Newsmakers: July 24-30, 2023

Banking & Finance
Central Trust Co. made three promotions: Jason Flores to executive vice president and chief investment officer, Todd Hughes to EVP and chief administration officer, and Kristin Carter to senior VP and chief tax officer. Flores is responsible for working with the asset allocation committee and the investment team on investment management processes, technologies, investment options and performance. While the role is a companywide position, he remains based in Springfield. Hughes has led Central Trust Co.’s retirement services division for four years, and now he’s tasked with assisting each market throughout the footprint in structuring processes and with hiring and training employees from his Springfield office base. Carter has 16 years of experience in income, trust, estate and gift taxation. She’s responsible for the day-to-day management of the tax operations, including filings, compliance and education for staff and clients.

Health Care
Gov. Mike Parson appointed Cox College Occupational Therapy Department Chair Amy Stark, of Nixa, to the Missouri Board of Occupational Therapy. The six-member board develops, implements and administers rules and licensure requirements for occupational therapy practices. Stark also is a professor at the college and leads its first-ever doctorate degree program in occupational therapy.

Nonprofit
The Salvation Army appointed Majs. Amos and Cyndi Shiels to succeed Majs. Jon and Kris Augenstein in leading the local operation. The Shielses have served as co-pastors and co-administrators with The Salvation Army since 2001 and most recently led the nonprofit’s chapter in Holland, Michigan. The Augensteins retired from the nonprofit after leading the local chapter since 2020.

The Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce promoted Government Affairs Manager Lauren Mustoe to acting vice president of public affairs and hired Tiffany Batdorf as vice president of communications and community relations. Mustoe has worked at the chamber since 2018, and Batdorf previously was director of the chamber and convention and visitors’ bureau in Mitchell, South Dakota. The two fill roles recently vacated by the retirements of Sandy Howard, senior vice president of public affairs, and Jennifer McClure, vice president of strategic communications.

Ettie Berneking joined Mercy as media relations and communications manager for hospitals and clinics in Springfield and the surrounding area. Berneking, who has served as project manager and editor of custom publishing projects at 417 Magazine for the past six years, holds bachelor’s degrees in journalism and political science from University of Missouri and previously worked as an editor and contributing writer. She works on Mercy communications, including internal projects, in the Branson, Cassville, Lebanon, Mountain View, Rolla, Springfield and Aurora markets.

Dr. Gregory Ledger of Mercy Hospital Springfield joined the board of Care to Learn. He works as chief medical officer in Springfield and as lead research physician for Mercy Central Communities. Ledger has 28 years of experience practicing endocrinology with an interest in metabolic bone disease.

Gov. Mike Parson appointed Springfield poet and education author David L. Harrison as Missouri’s seventh poet laureate for a term running 2023-25. Harrison has a literary career spanning six decades, during which he’s published 106 books of poetry, fiction and nonfiction for young readers and teachers. The statewide program, which began in 2008 and is administered by the Missouri Arts Council, aims to promote the art of poetry through public appearances, readings, workshops, and digital and social media.