BusinessFebruary 20, 2012
Names in the news
SAMMONS NAMED VP OF SALES Gregory Sammons was named vice president of sales, marketing and development for Campbell Mattress Co. He has been in the mattress business, including sales, manufacturing and development, for more than 35 years in national and regional companies...
SAMMONS NAMED VP OF SALES
Gregory Sammons was named vice president of sales, marketing and development for Campbell Mattress Co. He has been in the mattress business, including sales, manufacturing and development, for more than 35 years in national and regional companies.
DARBY IS ROOKIE OF THE MONTH
Kelly Darby of Jackson, a financial representative with Modern Woodmen Fraternal Financial, was Rookie of the Month in the Missouri East Region for December. 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.
NORDENIA HONORS WILLIAMSON
Gene Williamson, research and development coordinator of Jackson, was employee of the month for January at Nordenia USA Inc. He has been with the company since May 1994.
RAWSON EARNS STAR AWARD
DEXTER, Mo. -- Dena Rawson, director of Dexter's O.A.K.S. Senior Center, received an Area Agency on Aging Star Award for 2011, reported the Daily Statesman. The annual Star Awards honor individuals in Southeast Missouri who work to improve the lives of seniors and whose efforts promote seniors' needs and accomplishments within the community. Rawson received the 2011 Star Award for outstanding nutrition service.
DARNELL GETS BROKER LICENSE
POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Shirley Darnell of Coldwell Banker Ruth Holloway Realty received her broker designation. To reach this status, an individual must be a licensed Realtor for at least two years and is required to pass a 48-hour broker course.
TAYLOR LEADS AMERICAN REALTY
POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Sandy Taylor was top lister and top producer for November at Century 21 American Realty.
WICHERN JOINS ALLIANCE BANK
Chelsea Wichern joined Alliance Bank in Cape Girardeau as a credit analyst. Wichern began her banking career as a teller in 2007 and assisted in the lending environment at two other financial institutions.
CAPE AREA PERSONNEL NAMES NEW OFFICERS
Cape Area Personnel Association announced its new officers for 2012. Lori Meyer of Cape Girardeau is president; Drenna Shive, RHC Holdings Corp., is president-elect; Lisa Rouse, BioKyowa Inc., is secretary; and Sarah Jenkins, Buzzi Unicem U.S.A., is treasurer. Cape Area Personnel Association is the only local professional association for individuals with work-related interests in the field of human resources.
WIMP GRADUATES FROM FBI PROGRAM
Capt. Jack Wimp was one of 266 law enforcement officers to graduate Dec. 16 from the FBI National Academy Program at Quantico, Va. Wimp joined the Cape Girardeau Police Department in 1985, was promoted to sergeant in 2000, to lieutenant in 2006 and to captain in 2009. He has served as patrol officer, detective, traffic sergeant and auxiliary service lieutenant and is currently captain in the Support Service Bureau.
GREER NAMED GENERAL MANAGER
DEXTER, Mo. -- Bud Hunt, publisher of the Dexter Daily Statesman, announced Jan. 6 that Bobby Greer will assume duties of general manager of the newspaper, effective immediately. Greer has been serving as circulation manager and assistant publisher, as well as overseeing all digital media initiatives for the newspaper. In his new capacity, he will oversee daily operations of the newspaper. Greer began his newspaper career in 2006 as the Statesman's circulation manager. He has also served as managing editor.
MEYER PROMOTED TO EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DIRECTOR
STE. GENEVIEVE, Mo. -- Felix Meyer was promoted to director of emergency management for Ste. Genevieve County, effective Jan. 1, by the Ste. Genevieve County Commission, reported the Ste. Genevieve Herald. Meyer has been deputy director for emergency management since March 2011. He has more than 20 years of experience as an emergency services responder. He works part-time for Levee District 3 as maintenance and operations manager. He is also a battalion chief with the Ste. Genevieve Fire Department and has been an EMT for 18 years. His new role is a part-time position.
BOWMAN HONORED BY MODERN WOODMEN
SIKESTON, Mo. -- Lee Bowman Jr. of Sikeston, a financial representative with Modern Woodmen Fraternal Financial, was Representative of the Month in the Missouri East Region for December. He joined the company in November 2003.
KRUSE RECEIVES SERVICE AWARD
DEXTER, Mo. -- Charles Kruse, a Dexter farmer and former Missouri Farm Bureau president, received the Distinguished Service to Agriculture Award from the American Farm Bureau Federation's annual meeting in Honolulu. The award honors individuals who have devoted their careers to serving farming and ranching. A fourth-generation farmer, Kruse has dedicated more than 40 years to agriculture, including service on several local, state and national committees. For 18 years, until his retirement at the end of 2010, Kruse was president of MFB. He was director of the Missouri Department of Agriculture from 1985 to 1991.
