Newsmakers: March 16-22, 2026

Accounting
KPM CPAs & Advisors added Kylie Gillen as a staff accountant in the audit department. Gillen has a bachelor’s and master’s in accounting from Missouri State University.

Architecture
Kasha Kapal, an employee at Buf Studio LLC since 2023, earned her architecture license in the state of Missouri. Kapal has a master’s in architecture from Drury University.
Benjamin O’Connor of Paragon Architecture LLC completed his exams to become a licensed architect. With a master’s in architecture from Drury University, O’Connor joined Paragon Architecture in 2020, first as a student intern before going full time in 2021.

Banking & Finance
Paula Dougherty, a private wealth adviser with Achieve Private Wealth, Ameriprise Financial Services LLC in Springfield, was named to Forbes’ list of the Best-in-State Women Wealth Advisors. Dougherty’s selection is based on assets under management, industry experience, compliance record and best practices. Dougherty has degrees in business administration management and marketing from Missouri State University.

Education
Reeds Spring Schools named two assistant principals for the 2026-27 academic year. Thomas O’Connor was tapped as assistant principal at Reeds Spring Intermediate School, while Lacie Reinsch was picked to serve as assistant principal at Reeds Spring Elementary School. O’Connor is joining Reeds Spring Schools from Springfield Public Schools’ Boyd Elementary, where he has served as assistant principal. Reinsch is being promoted from behavior intervention specialist at Reeds Spring Elementary.

Government
Gov. Mike Kehoe appointed Jason Choate, of Carthage, to the Safe Drinking Water Commission, and Kathy Smith, of Shell Knob, to the Missouri Charter Public School Commission. Choate is director of water services at Carthage Water and Electric Plant, while Smith serves as regional education director for the Walton Family Foundation.

Health Care
Dr. John Burson was appointed as medical director of Children’s Mercy with Mercy. A longtime pediatrician with Mercy Springfield Communities, Burson earned his medical degree from the University of Iowa and completed his residency at the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center.

Law
Chris Aiken joined Appleby Healy Attorneys at Law PC as an associate attorney. Aiken, who previously served as an assistant prosecuting attorney with the Christian County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, has his Juris Doctor from the University of Alabama School of Law.
Wampler & Passanise Law Office PC hired criminal defense attorney James R. Hayes. With nearly two decades of experience, Hayes earned his undergraduate degree from Evangel University and his law degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. 

Nonprofit
Dr. Kyle John joined the Good Dads Inc. board. John serves as medical director for the Arc of the Ozarks’ Autism and Neurodevelopmental Center.

Real Estate
The Missouri Realtors, a trade association representing more than 25,000 members, announced the installation of Brian R. Jared as 2026 president. A real estate agent with Murney Associates, Realtors, Jared has a bachelor’s in communication from Drury University.