Names in the news

__GIBBAR NAMED WASTEWATER OPERATOR OF THE YEAR__

Kenny Gibbar, foreman and head operator at the Jackson Wastewater Treatment Facility, received the Wastewater Operator of the Year Award April 23 at the Southeast Section meeting of the Missouri Water and Wastewater Conference in Cape Girardeau. Gibbar has been an employee of Jackson for 36 years and has worked at the facility since 1995. As head operator, Gibbar oversees the treatment of 1.8 million gallons of wastewater a day, the biosolids disposal program, 17 lift stations and the maintenance of more than 100 miles of sewer pipes. Gibbar is eligible for State Operator of the Year recognition that will be chosen from six regional winners in September at the Missouri Water and Wastewater Conference's statewide meeting.

__COLLINS JOINS HD MEDIA SYSTEMS__

Dave Collins joined the staff of HD Media Systems in Cape Girardeau. He has been in the audio/video industry for several years and has acquired industry training and many certifications, including Crestron and Control4 certifications.

__BARNHART JOINS 1ST CLASS TRAVEL__

Malarie Barnhart of Jackson joined 1st Class Travel in Cape Girardeau as a travel agent. She has a background in marketing and sales and previously worked with Withers Broadcasting and Sam's Club.

__MONDI JACKSON HONORS EMPLOYEES__

Chris Slater of Jackson was employee of the month for May at Mondi Jackson Inc. Slater, a material handler, has been with the company since June 11, 2012. Mondi Jackson also recognizes the following employment anniversaries: Gene Williamson, 20 years of service, and Bryan Thompson, 15 years of service.

__MOSER JOINS ROBINSON CONSTRUCTION__

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Jason Moser joined Robinson Construction as director of human resources. He has more than 13 years of experience in human resources and earned the Professional in Human Resources (PHR) designation in 2008 from the Human Resource Certification Institute. He previously worked as a human resources business partner at St. Louis Children's Hospital and spent 12 years in the financial services, communications and construction industries in various HR roles.

__MOTHES HONORED FOR PERFORMANCE__

Cheryl Mothes, who has been an Edward Jones financial adviser in Jackson since 1999, attended the Edward Jones Managing Partner's Conference April 23 to 25 in San Antonio. The prestigious annual event honors the top 350 of the firm's more than 13,000 financial advisers. The annual meeting pools Edward Jones' most successful financial advisers for a discussion with Jim Weddle, Edward Jones' managing partner, on issues facing the firm and the financial services industry as a whole.

__JACKSON CHAMBER NAMES EDUCATORS OF THE YEAR__

Five teachers were honored May 7 at the Jackson Area Chamber of Commerce 2014 Educator Appreciation Banquet. Honorees included Beth St. John, in the choir department at Jackson High School; Tammy Mueller, fourth-grade teacher at St. Paul Lutheran School; Jason Bruns, seventh-grade science teacher at Jackson Middle School; Heather Miller, who teaches high school special education; and Lisa Goodwin, second-grade teacher at Orchard Elementary School. Those recognized received the Marybeth Williams Educator of the Year Award, resolutions from local elected officials and other gifts. Merideth Pobst, director of foundation/communications for the Jackson School District, said nominations came from community members, parents and other educators.

__MOSSY OAK HONORS EMPLOYEES__

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Amy McLean was top producer for February at Mossy Oak Properties and Stephanie Knoppe was top lister. In March, Sandy Taylor was top producer and top lister.

__DEWITT TO LEAD SIKESTON SCHOOLS FOUNDATION__

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Lauren DeWitt of Sikeston assumed the position of executive director of the Sikeston Public Schools Foundation, effective May 1, the Sikeston Standard Democrat reported. She replaces Stephanie Gleason, who resigned from the position to spend more time with family. DeWitt, a Charleston, Missouri, native, previously worked in marketing and development at the Kenny Rogers Children's Center in Sikeston.

__JUDGE KAMP ELECTED VP OF STATE ASSOCIATION__

Judge Gary Kamp, Cape Girardeau County Associate Circuit Judge, Division III, was elected vice president of the Missouri Association of Probate and Associate Circuit Judges during its 99th annual meeting and conference in Lake Ozark, Missouri. Kamp will serve as president of the organization the following year. The conference provides continued legal education for members, and membership is open to all state judges and commissioners in the state's 45 judicial circuits.

__FRENCH JOINS RED CROSS CHAPTER__

Ashley French is the new regional chief development officer of The American Red Cross in Southern Missouri. The Red Cross in Southern Missouri is headquartered in Springfield, where French is based, and has branch office locations in Cape Girardeau, Joplin, Lebanon, Nevada and West Plains. French will lead the fund development team, which includes Shawn Gallagher, also in Springfield, Sara Gerau in Cape Girardeau, David Dillon in Joplin, and Peggy Tedlock in Nevada. French previously spent 17 years at the Ozarks Regional YMCA.

