Names in the news

__NORDENIA HONORS EMPLOYEES__ Brendan Love, customer account coordinator of Jackson, was employee of the month for July at Nordenia USA Inc. He has been with the company since September 2007. Nordenia also recognizes the following employment anniversaries: Michael Latham, Ronnie Moyers and Randy Mann, 20 years of service; Anthony Watson, Kevin Dorris and David Mott, 15 years; George Oldham, 10 years; and Eric Cathcart and Tommy Lambert, five years.

__MOORE GETS EXPLOSIVES CERTIFICATION__ POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Poplar Bluff patrolman Darron Moore is the fourth police team member to graduate from the U.S. Army Ordnance Munitions and Electronics Maintenance School in Redstone Arsenal, Ala. The school is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Justice/FBI. By completing six weeks of specialized training, Moore is now certified to take action against a suspicious package or hazardous device, and to render explosive devices safe. He has been a member of the Southeast Missouri Regional Bomb Team since November 2007.

Rebecca Lester

__LESTER HONORED FOR SALES__ Rebecca Lester, Shelter Insurance Companies agent in Cape Girardeau, was honored as one of Shelter's highest achieving sales representatives, based on overall 2010 agency operations. The Champion designation recognizes members who demonstrate the highest overall excellence in insurance services and meet corporate standards of sound agency operation during the previous year. Lester has represented Shelter since December 2008.

Robin Drury

Tracy Curtis

Beth Bowlin

Lauren Jones

__YOGA INSTRUCTORS COMPLETE TRAINING__ Beth Bowlin, Tracy Curtis, Robin Drury and Lauren Jones of The Source Yoga 'N More in Cape Girardeau, completed YogaWall Level 1 teacher training at the Agape Yoga Studio in St. Louis. The new training will be incorporated into the studio's Spinal Rejuvenation Yoga, Back Pain Relief Yoga and Range of Motion Yoga, starting this fall.

__FINANCIAL ADVISER LOBBIES IN D.C.__ Donna Domian, a Cape Girardeau financial adviser for Edward Jones, recently met with legislators in Washington, D.C. She was one of 52 advisers chosen by the firm to travel to Washington and lobby on behalf of individual investors. She is a member of the firm's Grassroots Task Force, which supports tax incentives that encourage people to rebuild and retain retirement accounts that were diminished by the recession.

__BESS, HALE, RETIRE FROM CITY OF CAPE__ Bob Bess, sewer maintenance worker II with the City of Cape Girardeau, retired after 25 years of service to the Public Works Department. Additionally, Dennis Hale, wastewater treatment coordinator, retired after 34 years of service.

__MATHES JOINS PARKS & REC__ Steve Mathes joined the City of Cape Girardeau's Parks and Recreation Department on May 24 as facility maintenance worker II at the Osage Centre. He previously worked for the Jackson R-II School District.

__BANKEN JOINS HICKORY LOG__ DEXTER, Mo. -- Lance Banken joined the staff at The Hickory Log. He has worked in management at Lowe's in Cape Girardeau for the past nine years. Banken's parents, John and LaVeda Baken, have owned the restaurant for 44 years. His brother, Jason Banken, also works there.

__REYNOLDS GETS INSURANCE AWARD__ FARMINGTON, Mo. -- Lisa Reynolds, certified financial planner with Ameriprise, received an award from RiverSource Life Insurance Co. The award recognizes Ameriprise advisers who have reached outstanding benchmarks for helping clients grow their assets with protection, live confidently in retirement and share their legacy.

Brian Gerau

__CHAMBER DIRECTOR TAKES NEW POSITION__ Brian Gerau, executive director of the Jackson Chamber of Commerce since November 2008, accepted a new position as senior development officer with SoutheastHEALTH. A hiring committee was appointed to select a replacement, and applications were accepted through July 15. Gerau's last day with the chamber was July 29, and he began his new job Aug. 1.

