Central Bank would like to announce Mikala Simons as the newest member of its mortgage team. As a longtime mortgage loan officer trainer, she brings a unique skill set to the position. In addition to getting new loan officers up to speed on the bank’s systems, she will train them on various secondary market and portfolio products, including medical and business professional loans, and its Hero program. 238 Madison St. | (573) 634-1302 | centralbank.net
Capital Region Medical Center is pleased to welcome Emily Mantle, MBA, as the director of marketing and public relations. With more than 20 years in health care marketing and a master of business administration, Emily brings vast knowledge and experience to her upcoming role at CRMC. Emily came from the Missouri League for Nursing, where she most recently served as executive director following a promotion from marketing and communications director. Prior to that, she served as program director for the Missouri Center for Nursing and spent 12 years working as a marketing professional for a local medical center. 1125 Madison St. | (573) 632-5000 | crmc.org
As part of National Library Week, Missouri River Regional Library honored Lesley Bickelas the2022 Library Ambassador of the Year. Lesley is aboard member of the MRRL Foundation and uses her platform as a local influencer and content creator to consistently share library resources and offerings. She not only assists the library in reaching more community members through social media, but she also volunteers regularly to help showcase library offerings such as new books, curbside pickup, MRRL Book Box, and more. 214 Adams St. | (573) 634-2464 | mrrl.org
Field and Morrison Music has officially opened in a new retail space on Ellis Boulevard, combining decades of string repair experience by Jerry Field with local business Morrison Music. The shop offers repairs, sales, and rental of stringed, orchestral, and concord instruments. 520 Ellis Blvd., Unit O(573) 275-2337 | morrisonmusicstore.com
Within the next few months, the Cole County Public Works department will upgrade from a 500-gallon biodiesel fuel tank to a 2,500-gallon tank. The biodiesel is local, which benefits local farmers, and contains cleaner fuel that is better for the environment. The purchase of the tank was made possible through a grant the county received from the Missouri Agriculture andSmall Business Development Authority. The coalition works to increase the availability of clean, renewable biodiesel through promotion, training, and advocacy initiatives. 5055 Monticello Rd. | (573) 636-3614 | colecounty.org
Mid America Bank is pleased to name Mark Luebbert as the executive chairman of the bank’s board of directors. In this role, Mark will oversee strategic projects and several other functions of the bank’s holding company. Mark has more than 36 years of banking experience and has been with Mid America Bank for 16 years. During his tenure, the bank’s assets grew from $90 million to $850 million, including the recent acquisition of Bank of St. Elizabeth. To fill Mark’s position, Steve Linton has been promoted to president and chief executive officer. In this position, Steve will be responsible for the overall leadership of the bank and its culture. He will work with the Mid America Bank team to develop and implement strategy, target operational efficiencies, and evaluate opportunities for business expansion. 1511 Friendship Rd. | (573) 635-0019 | midambk.com
In a special proclamation ceremony, Jefferson City Mayor Carrie Tergin dedicated the month of April to be recognized as Community Banking Month. With Jefferson City being its newest branch location, Mid America Bank was proud to host the mayor for this special dedication. 1200 W. Stadium Blvd.(573) 635-0019 | midambk.com
Kristen Berhorst has been named Helias Catholic High School’s. director of finance. Kristen has been Cole County’s auditor since January 2015 and served as Cole County’s chief deputy auditor for 10 years prior to her election. A lifelong resident of Jefferson City and Cole County, Kristen has more than 16 years of experience in the accounting field and holds bachelor’s degrees in business administration and accounting from Lincoln University. Kristen will oversee the school’s finances and work to ensure its continued fiscal health for future generations of Crusaders in Jefferson City and throughoutMid-Missouri. Ron Vossen has been named Helias’ first-ever director of alumni relations. Since beginning his career at the school in 1979, Ron has served in a variety of capacities at Helias, including as a teacher, assistant principal, director of campus ministry, spring musical production manager, and coach. 1305 Swifts Hwy. | (573) 635-6139 | heliascatholic.com
SSM Health Medical Group welcomes Benjamin Farnia, MD, to the SSM Health Cancer Center. Benjamin offers advanced cancer care procedures including stereotactic body radiation therapy and stereotactic radiosurgery. Benjamin earned his medical degree from BaylorCollege of Medicine in Houston. He completed his residency at the University of Miami (Fla.) and has advanced training in biomedical ethics, space medicine, and proton and carbon ion therapy. He is also board eligible in radiation oncology and is a member of the American Brachytherapy Society, American RadiumSociety and American Society for Radiation Oncology, and is fluent in Spanish and Persian/Farsi. 1241 W. Stadium Blvd. | (573) 635-2282 | ssmhealth.com
VenuWorks announced it has entered into a new multi-year sponsorship agreement for the box office at theCapital Region MU Health Care Amphitheater. Effective immediately, the amphitheater box office will be known as the Hawthorn Bank Box Office at Capital Region MU Health Care Amphitheater. The Hawthorn Bank Box Office and administrative offices will be located onsite of the amphitheater at Ellis-Porter Riverside Park in the newly renovated Riverside Manor. Ellis Porter Dr. | (573) 424-4964 | crmuamphitheater.com
Missouri DSP is a recently launched statewide awareness campaign that will spotlight direct support professionals and the vital role they play in the lives of those living with disabilities. Faced with critical shortages of workers and DSPs, service providers from across the state have come together for the campaign. Sponsored by the Missouri Association of County Developmental DisabilitiesServices (MACDDS) and Missouri Association of Rehabilitation Facilities (MARF),the campaign aims to educate the public on the importance of these dedicated workers and to showcase job openings. DSPs assist disabled Missourians in living full, independent lives, which helps them successfully and fully integrate intosociety.dspmo.com | (816) 396-8819 | @macdds
Select Independent Funeral Homes would like to announce that Kyle W. Trimble, president of Trimble Funeral Homes, has been awarded the NextGen Professional of the Year award. The award recognizes the career accomplishments and community involvement of funeral professionals under the age of 50. Over the last several years, he has been responsible for remodeling and redecorating, overseeing design and construction of a new funeral home in Westphalia, and designing and building an in-house crematory and hospitality room in their Jefferson City location. 3210 N. Ten Mile Dr.(573) 893-5251 | trimblefunerals.com
The Missouri Charter Public School Association would like to announce the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools has honored Sen. Roy Blunt with the 2022 Champion for Charter Schools, Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing his commitment as a lawmaker to seeing charter schools thrive and expand in Missouri. Sen. Roy Blunt earned this distinction for his tireless efforts to support these unique public schools and for displaying the political courage to prioritize high-quality public education options for students in Missouri. According to a study led by the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, data shows that during the 2020-21 school year, charter school enrollment grew 7%, the largest increase in half a decade. Nearly 240,000 new students enrolled in these innovative, student-centered public schools, despite a sharp decrease in overall public school enrollment during the same period. 1306 Papin St., St. Louis | (314) 776-355 | mocharterschools.org