MAGNET TO SEARCH FOR NEW LEADER
Cape Girardeau Area Magnet, the region's lead economic development organization, will look for a new director in April, the Southeast Missourian reported. The organization's board voted at its December meeting not to renew executive director Mitch Robinson's annual contract. He has served as director of the organization for 18 years. His contract will run through June 30, and the board will initiate a search for a new director April 1. Robinson said that during his tenure, Magnet has created more than 2,500 jobs and retained more than 500 jobs in the area. The total investment activity exceeds a documented $1.3 billion, he said. During his 18 years there, Magnet brought more than $4.5 million in public infrastructure grants to the region, he said. Robinson said he understood that organizations need fresh blood and that change is sometimes good. Robinson said he intended to stay on through the end of April and will continue to work on development projects and with the board in its search for his replacement.
HUNKLER GETS NATIONAL AWARD
POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Michael Hunkler, collision technician at Larry Hillis Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Poplar Bluff, was named a Chrysler/ASE Master Collision Repair and Refinish Technician of the Year. Forty auto professionals from across the nation were recognized Nov. 16 at the Annual Technician Awards of the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence in Charlotte, N.C. The awards spotlight top scorers on ASE certification tests from more than 360,000 ASE-certified professionals nationwide. Hunkler has been an auto body technician for 32 years and an ASE-certified master collision technician since 2000.
BURNER JOINS EXIT REALTY
Shad Burner joined Exit Realty - Thomas Meyer Associates as a real estate agent. He also serves as vice president and director of operations at Broadway Esquire Entertainment Group. Burner was previously director of alumni services at Southeast Missouri State University, where he has worked for more than five years.
PENZEL TO RECEIVE MASTER PILOT AWARD
Gene Penzel will receive the Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award, which recognizes pilots who have demonstrated professionalism, skill and aviation expertise by maintaining safe operations for 50 or more years. Recipients are awarded a certificate and a lapel pin and are recognized in the Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award Roll of Honor at FAASafety.gov.
BULLOCK RESIGNS, MCMILLIAN STEPS UP
PORTAGEVILLE, Mo. -- Jeff Bullock, superintendent of Holcomb Public Schools, will not return as the school's lead administrator after the current academic year, the Daily Dunklin Democrat reported. He has accepted an offer as high school principal and football coach at Portageville Public Schools, beginning this summer. Bullock spent 13 years with the district -- seven as high school principal and six as superintendent. He will begin his new position at Portageville on July 1. Former Holcomb High School principal Ashley McMillian will return to the district as superintendent on July 1. He previously served as a principal in the Holcomb School District for four years before leaving last year to take an administrative position at Malden Public Schools. He has worked in education for 16 years.
JACKSON CHAMBER PRESENTS AWARDS
The Jackson Area Chamber of Commerce presented awards at its annual dinner Jan. 13. Awards went to David Hitt, R.A. Fulenwider Meritorious Community Service Award; Jodi Brunke, account executive at IESI, Chamber Ambassador of the Year; Signature Packaging and Paper, owned by Dennis Vinson, Industry of the Year; Realty Executives of Cape County, owned by Bill and Susan Cole, Small Business of the Year; HealthPoint Fitness, operated by SoutheastHEALTH, Business of the Year; and the Jackson School District, Community Service Award. A special award went to Cheryl Merkler, executive assistant at the chamber, for her 10 years of service with the organization. Retiring chamber board members Dr. Ron Anderson of the Jackson School District, Marsha Haskell of AT&T and Hitt were also recognized.
EXTENSION HIRES 4-H SPECIALIST
PARK HILLS, Mo. -- The University of Missouri Extension in St. Francois County hired Stephanie Schindler as a 4-H youth development specialist. Her new duties, which began Jan. 3, include providing educational leadership to the 4-H program in St. Francois, Ste. Genevieve and Washington counties.
DANIELS JOINS US BANK
Shannon Daniels joined US Bank as a senior financial adviser. She works in the Cape Girardeau branch at 325 N. Kingshighway.
FRISH RESIGNS AS DOWNTOWN DIRECTOR
POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Tracy Frish, executive director of Downtown Poplar Bluff Inc. for two years, submitted her resignation, effective Feb. 1. Frish, who returned to her hometown of Poplar Bluff from the Washington, D.C., area, told the Daily American Republic that she wants to move closer to her family on the East Coast. The search for a new director has already begun.
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GIBSON JOINS C21
POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Stephanie Gibson is a new sales associate at Century 21 1st Choice Realty in Poplar Bluff. She has completed training and licensing through the Cape Girardeau Excellence School of Real Estate Program and brings more than 13 years of retail experience to the firm.
