Names in the news

__MONDI JACKSON HONORS EMPLOYEES__

Brenda West of Cape Girardeau was employee of the month for June at Mondi Jackson Inc. West, a print press operator, has been with the company since May 6, 1991. Mondi Jackson also recognizes the following employment anniversaries: Gary Palermo, 20 years of service; Matthew Wiseman, Duane Emmons, Wesley Long and Linda Leazenby, 15 years; Christopher Johnson, Jeffrey Layton, Patti Petzoldt and Allen Vehrs, 10 years; and Ronnie Kimbel, Laura Weinkein and Teresa Worden, five years.

__TYLER, STINSON JOIN BIG RIVER__

Nick Tyler of Jackson joined Big River Telephone's wholesale provisioning team. A graduate of Southeast Missouri State University, he has a degree in telecommunications and computer networking, and experience with computer interfaces and IP technology. Shannon Stinson, also of Jackson, joined Big River's customer experience team. He has degrees in business management and computer specialist and is pursuing a master's degree in apologetics. He has experience in customer service, computers and sales.

__RICKMAN, TAYLOR LEAD MOSSY OAK__

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Sandy Rickman was top lister for April at Mossy Oak Properties, and Sandy Taylor was top producer.

__HUTCHISON, KNODELL LEAD P.B. REALTY__

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Rhenda Hutchison was top producer for April at Poplar Bluff Realty Inc., and Kurt Knodell was top lister.

__BANK OF MISSOURI RECOGNIZES EMPLOYEES__

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- The following Bank of Missouri employees were honored for their years of service: Rachel Braeuner, financial services representative, 10 years; Bonnie Roberts, vice president and operations officer, five years; and Dawn Haley, assistant vice president and customer service supervisor, 15 years.

__HOEH JOINS FATHER AT LAW FIRM__

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Caitlin M. Hoeh joined her father, lawyer Thomas L. Hoeh, at his law office on Joseph Street in Perryville She most recently completed a four-year tour of duty with the Marine Corps. She will be involved in the general practice of law, including domestic relations, estate planning, veterans affairs, real estate and personal-injury litigation.

__NARAMORE IS DRIVER OF THE MONTH__

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Sid Naramore was driver of the months of April and May at Buchheit Trucking Service Inc. He was chosen because of his safety, attitude and helping others prepare for the Missouri Trucking Association's truck driving championships. He was also the overall winner of the Buchheit Trucking Service Truck Rodeo May 4 and participated in the Missouri Truck Driving Championships June 4, along with four other Buchheit drivers, in Joplin, Mo.

__CAPE ATTORNEYS TO PRESENT AT ANNUAL LAW UPDATE__

Attorneys from the Cape Girardeau law firm of Bradshaw, Steele, Cochrane & Berens LC were selected by The Missouri Bar to present at the Annual Law Update June 7 in Cape Girardeau. The Annual Law Update is a continuing legal education program designed to keep attorneys up to date on recent developments in the law. Dale E. Gerecke presented on family law, Kristi N. Hoff presented on probate law, Craig M. Billmeyer presented on estate planning and Adam E. Hanna presented on civil trial and appellate practice.

__HUSK NAMED EVENT COORDINATOR__

The Plaza by Ray's hired Nicolette Husk to fill the newly created position of event coordinator. Husk has worked at Ray's of Kelso for the last several years and in her new position will be booking events at The Plaza by Ray's in Cape Girardeau.

__FITZWATER JOINS COLDWELL IN FARMINGTON__

FARMINGTON, Mo. -- Philip Fitzwater of Potosi, Mo., joined Coldwell Banker Hulsey Real Estate of Farmington as a sales associate.

__MCDERMOTT JOINS COLLEGE FOUNDATION BOARD__

PARK HILLS, Mo. -- Doug McDermott of Farmington, Mo., joined the Mineral Area College Foundation Board of Directors. McDermott is president and CEO of the Farmington Chamber of Commerce and has a background in education, public relations, marketing and communication.

__REEDER NAMED REGISTRAR AT MINERAL AREA COLLEGE__

PARK HILLS, Mo. -- Pam Reeder of Ste. Genevieve, Mo., is the new registrar at Mineral Area College. She has a bachelor's degree in administration from St. Edward's University in Austin, Texas, and a master's degree in adult learning and development from Cleveland State University. She previously served as registration coordinator at Southwestern Illinois College in Belleville, Ill., and associate registrar at Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. She has worked at various other universities and colleges for more than 20 years as registrar or in a registrar-related capacity.

__PATTERSON COMPLETES FUNERAL EDUCATION__

Lane Patterson, an associate of Crain Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Cape Girardeau, completed his formal education in funeral service. He graduated from the Southern Illinois University School of Mortuary Science May 11 with a bachelor's degree in mortuary science and funeral service, following classroom training and an internship earlier this year. Patterson has worked with Crain since 2006, when he began working after school and summers. He will now be involved in funeral service at all Crain locations.

