Names in the news

ARBEITER RECEIVES DESIGNATION

Tim Arbeiter, vice president of the Cape Girardeau Area Chamber of Commerce, earned the designation of certified economic developer, a national recognition that denotes a mastery of principal skills in economic development, professional attainment and a commitment to personal and professional growth. The designation recognizes qualified and dedicated practitioners in the economic development field and sets the standard of excellence within the profession.

BOCK RECEIVES NEWS MEDIA AWARD

SIKESTON, Mo. -- The Missouri Community College Association presented Jill Bock of the Sikeston Standard Democrat with the News Media Award at a ceremony Nov. 4 in St. Louis. The award was given in recognition of the newspaper's reporting on higher education issues and Three Rivers College's role in the Sikeston area. Under Bock's leadership, the paper often publishes articles about Three Rivers, its education center in Sikeston and its plans to expand in the Sikeston area. The Missouri Community College Association is a statewide organization through which Missouri's community colleges work together to advance common agendas.

SIKESTON HIRES NEW CITY MANAGER

SIKESTON, Mo. -- The City of Sikeston hired Jonathan M. Douglass as city manager, effective Dec. 2. He was previously employed by the City of Lawrence, Kan., where he served as city clerk/assistant city manager.

WILLIAMS RECEIVES TEXTBOOK OF DISTINCTION AWARD

A textbook co-authored by Dr. Glen Williams, professor and chair of the Department of Communication Studies at Southeast Missouri State University, received the Textbook of Distinction award from the National Communication Association. The textbook, in its third edition, seeks to help students recognize and appreciate the role of speaking, listening and deliberating in a democracy, according to Williams. The Textbook of Distinction award recognizes a textbook that offers a unique approach to its subject and makes a distinct, positive contribution to student education. The selection committee also considers evidence of impact and student performance in determining the award. Williams pitched the idea for the text while employed at Texas A&M in College Station, Texas. His co-author is Patricia Andrews, who teaches at Indiana University; J. Michael Hogan, who teaches at Pennsylvania State University, was also added to the project. Hogan and Dr. Jennifer Summary, instructor of communication studies at Southeast, accepted the award on Williams' behalf at a banquet Nov. 22. Williams began teaching at Southeast in 1998. In 2011, he accepted the position of chair of the Department of Communication Studies at the university.

LANCASTER HIRED AS PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Jay Lancaster was hired as public works director for the City of Sikeston, according to a news release from the city. Lancaster had been employed by the Missouri Department of Transportation since 2000.

MONDI JACKSON HONORS EMPLOYEES

Johnathon Knudson of Jackson was employee of the month for November at Mondi Jackson Inc. Knudson, a multicraft technician, has worked for the company since Aug. 21, 2006. Mondi Jackson also recognizes the following employment anniversaries: Leonard Holthaus and Richard Way, 15 years of service; Shane Moss, Robert Orr, Richard Heise and Tommy Phillips, 10 years; and Rhonda Bolton and Lance Gartman, five years.

SANDERS TAKES EDITOR POSITION IN COLUMBIA

Southeast Missourian managing editor Matt Sanders worked his last day at the Southeast Missourian on Nov. 12. Sanders and his family will move to Columbia, Mo., as he takes the position of city editor at the Columbia Daily Tribune. Sanders began his career with Rust Communications as an intern in the summer of 2003. He then covered arts and entertainment and Scott City and Scott County news. Sanders then worked as the online product manager for three years and helped the Southeast Missourian transform from a print-only publication to a print and digital publication. Sanders worked his way up to co-managing editor, then took the managing editor position in March 2012.

MILLER-LOUW APPOINTED NEW SHAREHOLDER

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- The law firm of Sandberg Phoenix and von Gontard P.C. announced the appointment of Jennifer Miller-Louw as a new shareholder in the firm. Miller-Louw has served clients in Southern Illinois and Missouri and throughout the Midwest for the last eight years. Serving as a summer intern in 2004, Miller-Louw joined Sandberg Phoenix in 2005 as an associate in the St. Louis office before moving to Sandberg Phoenix Carbondale in 2008. She has developed experience in health law, medical malpractice and business litigation. In her new role, Miller-Louw will continue to provide expert legal counsel to clients from Sandberg Phoenix's Carbondale, Ill., office.

