Names in the news

MONDI JACKSON HONORS EMPLOYEES

Tammy Lindeman of Scott City was employee of the month for March at Mondi Jackson LLC. Lindeman, a customer account coordinator, has worked at Mondi since March 5, 2012. Mondi also recognizes the following employment anniversaries: Roberta LeGrand, Michael Wiley, Mark Gum, Delores Gable, Daniel Kinsey, Rodney Starkey and Thomas Kern, 25 years of service; and John Bourland and Steven Mueller, 10 years.

MCCRATE TO LEAD SOYBEAN ASSOCIATION

Cape Girareadu soybean farmer Matt McCrate was selected by a group of his peers to lead the Missouri Soybean Association, according to a news release. He now serves as president of the statewide advocacy organization for soybean growers. McCrate was elected during the association’s February meeting in Jefferson City, Missouri, and installed in early March during the national Commodity Classic conference in New Orleans. He will serve a two-year term as president. McCrate previously served as the association’s vice president. He farms in a family partnership, Five Brothers Farms LLC, and works as a seed representative for Stratton Seed Co. He also is licensed as a Certified Crop Adviser.

SPURLING PROMOTED TO SALES MANAGER AT GFI

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Andrew Spurling was promoted to sales manager of the Southeast Missouri and Southern Illinois areas for GFI Digital. He lives in Columbia, Missouri, and will be relocating to Cape Girardeau to fill the role, according to a news release. Spurling has worked for GFI since 2013. He previously worked at Northwestern Mutual as a branch representative and managed the internship program in Columbia.

MOSSY OAK HONORS EMPLOYEES

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. — Stephanie Knoppe and Amy McLean were the top listers for February at Mossy Oak Properties, and Sandy Taylor was top producer for the month.

WHITTEN, DAVIS LEAD COLDWELL

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. — Terri Whitten was top producer for February at Coldwell Banker Ruth Holloway Realty. Brent Davis was top lister for the month.

KETCHERSIDE, LANSFORD TOP C21

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. — Natali Ketcherside was top lister for February at Century 21 American Realty, and Craig Lansford was top producer for the month.

SCOTT CITY MAN NAMED DRIVER OF THE YEAR

Tom Brunke of Scott City was named the Driver of the Year winner for Ryder DTS. Ryder DTS drivers operate specialized equipment, run complex routes and meet rigorous service-level requirements. Brunke drives for Do it Best Corp., an international home-improvement co-op with a distribution center in Sikeston, Missouri. He has been with the company for 17 years and has driven more than 4.5 million miles during his 48-year career. Brunke has received awards and accolades throughout his career because of his commitment to safety and professionalism. The Driver of the Year Award is one of Ryder’s longest-running recognition programs. It honors drivers who have demonstrated exemplary safety performance, customer service and citizenship. The selection process includes a review by a committee of Ryder customers, executives, safety experts and professional drivers. Recipients are inducted into the Ryder “Driver Hall of Fame” and receive a cash prize, a ring and a watch.

MCCLANAHAN JOINS CENTURY 21 ASHLAND

Jan McClanahan joined the Century 21 Ashland Realty team. McClanahan, a certified real estate broker with 25 years in the industry, has 12 industry-related professional designations to her credit. She serves as director of the Cape Girardeau County Board of Realtors and has served on the legislative committee of the Missouri Association Board of Realtors for eight years.

KAISER JOINS FIRST MIDWEST BANK

Shelly Kaiser joined First Midwest Bank of Jackson as assistant vice president and mortgage loan officer. She brings 27 years of banking experience to the company.

LOCAL MEN HONORED AT FARM BUREAU CONFERENCE

BRANSON, Mo. — Scott Mainord Jr., Scott County (Benton) Farm Bureau insurance agent, achieved membership in the Missouri Farm Bureau Insurance Companies’ Annuity Pyramid. He is one of the company’s top agents qualifying for the award this year. The award was presented during the company’s All Star Sales Conference March 3 to 5 in Branson. At the same conference, Matt Winchester, Scott County (Sikeston) Farm Bureau insurance agency sales manager, received the 2015 President’s All American Award. He met the criteria for selection as a President’s All American and also earned Court of Excellence for the third year and is a 2016 Premier Agent. He also was recognized as a member of the Brokerage P&C, Town & Contry Premium and New Horizons Premium Pyramids. Additionally, Keith Parker, Butler County Farm Bureau insurance agency sales manager, received the 2015 President’s All American Award. He also earned Court of Excellence status for the third year and is a 2016 Premier Agent. He also was recognized as a member of the Issued Life Applications Pyramid.

GLENN JOINS CAPE GIRARDEAU LAW FIRM

Matthew D. Glenn is a new attorney at the Cape Girardeau firm of Cook, Barkett, Ponder & Wolz. He previously was a trial attorney for Nationwide Mutual Insurance Co., where he served as lead counsel on numerous jury trials involving personal injury cases including construction/maintenance defects and auto and commercial truck collisions. Further experience includes business litigation and product liability encompassing drug recalls, pharmaceutical errors and chemical exposure. Glenn received his Juris Doctor degree from the Washington University School of Law and a bachelor’s degree from Presbyterian College.

