Names in the news

BISMARCK CHAMBER ELECTS OFFICERS

BISMARCK, Mo. -- After being dormant for several years, the Bismarck Chamber of Commerce reorganized during a special meeting on May 11. Elected to office were Mel Jordan, president; Josh Campbell, vice president; Michelle Mork, secretary; and Sally Colwell, treasurer. Keith Colwell, John Jellinek, Hank Gibson, Debbie Lucas and Melba "Sissy" Cole were elected to the board of directors.

TWO DOCTORS JOIN VETERINARY CLINIC

FARMINGTON, Mo. -- Dr. Philip Falch of De Soto, Mo., and Dr. Rachel Ray of Vandalia, Mo., joined the Veterinary Clinic of the Mineral Area.

SEMO FACULTY AWARDED RESEARCH GRANT

Dr. Mohammed Ali and Dr. Bjorn Olesen, faculty in the Department of Chemistry at Southeast Missouri State University, were awarded a three-year, $128,268 National Science Foundation grant to mentor students in the area of green chemistry research. The project is titled "U.S.-India Program for Research in Green Chemistry." Ali and Olesen to mentor 12 students who will travel to India to conduct research at the partner institution, the Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science in Kolkata, West Bengal, India. Students will work in the area of organic chemistry, researching methods for limiting environmental pollution. The NSF funds were awarded under the Developing Global Scientists and Engineers - International Research Experiences for Students program.

PIZZA HUT MANAGER EARNS INTERNATIONAL AWARD

DEXTER, Mo. -- Tony Rushin, manager of Pizza Hut in Dexter, received the Lou Folino Award, presented annually to a restaurant general manager who has successfully played a role in management for at least 20 years. Rushin was chosen from a global group of seven managers to be the 2009 recipient. Dexter Pizza Hut franchise owners Phil and Pam Ternes nominated Rushin for the award. In addition to his 33 years at the Dexter restaurant, Rushin was credited with giving his time and talents to the community.

THREE RECEIVE DIGITAL MARKETING ACCREDITATION

PARK HILLS, Mo. -- Kim Long, KREI KTJJ station manager, Kirk Mooney, KJFF station manager, and Jessica Hampton, account executive at KTJJ KREI and KJFF radio in Farmington and Festus, Mo., earned the designation of Certified Digital Marketing Consultant as accredited by the Radio Advertising Bureau. To earn their CDMC diplomas, Long, Mooney and Hampton each passed an online examination on Internet advertising. They are now trained to work with business owners and managers to create traditional and new media campaigns.

REALTY EXECUTIVES ADDS TWO

Jacob Fish and Cheryl Buchheit are the newest executives at Realty Executives of Cape County.

BAKER RECEIVES ALUMNUS HONOR

NEW MADRID, Mo. -- Mark Baker received New Madrid County School District's Alumni of the Year Award. The award goes to a New Madrid County student who has graduated since the district's 1969 reorganization and has served in the community and the school district. Baker, a 1971 graduate of New Madrid County Central, has worked as a dentist and farmer, served on the New Madrid City Council for five years, was mayor of New Madrid from 1996 to 2004 and has been a New Madrid County commissioner for eight years.

CAP AMERICA PROMOTES TWO

FREDERICKTOWN, Mo. -- Sarah Page and Liz Tesreau were recognized for outstanding customer service and promoted at Cap America, one of the largest importers of headwear in the industry. Page was promoted from customer service manager to director of customer relations, while Tesreau was promoted from customer service supervisor to the new position of customer service manager.

PIANO TEACHER HONORED BY STATE ORGANIZATION

KENNETT, Mo. -- Marilyn Caldwell, a local piano teacher, received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Missouri Federation of Music Clubs at its spring conference in Hannibal, Mo. The award recognizes her dedication to music and the organization. Caldwell is vice president of the South Central Region of the NFMC and has been involved in the Wednesday Music Club since 1970.

UNITED WAY GIVES OUT SPIRIT AWARDS

The United Way of Southeast Missouri presented its Spirit Awards during its annual meeting May 27 in Cape Girardeau. The awards recognize individuals, businesses and community organizations for their commitment to the mission of United Way. This year's recipients include Larry Dunger, Spirit of Giving Award; AT&T Missouri, Spirit of Community Award; and Big Brothers Big Sisters, Spirit of Caring Award.

