Names in the news

Farmers Insurance announces sales winners

MALDEN, Mo. -- Top sales winners inducted into the Farmers Insurance Company's "Topper Club" are: Brian Brown, of Bernie, Mo., Shelly Culp of Campbell, Mo., and Steven Phillips of Poplar Bluff, Mo.

These new members of the Topper Club were chosen based on their sales during 2006.

Local broker completes certification course

Brenda Miller, a licensed real estate broker-salesperson with RE/MAX Realty Experts, announced she has successfully completed the Realtor e-PRO course, earning certification through the National Association of Realtors. The Realtor e-PRO course is designed to provide real estate professionals with the skill to assist customers in the purchase or sale of a home via electronic means. Passing the course certifies the Realtor as an Internet professional.

NORDENIA USA names employees of the month

Plate finisher operator Paul Sides of Jackson has been named NORDENIA USA's October employee of the month. Sides has been with NORDENIA since Aug. 28, 1996. NORDENIA USA manufactures plastic packaging and films.

NORDENIA USA recognizes Susan Dunning, Michael Keller, and Ritsuko Stone for 10 years of service.

For November, NORDENIA selected multi-craft technician Dennis Kempf of Jackson. Kempf has been with NORDENIA since Dec. 20, 1993.

Connie Wright, Laura Phillips and Micah Griffin were recognized for 10 years of working at NORDENIA. Honored for five years of employment is Tim Stoltz.

Banker competes ICBA course

Mary Dannenmueller, Bank Secrecy Act officer for the Bank of Missouri in Cape Girardeau recently completed the BSA/AML Institute, a professional certification program sponsored by the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA).

She completed the Bank Secrecy Act/Anti-Money Laundering Institute, a professional certification program sponsored by the ICBA. Dannenmueller completed the requirements of the comprehensive program and passed two certification examinations.

Robinson earns CDA credentials

Ramona Robinson of Masters Children Academy, 750 N. Mount Auburn Rd., Cape Girardeau, was awarded a child development associate certification by the Council of Professional Recognition for her work with children. Candidates for the certification must demonstrate their skills working with children and working with families. Robinson is a Cape Girardeau native and has been working in child care for five years.

UPS employee cited for service

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Karen Blackman was recently honored by UPS for completing 20 years of service with the company.

Blackman, who is with UPS in East Prairie, was recognized for her loyal service contributions. Blackman began her career in 1987 as a car washer with the company.

Blackman lives in East Prairie. She has one child: Ashley.

Sikeston attorney is recognized

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Sikeston attorney Daniel S. Norton was honored recently as a "Senior Counselor" of The Missouri Bar.

The "Senior Counselor" title is bestowed upon lawyers who have reached the age of 75 years or who have been admitted to The Missouri Bar for 50 years.

The recognition ceremonies came during the Opening Luncheon at The Missouri Bar annual meeting, taking place at the University Plaza Hotel in Springfield. A total of 175 members of The Missouri Bar were presented with the designation.

Modern Woodmen name agent of month

District representative Ken Volkerding of Jackson, of the Modern Woodmen Missouri East Agency, was named agent of the month for September. Volkerding has been part of Modern Woodmen's Rainwater Agency, based in Farmington, Mo., since November 2004.

Southeast graduate wins design award

Sarah Moran, a 1980 graduate of Southeast Missouri State University, received the American Society of Interior Design's Design Excellence Award, South Florida Chapter, for kitchen design. Moran has extensive family ties to Southeast Missouri, with parents Anson and Janet Knoderer living in Painton, Mo., in Stoddard County, and siblings in Cape Girardeau and Painton. She is married to Michael Moran, who is also a 1980 graduate of the university.

Financial advisor attends conference

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Eric Wooden of Sikeston was one of more than 2,000 Raymond James Financial Services Inc. financial advisors, partners, associates and guests to attend the company's 2007 National conference for Professional Development held in September in Nashville, Tenn.