GROVES NAMED DIRECTOR OF SALES

Max Media and River Radio announced March 15 that Ed Groves was named director of sales over the Cape Girardeau market, effective immediately. He will oversee daily sales operations of Max Media’s eight-station cluster, according to a news release. The role previously was held by Ronnie Glover, who will continue to serve as general manager of the Cape Girardeau office. Groves has more than 40 years of broadcasting experience with companies such as General Electric, TVX, Sinclair Broadcasting and Max Media. Before joining the staff at River Radio, he was serving as general manager of KBSI/WDKA TV.

WILFONG JOINS ROBINSON CONSTRUCTION

PERRYVILLE, Mo. — Jeffrey Wilfong joined Robinson Construction as a structural CAD technician. In this role, he is responsible for producing drawings for projects such as public works systems, commercial buildings and concrete and steel bridges, according to a news release. He assists the engineering manager in outlining designs, gathering data, performing graphic imaging, drawing sketches of existing structures and interpreting structural markups. Wilfong is from Bonne Terre, Missouri, and is pursuing a degree in construction management from Southeast Missouri State University. He previously worked for an industrial modular and process-piping contractor in Pasadena, Texas, where he spent time in the office as part of the design team and also was part of the construction management team.

REYNOLDS PROMOTED TO DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. — Three Rivers College promoted Michelle Reynolds to the position of director of development, a move that was approved by the board of trustees on March 16. Reynolds was previously a development officer for the college. In her new role, she is tasked with connecting with alumni, fostering alumni relations and serving as liaison between the college and the Three Rivers Endowment Trust, according to a news release. She also will be involved in fundraising and event coordination.

EDWARD JONES ADVISER INVITED TO CONFERENCE

Cheryl Mothes, an Edward Jones financial adviser in Jackson since 1999, recently was invited to the Edward Jones Managing Partner’s Conference in St. Louis. The firm employs more than 14,000 financial advisers. This annual event honors the top 350. This is the third time Mothes has been invited to the event.

FORD NAMED NEW ADMINISTRATOR AT SENIOR CENTER

KENNETT, Mo. — Laura Ford, a native of Hornersville, Missouri, and a reporter at the Daily Dunklin Democrat for the past three years, is the new administrator at the OAKS Nutrition Center, the newspaper reported. Ford previously lived in Dallas for 18 years, where she worked for an ABC radio station owned by Disney. The last day for OAKS administrator Sharon Montgomery was March 31, and Ford began her new duties on April 1.

POPLAR BLUFF HAS NEW POSTMASTER

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. — Nathaniel Balentine Jr. was sworn in as Poplar Bluff’s new postmaster during a ceremony on March 11, the Daily American Republic reported. Balentine, of Newport, Arkansas, has worked in the Postal Service since 1996 in Georgia and various locations in central Arkansas. His wife, Melanie (Price) Balentine, is from Doniphan, Missouri.

ESICAR RETIRES, JOINS BANK BOARD

After 42 years in banking, Janet Esicar, senior vice president and lending officer at First Missouri State Bank of Cape Girardeau County, announced her retirement, effective March 31. She has worked in various capacities in banking for more than 40 years, starting as a teller in 1974. The bank’s board of directors elected her as a member of the board beginning in April, a news release stated.

LOCALS APPOINTED TO SEMO PORT BOARD

The Cape Girardeau County Commission appointed Jerry Lorberg to SEMO Port’s board of commissioners as member at large, a position that alternates every two years. Lorberg, a retired farmer, served on the Cape County Industrial Development Authority Board, the Capaha Bank board and Boatmen’s Bank board. Bruce Marrs of Jackson and Wilfred Bucher of Oran, Missouri, were appointed to the SEMO Port board by Cape Girardeau County and Scott County, respectively. Marrs owns Cairo Marine Service, which provides specialized services to the river industry between Minneapolis and New Orleans. Bucher owns the Wilford E. Bucher CPA firm in Sikeston, Missouri, which provides accounting and tax-management services.

CUNNINGHAM JOINS ROBINSON CONSTRUCTION

PERRYVILLE, Mo. — Bob Cunningham joined Robinson Construction as a business development representative. He is responsible for building customer relationships, identifying business opportunities, negotiating business deals and maintaining knowledge of current market conditions, according to a news release. He brings more than 17 years of sales experience to the company and 32 years of progressive experience in business development. He previously spent 10 years working for Helitech, a small construction firm in St. Louis.

RICHARDSON JOINS BOARD OF TRUSTEES

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. — The Three Rivers College Board of Trustees appointed Dr. Amber Richardson of Poplar Bluff to fill the term left vacant by a recent resignation. The appointment was confirmed at the board of trustees meeting in March. Richardson will serve the remainder of the vacant term, which expires in April 2018. She is a practicing psychologist in Poplar Bluff, and the wife of Missouri House Speaker Todd Richardson.