__CALL ACHIEVES MASTER CERTIFICATION__

Don Call, a board of education member in the Cape Girardeau School District, achieved Master Certification in the Missouri School Boards' Association Certified Board Member program. The program established by MSBA helps school board members master the knowledge and skills needed to function as effective educational leaders in their communities. All newly elected school board members must complete a basic 16-hour program required by state law. Master Certification is the higher of two levels available above and beyond the state's required training. Those achieving Master Certification must accumulate at least 40 hours of credit, read four books related to school board service, attend at least two MSBA meetings within the year and write an essay that connects the subjects they have studied to the school district they serve.

__MERRIMAN, BAKER LEAD COLDWELL__

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Gene Merriman was top lister for May at Coldwell Banker Ruth Holloway Realty, and Terry Baker was top producer.

__LINDGREN NAMED LOGGER OF THE YEAR__

MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- Crader Distributing Co., headquartered in Marble Hill, assisted in the recognition of a Missouri Department of Conservation Logger of the Year. Dustin Lindgren of Patton, Mo., was named Southeast Regional Logger of the Year for 2012. Crader Distributing is the exclusive distributor of STIHL Outdoor Power Equipment in Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska and Southern Illinois, and has awarded Lindgren two protective kits for his crew valued at $160 each to commemorate his accomplishment. The MDC's Southeast Regional Logger Award is given to the logger who demonstrates the ability to carry out a timber harvest in a manner that causes the least amount of damage to the remaining resources on site. Other factors include good relationships with landowners and foresters, minimal damage to remaining trees and resources, prevention of soil erosion, aesthetics of a site after harvesting, safe work performance and use of equipment, utilization of harvested trees, the desire to address wildlife management concerns and use of proper forest management techniques. Additionally, loggers must have completed the Professional Timber Harvester's Training Program sponsored by the Missouri Forest Products Association and the MDC.

__BRIGGS JOINS MINERAL AREA COLLEGE__

PARK HILLS, Mo. -- Sara Briggs of Crystal City, Mo., joined Mineral Area College as administrative assistant to the dean of the arts and sciences division. She has an associate degree in general education from Jefferson College and plans to pursue a degree in criminal justice from MAC. She previously worked as a document control lead at Westinghouse Electric Co. in Festus, Mo.

__BROWN NAMED TEACHERS ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT__

KENNETT, Mo. -- Tina Brown was elected president of the Southeast Region Teachers Association for 2013-2014. SERTA's purpose is to promote the common interest of teachers and other educational personnel by providing them information resources, workshops and other services to bring about conditions necessary to the educational welfare of all students. Brown has been a teacher in Kennett for 15 years and currently works as an eighth grade learning lab teacher and Student Council sponsor.

__LUNGWITZ GETS TOP OF THE LINE AWARD__

Ron Lungwitz received the Top of the Line Award for Group Annuity Premiums from Ohio National Financial Services. The top annual award recognizes sales achievements in group annuity premiums. Lungwitz's office is at 112 Themis St. in Cape Girardeau.

__STEPHENSON CHOSEN FOR STATE COUNCIL POST__

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Dr. Devin Stephenson, president of Three Rivers College, was chosen as chair-elect of the Missouri Community College Association's Presidents/Chancellors Council for 2013-2014. The chair-elect provides support for the council chair and prepares to assume the council chair when the current holder's term expires. Stephenson will serve as chair-elect for one year, supporting current chair Dr. Ray Cummiskey of Jefferson College, starting in July. Following his term as chair-elect, he will assume the position of chairman of the Presidents/Chancellors Council.

__BOHNERT EARNS PROFESSIONAL DESIGNATION__

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Ryan Bohnert, tool and equipment manager for Robinson Construction Co., earned the designation of equipment manager specialist from the Association of Equipment Management Professionals. EMS designation is a recognized standard for developing the qualifications of a person involved with equipment management in a private, municipal or government fleet within the first five years of career development and signifies that the designee has fulfilled the prescribed standards, passes a rigorous examination, is committed to ongoing professional development and has pledged to uphold AEMP's Standards of Ethical Conduct.

__CABOT HIRED AS TOURISM DIRECTOR__

STE. GENEVIEVE, Mo. -- The City of Ste. Genevieve hired Sandra Cabot as director of the department of tourism, the Ste. Genevieve Herald reported. Cabot replaces Stephanie Bell, who had served in the position since May 2010. A news release from the city said Cabot has been recognized as a marketing and business development professional with direct experience in the travel and tourism industries, media communications and community development. Cabot most recently served as assistant director for outreach and director for the Small Business and Technology Development Center at the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau. As a private consultant, Cabot has provided strategic marketing and communications services for several area businesses.

__FISHER TAKES POSITION WITH TRAINING CENTER__

After 18 years working in the Jackson School District, assistant superintendent Dr. Rita Fisher is leaving her post. Fisher in June announced her retirement and plans to take a new job as director of the Southeast Missouri Regional Professional Development Center, one of nine centers in Missouri that offers training for teachers and administrators through the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. As director, Fisher will oversee educator training on a variety of topics, including special education issues, classroom evaluation, compliance with state rules and standards and lead services offered by the center, such as consultation on instruction in math, science and literacy. Cheri Fuemmeler, the center's current director, is retiring after 12 years in the position. Fisher's last day as a Jackson administrator was July 1, and she began her new job July 8. A search for a replacement will be held during the summer.

