Newsmakers: Oct. 21-27, 2024

Accounting
Sara Choate was promoted to chief people officer at KPM CPAs & Advisors. Choate, who has more than 20 years of experience in human resources, continues to serve as managing director of KPM’s human capital solutions practice in addition to handling duties that include recruitment, employee engagement and retention, talent management and compensation.

Banking & Finance
Legacy Bank & Trust Co. appointed Jorge Marín as senior vice president and director of treasury management sales. Marín has more than 30 years of experience in the industry.

Kayla Davis joined Mid-Missouri Bank as assistant vice president and bank manager of the company’s 5419 S. Campbell Ave. branch. She most recently served as retail market leader for Hawthorn Bank.

Construction
Hollister construction company Walls on Wheels Inc. was honored by the Department of Defense’s Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve for support of employees and family members who serve in the National Guard and Reserve. Additionally, company owner R. Scott Taylor was presented with a Patriot Award for the recognition.

Engineering
Hillary Proffit, who works in the distribution planning department at Toth and Associates Inc., was reelected to the Milsoft Advisory Board in Engineering Analysis. As a board member, Proffit helps guide the direction of Milsoft’s products by being part of the elected voice for current software users. With a bachelor’s in physics from Angelo State University, Proffit has worked in the electric utility industry for 10 years.

Government
The Springfield-Greene County Health Department named Anna Kremer as communication and outreach coordinator after she joined the department last year as health policy analyst. With a Master of Public Health from Saint Louis University, Kremer brings nine years of experience in health care, public health policy and leadership.

Law
Fourteen Carnahan Evans PC attorneys were recognized on the 2025 list of The Best Lawyers in America. In alphabetical order, they are Andrew K. Bennett in Litigation – Real Estate, Julie T. Brown in Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships) and Corporate Law, John M. Carnahan III in Tax Law and Trusts and Estates, Frank C. Carnahan in Tax Law, Courtney L. Fletcher in Trusts and Estates, Christiaan D. Horton in Litigation – Real Estate, Douglas D. Lee in Trusts and Estates, James E. Meadows in Appellate Practice and Litigation – Real Estate, Douglas R. Nickell in Trusts and Estates, Thomas D. Peebles Jr. in Trusts and Estates, Jay Preston in Commercial Litigation and Litigation – Trusts and Estates, and Joseph D. “Chip” Sheppard III in Cannabis Law and Litigation – Securities.

Andrew T. Peebles and David K. Olive, attorneys at Carnahan Evans, were honored in the 2025 edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America.

Retail
MaMa Jean’s Natural Food Market LLC was honored as a company of distinction at GRITT Business Coaching’s annual summit in St. Charles. The grocery retailer operates three stores in Springfield.