Names in the news

BOLIN IS NEW TEEN CHALLENGE DIRECTOR

The Rev. James Bolin is the new executive director for Teen Challenge International Mid-America. He previously served as pastor of First Assembly of God in Malden, Mo. Bolin replaces the Rev. Jack Smart, who was promoted with Teen Challenge USA in Ozark, Mo.

DANIEL JOINS HAHS GROUP

Jacob Daniel

Jacob Daniel was appointed a financial representative by Northwestern Mutual in Cape Girardeau and is now associated with Northwestern Mutual Financial Network The Hahs Group. As a financial representative, Daniel will offer products in the areas of risk management, education and retirement analysis and long-term, tax-efficient savings strategies. Daniel previously served as general sales manager at Anderson Broadcasting, Cape Girardeau.

PEREZ NAMED FARM SAFETY REP

MATTHEWS, Mo. -- Ashley Perez accepted the position of 2010 Farm Safety 4 Just Kids youth representative for the Monsato Matthews SEMO Chapter. In this position, Perez will promote agricultural safety through fair booths, classroom programs, day camps and media interviews; represent Farm Safety 4 Just Kids at National Organizations for Youth Safety meetings; and help review new educational materials. A 2010 graduate of New Madrid County Central High School, Perez is currently a student at Three Rivers Community College.

PYLAND JOINS LINCOLN LACY

MALDEN, Mo. -- Ben Pyland joined the sales staff at Lincoln Lacy Motors.

THURMAN JOINS MAYBERRY SEED co.

ESSEX, Mo. -- Josh Thurman of East Prairie, Mo., is a new AgVenture yield specialist at Mayberry Seed Co. He works one-on-one with Bootheel farmers to help them maximize profits, said Larry Mayberry, owner and general manager of the business. Thurman previously worked as a risk management specialist at Progressive Farm Credit Services.

MORSE JOINS 1ST COMMUNITY BANK

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Len Morse joined 1st Community Bank as vice president with responsibilities as bank manager and loan officer.

MORGAN COMPLETES REDKEN CERTIFICATION

Rana Stewart Morgan

Rana Stewart Morgan, a stylist at Belladona Salon Spa and Boutique in Cape Girardeau, is now a Redken certified haircolorist. To earn the accreditation, Morgan completed a written and practical exam to demonstrate her knowledge in hair color principles, creative color, foil placement, color correction and the consultation process.

PALMER JOINS 1ST COMMUNITY INSURANCE

MALDEN, Mo. -- Kim Palmer, Gideon, Mo., joined 1st Community Insurance Group at its Malden branch.

MAYS GETS STATE CPA AWARD

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Betsy Mays, CPA and partner at Coffman and Co., received the 2010 Women to Watch Award in the Emerging Leader category from the Missouri Society of CPAs and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Awards are in two categories: Experienced Leaders, who are established members of the CPA profession, and Emerging Leaders, who have been in accounting for 10 years or less. Selection criteria included mentoring other professionals, public or community service, involvement with their alma mater, leadership in workplace initiatives and improvements and overall contributions to the profession.

SPENCER TOPS RE/MAX

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Julie Spencer was top Lister and Top Producer for October at RE/MAX Real Estate Group.

FOWLER PROMOTED AT ALLIANCE bank

Lori Fowler

Lori Fowler was appointed vice president of commercial loans at Alliance Bank, Cape Girardeau, by Cord Polen, president and CEO. Fowler has been with Alliance since 2008, working as internal auditor, compliance and loan review officer. She has more than 20 years of banking experience.

LITTLES LEADS COLDWELL

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Brock Littles was Top Lister for October at Coldwell Banker Ruth Holloway Realty.

NORDENIA HONORS EMPLOYEES

Nancy Garland, conversion operator of Marble Hill, Mo., was employee of the month for November at NORDENIA USA. She has been with the company since September 2004. NORDENIA also recognizes the following employment anniversaries: Lisa Seyer, 15 years of service; Pamela Moore and Sharon Wiseman, 10 years; and Todd Blissett, Michael Dugan, Adam Landewee, Jerene Lovell and Katherine Shirrell, five years.

SIKESTON HONORS EMPLOYEES

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Bill Nance, a member of the Sikeston Park Division for over 33 years, was Sikeston Department of Public Works' Employee of the Fourth Quarter. Additionally, Detective Bobby Sullivan was Sikeston Department of Public Safety Employee of the Fourth Quarter.

TWO JOIN TASTEFULLY SIMPLE

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Michelle Johnson and Sandy Mays, both of Sikeston, have become independent consultants with Tastefully Simple Inc., a national direct-sales company featuring more than 60 easy-to-prepare foods.

Brian Matthews

TRAVEL AGENTS ATTEND TRAINING

Carolyn Kempf

Carolyn Kempf, president and CEO of Elite Travel Inc., Cape Girardeau, and travel consultants Cortney Hinkebein, Brian Matthews and Jamie Stroder, completed the 17th annual MLT University in St. Paul, Minn. MLT Vacations is one of the largest tour operators in the United States and provides travel agents with industry-leading education.

Cortney Hinkebein

Matthews also completed training recently to become a U.S. Virgin Islands specialist.

