Newsmakers: March 20-26, 2023

Banking & Finance
Central Bank in Springfield hired Mandy Anthes as vice president and director of business banking. She has 19 years of experience in banking and commercial lending and holds a bachelor’s in business management from Missouri State University.

Morgan Stanley Ozark Highlands Group advisers Doug Dugal and Michael Koechner were named to the firm’s Century Club of top advisers, and Tisha Trotter made the Pacesetter’s Club for advisers early in their careers. It was the ninth consecutive year for Dugal, a senior vice president, portfolio management director and senior investment management consultant, who has been with Morgan Stanley Wealth Management since 2003 and holds a bachelor’s in business administration from MSU. Koechner, a senior vice president, has been with Morgan Stanley since 2001 and holds a bachelor’s in agriculture economics from MSU. Trotter, a chartered retirement planning counselor, has been with Morgan Stanley since 2019 and holds a bachelor’s in business administration from Missouri Southern State University.

Simmons Bank received Forbes’ recognition as one of America’s Best Midsize Employers of 2023. Based on independent surveys by Forbes and Statista Inc., companies with over 1,000 workers are evaluated on employees’ willingness to recommend their employers to friends and family.

Law
Personal injury and trial attorney Max Blaser joined Johnson, Vorhees & Martucci LLC, specializing in auto collision cases. He’s handled hundreds of cases in Missouri, Oklahoma and federal courts since 2014.

Municipal
The city of Branson hired Silver Dollar City Public Relations Director Lisa Rau as communications director. She’s worked three decades at the amusement park in Stone County and won awards including international Brass Rings for public relations, a Mid-America Emmy for video storytelling and myriad American Advertising Awards for broadcast advertising campaigns.

Nonprofit
Life360 Community Services hired Bill Hennessy as executive director of operations. He previously served as vice president of academics at Trinity Bible College & Graduate School.

Emily Hertzog was named development director of the Springfield-Greene County Library District, responsible for fundraising campaigns and grants. She previously was director of education and development for the Springfield Regional Arts Council Inc.

Utility
Associated Electric Cooperative Inc. promoted four employees to vice president positions: Brian Ackermann in portfolio management, Nathan Budreau in plant operations, Chris McGeeney in transmission planning and services, and Sean Wright in construction. Ackermann is responsible for analyzing costs and power generation opportunities, technologies and investments. Budreau, who is relocating to Springfield this summer, is responsible for the management and coordination of coal and gas plant operations systemwide. McGeeney oversees transmission and operations planning, as well as related contracts. Wright manages new generation construction projects across the system.