__DIXON APPOINTED RISK MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST__
SIKESTON, Mo. — John Dixon was named the new risk management specialist in the Dexter, Missouri, branch of Progressive Farm Credit Services. He will oversee all aspects of crop and life insurance functions in the Dexter office, according to a news release. Headquartered in Sikeston, Progressive Farm Credit Services operates in Bollinger, Butler, Carter, Cape Girardeau, Dunklin, Mississippi, New Madrid, Pemiscot, Ripley, Scott, Stoddard and Wayne counties in Southeast Missouri.
__AT&T NAMES VP, GENERAL MANAGER IN MIDWEST REGION__
AT&T hired Tammi Terrell to oversee business in Missouri, Kansas and Southern Illinois, according to a news release from the company. As vice president and general manager, Terrell will manage more than 1,200 employees, more than 60 AT&T-owned retail locations and more than 330 national retail partners and authorized resellers. She has worked at A&T for more than 25 years and has held numerous sales and management positions. She served most recently as vice president and general manager in AT&T’s Southwest and Hawaii region. In her new position, she will be based in St. Louis.
__NEW MADRID HIRES NEW SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT__
NEW MADRID, Mo. — Dr. Sam Duncan will become the New Madrid County School District’s new superintendent July 1, replacing Dr. Cynthia Sharp Amick, who is retiring at the end of June, the Sikeston Standard Democrat reported. Duncan was hired Dec. 23 by the New Madrid County Board of Education following a search that began last fall. Duncan has a doctorate in educational leadership from the University of Missouri-Columbia, and specialist and master’s degrees in educational administration from Southeast Missouri State University. In 1988, he began his teaching career at New Madrid County Central High School and would later serve as a vice principal for kindergarten through eighth grade students in New Madrid, then principal for the fifth through eighth grades. He later worked as an administrator in the Jackson School District and a professor in education at Southeast.
__COSSETTE, GREEN NAMED TO MISSOURI CHAMBER ROLES__
The Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry named Brendan Cossette as its new chief operating officer. Cossette will provide leadership and day-to-day operational direction to senior management and staff throughout the organization, according to a news release. Cossette, a lawyer, brings more than 12 years of lobbying experience to the Missouri Chamber. In addition, Farmington, Missouri, native Brad Green joined the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry as director of legislative and regulatory affairs. Green works directly with the state’s elected officials to help ensure the business community is represented as proposed laws advance through the legislative process, a news release state. His focuses are on transportation, health care and regulatory affairs.
__BOARD OF REALTORS INSTALLS OFFICERS__
Members of the Cape Girardeau County Board of Realtors gathered Jan. 12 to install their board of directors for 2016. Officers for 2016 are David Soto, president; Roger Skinner, vice president; Gary Tuner, treasurer; and Becky Buehler, secretary. Jan McClanahan, Brandy Balsman, Patty Main, Kathy Devor, Beth McFerron and Melissa Whitaker will serve as directors. The 2016 Cape Girardeau County MLS officers are Tim Merideth, president; Elizabeth Gray, vice president; and Kara Gendron, secretary/treasurer. Laura Lincoln, Linda Wissmann and Shari McConnell will serve as directors.
__KIEFER NAMED REALTOR OF THE YEAR__
Kenneth A. Kiefer was recognized by the Cape Girardeau County Board of Realtors as 2015 Realtor of the Year. Candidates for this award are nominated and selected by fellow Realtors and must meet strict application requirements measuring their level of service to the organization, their use of ethical business practices and their commitment to serving the community, according to a news release. From 2012 to 2015, Kiefer served the board as as local director, treasurer, vice president and president; he also has served as chair of several committees. Kiefer has been a member of the Cape Girardeau Board of Realtors since 1997 and is a Realtor at Realty Executives of Cape County in Cape Girardeau.
__MONDI JACKSON HONORS EMPLOYEES__
David Mott of Scott City was employee of the month for January at Mondi Jackson LLC. Mott, an extrusion operator, has been with the company since July 29, 1996. Mondi Jackson also held its annual employee of the year drawing, and Dennis Way was selected as employee of the year. Mondi Jackson also recognizes the following employment anniversaries: John Allen, Donnie McClinton and Timothy Conklin, 25 years of service; Terry Allen, Kim Kranawetter and Robert England, 20 years; and Timothy Crecelius, Amy Dumey, Rolly Foster and Srikant Ramachandran, five years.
__JANSEN EARNS PROFESSIONAL DESIGNATION__
Gerald Jansen, a Cape Girardeau County (Jackson) Farm Bureau insurance agent, earned the Life Underwriting Training Council Fellow designation. To earn the LUTCF designation, an agent must complete five courses, plus Ethics for the Financial Services Professional, according to a news release.
