__JOHNSON JOINS P.B. REALTY__

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- __Steve Johnson__ joined Poplar Bluff Realty Inc. as a real estate agent. He has worked in business management for 27 years.

__HICKS ATTENDS VETERINARY TRAINING__

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- __Dr. Cathy Hicks,__ practitioner at Hicks Animal Hospital, attended the Missouri Veterinary Medical Association's Fall Equine Dentistry Lecture and Wet Lab in Union, Mo. The course, held Sept. 7 to 9 at the Missouri Humane Society's Longmeadow Rescue Ranch, offered 18.5 hours of state licensing board-approved continuing education. Veterinarian attendees performed various dental treatments at no charge on 25 of the ranch's horses waiting for adoption.

Courtney Bohnert

__BOHNERT JOINS WRIGHT GROUP__

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- __Courtney Bohnert__ joined the Wright Group's sales and marketing department as director of business development and customer relations. She comes to the company with 10 years of experience in marketing communications with River Eagle Distributing and Semco Stone.

__BOWMAN GETS LIFE LEADER AWARD__

SIKESTON, Mo. -- __Lee Bowman__ of Sikeston, a financial representative with Modern Woodmen Fraternal Financial, was New Member Leader in the Missouri East Region for August.

__SHEETS HIRED AS PROGRAM SUPPORT SPECIALIST__

PARK HILLS, Mo. -- __Alison Sheets__ of Farmington, Mo., joined Mineral Area College as a program support specialist, part of the three-year MOHealthWINs grant in which the community college is participating. MOHealthWINs is a Department of Labor program to serve Trade Act participants, veterans, unemployed, underemployed and low-skilled Missourians. The program supports training activities in health services and health sciences career pathways throughout the state. Sheets comes to MAC from Presbyterian Manor, where she worked for six years as director of marketing and senior living counselor.

__JEWELL HIRED AS READING INSTRUCTOR__

Deanna Jewell

PARK HILLS, Mo. -- __Deanna Jewell__ joined Mineral Area College as a reading instructor. She comes to the college from Saint Louis Community College, where she was a reading instructor. She also has taught reading and study skills at Arapahoe Community College in Colorado.

__NORDENIA HONORS EMPLOYEES__

__Penny Hartle__ was employee of the month for September at Mondi Jackson, formerly Nordenia USA Inc. Hartle, an accountant III from Jackson, has been with the company since April 6, 2011. Mondi Jackson also recognizes the following employees for five years of service: __Diana Johnson, Brendan Love, Glenn Stacy and Tony Whitaker.__

__GOODE HIRED AS CITY MANAGER__

CHARLESTON, Mo. -- __Richard Goode__ took over as city manager in Charleston Sept. 1., the Sikeston Standard Democrat reported. Goode, a Kentucky native, filled the position following the March 19 death of then-city manager __Daniel Gruen.__

__UNITED CANCER ASSISTANCE NETWORK HAS NEW DIRECTOR__

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- __Melody Melloy__ is the new executive director for the United Cancer Assistance Network. She joined UCAN seven months ago as marketing director. She previously worked for six years as director of membership and office manager at the Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce.

__TEMPLETON NAMED CENTER DIRECTOR__

HAYTI, Mo. -- __Dr. Stan Templeton__ is the new director of the Pemiscot County Career and Technology Center. He has 15 years of experience as a classroom teacher, principal and superintendent.

__EDINGTON GETS PINNACLE CLUB STATUS__

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- __Lucas Edington,__ broker with Mossy Oak Properties Mozark Realty, earned Pinnacle Club status for the second quarter of 2012. The club recognizes the top land sales professionals each quarter from a network of more than 300 agents and brokers in 19 states.

__LAWYER MOVES TO LOWES & DRUSCH__

__Michael Maguire__ joined the law firm of Lowes & Drusch at 2913 Independence St. in Cape Girardeau. He has practiced law in Cape Girardeau for 26 years, specializing in family law and criminal law. Maguire previously worked at Lowes & Drusch before opening his own practice.

__MILLER, FISHER TOP RE/MAX__

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- __JoNell Miller__ was top lister for August at RE/MAX Real Estate Group Inc. and __Donna Fisher__ was top producer.

Chris Dirnberger

__DIRNBERGER JOINS CUBA FINANCIAL__

__Christopher Dirnberger__ was named director of business development at Cuba Financial Group in Cape Girardeau. He is responsible for implementing marketing strategies and growth and development efforts for the Midwest region.