TIPTON IS HISTORY TEACHER OF THE YEAR

RISCO, Mo. -- Melanie Tipton, communications teacher at Risco High School, was named History Teacher of the Year on Missouri History Day. In addition to being Teacher of the Year, Tipton is Missouri's nominee for the PBS Teacher of Merit Award and the Patricia Behring Teacher of the Year Award. This fall, Tipton will leave Risco and begin teaching English for the Caruthersville School District.

BOWEN PROMOTED TO LIEUTENANT COLONEL

Wayne Bowen, professor of history and chair of the Department of History at Southeast Missouri State University, was promoted to lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve. Bowen currently serves as provost marshal for the U.S. Army Surface Deployment and Distribution Command at Scott Air Force Base in Illinois. A civil affairs and military police officer, Bowen's previous assignments include tours in Iraq and Bosnia, battalion command, company command, battalion executive officer and civil affairs team chief.

HAWS CERTIFIED FOR HAIR THERAPY

Jessica Haws

Jessica Haws, top stylist at Concepts Styling Salon in Cape Girardeau, was recently certified in Coppola Keratin smoothing therapy.

MATTHEWS RECEIVES CRUISE CERTIFICATION

Brian Matthews of Elite Travel & Cruises, Cape Girardeau, completed Carnival Cruise Lines' new online training program to become a Carnival sales specialist.

THREE NAMED TO NEW POSITIONS AT SABRELINER

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Sabreliner Corp. appointed Al Farless general manager of site operations. Farless was previously senior director of program development and has served in various positions with Sabreliner over many decades. Stephen DeBarry was promoted to chief information officer, becoming part of the company's management team. He was most recently operations controller-director IT. Elizabeth Wilkerson was named plant operations controller for Sabreliner's operations in Perryville, St. Mary and Ste. Genevieve, Mo. New to Sabreliner, Wilkerson, a certified public accountant, most recently worked with Boeing Co. in various capacities.

LOCAL WOMEN RECOGNIZED FOR SALES ACHIEVEMENTS

More than 75 Avon representatives from 12 Southeast Missouri counties were recognized for sales achievements during a President's Club Tribute June 4 in Cape Girardeau. Naomi Crain, Cape Girardeau, was recognized for working as an Avon representative for 58 years. Top sellers recognized were Helen Teel, Bernie, Mo., and Joyce Langston, Kennett, Mo. The program was presented by Tina Walsh, U.S. Avon southwest area sales director. Awards were presented by Earlene Gill and Donna Miller, Avon district managers.

TWO APPOINTED TO MENTAL HEALTH BOARD

DEXTER, Mo. -- The Stoddard County Commission approved the appointment of Amy Grobe and Deneen Schweiss to the County Mental Health Board. They replace George Cox and Dr. Floyd Northington, who both resigned.

NORDENIA HONORS EMPLOYEES

Nordenia USA Inc. named Lisa Seyer, calibration technician of Oak Ridge, as employee of the month for June. She has been with the company since November 1995. nordenia also recognizes the following employment anniversaries: Daniel Heisserer and Doug Davis, 20 years of service; William Eckelmann, Daniel Peterson, Ande Pfeiffer, Sharon Unterreiner, Thomas VanderFeen, Chad Ritter, Pete Weaver and Michelle Clippard, 10 years; and Anthony Sandus, five years.

CHURCHILL NAMED ASSistant Vice president

Jeanne Churchill is the new assistant vice president and manager of the Capaha Bank branch on North Kingshighway, Cape Girardeau. She has more than 10 years of experience in customer service, branch operations and consumer lending.

THOMASON NAMED HOMETOWN HERO

DEXTER, Mo. -- Lorene Thomason received Modern Woodmen of America's Hometown Hero Award for her work at Dexter's OAKS Senior Center and numerous other community organizations.

STATESMAN EDITOR EARNS MEDIA AWARDS

DEXTER, Mo. -- Noreen Hyslop, editor of the Dexter Daily Statesman, received three 2010 Education Media Awards for Missouri. The Missouri State Teachers Association annually sponsors journalism awards in six categories. Hyslop was awarded top spots in the categories of general coverage, literacy programs and photography. Nominations are judged on originality, impact, objectivity, timeliness, appeal and contribution to education.