__WORKFORCE BOARD PICKS LEADER__ The Workforce Investment Board of Southeast Missouri elected Kathy Sanders of Flowers by Sanders in Hayti, Mo., as chairwoman effective July 1. She replaces John Moorman of Versa Tech Inc. in Fredericktown, Mo., who was chairman for the past four years. He remains on the board as Madison County representative. Sanders has been on the board since 1999. The Workforce Investment Board operates Missouri Career Centers in 13 Southeast Missouri counties.

__DRIVER PLACES IN COMPETITION__ James Frank, a driver with FedEx in Cape Girardeau, received third place in the step van class at the Missouri Trucking Association's 44th annual Missouri Truck Driving Championships. The competition, held last month in Springfield, Mo., evaluated more than 150 drivers on their knowledge of the industry, first aid, safety, security and vehicle inspections. Participants were interviewed by industry experts and completed a driving obstacle course representing everyday conditions.

__MAURICES HAS NEW MANAGER__ FARMINGTON, Mo. -- Amanda Lewis is the new store manager of Maurices in Farmington. She is responsible for day-to-day operations of the store, including sales performance, visual presentation and personnel recruitment and training.

__NASH WINS CLIENT SERVICE AWARD__ FARMINGTON, Mo. -- Tara Nash, branch administrator of the Farmington Edward Jones office, won the Client Service Above and Beyond Award. Nash works for Edward Jones financial adviser Kama Chambers.

__BIG RIVER ADDS THREE EMPLOYEES__ Big River hired three new employees to help with its broadband build-out. They include Kara Wurtz, data analyst; Katelyn Wensink, director of retail operations; and Tim Tettambel, vice president of new ventures.

__BOWMAN ENTERS ROUND TABLE__ SIKESTON, Mo. -- Lee A. Bowman Jr., a Sikeston representative for Modern Woodmen of America, is one of a small percentage of life insurance agents worldwide to achieve membership in the prestigious Million Dollar Round Table this year. Those in the Round Table demonstrate high-level client service and production.

__STONE JOINS CITY OF CAPE__ Andrew Stone joined the City of Cape Girardeau June 20 as survey technician I. A native of Cape Girardeau, Stone previously worked at Walmart for 11 years

__AD GROUP ELECTS NEW OFFICERS, BOARD MEMBERS__ On July 11, Tri-State Advertising & Marketing Professionals elected officers for the 2011-2012 fiscal year and appointed eight new members to its board of directors. New officers are Emily Sikes, account services coordinator at Saint Francis Medical Center, president; Tonya Wells, assistant director of marketing at Southeast Missouri State University, vice president; Jay Wolz, supervisor of market management at SoutheastHEALTH, treasurer; and Boyce Holt, owner of All Media Services LLC, secretary. New or re-elected board members are Melody Anderson, Tracey Beeker, Nicolette Brennan, Judy Cantoni, Lindsey Church, Richard Proffer, Tyson Schoolfield and Jay Wolz.

Bill Crain

__CRAIN HONORED FOR 50 YEARS IN FUNERAL SERVICE__ William T. "Bill" Crain was honored recently as a 50-year Illinois licensed funeral director and embalmer. Crain graduated from Worsham College of Mortuary Science in 1959. He served a one-year apprenticeship and became licensed in April 1961. Crain has been affiliated with Crain Funeral Homes and Cemeteries of Southern Illinois and Southeast Missouri his entire life. His wife, Sharon, is also active in the family business.

__SPENCER LEADS RE/MAX__ POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Julie Spencer was Top Lister and Top Producer for June at RE/MAX Real Estate Group.

__SHORT JOINS UNITED WAY__

Heather Short joined United Way of Southeast Missouri as communication and marketing director. In this role, she will help develop and implement campaign and communication pieces, and will oversee social media. She will also keep track of campaign pledges and payments and reach out to the community to develop relationships for the organization. She previously worked in banking for seven years.

__P.B. TRUCKER PLACES SECOND__ POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Wayne Darnell, a driver for Con-Way Freight in Poplar Bluff, placed second in the Twin Trailers Class at the Missouri Trucking Association's 44th annual Missouri Truck Driving Championship in Springfield, Mo. During the two-day event, more than 150 drivers were evaluated on their knowledge of the industry, first aid, safety and federal vehicle inspections. Participants were then interviewed by industry experts before competing on a point value-assessed driving skills course.

