Newsmakers: Dec. 11-17, 2017

Architecture
Architect Magazine ranked Dake Wells Architecture Inc. No. 48 on its list of the top 50 design firms in the United States. Out of 149 firms recognized, Dake Wells was one of 10 in the Midwest.

Banking & Finance
Commerce Bank hired Raymond Winfrey as business banking relationship manager. Previously serving as a credit analyst for OakStar Bank in Bolivar, he spearheads business development related to Commerce’s full line of banking, borrowing and treasury management solutions for commercial clients in Bolivar.

Kei Lani Rae Coticchio Rossetto joined Advanced Plan Designs LLC as a data analyst. A graduate of Missouri State University with a bachelor’s in accounting. Rossetto also is pursuing her certified public accountant and retirement plan fundamentals certifications.

Education
Nixa High School’s journalism program won several awards through the Columbia Scholastic Press Association’s national award program. The school’s magazine, Wingspan, was a Gold Medalist, and the yearbook earned a Silver Medalist, in addition to receiving a first class rating with one mark of distinction from the National Scholastic Press Association.

John Battaglia, a political chaplain at the state capitol through Capitol Commission, was selected by Evangel University as director of the Doctor of Ministry Program. He has 30 years of leadership experience involving business, government, church and nonprofit organizations. Battaglia graduated from AGTS in 2004.

Insurance
Steve Baratta joined insurance agency Ollis/Akers/Arney as a group benefits adviser. He has three decades of health care industry experience and previously ran the Springfield office for First Choice Insurance Agency.

Media
Mid-West Family Broadcasting hired Marie Pearl as traffic person/sales assistant. A native to the area, she most recently worked for Ozarks Technical Community College as a senior accountant and also has experience with Missouri State University.

Municipal
Gallup ranked Springfield 25th on its list of Communities with the Highest Rates of Regular Exercise in its report, State of American Well Being. In examining the percentage of residents who are active 30 minutes a day, three or more days a week, Springfield reported 57.7 percent of the population met the criteria.

Nonprofit
The Springfield Regional Arts Council awarded $19,000 in arts and culture grants to 15 area nonprofit organizations. The grants, intended to support the Springfield Cultural Plan, went to such groups as the Springfield Art Museum, Springfield Little Theatre, Springfield Symphony Orchestra and Moxie Cinema.

Sharon Faulkner, an accountant and investment adviser for Shaw, Faulkner and Werner Financial Group Inc., joined the board of the Children’s Trust Fund, the state’s foundation for child abuse prevention. She also has served as treasurer and president of Isabel’s House Board of Directors and was a Springfield Children’s Home board member.