Names in the news

BEGGS JOINS THOMAS INSURANCE

Kim Beggs joined Thomas Insurance Co. of Cape Girardeau as an agent specializing in all lines of health insurance. She has more than seven years of experience selling health insurance.

SPOOLER CERTIFIED IN PRODUCTION, INVENTORY FIELDS

Douglas Spooler of Cape Girardeau has been APICS certified in production and inventory management through the Association for Operations Management. To achieve the certification, Spooler passed five exams including basics of supply chain management, master planning of resources, detailed scheduling and planning, execution and control of operations and strategic management of resources. Spooler is plant manager at PolyOne's Cape Girardeau Nash Road location.

SOTO RECOGNIZED FOR STERLING R INVESTMENT

David Soto of SOTO Property Solutions in Cape Girardeau was recognized for his Sterling R investment in the Realtors Political Action Committee and the National Association of Realtors Leadership. Soto's investment helped with NAR priorities in creating affordable housing opportunities and protection of consumers in real estate transactions, and his investment also furthered the passage of the National Flood Reform Act in 2012.

MONDI JACKSON HONORS EMPLOYEES

Nathan McIntosh of Cape Girardeau was employee of the month for December at Mondi Jackson Inc. McIntosh, a warehouse technician, has been with the company since April 18, 2011. Mondi Jackson also recognized Dennis Kempf for 20 years of service.

GRIER JOINS CASA STAFF

Court Appointed Special Advocates of Southeast Missouri announced Jennifer Grier as its volunteer coordinator. CASA trains volunteer advocates to provide juvenile justice advocacy for foster children in the 32nd Judicial Circuit of Bollinger, Cape Girardeau and Perry counties, according to a news release from CASA. Grier has a master's degree in social work from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale and a bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Arkansas-Little Rock. She is experienced in investigating child abuse and neglect, case management and the adoption process.

SKINNER NAMED EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Lori Skinner of Jackson was employee of the month for December at TG Missouri. She has been with the company since Nov. 28, 2011, and currently works in the polyurethane department.

SIKESTON HONORS OUTSTANDING EMPLOYEES

SIKESTON, Mo. -- The City of Sikeston honored the following employees for 2013: Amy Gosnell, code enforcement officer, Public Works Employee of the Year; Det. Flint Dees, Public Safety Employee of the Year; Billy Smith, building maintenance supervisor, Administrative/Supervisory Employee of the Year; and Amanda Groves, Governmental Services Employee of the Year. Other nominees for Governmental Employee of the Year were Rhonda Council, governmental services administrative assistant, Kathy Medley, economic development administrative assistant; and Trish Griswell, public safety administrative assistant.

MCCOY, LANSFORD LEAD CENTURY 21

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Melba Jean McCoy was top lister for November at Century 21 American Realty, and Craig Lansford was top producer.

WHITTEN, HENDERSON TOP COLDWELL

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Terri Whitten was top lister for November at Coldwell Banker Ruth Holloway Realty, and Vicki Henderson was top producer.

STATLER APPOINTED TO COUNCIL ON HISTORIC PRESERVATION

Gov. Jay Nixon appointed Daniel A. Statler of Cape Girardeau to the Missouri Advisory Council on Historic Preservation. The council reviews the National Register of Historic Places nominations, reviews and provides advice on the state's Historic Preservation Plan and provides guidance and advice to the State Historic Preservation Officer. Statler is an attorney in Cape Girardeau and owns The Statler Law Firm. He has been active in numerous local civic and not-for-profit groups and obtained his law degree from the University of Missouri School of Law. The governor appointed him for a term ending Nov. 15, 2016.

ROBINSON NAMED MANAGING EDITOR OF FARMINGTON PRESS

FARMINGTON, Mo. -- Shawnna Robinson of Farmington is the new managing editor at the Farmington Press, the Park Hills Daily Journal reported. She is responsible for managing editorial content of the Farmington Press and providing Farmington news coverage for the Daily Journal. She will later be joined by a reporter covering Farmington news. Robinson started her career in the news and production departments at KFVS-12 while attending Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau. She later worked as a reporter for the Farmington Press for six years, starting in 2002. She worked most recently as a reporter for the Democrat News in Fredericktown, Mo., and then a reporter with the Daily Journal. Robinson replaces Renee Jean, who resigned to take a job with a newspaper elsewhere.

BAY SWORN IN AS FARMINGTON POSTMASTER

FARMINGTON, Mo. -- James D. Bay was sworn in as the new postmaster in Farmington on Dec. 3, announced by the U.S. Postal Service's Kansas City-based Mid-America District and reported in the Farmington Press. Bay has worked with the Postal Service for 14 years, beginning as a part-time clerk/letter carrier at the Bonne Terre Post Office. He has experience in delivery and customer service operations, having served as acting postmaster for the post offices in Bismarck, Cadet, Park Hills and Ironton, Mo.

HINCKLEY JOINS COUNSELING CENTER FOUNDATION BOARD

The Community Counseling Center, a not-for-profit comprehensive behavioral health and prevention organization in Cape Girardeau, announced that Bill Hinckley of Cape Girardeau was selected for the center's foundation board of directors, effective Jan. 1. Hinckley is a retired chemical engineer with 44 years of experience in supervision and management of chemical plant operations. He was plant manager of the BioKyowa facility in Cape Girardeau for more than 11 years, retiring in 2008.

LAFERLA APPOINTED TO BOARD OF REGENTS

Donald G. LaFerla of Carthage, Mo., who retired as corporate officer and vice president of administrative services with Leggett and Platt Inc., in Carthage, was appointed Dec. 12 by Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon to the Southeast Missouri State University Board of Regents. LaFerla replaces Brad Bedell of Sikeston, Mo., whose term on the Board expired Jan. 1, 2013. Bedell continued to serve as a regent in 2013 while the Board awaited a new gubernatorial appointment. LaFerla's term runs through Jan. 1, 2019.

