Newsmakers: July 6-12, 2026

Architecture
Katy Melton joined nForm Architecture LLC as a project associate. A graduate of the Hammons School of Architecture at Drury University, Melton started working at nForm Architecture after she graduated this year.

Ashley O’Connor, an employee at nForm Architecture LLC, earned her architecture license. O’Connor has worked at nForm since 2025, and she’s a graduate of the Hammons School of Architecture at Drury University.

Banking & Finance
Shelly Addington joined OakStar Bank as vice president and private banking development officer. Addington has more than 31 years of experience in the financial services industry.

Branson Bank awarded $1,000 scholarships to Jace Fuller, a graduate of Branson High School; Kaden Mingus, a graduate of Forsyth High School; and Connor Johnson, a graduate of Hollister High School. The bank issues one-time $1,000 scholarships each year to students who plan to study finance or business at an accredited college.

Engineering
National Society of Professional Engineers named Matt Bedinghaus as one of only 10 honorees in its 2026 class. A Great Game of Business coach, Bedinghaus has nearly four decades of experience as an electrical engineer, with a focus on high-voltage utilities and commercial applications. He founded A2V Partners LLC in 2010.

Health Care
Fordland Clinic hired Renita Randall as a provider at its Kimberling City location. Randall is a board-certified family nurse practitioner with 22 years of clinical experience. Randall earned her nurse practitioner degree from the University of Missouri–Kansas City.

Mercy Hospital Springfield ranked among America’s Best Hospitals for Specialized Care, a list from Newsweek. Mercy had a rank of No. 144 out of 175 hospitals named to the list. Additionally, Mercy Hospital Springfield received honors for gastrointestinal care.

Journalism
Olivia Moss, a 2026 College of the Ozarks graduate double-majoring in journalism and video production, was recognized by three professional media organizations for excellence in student journalism. Moss received honors from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Mid-America Chapter, the Society of Professional Journalists Region 7 Mark of Excellence Awards and the Missouri Broadcast Educators Association College Media Awards.

Marketing
Springfield brand strategy and design studio Fried Design Co. won three Silver awards at the 2026 national American Advertising Awards. The three campaigns are Alchemy Cider Co.; the Cryptid Deck Collection for the Springfield Skate Park; and Tanglefoot Festival, a music and barbecue event in Texas. Each of the projects won Gold at the local and district levels, including a local Best In Show.

Nonprofit
Care to Learn promoted Andrea Harp to vice president of marketing and communications from director of marketing. Harp has a bachelor’s in advertising and public relations from Drury University and has more than 15 years of communications experience.