__HASHEIDER APPOINTED TO STATE COMMITTEE__

__Gov. Jay Nixon__ appointed __Mark Hasheider__ to the Advisory Committee for 911 Service Oversight, according to a news release from the governor's office. Hasheider is an assistant fire chief with the Cape Girardeau Fire Department and has been on staff since 1985. His term on the state advisory committee expires April 9, 2014.

__FRANCIS HONORED FOR LIBRARY DESIGN__

Angela Francis

Angela Francis of Angela Francis Interiors LLC in Cape Girardeau was honored by St. Louis Homes + Lifestyles magazine. She won the best library/home office category for the design of her home library.

__KEMP NAMED DAILY STATESMAN PUBLISHER__

DEXTER, Mo. -- __Ron Kemp,__ currently a publisher over several Rust Communications-owned newspapers in Arkansas, will now serve as publisher of The Daily Statesman, the newspaper reported. Kemp replaces __Bud Hunt,__ who was promoted to the newly created position of vice president of revenue. In his new role, Hunt will oversee the creation of a sales training and evaluation program for the company. He will also assist in product development and launch of new corporate initiatives. Kemp has been in the newspaper business for nearly three decades. He also holds the title of regional vice president for Rust Communications. Kemp will continue serving as publisher of the Arkansas-based papers and will also assume the publisher's role at The Daily Dunklin Democrat in Kennett, Mo., and The Delta News Citizen in Malden, Mo. He also heads up papers in north central and western Arkansas, Dyersburg and Shelbyville, Tenn., and Marshall and Nevada, Mo. __Bobby Greer__ will remain in his position as general manager at The Daily Statesman, overseeing the daily operations of the paper including circulation, the newsroom, advertising and composition.

Seth Merriman

__MERRIMAN NAMED GENERAL MANAGER__

__Seth Merriman__ was named general manager of Bagger Dave's Burger Tavern in Cape Girardeau. He is responsible for customer service and quality. Merriman worked with franchise partner __Lonnie Griggs__ to hire and train the initial restaurant staff before opening.

__MARY KAY HONORS TOP PRODUCERS__

__Jana Jateff and Kay Waller,__ both of Cape Girardeau, __Sherry McCall__ of Sedgewickville, Mo., and __Gail Sanchez__ of Jackson were all honored by Mary Kay cosmetics company for being the top producers this quarter.

__EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DIRECTOR RESIGNS__

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- __Rick Sliger,__ Butler County emergency management director, submitted his resignation before the start of the Butler County Commission meeting Sept. 21, the Daily American Republic reported. __Robbie Myers__ was appointed interim director of the Emergency Management Agency, and the commissioners plan to begin advertising for a permanent EMA director. Sliger had served in the position for six years. Myers served as Eastern District commissioner from 1997 through 2008.

__LANE NAMED ASSISTANT COORDINATOR IN DEXTER__

DEXTER, Mo. -- __Michelle Lane__ took over as assistant coordinator of the Three Rivers College campus in Dexter, the Daily Statesman reported. She replaces Ann Matthews, who took a position with the Three Rivers campus in Kennett, Mo. Lane previously served as administrative assistant for academic careers and outreach services at Three Rivers' main campus in Poplar Bluff, Mo. In her new role, Lane will advise students, help with retention and work in the day-to-day operations of the center in Dexter.

__PARKER ATTENDS FINANCIAL CONFERENCE__

SIKESTON, Mo. -- __Michael L. Parker__ of LPL Financial attended focus12, a leading financial services industry conference hosted by LPL Financial. The conference, held Aug. 19 to 22 in San Diego, offered opportunities to learn new strategies and skills, expand knowledge in numerous product areas and network with peers and industry experts.

Wanda Duncan

Jan McClanahan

__DUNCAN, MCCLANAHAN OBTAIN NEW CERTIFICATION__

__Wanda Duncan and Jan McClanahan__ with Realty Executives of Cape County earned the nationally recognized short sales and foreclosure resource certification. The National Association of Realtors offers the certification to Realtors who want to help both buyers and sellers navigate these complicated transactions, as demand for professional expertise with distressed sales grows.

__DUNCAN ELECTED STATE COUNCIL SECRETARY__

__Wanda Duncan__ with Realty Executives of Cape County was elected secretary of the State Council of Residential Specialists for 2013. The CRS is a professional network of nearly 33,000 residential real estate professionals worldwide.

__P.B. MAN NAMED VP BY MFA OIL__

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- __David Dunlap__ of Poplar Bluff, Mo., was promoted to company vice president at MFA Oil Co., along with __James Greer and Jackie Maxwell,__ the Daily American Republic reported. Dunlap, an 18-year veteran of MFA, is eastern region manager for the company's bulk and propane operations. He moved to Poplar Bluff in 1998 to serve as district sales manager for Southeast Missouri and was later promoted to eastern region sales manager covering the eastern half of Missouri, Arkansas, Indiana, Southeast Iowa and Kentucky. Dunlap will continue to reside in Poplar Bluff.

