People on the move 08/04/03

Woodmen rep attends life insurance seminar

R. Allen Phillips, a Modern Woodmen of America representative from Cape Girardeau, has completed a five-day educational program at the fraternal life insurance society's home office in Rock Island, Ill.

The program reinforced the concepts of sound financial planning for families through Modern Woodmen life insurance plans, annuities and IRAs.

Modern Woodmen of America is a financial services organization based in Rock Island, Ill. Modern Woodmen serves more than 750,000 members nationwide, offering life insurance, annuity and investment products, along with fraternal member benefits for families and their communities.

Jackson man elected to CPA leadership position

The Southeast Chapter of the Missouri Society of Certified Public Accountants has elected Edward J. Gauthier as president. Gauthier, a Jackson resident, is employed by Major Custom Cable.

The MSCPA Southeast Chapter consists of 280 CPAs in public practice, industry, government and education. It provides members with continuing education and governmental advocacy, while working to further the future of the accounting profession through student-focused initiatives.

Cape native receives young lawyer award

Cape Girardeau native Morry S. Cole, a lawyer with the law firm of Gray, Ritter & Graham, has been named the 2003 St. Louis recipient of the Missouri Bar Foundation's Lon O. Hocker Award.

The Missouri Bar Foundation presents the award annually to a young lawyer (under age 36) who has demonstrated unusual proficiency in the art of trial advocacy.

Cole, a licensed pilot who has logged more than 1,100 hours in several types of aircraft, two years ago won a $10 million verdict in a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of a Gulf War veteran pilot who died in a helicopter crash. The verdict was upheld on appeal this year.

Last year, he won a $3.5 million verdict in federal court in a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of a pedestrian struck and killed in the parking area of a truck stop. The verdict was not appealed.

Cole is a 1997 graduate of the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Law and before joining the firm served as law clerk and research attorney for former Missouri Supreme Court Judge Edward D. Robertson Jr. He serves on the Missouri Bar YLS Council and the Missouri Bar Board of Governors.

Accountant attends symposium in Nevada

Certified public accountant Melvin J. Van de Ven recently attended the National Advanced Accounting and Auditing Technical Symposium. The two-day conference was held in Las Vegas and sponsored by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

Van de Ven is a partner in Schott & Van de Ven, Certified Public Accountants, and a professional member of the AICPA.

Northwestern Mutual recognizes local rep

Financial representative David L. Hahs received the Emerald Award and was recognized July 21 during the 123rd annual meeting of the Association of Agents for sales achievements during the year ending May 31.

Hahs is associated with the Northwestern Mutual Financial Network's Hahs District Agency in Cape Girardeau.

Mary Kay director recognized in Dallas

Mary Kay senior sales director Jana Jateff of Cape Girardeau recently returned from Dallas, where she attended the 40th anniversary of Mary Kay Cosmetics Seminar. Jateff received two national awards. She received a carat diamond ring for her sales of more than $32,000 retail in the year. She also received a diamond pin for leading her unit to the $350,000 retail sales mark for the year.

For her accomplishments, Jateff was honored at a royalty reception and received her awards on the national court stage.

Jateff's unit members attending were: Amy Cairns, Tina Tidwell, Kay Waller, Amy Romack, Sarah Arthur, Julie Giannassi, Eve Friese, Sherry Campbell, Ann Yuede, Alyssa Turner and sales director Leslie Thresher.

-- From staff reports