau as part of the 735th Quartermaster Force Provider Company's Detachment 3. Her duties include performing maintenance on unit equipment, making sure equipment is assigned and accounted for, preparing monthly inventories and food reports, managing clothing records and passing all inspections.

SPAIN ASSIGNED TO TROOP E

Jayson R. Spain of Jackson was assigned as a Missouri State Highway Patrol trooper for Troop E, based in Poplar Bluff, Mo. He is assigned to Zone 2, which patrols Butler and Ripley counties. His training officer is Cpl. Michael G. Slaughter. Spain began training at the Highway Patrol Academy July 1 and graduated Dec. 18.

BONNE TERRE MAYOR RESIGNS

BONNE TERRE, Mo. -- Fritz Gower resigned as mayor of Bonne Terre, citing personal priorities as a reason for the move. He was elected mayor in April 2008. LeeRoy Calvert, mayor pro tem, will serve as acting mayor until an organizational meeting is held.

ARMOUR RETIRES FROM GUARD

Sgt. Maj. Dan Armour retired from the Missouri National Guard Jan. 9. A policeman in his civilian life, Armour served in the military for 34 years, 28 of those with the Missouri National Guard. Brig. Gen. David F. Irwin presented him with a meritorious service medal during a retirement ceremony. Armour also received several certificates, plaques and other honors, including a resolution from Missouri's General Assembly and a certificate of appreciation from Gov. Jay Nixon.

COMMERCE HONORS GIBBS

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Amy Gibbs was named Employee of the Year for 2009 at Commerce Bank. She has been with the bank for three and a half years and works as a teller at the North 67 branch.

MCCOY TOPS AMERICAN REALTY

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

SEIB HONORED BY LARRY HILLIS

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Joann Seib was named Larry Hillis Dodge 2009 Employee of the Year. She has been with the company since 2007, when she began work as a cashier.

1ST MIDWEST HONORS CREWS

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Pamela Crews, a teller at First Midwest Bank, was chosen by her peers and management as Employee of the 4th Quarter of 2009. She received a monetary award and an engraved desk clock along with the honor.

SCHULTZ IS RECERTIFIED

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Randall D. Schultz, owner of Cotrell Funeral Service, qualified for recertification of the designation of certified funeral service practitioner by the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice. CFSP certification is the funeral service's national individual recognition; recertification includes completion of a 180-hour program of continuing education.

FBI RECOGNIZES CAPE PD

Several Cape Girardeau police officers were recognized by the FBI Jan. 14 for work that led to the arrest of two men connected to a Nov. 23 bank robbery in Cape Girardeau. The arrests of Marquel Rhines and Keiran Pippins were significant in helping the FBI solve 11 bank robberies in the Atlanta area. Officers receiving certificates of outstanding assistance included patrolman Jason Jurgen, assistant chief Roger Fields, patrolman Jon Jensen, Sgt. Rodney Barker, patrolman David Tucker, Southeast Missouri State University officer Kenny Mayberry and patrolman Brad Neels.

ERA CAPE ADDS DUNN TO STAFF

ERA Cape Realty added Steve Dunn to its team of real estate sales professionals in the Cape Girardeau area. Dunn has served the banking and small business industry, with additional experience as a staff appraiser for Hendrickson Appraisal Service.

BAKER NAMED CITIZEN OF THE YEAR

PARK HILLS, Mo. -- Rob Baker was named Citizen of the Year by the Park Hills Daily Journal. The award was presented at a Jan. 15 banquet for the Park Hills-Leadington Chamber of Commerce. Outgoing chamber president Debbie Bunch also recognized retiring board members Ron Burns, Debbie Thomure, Chuck Odel and Anne Strangmeier and welcomed incoming president Glenda Straughn.

The board of directors for 2010-2011 are Charlie Boyer, Bunch, Kelly Hamski and Straughn. Chad Bradley, Linda Dickerson, Ron Scott and Jenny Thorn will serve until 2012 and Jim Eaton, Larry Joseph, LeAnn Kelly and Chuck Odel will serve until 2013. Officers for 2010 are Straughn, president; Jim Eaton, first vice president; Larry Joseph, second vice president; Linda Dickerson, treasurer; Tamara Burns, executive director; Mayor Troy Dickens, ex-officio from Leadington; and Norm Lucas, ex-officio from Park Hills.

Chamber of Commerce award winners were Juanita Mahurin, Chamber's Friend; Joe Turner, Lifetime Contribution Award; and Central R-3 School District, Educational Achievement Award. KFMO/B104's Sweat Equity award went to Dale Thomure, former Park Hills community development director. KREI/KTJJ gave its 110% award to East Missouri Action Agency's River Hills Restaurant.