VANHERCK WINS AWARD OF DISTINCTION

ST. LOUIS -- The Missouri Community College Association presented Dr. Don VanHerck of Bismarck, Mo., with the Award of Distinction at a ceremony held in St. Louis Oct. 31, according to a news release. VanHerck was recognized for his outstanding service to Mineral Area College in Park Hills, Mo., and to the mission of community colleges throughout the state. First elected to MAC's Board of Trustees in 1974, VanHerck has brought with him a wealth of vocational and technical education knowledge, having been UniTec Career Center's director from 1973 to 1997. Over almost 40 years, VanHerck has served in every officer capacity on the MAC Board of Trustees.

BANK OF MISSOURI HONORS EMPLOYEES

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Charlie Bullock, courier for The Bank of Missouri, was honored for 10 years with the bank, and Justin Fritsche, customer service representative, recently celebrated five years with the company.

ANDERSON, MURPHY PARTICIPATE IN LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Kevin Anderson, business development and international trade specialist with the University of Missouri Extension, was selected by Gov. Nixon as one of 51 participants from eight states for the 2013-14 Delta Leadership Executive Academy, the Daily American Republic reported. Also selected was Andrew Murphy, transportation planning coordinator for Ozark Foothills Regional Planning Commission in Poplar Bluff. The institute brings together business and community leaders from each of the eight states in the Delta Regional Authority for a yearlong collaborative leadership development process, looking at regional approaches to strengthening the economy and viability of the Delta region. It is a cooperative effort between the University of Mississippi, Arkansas State University-Jonesboro and the University of Louisiana at Monroe.

FIELDS HIRED FOR CITY OF PERRYVILLE

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Angela Fields was hired as building inspector and zoning administrator for the City of Perryville. She began her duties Nov. 5, following the retirement of Jim Wibbenmeyer, who served as the city's building inspector for more than 28 years. With his retirement, the position was reorganized, and Fields will report to Public Works director Mark Brown. Fields is from Jackson and worked for six years with the Missouri Department of Transportation in design and construction. She also worked for 10 years with a general building contractor in St. Louis.

SWAN NAMED FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR

State Rep. Kathy Swan of Cape Girardeau was named the 2013 Legislative Freshman of the Year at the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry annual meeting and awards banquet in Kansas City, Mo. Swan received the award in her capacity as a member of the House of Representatives. She was also among nine lawmakers who were named to the chamber's 100% Club.

COUNSELING CENTER ELECTS GOVERNING BOARD PRESIDENT

The Community Counseling Center Governing Board of Directors elected Gene Speight as the center's new governing board president, according to a news release. Speight joined the governing board in 2010 and served on the finance committee until his election as board president. He's worked in accounting and management for 40 years and currently works as a part-time pastor in Bollinger County. Speight succeeds Bob Banger, who joined CCC's governing board in 2002 and served on various board committees until his election as the center's board president in September 2009.

OWENS EARNS PLAY THERAPY CREDENTIAL

BERTRAND, Mo. -- Jennifer Owens of Bertrand, a licensed clinical social worker, earned the Registered Play Therapist credential from the Association for Play Therapy. To earn this credential, applicants must have earned a traditional masters or doctoral degree in mental health, 150 clock hours of play therapy training, two years and 2,000 hours of clinical experience, 500 hours of supervised play therapy experience, and be licensed or certified by their state boards of practice.

REPUBLIC-MONITOR HAS NEW PUBLISHER

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- The Perryville Republic-Monitor reported that Beth Chism, formerly of West Plains, Mo., was hired as publisher of The Republic-Monitor, according to Phillip Smith, president of Perryville Newspapers Inc., the owner of Perry County's newspaper. Chism replaces Taylor Smith, who had published the newspaper since 2011. Smith has been named publisher of the Paris Beacon-News, a daily newspaper in Paris, Ill. Chism has worked in journalism almost 40 years and has served as a consultant for the Perryville newspaper for about a year. She and her husband Eric have managed their own business, Chism Consulting, for the last 12 years, where they aided newspapers across the country. They will continue that business after moving to Perryville.

TG MISSOURI HONORS EMPLOYEES

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Jeanine Simpson of Perryville was employee of the month for November at TG Missouri. She has been with the company since July 26, 1999. Additionally, Karen Brickhaus of St. Mary, Mo., was employee of the month for October. She has worked for the company since Sept. 10, 2010.

