Hodges earns special professional designation

J. Derieck Hodges, of Albrecht-Hodges Inc. in Cape Girardeau, has earned the Chartered Financial Consultant professional designation from the American College in Pennsylvania.

To attain this designation, Hodges had to complete at least eight courses and 16 hours of supervised examinations. He has been with the company for 20 years and resides in Jackson.

Cape Girardeau teacher nets $750 scholarship

Cape Girardeau Public Schools recently announced that Becky Hicks has won the 2004 Inspired Teacher Scholarship for Visual Learning. Hicks is one of 30 teachers worldwide to receive a $750 Professional Development Scholarship from Inspiration Software. Hicks is a second-grade teacher at Blanchard Elementary.

Oak Ridge UPSworker honored for 20 years

Leslie Vance, business manager for UPS, was recently honored for completing 20 years of service with that company. Vance works out of the UPS facility in Jefferson City. She resides in Oak RIdge.

AAA Agent gets Gold Seal Award for 2004

Jim Burke, a sales agent with AAA's Cape Girardeau office, has received that organization's Gold Seal Award for 2004. The award recognizes Burke for his consistent and superior standards of performance in insurance services.

Jackson doctor recertified as medical director

The board of directors of the American Medical Directors Certification Program recently announced that Kennett D. Asher has been recertified as a medical director in long-term care. Asher is one of 88 physicians who have completed the recertification requirements this year.

Cape native named physician of the year

Joseph Bond was recently named physician of the year by the Missouri Alliance for Home Care. Bond, who is a Cape Girardeau native, currently serves as the hospice medical director for Phelp's Regional Homecare's hospice program in Rolla, Mo.

Cape Girardeau native earns chiropractic degree

Sean Lynch has received a doctor of chiropractic degree from Logan College of Chiropractic in Chesterfield, Mo. Lynch, a Cape Girardeau native, has joined Balancing: A Chiropractic Wellness Center, in the St. Louis suburb of Kirkwood.

Polen named executive VP at US Bank

Cord Polen has joined U.S. Bank as executive vice president and chief lending officer. He will lead the development of the commercial lending group promoting growth and economic support in Jackson and Cape Girardeau, where he will be based.

-- From staff reports