LITZELFELNER HONORED AT CHAMBER BANQUET

Jack Litzelfelner earned the R.A. Fulenwider Meritorious Community Service Award at the Jackson Chamber of Commerce and Jackson Industrial Development Authority banquet Jan. 15. Also that night, Procter & Gamble was honored as Industry of the Year and Koehler Bookkeeping and Ross Furniture were both named Small Business of the Year. Julie Rush, consultant with Arbonne International, received the Ambassador of the Year Award.

JACKSON ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT

DEXTER, Mo. -- After 30 years in the educational field and 21 years with the Dexter School District, Dr. Ken Jackson announced Jan. 19 that he will retire as superintendent at the end of the 2009-10 school year. He is serving in his seventh year as district superintendent. His last day is July 1.

CROUCH SPEAKS TO PROPERTY OWNERS

FARMINGTON, Mo. -- John Crouch, a partner in the accounting firm of Crouch, Farley & Heuring PC, spoke to the Historic Tanglefoot Association in Festus, Mo., Jan. 12. His presentation focused on tax credits that benefit building owners. The Historic Tanglefoot Association is a group of property owners, businesspeople and others interested Festus' downtown district.

WILSON SELECTED AS SUPERINTENDENT

KENNETT, Mo. -- The Kennett Board of Education voted to employ Chris Wilson, the district's current assistant superintendent, as the new superintendent at the start of the 2010-11 school year. He replaces Ward Billings, who rescinded his application for the position in December.

GOODWIN EARNS CREDITATION

J.D. Goodwin of Home Medical Supply earned assistive technology professional (ATP) certification from the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America, the nation's leading organization serving people with disabilities who are seeking technology applications to maximize their ability to function at home, school or work. ATP certification recognizes professionals who have reached a standard of knowledge in assistive technology and demonstrate a commitment to provide the highest ethical standards of practice.

RESTAURANT OWNERS JOIN HALL OF FAME

DEXTER, Mo. -- The Missouri Restaurant Association and the Greater St. Louis Restaurant Association inducted its 2010 leaders at Jan. 31 inaugural ceremony. John and Laveda Banken, owners of Hickory Log Restaurant, were inducted to the MRA Hall of Fame, an honor reserved for members of the association who have been in operation for at least 25 years and display superior business ethics.

CHAMBER EMPLOYEE COMPLETES TRAINING

Tim Arbeiter, vice president for community development of the Cape Girardeau Area Chamber of Commerce, graduated from Institute for Organization Management, a four-year not-for-profit leadership training program at the University of Arizona in Tucson. During the four years, participants attend one-week sessions at the same site, building relationships with others in the industry.

BOYER IS CITIZEN OF THE YEAR

BONNE TERRE, Mo. -- Brian Boyer was named Daily Journal Citizen of the Year at the Bonne Terre Chamber of Commerce awards banquet Jan. 23 in Terre Du Lac, Mo. Others recognized were Paul Williams, Lifetime Hall of Fame Award; Centenary United Methodist Church, Hometown Hero; Handicraft, KFMO-B104 Business Leader of the Year; Carolyn Simily, Froggy 96 Elite Service Award; Tammy Baranovic, KREI/KTJJ 110% Award; David Dill, Chamber Special Award; and John Owings, certificate of recognition. Baranovic, Simily, Boyer, Marty Umfleet and Nancy Dill were recognized for working on the committee to get the license office contract.

Past president Donna Jean Weber installed the 2010 members of the chamber board. Umfleet will remain president, and Dave Bahr is vice president. Board members remaining are Baranovic, Kevin Andres, Janice Bess, Brandon Hubbard, Carolyn Kaeser, J.J. Vickers, Ginger Williams and Amber Young.

ADVANCE NAMES NEW SUPERINTENDENT

ADVANCE, Mo. -- The Advance R-4 Board of Education announced Jan. 14 that Stan Seiler will replace retiring superintendent Mike Redman at the end of the school year. Seiler is currently elementary principal at Woodland Schools.

SUPREME COURT TO RECOGNIZE JUDGE SYLER

Supreme Court Judge Zel Fischer presented Presiding Judge William Syler, on behalf of the 32nd Judicial Circuit, with the Daniel O'Toole Award and the Permanency Award Feb. 4 at the Cape Girardeau County Courthouse. The O'Toole Award is given to circuits for efficiently managing and processing cases during fiscal 2009. The Permanency Award is given to circuits for holding timely hearings during fiscal 2009 in child abuse and neglect cases in which children removed from their homes are to be reunited with their families or are to be placed in another permanent home as soon as possible.