MCCOY, KETCHERSIDE LEAD CENTURY 21

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Melba Jean McCoy was top lister and top producer for September at Century 21 American Realty. She was also top producer for October, and Natalie Ketcherside was top lister for that month.

HUTCHISON, KNODELL TOP P.B. REALTY

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

MERRIMAN, CARTER HONORED AT COLDWELL

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Gene Merriman of Coldwell Banker Ruth Holloway Realty Inc. was top producer for October, and Tonya Carter was top lister.

HOTOP RECOGNIZED BY INSURANCE SOCIETY

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Daniel Hotop of C.M. Brown and Associates Inc. of Perryville was recognized by the Society of Insurance Counselors for his dedication and ongoing leadership in the insurance industry. The society honored Hotop for 10 years of successfully maintaining the certified insurance counselor designation that denotes significant commitment to customer service.

GARDNER APPOINTED TO BOARD OF EXAMINERS

The Missouri Supreme Court appointed Michael Gardner to the state board of law examiners, which is responsible for administering the bar exam and evaluating applicants' character and fitness for admission to the practice of law. Gardner practices with Osburn, Hine, Yates & Murphy LLC in Cape Girardeau.

FUEMMELER PROMOTED TO STORE MANAGER

Buchheit retail stores announced that Luke Fuemmeler was promoted to store manager at Buchheit's Jackson store. He joined Buchheit in 2006 at its Herculaneum, Mo., store and in 2007 transferred to Jackson as assistant store manager.

KFVS12 HIRES NEW LOCAL SALES MANAGER

Luke Hilgenbrinck was named local sales manager for KFVS12 and The Heartland's CW (WQWQ-TV). Hilgenbrinck started his broadcasting career in 2005 as an account executive for WGEM radio in Quincy, Ill. He then took a position in sales for KHQA-TV in Quincy and was promoted to local sales manager at KHQA's sister station KTVO-TV in Kirksville, Mo. Hilgenbrinck worked most recently as general sales manager at KTVO.

LOCAL DEALERS ATTEND KUBOTA MEETING

MINER, Mo. -- Dann Lies and Don Medlin of Medlin Equipment Co. in Miner attended Kubota Tractor Corp.'s 2013 National Dealer Meeting in Memphis, Tenn., joining more than 1,000 Kubota dealers from across the country for a look at the newest Kubota products and innovations.

DEES IS EMPLOYEE OF THE QUARTER

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Det. Flint Dees of the Sikeston Department of Public Safety was named employee of the fourth quarter for the DPS.

HARMON HIRED AS DIRECTOR OF UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS

Jeff Harmon, director of marketing and communications at the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith, was hired as executive director of university communications and marketing at Southeast Missouri State University, according to a news release from Southeast. He will begin his new duties Jan. 15. He was one of four finalists who visited Southeast for on-campus interviews and open forums. Following the retirement of Karen Grebing as director of marketing and university relations, the position was redefined. Harmon will serve as Southeast's chief communications and marketing officer and will report directly to Southeast President Kenneth W. Dobbins. Harmon will be responsible for developing the university's brand, vision, strategy and campaigns to attract students, motivate alumni and donors and recruit faculty and staff. The Office of Communications and Marketing includes the areas of the news bureau, publication and public services, video services, web production, social media and photography.

JACKSON EMPLOYEES COMPLETE ROAD SCHOLAR PROGRAM

The Missouri Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) Road Scholar Program recognized several new graduates from the City of Jackson, according to a news release from the city. The Missouri Show-Me Road Scholar Program recognizes public works personnel for their participation in LTAP training, which provides technical and safety training throughout Missouri. The program aims to enhance the skills of those involved in the maintenance, delivery and management of local transportation and infrastructure. Road Scholar Level I graduates for the City of Jackson include Stephen Hendrix, Patrick Lema, Zach Humphrey, Josh Wills, Eric Welch, Michael Biri, Alex Carr, Danny Youngerman, Carl Pulliam, Jeff Craft and Michael Steinmeyer.

ROPP PROMOTED TO SENIOR VP

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Mary Ropp was promoted to senior vice president, director of development, at The Bank of Missouri. She has served as business development officer for the Columbia, Mo., market since 2009. In her new role, she will work closely with business development officers throughout The Bank of Missouri. She will continue working primarily from the Columbia location.