People on the move 7/9/07

Jackson man steps down from board

Gene Wills, managing partner of Gene E. Wills Insurance Agency in Jackson, has stepped down from his position as a board member for Columbia Insurance Group of Columbia, Mo., after 10 years. Wills served on the boards of both the Colum-bia Mutual Insurance Co. and the Columbia Insurance Group Inc. During his time on the board, revenue for the corporation doubled, the company reported in a prepared statement, and financial reserves grew by an even stronger rate. Wills will continue to operate his insurance agency in Jackson.

Treatment center names employee of year

Brenda Abernathy of Jackson won recognition as the Cottonwood Residential Treatment Center employee of the year for 2007. Abernathy, a registered nurse, has been with the program since 2003, and the award cited her as a skilled worker who inspires others. Cottonwood is a Missouri Department of Mental Health facility providing residential treatment for children aged 6 to 17 who have emotional and behavioral problems.

Benton rep becomes rookie of month

Kasey Mathes-Klughart of Benton, Mo., a district representative with Modern Woodmen of America, was recently named rookie of the month and membership leader in the Missouri East Agency for June. In May, Mathes-Klughart became a full-time employee with Modern Woodmen's Rainwater Agency in Farmington, Mo.

-- From staff reports