Boyer named president, operating officer of WIB

Ken Boyer of Jackson has been named the new president and chief operating officer of Southeast Missouri Workforce Investment Board. The appointment was made Feb. 4.

Boyer has been a senior employer of the group since 1991. During that time he has filled a number of key positions, including administration of dislocated worker and customized training programs in the 13-county region served by the board. Boyer has been the interim COO/president since June.

Boyer grew up in Anna, Ill., and graduated from Anna-Jonesboro High School, earning a bachelor's degree in government/public administration from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale in 1966.

The board is a nonprofit corporation recognized by Missouri as the administering entity for job placement and training services for adults and youth in 13 Southeast Missouri counties.

Hinkebein, Perry pass board certification

Renee Hinkebein and Jane Perry have attended a week-long hyperbaric technician course for the Brossett Corp. in Monroe, La. Then, in November, they passed their board certification with the National Board of Diving and Hyperbaric Medical Technology.

They are currently certified hyperbaric technologists at the Wound Care and Hyperbaric Center at Southeast Missouri Hospital.

Area doctor appointed to health commission

The Missouri Senate last week confirmed the appointment of Dr. Loretta Prater, dean of the College of Health and Human Services at Southeast Missouri State University, to the Governor's Commission on Special Health, Psychological and Social Needs of Minority Older Individuals.

Prater is a past recipient of the Horace Traylor Minority Leadership Award and the African-American Women of Influence, given by the Girl's Club of Chattanooga, Tenn.

The commission studies certain needs of the state's minority older adults and makes recommendations for program improvements and services to the governor and key legislators.

Gerard now affiliated with Wood & Huston Bank

Investment Professionals Inc. has placed Steve Gerard, IPI financial consultant, in the full-service brokerage office located inside Wood & Huston Bank. Through the services of IPI, Gerard offers customers an array of financial services including stocks, bonds, mutual funds, fixed and variable annuities, IRAs, individual and business retirement planning, financial plans, college planning and insurance products.

Gerard is a lifelong area resident and has more than 18 years of investment and insurance experience. His wife, Jan, has relocated to Wood & Huston Bank as an investment executive.

Ford named general manager of winery

Keller Ford has joined River Ridge Winery in Commerce, Mo., as general manager and assistant winemaker. Ford has been a bartender at several restaurants in Cape Girardeau.

Starting today, Ford will help expand the menu of the winery's restaurant, adding to the winery, expanding the kitchen and giving wine tastings to guests who attend. He'll also assist Jerry Smith, River Ridge's winemaker, in the production of the wine.

Massage therapist moves practice to Jackson

Christina Boland is a new massage therapist at Chiropractic Associates of Southeast Missouri on Old Cape Road in Jackson. Boland attended school at Missouri College in St. Louis, where she earned 600 hours of classes and clinicals. She offers Swedish massage, myofascia, pregnancy massage, sports massage and reflexology. She recently moved her practice to Jackson.

-- From staff reports