BOWEN TO PRESENT PAPER IN PARIS

Dr. Wayne Bowen, professor of history and chair of the Department of History at Southeast Missouri State University, will present a paper at a conference on "Oil and War" Feb. 10-12 in Paris, France. His paper, "The Spanish Fuel Crisis During World War II: Magic Pellets, Gasogene and the Allies," examines the struggles of Spain, a neutral nation, to ensure domestic oil supplies in World War II. The conference, organized by the National Center for Scientific Research in France, will include scholars from nine countries.

PAYNE SPEAKS AT CONVENTION

Richard Payne, director of the Cape Girardeau Career and Technology Center, spoke at the annual Technology Centers That Work National Forum in Jacksonville, Fla., Jan. 13-14. Payne and two other technology center directors served on a panel that discussed bridging the communication gap between career centers and high schools.

CHAMBER HIRES NEW DIRECTOR

FARMINGTON, Mo. -- The Farmington Chamber of Commerce hired Douglas McDermott as director, replacing Ursula Kthiri, who resigned in late 2009. McDermott, a Farmington-area native, currently serves as instructor of mass media at Southeast Missouri State University. He began his chamber duties Feb. 2 and will continue teaching a limited number of classes at the university through the current semester.

MADISON CHAMBER PRESENTS AWARDS

FREDERICKTOWN, Mo. -- The Madison County Chamber of Commerce held its annual awards banquet Jan. 23, where Denny Ward assumed the office of chamber president from outgoing president Kathy Kurtz. Those honored at the banquet include Sharron Tinnin, Democrat News Distinguished Community Service Award; Pense Brothers Drilling Company, KREI/KTJJ 110% Award; Dan Welker, Unsung Hero Award; Thal's Hardware, Business of the Year; Industrial Development Authority and Phillip Page, Helping Hand Award; Bill Osborne, Community Dedication Award; Donna Thompson, Great Ambition Award; Ozarks Federal Savings and Loan, Lifetime Achievement Award; Dr. Phillip Beyer, Preserving The Past Award; Fredericktown Revitalization Initiative, Outstanding Community Involvement; and City of Fredericktown, Generosity Award.

STEVENS EARNS RICE AWARD

PORTAGEVILLE, Mo. -- Dr. Gene Stevens of the Delta Research Center was named Rice Researcher of 2010 at the National Conservation Systems Cotton and Rice Conference Jan. 12 in Tunica, Miss. Stevens developed a new technique to help rice farmers determine whether to apply mid-season nitrogen in their fields; one of his current research projects is optimizing water and nitrogen management for center pivot irrigated rice.

CITY ANNOUNCES PROMOTIONS

The City of Cape Girardeau promoted three city employees, including John Haimes, street maintenance crew leader to street maintenance supervisor; Carl Pease Jr., street maintenance worker II to street maintenance crew leader; and Scott Griffith, sewer maintenance worker II to street maintenance crew leader.

POE RECEIVES LIMBAUGH AWARD

Pete Poe received the Cape Girardeau Area Chamber of Commerce's Rush H. Limbaugh Award for service to the community during the chamber's annual dinner Jan. 29. Poe's children accepted the award because he was attending the Missouri Association of Fairs and Festivals convention in Columbia, Mo. Other award recipients included Skyview Animal Clinic and Northwestern Mutual Financial Network--The Hahs Group, Small Business of the Year; and Paula Myers of Alliance Bank, Go Getter Award.

PETERSON FAMILY IS CITIZEN OF THE YEAR

PARK HILLS, Mo. -- The Chip and Debbie Peterson family received the Daily Journal/Farmington Press Citizen of the Year Award at the Farmington Chamber of Commerce banquet Jan. 29. The Petersons donate their restaurant (CiCi's Pizza) and time on Christmas Day to serve a free holiday meal to anyone who wants it. Also that evening, Ursula Kthiri was recognized for almost 10 years of service and Douglas McDermott was introduced as the new chamber director. Other awards went to Bauhaus Kaffee, Farmington Downtown Development Association's Downtown Pride Award; Jerome "Jerry" Watson, KREI/KTJJ 110% Award; Al Sullivan, KFMO/B104 Super Service Award; Kathy Grogan, KYLS/Froggy 96 Elite Service Award; Heather Garner, Ambassador of the Year; Plummer's How To store, Tradition and Progress Award; and Becky Landrum, Lifetime Achievement Award.