WINSTON OBTAINS AACE CERTIFICATION

PERRYVILLE, Mo. — Jonathan Winston, senior estimator at Robinson Construction, earned the Certified Estimating Professional designation from AACE International. According to the AACE, a CEP is a professional with vital expertise to contribute to the economic evaluation of potential projects by supporting the development of budgets, project resource requirements and value engineering. By applying the estimating body of knowledge, the CEP estimates costs of a determined scope in order to advise management on project funding decisions.

GRAHAM RECEIVES EXCEL AWARD

NEW MADRID, Mo. — Timothy B. Graham of Puxico, Missouri, a journeyman electrician at New Madrid Power Plant, was among those honored in March at the 22nd annual Employee Recognition Awards Ceremony at Associated Electric Cooperative’s Springfield, Missouri, headquarters. Graham received the 2015 Excel Award for Employee of the Year in a Vocational Field. He and other Excel winners were nominated by their peers and co-workers. Graham joined Associated Electric in 2012 after eight years with St. Louis-based Schneider Electric.

CARTER EARNS SECOND MASTER STATUS

DEXTER, Mo. — Country Financial representative Rhonda Carter of Dexter achieved master status for the organization. Only 86 financial representatives were selected to receive the honor this year. This is the second time Carter has achieved master status, which is awarded annually to Country Financial representatives for commitment and success toward providing for the financial security of their customers. Carter has worked for the company since 1999.

HAROLD, NORTHERN JOIN FORD AND SONS

Florence Marshall Harold joined Ford and Sons Funeral Home as a pre-arrangement/after-care consultant. As a licensed pre-need agent, Harold advises clients interested in prearranging their funeral or a loved one’s. She also works with families after the funeral is complete, obtaining death certificates, designing monuments and offering other assistance as needed. Before joining Ford and Sons, she worked as an events coordinator at SoutheastHEALTH and a pastoral minister at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church. Additionally, Don Northern joined Ford and Sons as a funeral director in September and recently completed the licensure requirements to be an embalmer. Northern was born in Cape Girardeau and grew up in South Dakota. He earned his associate degree in mortuary science at Arkansas State University-Mountain Home.

HUELS COMPLETES COMPETENCY EXAM

PERRYVILLE, Mo. — Elizabeth Huels of Perryville completed the Competency Examination of the National Board for Certification in Hearing Instrument Sciences. Passing the exam grants hearing health professionals the designation of Board Certified in Hearing Instrument Sciences. Huels has been employed by Miracle-Ear for more than four years. Her office is in Perryville and she conducts service centers in Altenburg and Ste. Genevieve, Missouri.

PRICE JOINS PEOPLES BANK

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. — Steve Price joined Peoples Community Bank as vice president-lending. He has more than 25 years of lending experience in the Poplar Bluff market. His office is on South Westwood Boulevard, in front of the AMC move theater.

RED ANCHOR RESTAURANT OPENS IN PORTAGEVILLE

PORTAGEVILLE, Mo. — The Red Anchor Family Dining opened in the old Gary’s Fish House restaurant at 127 E. State Highway 162 in Portageville, the Missourian-News reported. Elizabeth Slaten owns and operates the new business with help from her mother, Linda Nelson, brother, David Doyle, and sister, Linda Danielson. The new owners plan to continue with many of the same items that were offered by Gary’s Fish House, along with a few new items. Slaten had worked at Gary’s the past seven to eight months before the business purchase, and many of the employees also are coming on board.

KANE, MARTIN APPOINTED TO STATE BOARDS

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Gov. Jay Nixon appointed Dr. William T. Kane of Dexter, Missouri, to the Missouri Dental Board. The board adopts, publishes and enforces rules and regulations that regulate and define the acts and areas of practice that may be performed by dentists and dental hygienists, according to a news release. Kane operates a general dentistry practice in Dexter. He also serves as a dental examiner for the Central Regional Dental Testing Service and the Western Regional Examining Board. Kane is chairman of the well-being committee and the Dental Well-Being Foundation of the Missouri Dental Association. The governor nominated him for a term ending Oct. 16, 2019. Additionally, Timothy W. Martin of Bernie, Missouri, was appointed to the State Soil and Water Districts Commission. The commission formulates policies and general programs for the saving of Missouri soil and water by the soil and water conservation districts. Martin is the president of Martin Rice Co., Martin Grain Co. and Marco Inc. With his brothers, he farms and manages more than 7,000 acres of rice-growing and row crop land in Southeast Missouri. In 2010, Martin Rice Co. received the Governor’s Award for Agricultural Achievement. Martin is a member of the Elk Township Board in Stoddard County and the Little River Drainage District Board of Supervisors. The governor appointed him for a term ending Aug. 15, 2018.