__PROPST, ADKINS JOIN MINERAL AREA COLLEGE__
PARK HILLS, Mo. — Tia Propst of Bonne Terre, Missouri, joined Mineral Area College as a full-time test proctor and student services assistant. She also is the MAC cheerleading coach. Propst has worked as a dance and gymnastics teacher at O’Dell’s Dance Center and as a cashier at Park Hills Rivermart, owned by her mother. She has a bachelor’s degree in family and consumer science education from Southeast Missouri University and began her studies at Mineral Area College. Additionally, Scottye Adkins of Farmington, Missouri, joined the college as a full-time student services representative. She previously worked as a teller at First State Community Bank and an adjunct faculty member in MAC’s music department. She has a bachelor’s degree in music from Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas, and a master’s degree in music from Mississippi College in Clinton, Mississippi.
__CHARTER EMPLOYEES AWARDED__
Several local associates of Spectrum Reach/Charter Media were nominated for the company’s Central Pacific Excellence Award. The awards are meant to distinguish associates who have achieved excellence in their position by championing a specific account, project or process for improvement in 2015, according to a news release. The following associates were recognized: Amy Alcorn of Sikeston, Missouri, account executive, “Driven to Excellence” award; Ronda Martin of Scott City, account executive, “Digital Trailblazer”; Robin Spence of Cape Girardeau, account coordinator, “Best Display of Team Work”; Gabrielle Chronister of Cape Girardeau, “Excellence in Visual Design”; and Megan Cattoor of Cape Girardeau, account planner, “All Star Analyst.” Awards were presented on Jan. 13 during a ceremony in St. Charles, Missouri.
__BEGGS SEILER NAMED BBBS STAFF OF THE YEAR__
Ashley Beggs Seiler, executive director of the Cape Girardeau office of Big Brothers Big Sisters, received the Big Staff of the Year Award from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri. The award highlights an employee who exemplifies the agency’s core values and who stands out as one who not simply accomplishes her work, but consistently exceeds expectations, according to a news release. Seiler has worked in the agency’s Cape Girardeau office for 13 years, beginning as a project manager in 2003 and being named executive director two years later.
__BOLLINGER COUNTY CHAMBER SELECTS NEW OFFICERS__
MARBLE HILL, Mo. — A new slate of officers was elected during the January meeting of the Bollinger County Chamber of Commerce, the Banner Press reported. Officers include Becky Davenport, president; Kelly Francis, vice president; Eva Dunn, secretary; and Tanya Gregory, treasurer.
__SISK RETIRES FROM P.B. PARK DEPT.__
POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. — Gay Sisk retired in January after 35 years working in the Poplar Bluff Park Department. She began working as a records clerk on Dec. 15, 1980. From 1985 to 1990, she was the records clerk and pool manger. She was secretary from 1991 to 1999 and had been administrative assistant for the past 16 years, the Daily American Republic reported. Chris Waite is the new full-time administrative assistant.
__
SPENCER, WHITTEN LEAD COLDWELL__
POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. — Julie Spencer was top producer for December at Coldwell Banker Ruth Holloway Realty, and Terri Whitten was top lister for the month. Whitten also was named top lister and top producer for 2015.
__C21 PRESENTS HONORS__
POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. — Melba Jean McCoy was top lister for November and December at Century 21 American Realty. Natali Ketcherside was top producer in November and Craig Lansford was top producer in December.
__DENTON EARNS ENDORSEMENT__
POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. — Dairel Denton, a tax services professional at Denton and Associates, was named one of Dave Ramsey’s Endorsed Local Providers for his expertise in taxes, the Daily American Republic reported. Ramsey is a personal money-management expert and national radio personality and creator of the Financial Peace University program. Denton is a licensed CPA and certified financial planner.
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__NEWKIRK GETS DISTRICT HONOR__
POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. — Phil Newkirk, a financial representative at Modern Woodmen Fraternal Financial, was district representative of the month for December. He has been with the company since January 1999.
__SCHULZ GETS RECERTIFIED__
POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. — Randall D. Schulz, a funeral director at Cotrell Funeral Service, qualified for recertification of the designation of Certified Funeral Service Practitioner by the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice.
__WHITE HIRED AS GRANT WRITER__
DEXTER, Mo. — Cindy-Lyn White was hired as a project administrator at the Bootheel Regional Planning and Economic Development Commission office in Dexter, the Statesman reported. She will write grants and oversee administration of grants in the six-county BRPC district. White, a native of Milwaukee, lived in Dexter in the late 1990s; her husband, Doug, is from Ellsinore, Missouri. White previously worked as a grant writer for the Pemiscot Initiative.
__SCHOLL HIRED AT KOHLFIELD DISTRIBUTING__
Kohlfield Distributing Inc. announced Mark Scholl as its new import, craft and specialty beer portfolio manager. Originally from Frohna, Missouri, Scholl graduated from Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri, and has been in the beer industry since 2007. Most recently, he was district manager-II at Anheuser-Busch/InBev in Arkansas and Oklahoma. Scholl brings a diverse beer-industry background to the Kohlfield team.
