Newsmakers: May 24-30, 2021

Accounting
KPM CPAs & Advisors added Human Resources Manager Krystal Ray. With 15 years’ experience in HR, previously as assistant HR director for the city of Springfield, she oversees administration of KPM’s benefits, policies, compliance, employee training and performance management. Ray holds professional designations from the HR Certification Institute and the Society for Human Resources Management.

Architecture
Buxton Kubik Dodd Design Collective added Jim Parsons as a building systems and CAD technician. He has 30 years’ experience in architectural, engineering and computer-aided design management.

Banking & Finance
The Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. awarded Craig Wright of Strategic Financial Concepts Inc. the CFP designation. Recipients meet the educational, experience, examination and ethical requirements of the CFP Board.

Arvest Bank’s mobile app, called Arvest Go, was named to the J.D. Power Mobile App Certification Program, powered by Centric Digital. Based on a customer satisfaction index, Arvest Go was recognized for ease of navigation, range of services, appearance, speed of completing transactions and clarity of information.

Health Care
CoxHealth promoted Dr. Shawn Usery to chief medical officer, Max Buetow to executive vice president and chief operating officer of hospital services, and Brock Shamel to vice president of Cox Medical Group. Usery previously worked as CMO for CoxHealth’s Community Hospital Group, and he’s been associated with the health care system since completing his residency in family medicine. Buetow joined CoxHealth in 2012 and previously held the Cox Medical Group VP role filled by Shamel. Shamel has worked for CoxHealth since 2010.

Municipal
The Missouri Municipal League recognized Springfield, Ozark and Branson with 2021 Innovation Awards in their respective population categories. The SGF Yields-Pedestrian Safety Campaign was honored for educating the public about right-of-way laws and helping change local attitudes among pedestrians and drivers. The Junior Police Academy in Ozark won for creating positive interactions and education between officers and youth ages 6-17. Branson’s Parks & Recreation Department was credited for its Embracing the Change campaign that connected with residents while they couldn’t leave home during the pandemic. Five winners were selected out of 29 nominees.

Nonprofit
Habitat for Humanity of Springfield, Missouri Inc. hired Chris Tuckness for the newly created role of chief of staff. He most recently served as a marketing director for Mercy and has 20 years of experience in nonprofit leadership, advertising, communications and special events. Tuckness also is certified in nonprofit management by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, for which he’s served on the board of regents.

Show Me Christian County added board members Brad Jackson and Sohrab Shahandeh. Jackson is the newly elected Ozark mayor, and Shahandeh works as government affairs manager for Altice/Suddenlink.

Real Estate
Community Partnership of the Ozarks’ Housing Collaborative and Ozarks Alliance to End Homelessness worked in partnership with the Housing Options Must Expand Team to issue seven Housing Champion Awards: Becky Selle of The Kitchen Inc., Brandon Jones of Calvary Properties, the city of Springfield’s Department of Planning and Development, Hallmark Property’s Nicholas Court Apartments, Y Gardens, and landlords Crista Hogan and Nathan “Cal” Gray.