Newsmakers: Jan. 15-21, 2018

Banking
Arvest Bank promoted Pam Robison to private banking adviser from private banking specialist. She has worked with the bank since January 2017.

Community
Springfield-Greene County Library District named Melissa Adler development director, responsible for managing its donor base and building the endowment fund. She previously worked as a community outreach development associate for Habitat for Humanity of Springfield.

Government
The Greene County 31st Judicial Circuit Court elected Michael Cordonnier as presiding judge to succeed Thomas Mountjoy. The court’s five circuit judges, six associate circuit judges and six commissioners made the election en banc. Appointed in 2008 to the 31st Judicial Court, Cordonnier now holds administrative authority over the court.

Eric Clay, of Springfield, was appointed to the state Homeland Security Advisory Council. He works as system director of public safety at CoxHealth and serves as a reserve lieutenant of the Christian County Sherriff’s Office.

Nikki Whitehead, of Marshfield, was appointed to the State Fair Commission. She manages a Conway beef cattle operation and serves as a member of the Missouri Dairy Association, as well as the Webster County Republicans.

Bill Gipson, of Shell Knob, was appointed to the Missouri Southern State University Board of Governors. He retired as president and CEO of Empire District Electric Co. and serves as a member of the MSSU Foundation.

Jade Jump, of Clever, was appointed to the Missouri Commission on Human Rights. She works as the bookkeeper of Ditchbiz’ Mapping & Locating Services Inc. and serves as coordinator of Mothers of Preschoolers at Clever First Baptist Church.

Sonny Saxton, of Springfield, was appointed to the Missouri 911 Service Board. He has served since 2003 as manager of the Mercy Emergency Services Communication Center.
 
Legal
Emily Kembell became a partner at Kirkland Woods & Martinsen LLP. She joined the firm in 2008 to open its Springfield office and handles estate planning, wealth transfer, trust and probate administration, and nonjudicial settlement.

Media
Linda Merkling joined Springfield Business Journal as an account executive. She previously worked in sales and marketing with iHeartMedia-Springfield and as general manager of The Starlite Theatre, after 15 years in marketing with KTTS and KSGF radio stations.

SBJ hired John Lee McLaughlin as a reporter. He previously worked at newspapers in northeast Missouri, South Dakota and Alaska, after earning a bachelor’s in journalism from University of Missouri-Columbia.

Municipal
The 31st Judicial Court at Greene County hired Kylie Young as court administrator to succeed the retiring Jerry Moyer, effective Jan. 16. Young, a 23-year veteran of Missouri courts, previously managed business services for the Office of the State Courts Administrator and served as deputy clerk of the Boone County Circuit Clerk’s Office.

Nonprofit
Lori Casey joined the Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau as a group sales coordinator. She assists the sales department and works in the group tour and travel market.

Stevie Stryker joined The Arc of the Ozarks as marketing and development coordinator. She previously worked as a regional marketing specialist for Andy’s Frozen Custard.