YOUR BUSINESS AUTHORITY

Springfield, MO

Log in Subscribe

Newsmakers: Sept. 7-13, 2020

Posted online

Banking and Finance
Regent Bank hired Jeff Killian as a commercial lender and vice president-small business administration. He is responsible for originating and closing SBA transactions through the bank’s Preferred SBA Lender status. Killian has nine years of banking experience, most recently with Simmons Bank.

Guaranty Bank promoted Katherine Dill to retail banking officer at its Carthage branch. She began working for Hometown Bank in 2016 and was named branch banker representative following Guaranty’s purchase of Hometown in 2018. Dill previously served as assistant banking center manager in Carthage.

Central Bank hired Jessica Gilmore and Heather McGuigan as business development specialists. Gilmore has 13 years of sales experience and McGuigan has 15 years; both are graduates of Missouri State University.

Education
Missouri State University’s doctorate of defense and strategic studies program was accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. The program teaches students such subjects as nuclear strategy, and deterrence and arms control.

Government
The Greene County Democratic Party unanimously elected Tyler Gunlock as chair. He’s a cattleman from Ash Grove and also serves as president of the Ash Grove Area Community Foundation. Gunlock has been treasurer for the county Democrats for the past year.

Hospitality
Myer Hotels’ Comfort Inn at Thousand Hills and its Quality Inn West in Branson received 2020 Platinum awards from Choice Hotels International Inc. The award is given to hotels that score high in guest satisfaction, product quality, room condition, room cleanliness and staff service.

The Comfort Inn & Suites Branson Meadows, owned by Myer Hotels, received the 2020 Choice Hotels International Ring of Honor for the second time. The award is designated to the top 1% of the brand’s hotels.

Industrial
Industrial equipment dealer Wiese USA promoted Ron Skopec to operations manager of its Springfield division and Rich Carlton to regional general manager in Springfield and Joplin. Skopec has 35 years of experience with Wiese and is a U.S. Navy submarine service veteran. Carlton has worked with Wiese since 2017 and has 20 years of experience in operations management.

Law
Wampler & Passanise partner Joseph Passanise was recognized as Springfield Lawyer of the Year for Criminal Defense: General Practice by Best Lawyers in America, 2021 Edition. Passanise and partner Dee Wampler also received Best Lawyer designations in the peer-reviewed categories of General Practice Criminal Defense and White-collar Criminal Defense in Springfield. Passanise also was recognized for DUI/DWI Defense.

Nonprofit
Sarah Gremminger, of Springfield, and Steve Wise, of Monett, were appointed to The Arc of the Ozarks Board of Directors. Gremminger recently resigned as The Arc’s assistant director of human resources after seven years in the position. Wise’s late wife, Alice, served on the board previously.

Retail
U.S. Cellular promoted Mark Bennett to retail store manager of the Battlefield Mall location. Bennett has worked with U.S. Cellular for four years, most recently as sales manager.

Comments

No comments on this story |
Please log in to add your comment
Editors' Pick
From the Ground Up: Republic Intermediate School

The Republic School District is on track to open its Intermediate School for fifth- and sixth-grade students for the 2025-26 academic year.

Most Read
Update cookies preferences