Newsmakers: Oct. 14-20, 2024

Accounting
FaithLyn Bragdon joined KPM CPAs & Advisors as a staff accountant. With a bachelor’s in accounting from College of the Ozarks, Bragdon provides tax services to clients in myriad industries.

Mary Wicker, a staff accountant at KPM CPAs & Advisors, earned her certified public accounting license. The CPA designation is awarded by the American Institute of CPAs and signifies that the education, examination and experience requirements for licensure have been met. Wicker has a bachelor’s in animal science, MBA and Master of Accountancy from Missouri State University.

Construction
Development company The Vecino Group LLC named John Salat as CEO of Vecino Construction LLC. His career includes more than 27 years in real estate development and construction management.

Health Care
CoxHealth promoted Lori Matthews to vice president of operations, a role through which she leads the health system’s oncology, medicine specialties and women’s service lines. A CoxHealth employee since 2011, Matthews has a bachelor’s in marketing and MBA from MSU.

Law
Five partners at Kutak Rock LLP’s Springfield office were named to the 2025 list of The Best Lawyers in America. Dan R. Nelson was recognized in Banking and Finance Law, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Banking and Finance, and Litigation – Bankruptcy. Joseph Reid was ranked in Litigation – Health Care, Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants, and Product Liability Litigation – Defendants. Michael D. Textor was honored in Construction Law, Litigation – Construction, and Real Estate Law. Randell D. Wallace got the nod in Banking and Finance Law, Corporate Law, Land Use and Zoning Law, and Real Estate Law. J. Taylor White was recognized in the categories of Litigation – Banking and Finance and Litigation – Real Estate.

Nonprofit
The GLO Center hired Emilia Stauffer to serve as community services specialist for the Springfield LGBTQ+ nonprofit. With a master’s in social work from Missouri State University, Stauffer’s career has included stints as a volunteer coach, family advocate, graduate assistant counselor and patient navigator.

The Free Store Ministry in Lebanon and Life Change of SWMO in Cassville received $30,000 and $23,000 grants, respectively, from the Mercy Health Foundation. At The Free Store Ministry, funding from Mercy will help cover the cost of basic needs such as rent and groceries for residents.
The funding for Life Change, which assists residents with daily needs, covers more than a third of the organization’s annual budget.

United Way of the Ozarks announced the winners of its 2023-24 Pillar Awards for Community Leadership, recognizing individuals or organizations for their support of the nonprofit’s work. Associated Electric Cooperative Inc. won Corporate Humanitarian of the Year honors; CASA of Southwest Missouri was recognized with the Outstanding Community Service honor; and SRC Logistics Inc. General Manager Michael White got the Outstanding United Way Volunteer nod. United Way additionally recognized 10 employee campaign managers for their leadership as advocates and fundraisers for United Way. They are Lynette Myers of AECI; James Case of City Utilities of Springfield; Jennifer Baltes and Salia Manis of Drury University; Angela Gannon of Great Southern Bank; Bob Dixon of Greene County; Greg Stephenson of Hiland Dairy Foods Co. LLC; Cindy Harris of Regent Bank; Margaret Swewczyk of Ridewell Suspensions; and Lupita Oakes of Timken Belts.