__BRASHEAR JOINS ASHLAND REALTY__

Cindi "CJ" Davidson Brashear is a sales agent with Century 21 Ashland Realty in Cape Girardeau. Her professional experience includes assistant advertising manager for the former Wetterau Grocery Wholesaler, owner of Nostalgia Cottage in Kelso, Missouri, where she created home design pieces, and a registered nurse. She and her husband Rick Brashear own Peak Performance Family Martial Arts in Scott City.

__HYSLOP EARNS MEDIA AWARDS FROM TEACHERS ASSOCIATION__

DEXTER, Mo. -- Noreen Hyslop, managing editor of the Dexter Daily Satesman, was again recognized by the Missouri State Teachers Association for her coverage of local school and literacy news items, the Daily Statesman reported. MSTA annually names recipients across Missouri for Education Media Awards in the areas of newspapers, radio, television, audio/visual, online content and website. One award is given in each category for daily papers and one in each category for weekly papers. The association's statewide Communication Awards Committee met in April to judge nominations from around the state. Five categories are included in the division of newspapers, including features, general coverage, literacy programs, photography and best series. Hyslop earned four of those five awards, picking up every category except features, which was awarded to the Sedalia Democrat. The Media Awards will be presented at MSTA's regional meeting this fall in Cape Girardeau.

__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.

__RAUSCH WINS HISTORIC PRESERVATION AWARD__

Donna Jean Rausch, administrator of the Felix Valle State Historic Site in Ste. Genevieve, Missouri, received the Arthur H. Mattingly Award in Historic Preservation. The historic preservation program at Southeast Missouri State University, in conjunction with the student organization, the Historic Preservation Association, presented the annual alumni award April 26. The award is presented to a graduate of Southeast's historic preservation program who holds either a bachelor of science in historic preservation or a master of arts in history with an option in historic preservation. The recipient must be employed in a professional position in the historic preservation field, have five years of professional experience and have demonstrated distinguished professional work that brings credit to Southeast's historic preservation program and the profession. Rausch earned a bachelor of science in historic preservation from Southeast in 2000, with minors in anthropology and archeology. She went on to receive a master's degree in anthropology/archeology from the University of Mississippi. Rausch previously was employed as an education outreach specialist with the Rosemary Berkel and Harry L. Crisp II Museum at Southeast Missouri State University's regional history museum. She has spent the last five years as an interpreter at Felix Valle State Historic Site, where she is the site administrator.

__GOSCHE RETIRES FROM WIETHOP, REPLACEMENT NAMED__

Bill Gosche retired as president and general manager of Wiethop Truck Sales, a Navistar International truck dealer in Cape Girardeau, after 42 years with the company. Kim Rigdon is the new general manager of the company. Rigdon has been with Wiethop for 32 years and previously was the company's credit manager and office manager.

__TYSON FOODS HONORS EMPLOYEES__

DEXTER, Mo. -- At its annual awards banquet, Tyson Foods honored employees for their years of service. Those honored were Keith Monroe and Tara Herrion, 20 years of service; Bobby Mooy, Guadalupe Everett and Matthew Lewis, 15 years; and Kyle Gardnes, Richard Bollinger Jr., Tracie Morgan, Shaun Smith and Debra Todahl, five years.

__THREE RIVERS COLLEGE PRESENTS EMPLOYEE AWARDS__

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Three Rivers College honored employees at its annual ACE (Achievement, Contribution and Excellence) Awards banquet May 16, the Daily American Republic reported. Awards went to the nursing and allied health program faculty, President's Impact Award; Ryan Kiser, Doug Bagby, Billy Cobb and Harold Boyer, Vanguard Awards, which are given to partners in the community; Margaret Orlando, Student Engagement Award; Lee Ann Wesemann, financial service cashier, Outstanding Newcomer Award; Tami Cunningham, emergency medical service instructor, Innovative Educator (faculty); Gretchen Pendley, adjunct biology instructor, Innovative Educator (adjunct); Regina Morris, assistant director of financial aid, Outstanding Student Support Award; Melanie Hamann, assistant system administrator/institutional research, Community Impact Award; Bridgett Barnhill, accounts payable clerk, Distinguished Support Staff Member; Bob Jansen, director of retail operations, Distinguished Professional Staff Member; and Elizabeth Deken, industrial technology instructor, Distinguished Faculty Member. Also recognized were retirees David Palmer, Paulette Alexander, Greg Hicks and Madelyn Wilson. Those recognized for years of service were Steven Atwood, Kathy Ballard, Mark Sanders, Nicole Sifford, Kevin Wheeler and Natasha White, 15 years of service; Stacey Burkey, 20 years; and Mary Lou Brown, Jack Childress, Greg Hicks and Carol Swain Lewis, 25 years.