COMMERCE HONORS EMPLOYEES
POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Karen Berry was honored for 45 years of service with Commerce Bank, Brenda Lanye was honored for 30 years and Amy Gibbs was honored for five. Additionally, Jenny Hickman was named 2011 Employee of the Year. She has worked as a drive-thru teller for three years. She completed her senior teller training this year after achieving senior teller status.
HOSENEY LEAVES POSITION
POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Three Rivers College lost one of its top officials in January and will decide in coming months if it will continue to have a vice president of student success, the Daily American Republic reported. The college will honor the final six months of Jason Hoseney's two-year contract, said college president Dr. Devin Stephenson. The administrative leave will allow Hoseney to work on his dissertation and pursue other professional opportunities, Stephenson said. Marcia Fields, director of enrollment services, will serve as interim coordinator of student success while the college considers whether or not to maintain Hoseney's position.
BANK OF MISSOURI ANNOUNCES PROMOTIONS
The Bank of Missouri recently announced the following promotions in Perryville, Mo: Kenneth Anderson to senior vice president/senior commercial loan officer; Benjamin Brinkman, network administrator; Christopher Congiardo, software application specialist; Karen Freeman, consumer loan officer; Jeff Haertling, vice president/ag and commercial loan officer; Tiffany Haertling, mortgage loan officer; Dawn Haley, assistant vice president/customer service supervisor; and Nancy Zoellner, assistant vice president of loan administration. The following employees were promoted in Cape Girardeau: Kathy Bertrand, senior vice president/senior commercial loan officer; Mary Dannenmueller, assistant vice president/bank secrecy act officer; Benjie Ferguson, assistant vice president/commercial loan officer; and Kristy Layton, credit administration officer. The following employees were promoted in Jackson: Corey Buchheit, assistant vice president/loan officer, and Kathy Roth, vice president/branch operations officer.
SWAFFORD JOINS STUDIO DESIGNS
April Swafford joined Studio Designs in Cape Girardeau as a stylist and pedicurist. She previously owned and worked at Hair Studio 227 for seven years. She graduated from Stage One Hair School in 1999 and has 13 years of experience in the field.
BONNE TERRE CHAMBER PRESENTS AWARDS
BONNE TERRE, Mo. -- Donna Hickman received the Bonne Terre Chamber of Commerce's Daily Journal Citizen of the Year Award, reported the Park Hills Daily Journal. Her award was presented at the chamber's annual awards and installation banquet Jan. 21. Other awards went to USA Drug, KFMO/B104 Business Leader of the Year; Flora Denton, Elite Service Award; Ellen Masulit and Mitzi White Tyrell, Hometown Hero Awards; Dave Bahr, KTJJ/KREI 110 Percent Award; and Carolyn Kaeser, Lifetime Hall of Fame Award.
WAGGANER NAMED CITIZEN OF THE YEAR
LEADINGTON, Mo. -- Jackie Wagganer received the Daily Journal's Citizen of the Year Award at the Park Hills-Leadington Chamber of Commerce's annual banquet on Jan. 20 in Leadington, reported the Park Hills Daily Journal. Also receiving awards were Debbie Bunch, Chamber Friend Award; Lois Ann Meyer, Lifetime Contribution Award; Theresa and Paul Bauman, KFMO/B104 Radio Sweat Equity Award; and Denny Mills, KREI/KTJJ Radio 110% Award.
DEXTER CHAMBER PRESENTS AWARDS
DEXTER, Mo. -- The Ben Kruse 18 Fore Life Foundation, headed by Scott and Kerri Kruse, was named Organization of the Year for 2011 by the Dexter Chamber of Commerce, reported the Daily Statesman. The award was presented at the chamber's annual banquet Jan. 21. Other awards went to LeGrand's Communications, Small Business of the Year; Allen Christian Buick GMC, Business of the Year; U.S. Poly Enterprises Inc., Industry of the Year; and Jeannie Cato, Educator of the Year.
LINHART HONORED BY REINKE
EAST PRAIRIE, Mo. -- Stacy Linhart of Yellow Gold LLC in East Prairie received the PLUS (Proven Leaders in Service) Certified Technician Award from Reinke Manufacturing Inc., a leading manufacturer of mechanized irrigation systems. Linhart qualified for the honor during a Reinke service training session in December. He received the PLUS Award by completing all of his classes and receiving high marks on all testing.
MCGOWAN NOW AN OWNER
POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Ken McGowan of Ellsinore, Mo., fulfilled his lease agreement and became an owner/operator in January at Gregory Logistics Inc. He began working for the company in November 2006.
PAYNE JOINS FIRST STATE
PORTAGEVILLE, Mo. -- Judy Payne joined First State Community Bank in Portageville as a loan officer. She has 14 years of banking experience and previously worked in accounting and as a flower shop owner.
