Newsmakers: Sept. 9-15, 2024

Architecture
Max Breite joined Buf Studio LLC as an architectural designer. Breite has a master’s in architecture from Drury University.

Chambers of Commerce
Emily Brown was hired as membership development coordinator by the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce. Brown has a bachelor’s in sociology and business from Drury University and a master’s in business sociology from the University of Colorado Denver.

Engineering
Toth and Associates Inc. debuted at No. 27 on Electrical Construction & Maintenance’s annual list of the top 40 electrical design firms. It reported revenue specifically related to electrical design work in 2023 of $24.7 million.

Government
Danny Perches, assistant director for the city of Springfield’s Department of Economic Vitality, passed his exam to receive the Missouri Certified Economic Developer designation. Joining the city in 2021, Perches was promoted to his current role in 2022.

Hospitality
Oasis Hotel & Convention Center was recognized in Tripadvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Awards for 2024. The honor is for businesses that have placed among the top 10% of listings on Tripadvisor.

Information Technology
Jack Henry & Associates Inc. (Nasdaq: JKHY) appointed Tammy LoCascio and Lisa Nelson to its board of directors. LoCascio serves as senior executive vice president and chief operating officer of First Horizon Corp., the holding company of First Horizon Bank. Nelson is president of Equifax Inc.’s international business.

Jack Henry was named as one of U.S. News & World Report’s 2024-25 Best Companies to Work For. Rated in professional services, Jack Henry was recognized based on factors that contribute to job seekers’ decision-making process when choosing a workplace.

Law
Carnahan Evans PC hired Nadia D. Molloy as an associate attorney in its litigation practice group. With a bachelor’s in criminology and master’s in administrative studies with an emphasis in criminology from Missouri State University, Molloy obtained her Juris Doctor from the University of Tulsa College of Law.

Law Enforcement
The Springfield Police Department promoted three professional staff members. Dawn McGrath and Deborah Simpson were appointed to the role of investigative services specialist, and Whitney Layton was elevated to crime research analyst.

Marketing
The Missouri State University Ad Team showcased ideas to prevent targeted violence and terrorism during the annual Invent2Prevent spring competition finals in Washington, D.C. Team members Brendan Meng, Jacob Ochoa, Madelyn Ratcliff, Steven Snelson and Macy Williams won second place in the university competition with their Creating Resilient Atmospheres through Natural Exercise Project.

Nonprofit
United Way of the Ozarks Inc. appointed a banking industry veteran and a school superintendent to lead its 2024-25 community campaign. Brent Baldwin, executive vice president of Commerce Bank, and Grenita Lathan, superintendent of Springfield Public Schools, are co-chairs for the campaign, which aims to raise $2 million by March 31, 2025.