__COWAN RECOGNIZED AS ADMINISTRATOR OF THE YEAR__

Central High School principal Mike Cowan was recognized by the Cape Girardeau School Board on May 19 for winning the state FBLA Administrator of the Year award. This is the first time Cowan has won the award, which was presented at the 2014 Missouri FBLA Leadership Conference, held April 13 through 15 in Columbia, Missouri. FBLA stands for Future Business Leaders of America. Cowan was nominated by Central High School FBLA adviser Theresa Taylor and FBLA president Aaron Mehner. Cowan has been in education for 39 years, putting in eight years at Columbia Hickman High School, 10 years at Clayton High School and Valley Park High School in St. Louis before arriving at Central High, where he has been for the past 13 years.

__ADEN NAMED SAFETY PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR__

Bruce Aden of Buchheit Trucking Service in Scott City received a Safety Person of the Year award at the Missouri Trucking Association's annual SuperTech Competition, Safety and Maintenance Conference, Expo and Golf Outing April 22 to 25 in Branson, Missouri. The award recognizes his outstanding leadership in safety-related programs designed for the trucking industry, his company and the community. Additionally, Sid Naramore of Chaffee, Mo., was honored as driver of the month for April after logging 1.5 million miles in his lifetime.

__CAPE GIRARDEAU ATTORNEY NAMED TO TOP 10__

Paul H. Berens of the Cape Girardeau law firm of Bradshaw, Steele, Cochrane & Berens was recognized by the National Academy For Bankruptcy Attorneys as a Top 10 award recipient. The rigorous selection process includes narrowing the field to 50 of the nominated attorneys who then advance to the final selection stage. The Board of Governors then selects the Top 10. According to the academy, "The very few attorneys (less than 1 percent) that are good enough to make our list have demonstrated an extraordinary amount of knowledge, skill, experience and success in their practice of bankruptcy."

__PERRYVILLE CHAMBER DIRECTOR TO LEAVE POSITION__

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Melissa Hemmann, executive director of the Perryville Area Chamber of Commerce, will leave her position in June. Hemmann was hired as assistant transportation director for the Perry County School District and had worked for the chamber for more than nine years.

__FEATHERSTON, KNODELL LEAD P.B. REALTY__

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Gary Featherston was top lister for February at Poplar Bluff Realty Inc. and Kurt Knodell was top producer.

__COLDWELL HONORS EMPLOYEES__

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Vicki Henderson was top producer for February at Coldwell Banker Ruth Holloway Realty and Jo Nell Miller was top lister. Additionally, Tonya Carter was top producer for 2013 and Terri Whitten was top lister for 2013.

__MCCOY, LANSFORD TOP CENTURY 21__

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

__BRAUN RETIRES FROM ASSOCIATED ELECTRIC__

NEW MADRID, Mo. -- Larry Braun of Benton, Missouri, retired from Associated Electric Cooperative after 34 years with the company, most recently serving as results engineer at the New Madrid Power Plant.

__PETERS JOINS FAMILY BUSINESS__

Collin Peters joined his family's business, Peters Heating and Air Conditioning Inc. in Cape Girardeau. Peters is a 2014 graduate of Linn State Technical College, where he earned an associate of applied science degree in heating, ventilation and air conditioning technology. He is certified in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Training Course Unit 1. Peters also has achieved HVAC Excellence Employment-Ready Certificates in the areas of air conditioning and heat pump.

__CORBITT JOINS ELEMENT 74__

Rebekah Corbitt joined website development company Element 74's project management team. She will provide support for existing clients, working with those who need software upgrades, website migrations and assistance with content updates or redesigns. She has a bachelor's degree in mass communication with an emphasis in public relations from Southeast Missouri State University.

__SEESING, TRANKLER JOIN MCCOMBS FUNERAL HOME__

Mark Seesing and Frank Trankler joined the staff of McCombs Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau and McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson, respectively. Seesing, of Cape Girardeau, has more than 18 years of funeral service experience as a licensed embalmer and funeral home director. He also is an instructor for the FEMA/SEMA Mass Fatality training course and was a statewide coordinator for the Missouri Funeral Directors and Embalmers Association Disaster Response Team. Trankler has been with McCombs Funeral Home since July and previously was the manager of Baisch & Skinner in Cape Girardeau, district supervisor for Trees N Trends in Paducah, Kentucky, and owner and operator of L & N Flowers of Jackson. He is pursuing his funeral director and embalmer licenses via the Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service in Houston.