STAPLETON ELECTED TO UEDA BOARD

Dr. James Stapleton, executive director of the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship and assistant professor of management at Southeast Missouri State University, was elected to the University Economic Development Association Board of Directors at their membership meeting Nov. 9 in Reno, Nev. Candidates from across the nation were considered to serve in a planning and advisory capacity to this professional alliance. Stapleton attended his first board meeting Nov. 10 at the close of the organization's annual summit. He will serve the board for a term of two years.

BURCH APPOINTED TO STATE COMMISSION

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Gov. Jay Nixon appointed Bill Burch, Sikeston, Mo., to the Missouri Citizens' Commission on Compensation for Elected Officials. The commission establishes the compensation for state elected officials, members of the General Assembly and judges (except for municipal judges). Burch, owner of Burch Food Services, is one of 12 appointed to the commission.

HENSLEY ELECTED ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Helen Hensley, counselor/psychological examiner with Sikeston R-6 Schools, was elected president of the Southeast Missouri State School Counselor's Association. The association promotes guidance and counseling services, encourages professional growth of counselors in the district, and develops guidance programs and activities for students in the 19 counties of the Southeast Missouri Chapter. As president, Hensley is CEO of the association and presides over all meetings and the governing board.

NEW CIRCUIT CLERK TAKING OFFICE EARLY

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Gov. Jay Nixon appointed Cynthia Bowman of Ellsinore, Mo., to the position of Butler County circuit clerk. Bowman was elected circuit clerk Nov. 2 for a term that begins in January. She will step in immediately to fill the remainder of the term of Emily Parks, who resigned to become director of development at Three Rivers College. Bowman, a Republican, has served with the Butler County circuit clerk's office since 1987. In that position, she conducted training and supervision of all new clerks hired by the office.

GIBSON JOINS BLACKWELL BALDWIN

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Cloyd "CE" Gibson joined the team of salesmen at Blackwell Baldwin Ford.

DAVIS PROMOTED TO PARK CENTER MANAGER

Heather Davis

Heather Davis was promoted Nov. 8 to manager of Shawnee Park Center, Cape Girardeau. She previously worked as recreation coordinator for the Parks and Recreation Department since September 2008.

ETZOLD NAMED COUNSELOR OF THE YEAR

Brenda Etzold, eighth and ninth grade counselor at Jackson Junior High School, was named Missouri Middle/Junior High School Counselor of the Year by the Missouri School Counselor Association.

HAGGETT ASSIGNED TO SEMO AREA

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Sgt. David B. "Brad" Haggett is the new full-time recruitment officer for the Missouri State Highway Patrol in Southeast Missouri. He is responsible for recruiting activities in Southeast Missouri, including Poplar Bluff, Sikeston, Caruthersville, Rolla, Ft. Leonard Wood and surrounding areas.

OXFORD JOINS CRAIN FUNERAL HOMES

Betsy Oxford

ANNA, Ill. -- Betsy Oxford joined Crain Funeral Homes as an office administrator at the Anna, Ill., location. She previously worked as a surgical assistant in an oral surgeon's office. Crain has locations in Cape Girardeau and in Murphysboro, Anna, Dongola, Tamms and Ullin, Ill.

BRYANT OPENS INSURANCE AGENCY

Tim Bryant established a Farmers Insurance Group office at 3105 Independence St., Cape Girardeau. The agency has an emphasis on auto, home, life and business insurance. Bryant is also licensed to sell health insurance and Medicare supplement policies.

NOTO CERTIFIED AS WINE SPECIALIST

Brian Noto was recognized as a certified wine specialist by the Society of Wine Educators. Noto was required to pass an exam about worldwide wine regions, viticulture, grape varieties, wine production, wine tasting and etiquette. He is one of two certified wine specialists in the Cape Girardeau area and 3,541 worldwide.

DOBBINS CHAIRS BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Dr. Kenneth W. Dobbins, president of Southeast Missouri State University, assumed the chair of the American Association of State Colleges & Universities' Board of Directors during the association's annual meeting Nov. 22. AASCU is the leadership association of 420 public colleges and universities delivering America's promise through their common commitments to access, affordability and educational opportunity.

DIRNBERGER ELECTED TO STATE ASSOCIATION BOARD

Tom R. Dirnberger, Scott County recorder

BENTON, Mo. -- Tom R. Dirnberger, Scott County recorder, was elected third vice president of the Missouri Association of Counties Executive Board. He was nominated, interviewed and elected during a November conference at Tan-Tar-A. Dirnberger is one of five members on the executive board of the MAC, a nonprofit corporation that provides assistance to all 114 counties in the state in matters pertaining to local, state and federal government activities. The organization is for representatives of all county offices. Dirnberger has been at-large director for MAC for the past two years. In 2007 and 2008, he was president of the Missouri Recorders Association, which in turn made him a director of the MAC Executive Board. Dirnberger's new position is a one-year term.

BARNES RECEIVES PRIDE AWARD

Dr. Jeremy Barnes, professor of health, human performance and recreation at Southeast Missouri State University, received the PRIDE Award during commencement on Dec. 18. The Provost's Research, Instruction and Development for Excellence (PRIDE) Award recognizes a faculty member who has demonstrated excellence as a teacher, an extraordinary level of scholarship and service, and whose overall accomplishments are especially noteworthy. Barnes was selected for the award by the Council of Deans after nominations were solicited from each of the university's colleges and schools. In addition to receiving the award, Barnes served as grand marshal at commencement and presented the Honors Convocation address.