Newsmakers: April 13-19, 2026

Accounting
Forvis Mazars LLP, which has its roots in Springfield and operates locally at 910 E. St. Louis St., ranked No. 10 on Accounting Today’s annual publication of the top 100 firms. Its ranking is based on $2.2 billion in annual revenue. KPM CPAs & Advisors and Abacus placed on Accounting Today’s top firms in the Midwest. Ranked by revenue, KPM CPAs & Advisors is No. 15 on the Midwest list, followed by Abacus at No. 17. The list reports revenues of $24 million and $20.6 million for KPM CPAs & Advisors and Abacus, respectively.

Banking & Finance
Four States Bank hired Eric Meruelo as senior vice president and mortgage loan officer. Meruelo has 38 years of mortgage banking experience.

Branson Bank promoted Tammy Kelley to senior vice president, controller and information security officer. A Branson Bank employee since 2024, Kelley has more than 20 years of banking experience. Kelley earned a business degree from Missouri State University.

Chambers of Commerce
The Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce promoted Parker Reid to vice president of membership from member engagement manager. A Springfield chamber employee since 2021, Reid has a bachelor’s in business marketing from Missouri State University.

Education
Springfield Public Schools promoted Sydney Dean and Anne Longwell to principal roles effective with the 2026-27 academic year. Dean, who will be the next principal at Twain Elementary School, has served as assistant principal at Bowerman Elementary School for the past three years. The next principal at Fremont Elementary School, Longwell currently serves as assistant principal at Delaware and Mann elementary schools. Dean earned bachelor’s and master’s in English education at Missouri State University, and Longwell earned a bachelor’s in elementary education and a master’s in educational administration from MSU, as well as a master’s in education from Drury University.

Alison Roffers, director of counseling services for Springfield Public Schools, was recognized by the Harmony Academy at National University as a Belonging Champion for working closely with teachers and students to build healthy relationships within schools. Roffers completed undergraduate and graduate work at Missouri State University, as well as doctoral coursework in educational leadership from Southwest Baptist University.

Emmalyn Franks, a sixth-grade student at Branson Public Schools, won the A.C.E.S 9th Annual Regional Spelling Bee. With the win, Franks has the opportunity to complete in the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C., in May.

Health Care
Dr. Matthew N. Alder was tapped to become the inaugural chief medical officer and pediatrician-in-chief of St. Louis Children’s at CoxHealth. Alder previously served as an attending physician in pediatric critical care medicine at Cox South. Alder earned his medical degree and a doctor of philosophy in immunology from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He completed his residency in pediatrics and fellowship in pediatric critical care medicine at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center.

Manufacturing
Ozarks Coca-Cola/Dr Pepper Bottling Co. promoted Matt Howard to account executive over on-premise food service. Howard has worked at the company since 2000 and has held roles including driver before transitioning into sales.