TRAVEL CONSULTANT EARNS HONORS

Courtney Hinkebein

Courtney Hinkebein, travel consultant at Elite Travel Inc. and Cruise, Cape Girardeau, earned the credits needed to graduate from NCL University, Norwegian Cruise Lines' travel agent university. The course delivers an enhanced level of knowledge and insight into Norwegian Cruise Line's Freestyle Cruising philosophy, their cruising destinations, ship programs and operations, and more.

TWO JOIN COLDWELL BANKER REALTY

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- David Gaines and Gene Merriman, both lifelong residents of Poplar Bluff, joined the sales staff of professional real estate agents at Coldwell Banker Ruth Holloway Realty. Gaines has been a licensed real estate agent since 2007, while Merriman has been in real estate since 2000.

NENNINGER ACHIEVES ADVANCED CERTIFICATION

Paul L. Nenninger, board of education member in the Cape Girardeau School District, achieved advanced certification in the Missouri School Boards' Association Certified Board Member program. The program, established by MSBA, helps school board members master the knowledge and skills needed to function as educational leaders in their communities. All newly elected school board members must complete a 16-hour program required by state law. Members achieving advanced certification must complete an additional 12 hours of training, read two books related to school board service, attend several workshops and write an essay relating their study to their board service.

MARTIN ELECTED VP OF STATE ASSOCIATION

Chuck Martin

Chuck Martin, executive director of the Cape Girardeau Convention and Visitors Bureau, was elected vice president of the Missouri Association of Convention and Visitor Bureaus at its recent annual conference in Kansas City, Mo. He will serve a two-year term.

GROCERY STORE HAS NEW MANAGER

KENNETT, Mo. -- Mike Duniven assumed the duties of manager at Harp's Food Store. Duniven, a Poplar Bluff, Mo., native, has nearly 20 years of experience in management and grocery sales. He joined the Harp's team several years ago, based in Southwest Arkansas.

HENDRICKSON ADDS GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Katie Grapperhaus

Katie Grapperhaus joined Hendrickson Business Advisors, Cape Girardeau, as a graphic designer. For the past three years, Hendrickson Business Advisors has contracted with freelance and agency designers to provide marketing campaigns and support for their clients. Grapperhaus is the firm's first graphic designer.

HOLDER RECEIVES AWARD FOR CASE WORK

CARUTHERSVILLE, Mo. -- Lt. Ryan Holder of the Pemiscot County Sheriff's Department, is the 2010 recipient of the Richard P. Easter Award from the Children's Trust Fund. One person in the state receives the award each year; this is the 10th year it has been given. Holder, who is chief criminal investigator for the county, was honored for his 12 years of working on children's sexual and physical abuse cases.

STEFFENS ELECTED TO BANKERS ASSOCIATION

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Greg Steffens, president and CEO of Southern Bank, was elected and installed as an officer of the Missouri Bankers Association during its 120th annual convention June 9 to 11 in Branson. Steffens will serve a three-year term as regional director for the MBA, representing the River Heritage Region in Southeast Missouri. Additionally, Kenneth Poteet, president of Sterling Bank in Poplar Bluff, will continue serving his own three-year term as a regional director for the River Heritage Region.

HAMBLIN PRESENTS AT MISSISSIPPI CONFERENCE

Dr. Robert Hamblin, director of the Center for Faulkner Studies at Southeast Missouri State University, is one of the featured presenters July 18 to 22 at the 37th annual Faulkner and Yoknapatawpha Conference at the University of Mississippi. The theme of the conference is "Faulkner and Film," and Hamblin will deliver the opening paper, titled "Faulkner and Hollywood: A Call for Reassessment."

SCHULZ PASSES BOARD EXAM

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Lorrie Schulz, co-owner of Cotrell Funeral Service, completed her apprenticeship and passed the Missouri National Board Exam and Missouri State Law Exam. With this accomplishment, the Missouri State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors licensed Schulz as a Missouri funeral director.

MINER APPOINTS NEW POLICE CHIEF

MINER, Mo. -- Following the resignation of Roger L. Moore, Chris Griggs, an officer with the Miner Police Department, was appointed to serve as interim city marshal until a replacement is elected in the April municipal election.

