Arbeiter elected president of Chamber of Commerce group

Tim Arbeiter

Tim Arbeiter, vice president of community development of the Cape Girardeau Area Chamber of Commerce, has been elected president of the Chamber of Commerce Executives of Missouri for 2011. Arbeiter has been with the Cape Girardeau Chamber since 2006. The organization, managed by the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry, was organized to strengthen local chamber management throughout the state. The group works to provide professional growth and development opportunities for its members.

Shannon Howard

Howard rejoins United Way of Southeast Missouri

Shannon Howard

United Way of Southeast Missouri is welcoming back Shannon Howard to its staff. Howard is returning to the United Way after eight years to resume her previous job as office manager. Howard began working with the United Way after graduating in December 1997 with a bachelor's degree in social work from Southeast Missouri State University. She worked as a call specialist and resource specialist with First Call for Help as well as in the United Way general office. She moved out of the area in 2002 but continued to be involved in community organizational work. Howard, who has worked in the social work field for more than 10 years, says her primary focus has been on fundraising and case work. In addition to general office manager duties, Howard will be responsible for the organization's website, the campaign database and will be involved in all marketing aspects of the United Way. Howard joins three other staff members at the United Way of Southeast Missouri to oversee the fundraising and community impact work of the organization.

Philips named financial adviser by Northwestern Mutual

Ashton Phillips

Ashton Phillips has been appointed financial representative by Northwestern Mutual in Cape Girardeau, She will be associated with Northwestern Mutual Financial Network The Hahs Group. As a financial representative, Phillips will join a network of specialists offering an array of financial products and services. She is a native of Scott City and received her bachelor's degree in finance from Lindenwood University in 2009. She also received her master's degree in business administration in 2010 from Lindenwood University. Phillips is an active member of the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce and the ATTAIN: Business Women Network.

Bellis to work at clinic on university's campus

Gina Bellis

Gina Bellis has been hired as a family nurse practitioner at the Campus Clinic at Southeast Missouri State University. Southeast Missouri Hospital operates the health clinic. Bellis has a bachelor's degree in nursing and a master of science in nursing in the family nurse practitioner track from Southeast. She previously worked as a family nurse practitioner at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston, Mo., and in a similar capacity at Saint Francis Medical Center.

Men receive Master Loggers certification

The Missouri Forest Products Association in cooperation with the Missouri Department of Conservation recognized new Master Loggers at the Missouri State Logging Competition in Doniphan, Mo., on Oct. 9. Local Master Loggers recognized include Kurt Rehagen of Perryville, Mo., and Dustin Lindgren of Patton, Mo. The certification relies on a field assessment process to clearly document a logger's knowledge, skills and harvesting practices using a set of performance standards. If their work passes these tests, applicants sign a code of ethics, and their applications goes to the nine-member certifying board.

Beussink joins CASA as coordinator

Court Appointed Special Advocates of Southeast Missouri Inc., has added volunteer coordinator Amy Beussink to its staff. Beussink graduated from Southeast Missouri State University with a bachelor's degree in criminal justice. For the past four years she has served as the Career Assistance Program coordinator with the Workforce Investment Board of Southeast Missouri. CASA will be training a new class of volunteer child advocates beginning Tuesday. Each year, more than 500,000 abused and neglected children are removed from their homes and enter the court system as victims of abuse, neglect or abandonment. CASA of Southeast Missouri serves the 32nd Judicial Circuit, which covers Cape Girardeau, Bollinger and Perry counties. CASA volunteers must be 21 or older, undergo a criminal-background check, complete 30 hours of training and commit to working at least one case. Training and materials are provided without cost. For more information about becoming a CASA volunteer, call 335-1726, e-mail lnash@capecasa.com or visit www.capecasa.com.

-- From staff reports