At the conference advisors spent the week attending workshops and lectures on a variety of investment and financial subjects. The keynote speaker, combat-decorated Marine and former U.S. Counter-Terrorism coordinator Oliver North identified the policies and strategies that have made and kept the United States a prominent player on the world's stage, highlighting the idea that these same concept can be applied effectively to life and work.

In addition guest speaker Dave Dravecky, former Major League pitcher and cancer survivor, told conference attendees how to turn adversities into assets.

Raymond James Financial Chairman and CEO Thomas A. James and President an COO Chet B. Helck also addressed the group.

Atwill joins law firm

KENNETT, Mo. -- John Lee Atwill has joined the law office of Jimmie D. Stokeley. Atwill, the son of Marilyn and the late Jon Atwill of Deering, Mo ., graduated from Delta High school in 1999 and earned a bachelor of science degree in agricultural pest management from Mississippi State University in 2003. He also attended Mississippi College of Law at Jackson where he received his juris doctorate in 2006. His practice as an associate in the Stokeley firm will primarily focus on workers' compensation, personal injury and Social Security disability cases.

Local program director listed as one of the best

KZIM/KSIM Radio program director Faune Riggin was included in the list of 10 best program directors in small market radio in the Oct. 22 edition of Radio Ink, a magazine about and for the radio industry. The magazine included a biography and photo of Riggin, who is also the station's morning host. The annual list separates program directors into major, medium and small markets. The recognition is the first time Radio Ink has included a program director from the Cape Girardeau market.

Real estate agent goes to retreat in Hawaii

Century 21 Ashland Realty announced that Dolores Schultz-Baker took part in a Century 21 top agent retreat in Hawaii. The retreat was offered to agents who attained masters level sales. Schultz-Baker won recognition for $5.6 million in closed sales.

Service group selects local businesswoman as district leader.

Schlief joins sales staff

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Lowell Schlief of Doniphan, Mo., has joined the sales staff at Blackwell-Baldwin. Schlief and his family have lived in the area since 1965.

Manpower adds sales consultant

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Brittney Ashcraft has joined Manpower as a staffing specialist/sales consultant. She will be responsible for marketing and sales in the Poplar Bluff, Kennett and Northern Arkansas area. Her goals are to deliver high quality service to customers and temporaries by matching temporaries' skills to customer needs. She was previously employed by the Poplar Bluff Chamber of Commerce and has a degree in business from Hannibal-LaGrange College.

Swan elected Zonta governor

Local businesswoman Kathy Swan was recently elected as governor of District 7 for Zonta International at the group's fall conference in Minneapolis.

Zonta International is an organization of executives and professionals that works to promote the status of women through service and advocacy. Nearly 33,000 members belong to more than 1,200 Zonta Clubs in 68 countries and geographic areas.

District 7 is made up of 560 members in 21 clubs encompassing Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, Kansas and Missouri.

Swan is a member of the local Zonta Club of Cape Girardeau Area, previously serving as the club's president and service committee chairwoman as well as the district's service and Amelia Earhart committee chairs.

Currently serving as lieutenant governor, Swan will be installed at the International Convention to be held in Rotterdam, the Netherlands in June to serve for the 2008 to 2010 biennium.

Simpson added to insurance agency

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- McVey Insurance Agency of Poplar Bluff has announced that James Simpson has been appointed to represent the Allstate agency as a licensed long-term care specialist. With more than six years of experience, Simpson will offer quotes from the top six companies in the United States with a wide array of benefits, including nursing home coverage and at-home benefits.

Salon adds two new members to staff

Concepts Styling Salon and Giftique, 107 West Drive, announced the addition of two new staff members. Jessie Eck, a licensed aesthetician specializing in skin care, and Elishah Urbaez, a licensed cosmetologist specializing in hair care, are welcoming new clients, salon owner Danea Johnson reports.

