Newsmakers: Feb. 27-March 5, 2023

Banking & Finance
Old Missouri Bank was named a Best-in-Class Employer by consulting services firm Gallagher. OMB participated in Gallagher’s 2022 U.S. Benefits Strategy & Benchmarking Survey and was recognized for optimizing employee and organizational well-being.

BluCurrent Credit Union made five promotions: Michael Farrar to senior vice president of business services, Kyle Short to VP of business services, Chris Pardoe to manager of business services, deAnna Downs to SVP of mortgage lending, Mandy Oxendine to VP of mortgage underwriting and Miranda Proe to mortgage support manager. Farrar has worked in the financial industry for 15 years – since 2012 with BluCurrent, where he oversees commercial lending and deposits – and holds a bachelor’s in finance from Missouri State University. A BluCurrent employee for 13 years, Short has worked in branch services and training, and he manages commercial deposits. Pardoe joined the credit union in 2021 and helps manage commercial deposits. Downs, who holds a bachelor’s in business administration from MSU, began at BluCurrent in 2008 and oversees mortgage lending. Oxendine, an employee for 19 years, oversees underwriting and manages support and processing. With seven years’ experience at BluCurrent, Proe supports the mortgage department.

Central Trust Co. promoted Todd Hughes to chief administrative officer and Jordan Ellis to business development officer of retirement services. Both are based in Springfield and work across the firm’s footprint. Hughes has led the retirement services division for four years and holds a bachelor’s in public relations from Pacific Lutheran University in Washington. Ellis, a certified plan fiduciary adviser, joined Central Trust in 2016 and previously served as a relationship manager; he holds a bachelor’s in personal financial planning from University of Missouri and a master’s in personal financial planning from the College for Financial Planning.

Arvest Bank was named to Forbes’ list of America’s Best Large Employers for the second year in a row. In partnership with Statista Inc. and based on employee surveys, 1,000 employers across 25 industry sectors were honored.

Education
Missouri State University’s College of Business ranked No. 32 in U.S. News & World Report’s Best Online Bachelor’s in Business Programs for 2023. The school moved up 19 spots from the 2022 ranking, based on academics, course delivery, support services and affordability.

Southwest Baptist University handed out two Life Beautiful awards, one to staff member Amy Bushey and another to faculty member John Murphy, recognizing commitment to Christ-like character, excellence in service and dedication to students. Bushey, an accounting services supervisor, has worked at SBU since 1999 and holds a bachelor’s in business administration-accounting from Evangel University. An assistant professor of biology and division head of natural sciences, Murphy joined the school in 2007 and holds a bachelor’s in biology from Central Missouri State University and a master’s in biology from South Dakota State University, as well as a doctorate from Kansas State University.

Law
Springfield criminal defense attorneys Joseph S. Passanise and Taylon Sumners of Wampler & Passanise were recognized by Best Lawyers in America 2023. Based on peer reviews, Passanise was listed in criminal defense: general practice and white collar, as well as DUI/DWI defense. He holds a Juris Doctor from Washburn University. Sumners was recognized for white collar criminal defense in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch for attorneys early in their careers. She holds a Juris Doctor from Washburn University and has worked at the firm since 2015, beginning as a legal assistant while in law school.