__SMITH, JEAN NAMED TO NEW ROLES AT DAILY JOURNAL__

PARK HILLS, Mo. -- Doug Smith was named managing editor of the Park Hills Daily Journal, and Renee Jean was named managing editor of the Farmington Press/Farmington editor of the Daily Journal, reported the Daily Journal. Jean will be based in the Farmington office, focusing on the weekly Farmington Press newspaper and having primary responsibility for Farmington content for the Daily Journal. Smith is now based in the Park Hills office, where he oversees direction of the news team and the content of various print and digital publications. The new appointments of Smith and Jean came following the retirement of Sherry Greminger, longtime managing editor for the Daily Journal.

__DAMRON MARKS AIR EVAC MILESTONE__

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Jimmy Damron, pilot for the Air Evac Lifeteam base in Sikeston, received his 2,000th flight wings during a June 19 ceremony. Damron began flying with Air Evac Lifeteam in 1991. He left for four years but returned to the company in 2007. He served in the U.S. Army for more than 11 years, retiring from active duty at age 39.

__BOCK ELECTED CHAIR FOR ENDOWMENT TRUST__

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- H. Riley Bock of New Madrid, Mo., was elected chairman of the Three Rivers Endowment Trust for the next year. He was elected during the group's annual meeting in June. In coming months, the College and Endowment Trust plans to break ground on its Eastern Campus and a new classroom building in Poplar Bluff. The Endowment Trust is leading the charge in fundraising for both buildings. Bock has been a member of the board since 2010. He is a former teacher, prosecuting attorney and public administrator in New Madrid County; he also volunteers with the Higgerson School Historic Site in New Madrid.

__CAPE NAMES NEW POLICE CHIEF__

Following a 10-month national search, the City of Cape Girardeau announced Wes Blair as the new police chief in Cape Girardeau. He has a diverse 16-year background in law enforcement, including work as assistant chief in Lancaster, Texas, and most recently as interim chief. Blair also has experience as a federal air marshal and border patrol agent. Earlier in his career, he served Lancaster as a detective, patrol and training officer. Blair holds a Master Peace Officer Proficiency certification from the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education. He is an FBI National Academy graduate, holds a master's degree in public administration from the University of Texas at Arlington and earned a bachelor's degree in organizational leadership from Mountain State University. He will move to Cape Girardeau with his wife and son this summer. Blair replaces Carl Kinnison, who announced his retirement last July and stepped down Aug. 1.

__BENSON STEPS DOWN FROM KENNETT CHAMBER__

KENNETT, Mo. -- Meg Benson, executive director of the Kennett Chamber of Commerce, announced she would be leaving the chamber effective June 28, the Daily Dunklin Democrat reported. The resignation comes about two years after she took the job, replacing Jan McElwrath, who resigned from the position.

__NEW MADRID COUNTY WELCOMES CONSERVATION AGENT__

NEW MADRID, Mo. -- Christa Cox is a new conservation agent for the Missouri Department of Conservation in New Madrid County. She was among the 2012 graduating class of new conservation agents. Originally from Thayer, Mo., she attended Three Rivers College in Poplar Bluff, Mo., and the University of Central Missouri before returning to work in Poplar Bluff.

__DARBY NAMED NEW MEMBER LEADER__

Kelly Darby of Jackson, a financial representative with Modern Woodmen Fraternal Financial, was New Member Leader in the Missouri East Region for June. She has been with the company since November 2010.

__PEASE RECOGNIZED FOR CUSTOMER SERVICE__

FARMINGTON, Mo. -- Marcia Danieley Pease, an American Family Insurance agent in Farmington, was recognized for providing outstanding customer experience under the American Star Excellence in Customer Experience Certification. She has been an agent for American Family since May 1991. Only agencies that perform in the top 20 percent of all insurance agencies nationwide, based on customer satisfaction surveys, are eligible to become American Star Excellence in Customer Experience certified.

__NEW FUNERAL DIRECTOR AT COTRELL__

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Keith Luke is a newly licensed funeral director at Cotrell Funeral Service in Poplar Bluff and Wappapello, Mo. He first began work at Cotrell in August 2011 as an assistant funeral director and quickly became a licensed pre-need agent. Earlier this year, he passed the required state board exam and became a licensed funeral director.

__OZARK EMPLOYEES HONORED__

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Carl Terrill and Tom Haney were each recognized for 10 years of service at Ozark National Scenic Riverways, and Bill O'Donnell was recognized for 25 years of service.

__MCCOY, KETCHERSIDE LEAD CENTURY 21__

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Melba Jean McCoy was top lister for April at Century 21 American Realty, and Natali Ketcherside was top producer.

__LONG JOINS LUTESVILLE__

MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- Brandon Long joined the sales department at Lutesville Motor Co. in Marble Hill.