Owens awarded by institute

Licensed agent Kyle Owens of Century 21 Key Realty in Cape Girardeau has been awarded the Graduate Realtors Institute symbol in recognition of his completion of 90 hours of education outlined by the National Association of Realtors. Owens joined Century 21 Key Realty in 2006 and has 27 years' experience in real estate and has also held real estate licenses in New Mexico and Texas.

Bowman selected for agency honor

SIKESTON -- Lee Bowman, a district representative with Modern Woodmen of America, was the "Agent of the Month" in the Missouri East Agency for August. Bowman joined Modern Woodmen's Rainwater Agency, located in Farmington in November 2003

Modern Woodmen of America is a fraternal life insurance society headquartered in Rock Island, Ill.

Reynolds attends seminar

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Lisa Reynolds of Morse Harwell Jiles Insurance recently attended "Medicaid and Medicaid Planning in Missouri," a seminar designed to take an in-depth look at Medicaid and Medicaid planing for elderly or disabled persons who need long-term care in Missouri.

The purpose of the seminar was to examine Medicaid law including the many recent changes in state and federal regulations which will allow Reynolds to assist her clients in understanding the qualifications for institutional Medicaid to pay for all or part of their expenses.

Reynolds joined the insurance industry in 1986 and has been with MHJ Insurance since 2004. She is licensed in all lines of insurance and now specializes in the senior market.

Estes, Yarbro get appointments

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Stanley Estes and Mark Yarbro, employees of Ozark Border Electric Cooperative, have been appointed as district representatives.

Estes, manager of Ozark Border, was appointed to the Internal Operations Committee of the Association of Missouri Electric Cooperative in Jefferson City. He will be responsible for activities concerned with the internal operation of the statewide association and ensure local electric cooperatives receive needed services.

Yarbro, director of Ozark Border Electric Cooperative in Poplar Bluff was appointed to the Executive Committee of the Association of Missouri Electrical Cooperative in Jefferson City. He will have responsibility for developing the association's annual work plan and budget and monitoring is operating policies.

Green joins McVey agency

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Brandon McVey of Allstate Insurance Agency announces the appointment of SHANA GREEN as a new agent. Green graduated from Rector, Ark., High School and attended Southeast Missouri State University. She has seven years experience as a life and health agent specializing in work site benefits. She covers the area of Butler and adjoining counties and is also licensed for Arkansas.

Morgan joins Dunklin County Bar

KENNETT, Mo. -- Shannon Morgan of Kennett has been admitted to the Dunklin County Bar. She has joined the law firm of Pelts, McMullan and Edgington, where she will work on family law matters and workers' compensation issues and real estate work.

Morgan earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Missouri and her law degree from the University of Missouri in Kansas City. Her experience includes work in the Office of the Attorney General, and manager of the Consumer Complaint Unit of the AG's office. She also served as legal counsel for the Department of Elementary and Secondary Eduction.

Chamber chief finishes leadership program

Mary Beth Williams executive director of the Jackson Chamber of Commerce, recently was one of 31 candidates who graduated from the 2007 Leadership Missouri program sponsored by the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The seven-month program is designed to identify current and emerging leaders and provide training to improve their skills and broaden their knowledge of issues in the state.

Realty owner takes part in lobbying day

The owner of Century 21 Ashland Realty, Kenneth Inman, recently took part in a lobbying day in Washington, D.C., meeting with U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson, R-Mo., to discuss credit issues in real estate, flood insurance and health insurance. The Century 21 National Brokers Communication Congress brings dozens of brokers to the national capital to meet with lawmakers on a variety of topics.

Edward Jones trainee becomes administrator

The Cape Girardeau branch office of Edward Jones investment firm announced that Rhonda Young has recently graduated from trainee to branch office administrator. Young completed five months of work, training and testing. The branch office administrator is responsible for day-to-day operations, client service and marketing support.

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New director of county archive center named

Assistant county archivist Steven Pledger was named to take over as archive center director, Cape Girardeau County Clerk Kara Clark announced. Pledger, who first started at the County Archive Center as a volunteer in 2001, is a native of Cape Girardeau with family roots in the county dating to 1844. Pledger will replace Jane Randol Jackson, who is retiring, Clark said. Pledger has specialized in archive work on the military history of the county. Pledger took over as director on Dec. 1.