HALTER PRESENTED WITH LEADERSHIP AWARD

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Steve Halter, president of the Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce, received the 2013 Glenn Shepard Excellence in Leadership Award. His was one of 10 finalists nationwide for the award, which was created in 2004 to recognize those with outstanding leadership skills, according to www.glennshepard.com. Halter was nominated by Dr. Devin Stephenson, president of Three Rivers College, who wrote, "Steve exemplifies the leadership talents, collaborative prowess, forward-thinking orientation and the emotional intelligence skills that are found in an outstanding and effective leader and change agent." The award was presented to Halter on Jan. 9.

ROWE IS FIREFIGHTER OF THE YEAR

DEXTER, Mo. -- Dave Rowe, assistant fire chief in Dexter, was named Firefighter of the Year at the department's annual banquet Dec. 17, the Dexter Daily Statesman reported. Rowe has served the department for 35 years.

MATUKEWICZ HIRED AS SOUTHEAST FOOTBALL COACH

Tom Matukewicz was hired as the new head football coach at Southeast Missouri State University, according to a news release from the university. Matukewicz, the 13th head football coach in Southeast history, agreed to a four-year contract which will run through Jan. 31, 2018. He spent the last two years as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at the University of Toledo. He has 17 years of coaching experience, including 12 seasons as a coordinator. His teams have participated in postseason play 10 of the last 11 seasons.

BANK OF ADVANCE EMPLOYEES RECOGNIZED

ADVANCE, Mo. -- The Bank of Advance presented its decades of service awards to Derek Beussink, Cammy Gard and Leslie Rainey Thompson for 10 years of service; Melinda Masters and Kathy Barry for 20 years; Judy Bolton for 30 years; and Vernie Becker for 40 years.

HUTSON JOINS NORTHWESTERN MUTUAL

Chris Hutson of Cape Girardeau joined Northwestern Mutual as a wealth management adviser. A native of Jackson, Hutson received a bachelor of science in business administration in finance from Southeast Missouri State University and his master's in business administration in 2010 from William Woods University. He comes to Northwestern Mutual Financial Network from Edward Jones.

MEIER NAMED 4-H YOUTH SPECIALIST

The University of Missouri Extension in Cape Girardeau County designated Lesley Meier as the 4-H youth specialist. She started in the position Nov. 11 and her duties include providing educational leadership to the 4-H program in Cape Girardeau, Perry and Scott counties. Meier is originally from Hannibal, Mo., and grew up on her family's diversified livestock and grain farm. She worked in the Oklahoma State 4-H office and developed curriculum for the Oklahoma 4-H geospatial program.

HARR, LABRUYERE JOIN MINERAL AREA COLLEGE

PARK HILLS, Mo. -- Manina Harr of Bonne Terre, Mo., joined Mineral Area College's Student Services Division as a test proctor and student services assistant. She is working on an associate degree in business administration. Additionally, Debbie LaBruyere of Farmington, Mo., joined Mineral Area College as administrative assistant to the community college's career advisers, access director and dual credit coordinator. She comes to MAC from the Fox C-6 School District, where she worked as an administrative assistant for eight years.

STANFORD NAMED FIREFIGHTER OF THE YEAR

KENNETT, Mo. -- Justin Stanford received the Firefighter of the Year Award at the Kennett Fire Department's annual banquet, the Daily Dunklin Democrat reported. He was chosen for the award by his peers through the ballot process. Stanford also received three meritorious awards, which are given to firefighters who have used their skills and equipment to directly save a life. Stanford joined the fire department in July 2004, has his EMT license and obtained his associate degree in fire science from Three Rivers College this year.

POTTER, TUCKER PROMOTED AT FIRST MISSOURI STATE BANK

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Larry Potter, president and CEO of First Missouri State Bank, was promoted to chairman of FMS Bancorp, the Daily American Republic reported. He had served in his previous role for 22 years; in his new role, he will work more closely with affiliate banks. He will continue to serve as director of First Missouri State Bank of Poplar Bluff and of Cape County in Cape Girardeau. Paul Tucker Sr., vice president of First Missouri State Bank, was chosen as the next president and CEO of the bank. He has been with the company for more than 20 years and has more than 30 years of lending experience.

TAYLOR TO LEAD PORTAGEVILLE BANK

PORTAGEVILLE, Mo. -- Brian Taylor of Caruthersville, Mo., was named community bank president of First State Bank and Trust Co. Inc. in Portageville.

TODD JOINS HORNER/SHIFRIN

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Shannon Todd joined Horner & Shifrin Inc. as an environmental engineer in the Poplar Bluff office. Todd, a Poplar Bluff resident, has 14 years of experience in civil, environmental and geotechnical engineering projects. He is a registered geologist, a registered professional engineer and has completed the 10-hour Occupational Safety and Health Training course in construction safety and health.

SCHREMP JOINS FIT ROOM

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Judy Schremp joined The Fit Room on Jan. 2, offering private instruction in taekwondo and self-defense, as well as one-on-one personal coaching and group class coaching. She has more than 20 years of experience in the fitness industry.

PRESTIGE SALON ADDS TWO MASSAGE THERAPISTS

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Prestige Salon added Dean Davis and Danielle Davis as massage therapists.

COLEMAN NAMED DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS

Element 74, a custom website development company in Cape Girardeau, named Jerri Coleman as its new director of communications. She has years of communication, marketing and management experience from various industries, including hospitality, tourism and employment placement.