Michael Gardner

__WHITTEN LEADS AMERICAN REALTY__

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- __Terri Whitten__ was top producer and top lister for August at Century 21 American Realty Inc.

__CHANGES MADE IN SCHOOL LEADERSHIP__

NEW MADRID, Mo. -- The New Madrid County Board of Education announced a change in its district leadership for the 2013-2014 school year, the Sikeston Standard Democrat reported. After eight years as superintendent, __Bill Nance__ is stepping down. The board accepted his resignation effective June 30, 2013. However, he will continue to work part-time in the school district as assistant to the new superintendent. Assuming the duties of superintendent is __Dr. Cynthia Sharp Amick,__ who is currently assistant superintendent for the district.

__ZARCONE, SCHIMWEG JOIN L.I.F.E. CENTER__

FARMINGTON, Mo. -- The L.I.F.E. Inc. Center for Independent Living added __Candy Zarcone__ and __Denise Schimweg__ to help launch its new employment network, L.I.F.E. Inc. Employment Solutions. Zarcone, formerly a special programs consultant for the St. Francois County Community Partnership, will serve as employment and training coordinator. Schimweg will serve as transition age teens employment specialist. Besides serving as a special educator for the Farmington R-7 School District, Schimweg has also been an instructor, academic adviser and education coordinator with Missouri Baptist University's Education program. The new Employment Network offers free assistance with career exploration, resume building, interview skills, job coaching, job placement and other employment-related services. Zarcone and Schimweg are also currently training to become Certified Work Incentive Coordinators.

__STUDENT/FACULTY ARTICLE PUBLISHED IN AMERICAN NURSERYMAN__

Two Southeast Missouri State University students collaborated with a faculty member to co-author an article published in the September issue of American Nurseryman. The article, "Trillium recurvatum," focuses on a perennial that is abundant in woodland forests in Southeast Missouri in the spring. Authors of the article are David Schnoes of St. Louis, a biology major, wildlife management option; __Corey Jones__ of Jackson, an agribusiness major, horticulture option; and __Dr. Sven Svenson,__ assistant professor of agriculture, who teaches horticulture at Southeast.

Amanda Abner

Jessica Haws

__CONCEPTS PROMOTES TWO TO EDUCATOR__

Concepts Styling Salon in Cape Girardeau promoted __Amanda Abner__ and __Jessica Haws__ to Concepts Salon educators. Abner and Haws recently completed the Bumble and Bumble University network educator program in New York City. Concepts hosts monthly training courses to improve the salon team's technical education.

__HAMPTON NAMED DETENTION CENTER SUPERINTENDENT__

BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- __Judi Hampton__ took over Oct. 8 as superintendent of the Stoddard County Juvenile Detention Center at Bloomfield, the Daily American Republic reported. She replaces Dennis Fowler, who retired. For the past 13 years, Hampton has been a deputy court clerk in Stoddard County, as well as working for six years as a part-time detention aide in the county's juvenile center.

Robert I. Houchins

__MODERN WOODMEN REP FINISHES COURSES; TWO RECEIVE HONORS__

Modern Woodmen of America representative __Robert I. Houchins__ of Jackson completed an educational program at Modern Woodmen's home office in Rock Island, Ill. The training program focused on helping business owners with life insurance plans, annuities and IRAs. Training also included strategies to help provide income from retirement assets and pension plans to those approaching retirement. Kelly Darby of Jackson earned the Life Applications Leader award and was also new member leader in the Missouri east region in September. __Ken Volkerding__ of Jackson was Modern Woodmen of America's district agent of the month for September.

__CAPE LAWYER ELECTED TO STATE BOARD__

__Michael Gardner__ was elected to the board of governors of the Missouri Bar as representative of the young lawyers' section. He was also re-elected to the young lawyers' section council. Gardner practices with Osburn, Hine, Yates & Murphy in Cape Girardeau.

__BESS, FELKER EARN INSURANCE DISTINCTION__

MADISON, Wis. -- __William Bess,__ American Family Insurance agent in Park Hills, Mo., and __Edward Felker,__ American Family Insurance agent in Bonne Terre, Mo., were each recognized for providing outstanding customer experience under the J.D. Power and Associates Distinguished Insurance Agency Program. Bess has been an agent for American Family since November 1982, and Felker joined the company in March 2003. The company is headquartered in Madison, Wis.