__STEFFENS, HANNEKEN NAMED REGION DIRECTORS__ POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Greg Steffens, president of Southern Bank in Poplar Bluff, and Richard Hanneken of MRV Banks in Ste. Genevieve, Mo., were named regional directors of the River Heritage Region for the Missouri Bankers Association board for 2011 and 2012, reported the Daily American Republic. The MBA is a state trade and professional organization representing the interests of 330 banks and savings and loans in Missouri.

__WHITTEN IS TOP PRODUCER__ POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Terri Whitten was Top Producer for May at Century 21 American Realty Inc.

__SEMO PROFESSORS CO-AUTHOR SCIENCE ARTICLE__ Dr. Allen Gathman and Dr. Walt Lilly, biology professors at Southeast Missouri State University, cowrote an article for an upcoming edition of one of the world's most influential science journals. The article, titled "The Plant Cell Wall Decomposing Machinery Underlies the Functional Diversity of Forest Fungi," focuses on a fungus causing dry rot of buildings. It appears online in "Science Express" and will be printed in "Science," a weekly journal published by the American Association for the Advancement of Science. The professors' article is an outcome of their ongoing research on the biochemistry and molecular biology of proteases -- enzymes that degrade proteins -- in fungi.

Alex Armbruster

Jared Freese

__TWO JOIN NORTHWESTERN MUTUAL__ Alex Armbruster and Jared Freese were appointed financial representatives by Northwestern Mutual in Cape Girardeau. They are associated with Northwestern Mutual Financial Network The Hahs Group. Armbruster, a native of Perryville, Mo., last worked as a salesman for Coad Toyota of Cape Girardeau. Freese, a native of Crystal City, Mo., received a bachelor's degree in management with an emphasis in finance from Southeast Missouri State University.

Laurel Adkisson

__ADKISSON GETS CUSTOMER SATISFACTION AWARD__ Laurel Adkisson, an American Family Insurance agent in Cape Girardeau, was recognized for customer satisfaction excellence under the J.D. Power and Associates Distinguished Insurance Agency Program. Adkisson has been an American Family agent since December 1999, and has qualified for this award for seven years.

__JUNGBLUTH FINISHES INSURANCE COURSE__ POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Jeff Jungbluth, Farmers Insurance agent in Poplar Bluff, completed the Insurance Agent Career Accelerator Course at the University of Farmers. The course was designed for top-performing Farmers agents to learn the best practice methods surrounding staffing, business management, marketing and sales.

__FELKER GETS DISTINGUISHED AGENCY AWARD__ BONNE TERRE, Mo. -- Edward Felker, an American Family Insurance agent in Bonne Terre, was recognized for customer satisfaction excellence under the J.D. Power and Associates Distinguished Insurance Agency Program. He has been an American Family agent since March 2003.

__BOLD MARKETING ADDS THREE__ Ryan Garnett, Brian Hukel and Callie Clark Miller joined the team at BOLD Marketing in Cape Girardeau. As client services director, Garnett is responsible for managing current accounts, business development, customer relations and marketing planning and research. He lives in Kelso, Mo., and has eight years of experience as a coach, athletic director and teacher. Hukel, executive director of BOLD Promotions, will focus on customer relations, vendor relations and the selling and distribution of custom promotional products. He lives in Cape Girardeau and has 14 years of experience in public education, including five years in administration. Miller serves as creative content strategist at BOLD, focusing on marketing campaign concepts and interoffice project workflow. She lives in Jackson and previously worked for 10 years as a writer and editor at Rust Communications. Most recently, she oversaw editorial for the Southeast Missourian's niche publications.

__JEWEL OPENS LAW PRACTICE__ Deidre D. Jewel opened her own law practice, Jewel Law Firm LLC, 1416 N. Kingshighway in Cape Girardeau. She specializes in bankruptcy and Social Security disability cases. Jewel formerly worked at the firm of Lichtenegger, Weiss and Fetterhoff.