FLOWERS JOINS BANK STAR
CARUTHERSVILLE, Mo. -- Bank Star of the Bootheel, with offices in Steele and Caruthersville, Mo., hired Brandon Flowers as a consumer loan officer. He previously worked as a finance manager at Central Buick GMC in Jonesboro, Ark.
CHAMBER ANNOUNCES 2012 OFFICERS
MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- Bollinger County Chamber of Commerce officers for 2012 include Charles Hutchings, vice president; Sherry McCain, secretary; Garry Majors, president; and Robin Cureton, treasurer.
MAGNUS JOINS SEMO AG DEPARTMENT
Roxane Magnus, an entomologist and former contract biologist with Monsanto Co., joined the agriculture faculty at Southeast Missouri State University. She is primarily teaching plant and soil science courses at the university campuses in Sikeston, Malden and Kennett, Mo., said Dr. Michael Aide, chair of the Department of Agriculture. She will also work with the agriculture community to obtain program assessment and facilitate agribusiness internships and career opportunties, Aide said.
CAPE CHAMBER PRESENTS AWARDS
The Cape Girardeau Area Chamber of Commerce presented several awards at its annual dinner Jan. 27. Awards went to Heather Short, Go Getter Award; Danny Essner, Rush H. Limbaugh Award; and Premier Rehab, owned by Dennis and Summer Riney, Small Business of the Year.
DOMIAN EARNS NEW ACCREDITATION
Timothy R. Domian of the financial services firm Edward Jones in Cape Girardeau achieved the professional designation of Accredited Asset Management Specialist. Domian completed the Accredited Asset Management Specialist, Professional Education Program from the Denver-based College for Financial Planning. Those who complete the program, pass a final exam and sign a code of ethics and disclosure form earn the designation. The advanced training offers the hands-on information needed to provide comprehensive financial services.
BRYAN ACCEPTS NEW MARKETING JOB
Tina Bryan accepted a position as director of marketing for NewGround, a St. Louis-based international firm specializing in building, design and branding for retail environments in consumer industries such as finance and health care. While living in Cape Girardeau, Bryan operated her own firm, Watermark Marketing. She did public relations projects with clients including the Yes to Gaming committee, Isle of Capri, Old Town Cape and My Daddy's Cheesecake.
LISA'S HOUSE OF HAIR ADDS MASSAGE THERAPIST
Annette Stiff is now offering massage services at Lisa's House of Hair and Sun at 2031 Independence St. in Cape Girardeau. Stiff, a licensed massage therapist with 22 years of experience, specializes in Swedish massage.
CLAUSE JOINS FORD AND SONS
Dana Clause joined the staff of Ford and Sons Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau. She recently moved to Missouri from Indiana and will receive her Missouri license as a funeral director and embalmer by the end of February. Clause received her Indiana license in November after graduating from Ivy Tech Community College in 2010. She has an associate degree in applied science with a focus in mortuary science. She has been in the field for eight years.
CROSNOE NAMED MIDDLE SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
Rex Crosnoe, a 16-year veteran of education, was named principal of Cape Central Middle School. He previously served for five years as assistant principal at the school. Before joining Cape Girardeau Public Schools, he coached football and baseball for 11 years at Jackson Public Schools.
COOK RETIRES FROM JEFFERSON SCHOOL
Mark Cook, principal of Jefferson Elementary School in Cape Girardeau, will retire after 32 years with Cape Girardeau Public Schools. He has been principal for 14 years, previously serving as a teacher at Franklin and Jefferson, and assistant principal at Alma Schrader.
LIBLA BROTHERS NAMED CITIZENS OF THE YEAR
POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Brothers David and Doug Libla were honored as Citizens of the Year at the Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce's annual banquet Jan. 28. They have contributed to Southeast Missouri business development for more than 40 years, reported the Daily American Republic. They both started as owners in the used car sales and service station businesses. They have since had business startups totaling 10 or more companies in industries including manufacturing, interstate trucking, construction, retail and real estate and have operated businesses in Poplar Bluff, Greenville, Malden and St. Louis in Missouri, as well as in Illinois, Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire and Texas. One of their biggest contributions has been through Mid Continent Nail Corporation, which now employs about 300 full-time workers at its Poplar Bluff Industrial Park location.
PERRYVILLE CHAMBER PRESENTS AWARDS
PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Janette Call of Better Hearing Solutions received the Business of the Year Award from the Perryville Chamber of Commerce at its annual meeting Jan. 26. Lauren Boland of United Enterprises, formerly known as the Perry County Sheltered Workshop, was named Citizen of the Year. Outgoing chamber president Mike Yamnitz was recognized along with incoming chamber president Cindy Buchheit.
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