Newsmakers: June 29-July 5, 2026

Accounting
Grant Bowling, a staff accountant at KPM CPAs & Advisors, earned his certified public accountant license by passing all four sections of the CPA exam and completing the one-year work experience requirement. Bowling has a business administration bachelor’s in accounting from Evangel University.

Banking & Finance
Mid‑Missouri Bank hired Jared Johns as vice president and commercial loan officer. A graduate of Northwest High School, Johns studied business management at Missouri Valley College. His career experience includes owning and operating a Sears Hometown store.

Branson Bank promoted Rebecca Mullen to vice president and compliance officer. A bank employee since 2013, Mullen has completed the American Bankers Association’s Compliance School and is a certified fraud specialist. Additionally, Mullen has served over 27 years in children’s ministry.

Andy Drennen, senior portfolio manager at Simmons Bank Private Wealth, was named to the Drury University Breech School of Business Advisory Board. The board members are nominated for three-year terms. Drennen has an associate degree in business management and a bachelor’s in business administration from Drury University, as well as a master’s in financial planning from the College for Financial Planning. Additionally, he is a certified financial planner.

Multipli Credit Union hired Marcus Yokeley as a real estate loan originator. Yokeley has a bachelor’s in psychology from Truman State University and a master’s in education from Lindenwood University.

Education
Legacy Academy student Sophie Poff was named among the winners of the Lieutenant Governor’s Award for American Patriotism Student Essay Contest. Poff was selected for her essay about the opportunities and rights the United States provides for women. Poff is one of 10 students statewide chosen for the award.

Central High School senior Madison Gong received a $1,000 scholarship from Mediacom Communications. The scholarship recognizes Gong for excellence in leadership, community involvement and academics. 

The Standard, Missouri State University’s student newspaper, was honored for its Back to Campus Guide by the Associated Collegiate Press. The feature was named the best newspaper special section nationwide. 

Government
John Twitty was appointed by Gov. Mike Kehoe to the Missouri Ethics Commission. Twitty is the retired president and CEO of the Missouri Public Utility Alliance and general manager of City Utilities of Springfield. Additionally, Twitty is a former member of the Missouri State Lottery Commission, the Mercy Springfield Communities board and the Jordan Valley Health board. Twitty has a professional degree in business administration from the Missouri University of Science and Technology and a bachelor’s in education from the University of Missouri. 

Healthcare
Jordan Valley Health promoted Dr. Clint Strong to chief medical officer and Ryan Kruger to chief strategy officer. A nearly 14-year employee at Jordan Valley Health, Strong previously was medical director of pediatrics. Kruger formerly served as the health system’s vice president of operations.