Newsmakers: Sept. 13-19, 2021

Banking & Finance
Central Trust Co. promoted Kaylan Harmon to trust administrator. She’s worked in the industry since 2008, beginning her career in retail banking before transitioning into trust and wealth management. Harmon holds a bachelor’s in communications from William Woods University.

Construction
Zach Willard, a manager for ABC Supply Co. Inc., was promoted to managing partner. In the role, he participates on the company’s National Branch Advisory Board and provides senior management with feedback. Willard has worked for ABC Supply since 2011, holding various roles in Arkansas, Texas and Oklahoma, before transferring to Springfield in 2019 as a branch manager.

Education
Willard High School Choral Conductor Mark Lawley received The American Prize Dale Warland Award in Choral Conducting. He was chosen in the high school chorus division of the national nonprofit competition. Lawley is in his 36th year as a choral conductor and 20th year at Willard. He is the founder of Springfield Summer Singers, Springfield Gospel Chorus, Girls Choir of Springfield, Drury University Chamber Choir Festival and the Boys Choir of Springfield Choral Festival. He holds a certificate recital award in piano and bachelor’s in music education from Evangel University and a master’s in conducting from Missouri State University.

Law
Carnahan, Evans, Cantwell & Brown PC was named 2021 Best Law Firm in Missouri by readers of Greenway Magazine, which covers the marijuana industry. The firm was recognized for serving cultivators, manufacturers, dispensaries, testing facilities and transporters.

CECB lawyers Thomas Peebles Jr., Joseph “Chip” Sheppard III and Douglas Nickell were listed in the 2022 edition of The Best Lawyers in America, while Andrew Peebles and David Olive were identified as Ones to Watch by the peer-review publication. Thomas Peebles and Sheppard, who’ve been listed each year since 2010, were recognized in the Trusts and Estates, and Litigation-Securities categories, respectively. Nickell, a selection every year since 2018, was also in Trusts and Estates, as was Andrew Peebles. Olive was recognized in Employee Benefits Law.

Criminal defense attorney Adam Woody was named by Best Lawyers in America in the area of DUI/DWI Defense. Organized as the Law Office of Adam Woody LLC, it’s his fourth straight year to be recognized.

Marketing
Revel Advertising won eight Telly Awards recognizing television and digital content. Out of 12,000 international entries, the agency’s video pieces received two silver awards for travel and tourism campaigns – “Give Yourself a Weekend” for Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau in the Regional TV category and “Experience Oasis” for Oasis Hotel & Convention Center in the Social Video: Series category – as well as six bronze awards.

Utility
Associated Electric Cooperative Inc. appointed Meredith Roberts as senior vice president and chief financial officer to succeed the retiring David McNabb, effective Oct. 1. Roberts previously held the role of VP and controller, and she has worked 17 years for AECI. A certified public accountant with a bachelor’s in accounting from MSU and an MBA from Drury University, Roberts also held stints with BKD LLP and EY. McNabb is transitioning to SVP and special adviser to the CEO and general manager until his retirement at the end of the year.