2024-05-04 08:55:24
McConnell and Edwards start new crisis consulting group
A new Springfield crisis communications consultancy consulting service has been launched to help organizations communicate effectively and clearly when time is of the essence. McConnell Edwards, owned by Kaitlyn McConnell and Steve Edwards, will work with companies, nonprofits and individuals to evaluate and create strategies that emphasize transparent communication.
Edwards retired as CoxHealth president and CEO in 2022, having worked for the health system for more than 30 years. McConnell, whose background is in journalism and communications, served as CoxHealth’s corporate media contact for more than six years.
A key focus of the company will be preemptive crisis counseling, which happens long before an emergency arrives. This collaboration will be adaptable and individualized for each company, and may involve group discussions, mock interviews and exercises for various scenarios. In other moments, they can help companies communicate as a sensitive situation unfolds.
“When it’s a crisis, it’s too late to respond,” Edwards said. “You really have to prepare and have a plan.”
In an era when constant communication is key, crisis communication must go beyond “no comment.” Edwards and McConnell learned this firsthand when they worked together at CoxHealth during the pandemic. This required continuous communication with the public through social media and news outlets inside and outside the Ozarks.
“In my mind, crisis communication is just part of regular communication,” McConnell said. “Because it’s always regarding building the relationship and having that level of trust with your community and your constituents.”
Moxie Cinema Hires New Executive Director, Theater Manager
Beginning May 1, longtime film professor and non-profit professional Joe Dull will take over as the new executive director of the Moxie Cinema.
“Simply put, I love movies,” Dull said in a release. “I’ve spent a lot of my life making movies, watching movies and helping others learn regarding them. To have the chance to direct The Moxie is a dream come true.”
Dull is an award-winning filmmaker, educator and director of social media. He recently moved to Springfield from southern California, where he worked with local nonprofits to create video documentaries that tell their stories. According to Stephanie Stenger, president of the Moxie Cinema’s board, Dull was selected from a strong pool of applicants. He replaces Mike Stevens, who helped transition the Moxie to a nonprofit organization in 2010. Stevens will be tight-lipped to ensure the transition goes smoothly, but he says he is confident the theater will be in good hands.
The Moxie also promoted longtime staffer Shay Rainey to the newly created role of theater manager. Rainey has worked at the Moxie since 2013.
Dake Wells Architecture wins small business award from Chamber
Local architectural firm Dake Wells Architecture has been named recipient of the 2024 W. Curtis Strube Small Business Award by the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce.
The Strube Award recognizes outstanding small businesses within the Springfield Chamber. Selected from a pool of finalists including 417 Magazine, Ireland Architects, Ozark Empire Fairgrounds & Event Center, and Volt Credit Union, Dake Wells Architecture impressed the judges with a unique approach to design, commitment to community engagement and impressive growth trajectory.
“Founded in 2004, on a foundation of curiosity, ingenuity and a love of his craft, Dake Wells Architecture has quickly grown into a respected leader in the Springfield architecture scene,” a press release reads. The firm’s commitment to these core values is evident in its projects, which consistently push the boundaries of design while remaining sensitive to the community’s needs.”
Kimberling City’s top cop named outstanding police chief by Missouri Police Chiefs Association
Less than three years following being hired, Kimberling City Police Chief Todd Lemoine has been named 2024 Outstanding Police Chief of the Year by the Missouri Police Chiefs Association.
Lemoine was hired in 2021 following the entire Kimberling City police force resigned, including the chief. According to a press release, the city faced a “dark time” without a police force. Lemoine was able to bring in a new police force within four months. It also says that rebuilding public trust for the department has been a challenge since 2021, but Chief Lemoine has helped achieve it.
The release also says the department has seen many “firsts” since Lemoine was hired as police chief. He advocated for comparable salaries, proper officer training and equipment, giving officers the tools they need to do their jobs safely, and a focus on community outreach. He also created a social media presence and implemented programs such as Coffee Talk Thursdays (held once a month), National Night Out, Eye Watch, Neighborhood Watch and Community Policing.
Mercy Springfield earns top safety rating for third time
Mercy Hospital Springfield has earned an A grade for spring 2024 from the Leapfrog Group, a national nonprofit patient safety watchdog, according to a press release from the health system.
This is the third A grade in a row for Mercy Hospital Springfield. Leapfrog assigns grades to hospitals across the country based on more than 30 measurements of errors, accidents, injuries and infections. Grades are also based on the systems hospitals have in place to prevent errors, accidents, injuries and infections.
Mercy Springfield was one of 14 Missouri hospitals to receive an A grade from Leapfrog this spring. Nationwide, 29% of hospitals achieved an A grade.
Rees joins OMB Bank compliance team as VP
OMB Bank announced Tuesday that Robin Rees has joined its compliance team as vice president and CRA officer.
Rees has more than 30 years of experience in the banking industry. She began her career in 1992 as a teller for Empire Bank. In 1994, she joined the banking operations team at Peoples Bank of the Ozarks and rejoined the organization in 2004 as vice president of marketing. In 2014, she was named director of marketing at Southern Bank following the acquisition of Peoples Bank of the Ozarks. In 2015, she joined OakStar Bank in the same position. Most recently, Rees was Vice President of CRA at OakStar, a position she has held since 2018.
“Robin brings an incredible amount of experience and insight to our team, and we are delighted to welcome her as our new CRA expert,” said Luke Hansen, Chief Risk Officer. “With her decades of industry knowledge and her commitment to community reinvestment, Robin will play a critical role in ensuring that OMB continues to maintain the highest compliance standards while making a positive impact in the communities we serve.”
DMP creates new VP of cybersecurity role
DMP, a Springfield-based manufacturer of burglary, fire, access control and cellular alarm solutions, has introduced a new role, according to a press release: Vice President of Cyber Security. The new role comes as the physical security industry and information systems security industry merge, creating a need for an individual to lead cybersecurity and mitigate cybersecurity risks for clients.
“Dave Roberts will transition to a focus on cybersecurity as our Vice President of Cybersecurity,” announced Rick Britton, DMP CEO. “Dave completed his master’s degree in cybersecurity and brings that knowledge, as well as his understanding of our systems, to the cybersecurity role.
Roberts has worked for DMP for 34 years and for the past 12 years as vice president of engineering, which keeps hardware secure. In the new role, her focus will be on software as a service and mobile platforms.
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