__STEELE JOINS VAN MATRE__
Brian Steele was named business development manager at Van Matre Motor Co. He is primarily responsible for the dealer’s online presence, marketing and customer relations. He brings several years of automotive experience to the team.
__MCDOWELL TO RETIRE FROM ISLE OF CAPRI__
Isle of Capri Casinos announced president and executive officer Virginia McDowell will retire effective April 27. Eric Hausler, Isle of Capri’s chief financial officer, will become CEO, and Arnold Block, Isle of Capri’s CEO, will become president of the company.
__PAYNE JOINS CAPE ACCOUNTING FIRM__
Jackie Payne joined the public accounting firm of Begley, Young, Unterreiner & White LLC in Cape Girardeau. She was employed most recently by her family’s businesses, Foeste Masonry and Kenco, before returning to public accounting. She is a graduate of Southeast Missouri State University, where she majored in accounting and finance. She received her CPA license in 1989 and has approximately 10 years of experience in public accounting and 20 years in business.
__MILLER JOINS MEYER CO.__
Ed Miller joined Thomas L. Meyer Co. as a broker-associate. Miller has been a licensed real estate professional for 15 years and is experienced in residential real estate and property management, according to a news release.
__ROBERTS, STONE HONORED FOR YEARS OF SERVICE__
NEW MADRID, Mo. — Michael “Mike” L. Roberts of Lilbourn, Missouri, was honored for 35 years at Associated Electric Cooperative, working at the New Madrid Power Plant. Roberts, a warehouseman, worked previously in operations and maintenance, according to a news release. Additionally, Cynthia L. Stone of Bernie, Missouri, was honored for 25 years working at the New Madrid Power Plant for Associated Electric Cooperative. She joined the plant in 1991 as a full-time general utility and now is a shift supervisor for a crew of 10 or more operations personnel.
__LOCAL REALTORS ATTEND CONFERENCE__
Hundreds of Realtors from across the state gathered in Jefferson City, Missouri, on Jan. 20 for the Missouri Realtors 36th annual Capitol Conference, according to a news release. Cape Girardeau County Board of Realtors members David Soto, Kathy Devor, Beth McFerron, Melissa Whitaker, Jessica Farrar, Joseph Magsaysay, Emily McElreath, Elizabeth Lockhart, Elizabeth Gray, Lois Long, Jeff Long, Dolores Baker and Dawn Seabaugh traveled to Jefferson City to meet with Rep. Shelley Keeney, Rep. Kathy Swan, Rep. Donna Lichtenegger and Sen. Wayne Wallingford.
__CRIDDLE JOINS DILLE TRAXEL__
Dille Traxel Architecture of Cape Girardeau appointed Annie Criddle as business development coordinator. In her new role, she will design and maintain all multimedia marketing materials for the company’s Cape Girardeau and Poplar Bluff, Missouri, offices, according to a news release. She also will also plan and execute promotional events and handle marketing campaigns and advertising for the firm. Criddle, a Southeast Missouri State University graduate, brings 15 years of experience in a range of management as a gallery manager, property manager, project manager and executive director of a private foundation.
__THOMPSON IS CERTIFIED SCOTLAND AGENT__
Shannon Thompson, sales manager at Elite Travel in Cape Girardeau, is now a certified SCOTSagent. The SCOTSagent destination specialist program is a unique program for travel professionals who want to increase their knowledge of Scotland’s history, culture and tourism opportunities, according to a news release. Thompson’s focus in the program was Scotland’s heritage, culture, activities and events.
__LITTLETON RETIRES FROM BIOKYOWA__
Dennis Littleton is retiring from BioKyowa Inc. after 30 years of service to the company.
__PERRY COUNTY HIRES NEW SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT__
PERRYVILLE, Mo. — Perry County School District 32 will have a new superintendent June 30. Andrew Comstock, superintendent of the Meadow Heights R-II district in Patton, Missouri, recently accepted the job, the Southeast Missourian reported. He will replace Scott Ireland, who announced his resignation in October. Ireland is filling out the remainder of the time specified in his three-year employment contract. Two of Comstock’s children are students in the Perryville district, and his wife is an art teacher at the high school. He previously worked as a teacher and assistant superintendent in Sikeston, Missouri.
__JOHNSON JOINS EA TAX SERVICE__
POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. — Cheryl Johnson joined EA Tax and Accounting Service. She has several years of experience in income tax preparation.
__ELEMENT 74 HIRES PROJECT MANAGER__
Element 74 hired Cindy Knebel as a project manager. She previously interned at River Radio and Schlafly Beer in promotions management. In her new role, she will help businesses improve their online presence by constructing custom websites while implementing digital marketing and search engine optimization, according to a news release. Knebel moved from O’Fallon, Missouri, to Cape Girardeau in 2014 to attend Southeast Missouri State University.
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