LEWIS IS FINALIST FOR SERVICE AWARD

Dr T. Wayne Lewis

Dr. T. Wayne Lewis, DDS, Jackson, is a finalist for the second annual Paul Morris Community Service Award established by FutureBuilders, the education foundation of the Missouri School Boards Association. The award recognizes individuals who provide leadership to their communities through school board service and other community activities. The 17 finalists were recognized June 11 in Columbia, Mo., as part of the MSBA Leadership Summit.

PHYSICS PROFESSOR GETS RESEARCH GRANT

Dr. Santaneel Ghosh, assistant professor of physics at Southeast Missouri State University, was awarded a two-year Cottrell College Science Award to conduct nano-biotechnology research. The $35,000 grant from the Research Corporation for Science Advancement will allow Ghosh to investigate the feasibility of using specially designed nano-robots to enhance axon growth after a nervous system injury. His project is titled "Externally tunable, biocompatible, multifunctional nano-carriers for controlled release of drugs into neurons." Southeast students will participate in the project and will be involved in significant research in the area of nanomaterials, nanobiotechnology and neuroscience.

SINCLAIR BACK ON THE AIR IN SOUTHEAST MISSOURI

Rick Sinclair

After six years on the air in Jefferson City, Mo., Rick Sinclair is back on the air in Cape Girardeau on Pure Country C-106.1. While in mid-Missouri, Sinclair acquired his Missouri Real Estate Broker's license and also works as a Realtor/broker with Century 21 Ashland Realty.

PROBUS JOINS FARMINGTON DEALERSHIP

FARMINGTON, Mo. -- Rex Probus was appointed general manager at Auffenberg Chevrolet Buick GMC in Farmington. Probus has worked for Chris Auffenberg Automotive Group since 1995, with 10 years as general manager of Auffenberg's Cape Girardeau location. Probus previously managed Auffenberg General Motors dealerships in Jefferson City and Kirkwood, Mo.

GIAMBELLUCA EARNS HONORS

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Judy Giambelluca was Top Producer for May at Coldwell Banker.

CARTER HONORED FOR 40 YEARS

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Margaret Carter, vice president and loan officer at First Midwest Bank, was honored for her 40 years of service to the institution.

FORD HONORS HAFFORD

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Larry Hafford of Blackwell Baldwin Ford-Lincoln-Mercury-Toyota-Scion was recognized for outstanding achievement in the 2009 Employee Excellence Program. A Level 3 Achiever, Hafford was honored for his performance in sales and customer satisfaction and received a letter from Ford Motor Co. president and CEO Alan Mulally.

THOMPSON COMPLETES TRAVEL TRAINING

Shannon Thompson, certified destination wedding and honeymoon consultant for Elite Travel Inc., Cape Girardeau, completed training from Apple Vacations Agent Academy and has been awarded the distinction of Vacation Specialist.

KELLER JOINS MORLAN DODGE

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Justin Keller joined Morlan Dodge as an Internet sales manager.

BOWMAN ENTERS ROUND TABLE

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Lee Bowman Jr., a Modern Woodmen of America representative, earned membership in the prestigious Million Dollar Round Table.

HIBBETT MANAGER RECOGNIZED AT ANNUAL MEETING

Cape Girardeau Hibbett Sports manager Nole Curry was awarded the $300,000 Increase Award at the annual Hibbett Sports managers' meeting in April in Birmingham, Ala. Curry has been with Hibbett for almost two years. The award honors Hibbett stores that have accumulated sales dollar increases of $300,000 or more for the previous year.

TASK FORCE ELECTS OFFICERS

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Poplar Bluff police chief Danny Whiteley was re-elected project director for the Southeast Missouri Drug Task Force during its annual meeting for participating members. Also during the meeting, held in Dexter, Mo., officers for the board of directors were approved for 2010-2011. They are Whiteley, project director; Sikeston Department of Public Safety Chief Drew Juden, president; Jackson police chief James Humphreys, vice president; and Cape Girardeau police chief Carl Kinnison, secretary/treasurer.

SPENCER TOPS RE/MAX

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Julie Spencer was Top Lister and Top Producer for May at RE/MAX Real Estate Group.