Hirings

Newsy.com, the video news analysis service, hired Stefanie Riepe as business manager. Riepe joins Newsy.com after five years at Simon Oswald Associates, where she was the business manager. Prior to Simon Oswald Associates, Riepe was the cash manager for Affordable Equity Partners. Riepe received her bachelor’s degree in accounting from Northern Illinois University. Her primary responsibilities at Newsy.com include managing office services, human resources, accounting and vendor management.

The Columbia Chamber of Commerce hired Kathy Frerking as the director of financial services. Frerking is responsible for billing membership dues and all accounting connected with the Chamber. She is also responsible for coordinating all aspects of the ambassador division, including scheduling ribbon cuttings and planning ambassador events. Prior to joining the Chamber, she worked for the city of Columbia Public Works Department for 30 years in many different roles. Most recently, Frerking was the manager of the Columbia Regional Airport. In the community, Frerking was recently appointed to the board of directors for South Rotary Club. She has lived in Columbia for 40 years, and her original hometown is Birmingham, Ala.

Departures

Columbia Office of Cultural Affairs Manager Marie Nau Hunter will resign her position, effective February 2011. Hunter joined the city staff as a cultural program assistant in 1997, advanced to cultural program specialist and attained her current position in 2001. She holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in art history and archaeology from MU. During her time with the city, the Missouri Arts Council and state Department of Economic Development designated Columbia the state’s first “creative community.” Hunter received the Missouri Arts Council’s Leadership in the Arts award last February. The city will begin a search for her replacement in the coming weeks.

UM Curator Bo Fraser announced his plans to resign from the UM Board of Curators on Nov. 22. Former Missouri Gov. Matt Blunt appointed Fraser in 2007, and his term does not expire until 2013. Whoever replaces Fraser will only serve out the two remaining years of his term.

Appointments

Gov. Jay Nixon appointed attorney Lori Neidel to the Missouri State Employees Retirement System Board of Trustees. Neidel is the founder of a law practice that provides compliance and regulatory affairs counsel for the financial industry. She advises broker-dealers and investment advisers in matters of compliance and represents financial professionals in regulatory investigations and proceedings. A graduate of the St. Louis University School of Law, Neidel has earned the certified regulatory and compliance professional designation. Prior to entering private practice, she was chief enforcement counsel for the securities division of the Missouri Secretary of State’s Office from 2006 to 2009. She also worked as an associate administrative law judge and as a staff attorney for the Missouri Division of Workers Compensation from 1996 to 2005. Neidel replaces David Steelman, of Rolla, who was appointed to the board in April 2009. Gov. Nixon appointed Steelman to the board specifically to review its compensation practices, especially the practice of awarding bonuses to investment staff.

Awards

Polly Reynolds, CPA, assistant vice president and trust officer at Landmark Bank, was awarded the certified trust and financial advisor designation from the Institute of Certified Bankers, a subsidiary of the American Bankers Association. The CTFA designation is awarded to individuals who demonstrate excellence in the field of wealth management and trust. To qualify for the CTFA certification, individuals must have certain levels of experience and education in the trust profession, pass an exam and agree to abide by a code of ethics. Reynolds has worked in the investment management and trust department of Landmark Bank since May 2007. She has 13 years of investment advisory and tax planning experience

Dr. Robert Doroghazi will be recognized by the Boy Scouts of America when they present him with the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award, a recognition granted to Eagle Scouts who, after 25 years, have distinguished themselves in their life work and who have shared their talents with their communities on a voluntary basis. The award has been bestowed upon fewer than 2,000 of the 2 million Eagle Scouts who have attained the rank in the 100 years of scouting. Doroghazi earned his Eagle Scout Award as a member of Boy Scout Troop 96 in Granite City, Ill., on May 20, 1964. He has distinguished himself in his career as a leading cardiologist and founded the Missouri Cardiovascular Specialists in 1985. He is also the author The Physician’s Guide to Investing: A Practical Approach to Building Wealth, which is now in its second edition and recommended by Warren Buffet as required reading at medical schools. With this award, Doroghazi joins the ranks of individuals such as astronauts Neil Armstrong and Jim Lovell, former President Gerald Ford, Congressman Ike Skelton, former Congressman Richard Gephardt, Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates and Walmart founder Sam Walton.

Randy Coil, president and founder of Coil Construction, and Karin Martin, office manager, were each awarded the 2010 Grand Award from Midwest Builders’ Casualty Mutual Company. The Grand Award recognizes Coil Construction’s excellence in the safety aspect of its construction business. The award, given twice a year to Midwest Builders’ Casualty members, recognizes excellence in field safety, claims management and loss prevention.

Philanthropy

Larry and Brenda Potterfield of MidwayUSA donated $1.6 million to the Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation to support youth shooting programs. The Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation is an educational-athletic organization that exists to introduce school-age youths to shooting sports.