__HOLCOMB HIRES PRINCIPAL__ HOLCOMB, Mo. -- Matt Hodges will be the new principal at Holcomb High School, reported the Daily Dunklin Democrat. He replaces Ashley McMillan, who resigned and took a new job as principal of Malden High School.

__LONG GETS DRIVING SAFETY AWARD__ Larry "Bud" Long, a driver for Buchheit Trucking Service in Scott City, received the Chairman's Safe Driving Club Five-Year Award from the Missouri Trucking Association on March 30. He is the first driver ever to get the five-year award. To be eligible for a Chairman's Safe Driving award, drivers must be employed with their current employer for at least three years, have a clean driving record and have had no accidents. Seventeen Buchheit drivers received the award for 2010. Long, of Marquand, Mo., has worked for Buchheit in Scott City for 21 years and had an outstanding safety record.

__CHAMBER ADDS TWO STAFFERS__ SIKESTON, Mo. -- Kimberly Rogers-Robinson was hired as program director at the Sikeston Area Chamber of Commerce, and Berneatress Hunt is the new administrative assistant.

__GRAHAM GETS AWARD OF EXCELLENCE__ NEW MADRID, Mo. -- Harvey Graham of Harvey Graham and Associates Realty in New Madrid, received the Summit Level Award of Excellence from the Sikeston Board of Realtors. The award is given to Missouri Realtors who have achieved more than $2 million in volume or 24 transaction sides of real estate listings, sales and leases in 2010.

__HALL IS ROOKIE OF THE MONTH__ CHAFFEE, Mo. -- Joyce Hall, a financial representative with Modern Woodmen Fraternal Financial in Chaffee, was Rookie of the Month in the Missouri East Region for June and July. The honor is given to a full-time representative who has been with the company less than three years and is leading the region in production. Hall began working full-time with Modern Woodmen in June.

__EFTINK RESIGNS FROM CITY OF CAPE__ Ken Eftink resigned as Cape Girardeau's assistant city manager after four years of leading divisions for planning, engineering and inspections. The resignation was effective July 25, reported the Southeast Missourian. City engineer Kelly Green was named interim development services director, although not interim assistant city manager, said city manager Scott Meyer. Eftink had previously been employed by the city of Cape Girardeau from 1989 to 2000 as development and planning coordinator and was employed for seven years with the Cape Girardeau County Mapping and Appraisal Office. During his tenure with the city, Eftink had also been a candidate for the city manager's position before the Cape Girardeau City Council opted to hire Meyer.

__SCUDDER RESIGNS FROM SCOTT COUNTY__ BENTON, Mo. -- Amber Scudder resigned her position as Scott County's emergency management director, effective Aug. 31, the Sikeston Standard Democrat reported July 27. Scudder also served as the county's addressing specialist for mapping and flood plain administrator. She told the Standard Democrat that she resigned in order to spend more time with her family.

__MCLEAN JOINS FOOD COMPANY__ POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Amy McLean of Poplar Bluff is a new independent sales consultant with Tastefully Simple Inc., a national direct sales company featuring more than 60 easy-to-prepare foods.

__LITTLES IS TOP PRODUCER__ POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Brock Littles was top producer for June at Coldwell Banker in Poplar Bluff.

__MOUSER NAMED RISING STAR__ Bradley Mouser, a certified financial planner and certified public accountant in Cape Girardeau, was named a Rising Star at Explore 2011, Genworth Financial's 13th annual national conference. Rising Star designation places Mouser among the most progressive in his industry. Explore 2011 is a three-day training and education conference that brings together financial advisers from across the country for learning and networking.

__PUGH COMPLETES CAREER AGENT COURSE__ SIKESTON, Mo. -- Johnny Pugh, Farmers Insurance agent in Sikeston, completed the Career Agents Course at the Univeristy of Farmers in Agoura Hills, Calif. The five-day course is designed to enhance professional skills of Farmers Insurance agents.

__SIKESTON HONORS EMPLOYEES__ SIKESTON, Mo. -- Todd Kennard, skilled worker for the Sikeston Department of Public Works, was employee of the third quarter. Officer John Nelson was employee of the third quarter for the Department of Public Safety.