Insurance agency promotes employee

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Brandon McVey Insurance has announced that Brenda Franklin has been promoted to office manager. A lifelong resident of Butler County, Franklin has 30 years of experience in the insurance business and is licensed for all lines of property, casualty, life and health insurance.

Crader elected president-elect of the Missouri Independent Bankers Association

PERRYVILLE, Mo.-- R. David Crader was elected president-elect of The Missouri Independent Bankers Association for the 2007-2008 term. Crader has served on various MIBA committees and has been actively involved as a community banking leader throughout his career at The Bank of Missouri, Perryville, Mo.

In addition to Crader's banking career, he is committed to community involvement and serves as president of Teen Challenge Mid-America and secretary of Saint Francis Medical Center Foundation Board. He also sits on the Missouri Veterans Home Board of Directors, the Missouri Veterans Home Foundation Board, the Booster Club of Southeast Missouri State University, the Boy Scouts of America National Council and the Perryville Development Corporation. Crader was recently awarded the Southeast Missouri State Alumni Merit Award for the distinction he has brought to the community and the university.

Associate provost named executive of year

Dr. Randall Shaw was named 2007 Executive of the Year by the Girardot Chapter of the International Association of Administrative Professionals. The awards banquet took place Oct. 16. Shaw is associate provost of the School of Extended Learning, dean of the School of Polytechnic Studies and executive director of the Southeast Missouri Educational Consortium at Southeast Missouri State University.

Allied Waste hires sales representative

Kevin Ammon has joined Allied Waste as a sales and retention representative, bringing 20 years of sales, marketing and business development experience to the firm. Ammon will cover the Cape Girardeau and Jackson market.

Bank names branch operations officer

The Bank of Missouri named Christy Bock branch operations officer for the bank's newest location at 2492 E. Main St. in Jackson. Bock has 20 years of banking experience, beginning with the Bank of Missouri in 1978 before moving to Dallas. After returning to Missouri, Bock worked for Boatmen's Bank in Jackson before returning to the Bank of Missouri in 1997. The new East Main Street branch opened last week.

Beauty salon opens on Highway 177

Stylist Kathleen Ligons has opened a new beauty salon at the Lil' Country Store, 17752 Highway 177. The Lil' Country Hair Salon will be open Tuesday through Saturday, with Monday appointments available.

Former Southeast Missouri resident selected to Spirit Industry Hall of Fame

DALLAS, Tex. -- Kevin Jones first cheered for sports teams in Southeast Missouri. He was recently being cheered by leaders in the cheerleading and dance industry for the role he has played in its development across the country.

Jones, president and CEO of America's Best Cheer and Dance Inc. and Spirit Innovations, was recently named to the inaugural class of the Spirit Industry Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame was created to recognize leaders with high integrity and character who have significantly contributed to the advancement of the cheerleading and dance industry over a period of 20 years or more.

In 1999, Jones created his own company, America's Best Cheer and Dance, and now serves as the president/CEO of the business which produces about 30 cheerleading and dance competitions for school, youth league and all-star squads across the country. Also, he is founder, president and CEO of Spirit Innovations, a catalog-based business offering cheerleading and dance apparel, such as uniforms, campwear, poms, bows, etc., for cheerleaders. Both companies are based in Carrollton, Texas.

As a result of his efforts, American Cheerleader's All-Star Insider magazine recently named Jones to the "25 Most Influential" people in all-star cheerleading. He was featured in Cheer Coach & Advisor magazine for his contributions to the industry, as well.

Employee of the quarter named

DEXTER, Mo. -- Crowley Ridge Care Center has chosen Amy Bazarian, Social Services designee, as employee of the Quarter for July through September. She has worked at Crowley Ridge Care Center for a year in Social Services and Medical Records.