Newsmakers: Nov. 20-26, 2023

Architecture
Kinetic Design and Development LLC project managers Ashley Feliu Rivera and Sara Hartman earned their architecture licenses through the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards. With a bachelor’s in architecture and a minor in historic preservation from the Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico, Feliu Rivera has eight years of experience, including work for 7 Brew Coffee and the Ozark Mill at Finley Farms. Hartman holds a Master of Architecture from Kansas State University and has nine years of experience in a variety of projects, including Big Cedar Lodge and Top of the Rock.

Banking & Finance
OMB Bank added Travis Beazley as senior vice president and loan officer and Danielle Wortham as VP and compliance officer. Beazley, who has 14 years of experience and a bachelor’s in finance from Missouri State University, previously directed small-business lending at Guaranty Bank. With 25 years of experience, primarily at FirstBank in Denver, Wortham holds a bachelor’s in accounting from Barnes College in Denver.

Conservation
Chip McGeehan, a McDonald’s franchisee in southwest Missouri, was selected for the Governor’s State of Missouri Conservation Award by the Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation. He was one of five honorees statewide in the National Lewis & Clark Conservation Awards. McGeehan, who owns and operates 19 McDonald’s restaurants with his wife, Teresa, is credited with supporting youth archery, conservation scholarships and turkey habitat research, as well as helping disabled youth and veterans hunt. He’s also served as commissioner of the Missouri Department of Conservation for six years.

Education
Evangel University appointed Destiny Duron Deas as vice president for advancement on the president’s cabinet, succeeding Michael Kolstad, who was appointed chief of staff and executive vice president. Duron Deas holds a Juris Doctor, as well as a master’s in East Asian studies, from Duke University, and a bachelor’s in economics and international studies from Southern Methodist University. In addition to overseeing alumni relations, she will continue preaching as an ordained minister affiliated with the Assemblies of God and has career experience as an attorney, author and entrepreneur.

Health Care
The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses in California named Vicki Good its chief clinical officer. She previously worked in executive positions for Mercy in Springfield, including systemwide responsibility for nursing professional development and quality, as well as system and nursing director roles for CoxHealth. In the specialty nursing association’s hybrid position that keeps her in Springfield, Good is responsible for identifying and facilitating current and emerging practice needs and advocacy priorities for nurses and their patients. She served as association president, 2013-14, and holds a bachelor’s in nursing and a Doctor of Nursing Practice from Texas Christian University, as well as a master’s in nursing from Seattle Pacific University.

Hospitality
Element Springfield South added Samantha Ferguson as assistant general manager and Amber Lee as executive housekeeper on the hotel’s preopening team. Ferguson, who was promoted from fellow Bryan Hotels property Tru by Hilton, manages guest services, and Lee, who oversees house operations, has 20 years of experience with Courtyard by Marriott and Holiday Inn.

Tourism
Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau Inc. hired Michael Rose as marketing manager over strategies, creative content and digital platforms. He previously worked for Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium, Dogwood Canyon Nature Park and Top of the Rock.