Loretta Schouten
The Youth Empowerment Zone Board of Directors is pleased to announce that Loretta Schouten has been selected as the organization’s new executive director. Schouten has more than 15 years of nonprofit experience including fundraising and administration. She has a passion for working with churches, business owners, city leaders, and schools to address the needs of our youth.
Chamber of Commerce
Women’s Network announced the recipients of this year’s ATHENA International Awards. There are two awards given, the ATHENA Leadership Award and the ATHENA Young Professional Award. The ATHENA Young Professional Award went to Sarah Dubbert, executive vice president and commercial banking division manager for the central Missouri region at Commerce Bank. The ATHENA Leadership Award went to Dr. Bea Smith, who served as dean of the College of Human and Environmental Sciences from 1977 to 2001 and led MU’s human and environmental sciences programs through an era of profound growth and change.
Kamrhan Farwell
University of Missouri officials announced the appointment of Kamrhan Farwell as chief marketing and communications officer for both the UM System and MU. Farwell’s appointment is effective July 2. Farwell previously served as assistant vice chancellor for communications at the University of Pittsburgh. She co-directs the work of more than 50 employees who are responsible for communications functions including media relations, internal and external news publications, web services, marketing, and social media.
Columbia Police Department
The Columbia Police Department honored several employees during its ninth annual Employee Awards Ceremony. The award for 2017 Civilian of the Year went to Lydia Green, who was recently promoted to records custodian for CPD. The 2017 Rookie of the Year went to Officer Adam O’Dell, who started at the department in December 2016. The 2017 Supervisor of the Year went to Sgt. James Meyer, who has been with the department since 2008 and was promoted to sergeant in July 2015. Lastly, the 2017 Molly Suzanne Thomas Bowden Officer of the Year award went to Officer Christopher Papineau. Papineau is being recognized for his proactive policing efforts and dedication to reducing violent crimes in Columbia.
Debbie Stevens
Debbie Stevens joined OATS as the new finance director at its headquarters in Columbia on June 1. She will oversee the financial operations of the entire company. Stevens previously worked for Universal Research Solutions, The Kroenke Group, and Services for Independent Living before coming to OATS. She holds an MBA from William Woods and a bachelor’s in business administration from Central Missouri State University.
Don Seitz
Don Seitz recently joined The Callaway Bank as a commercial and agriculture lender. His primary responsibilities include helping owners build and strengthen their companies. Before joining The Callaway Bank, Seitz was a successful entrepreneur in the property management industry. He started Modern Property Groups in 2011. Seitz graduated from law school in 2003, and while working as a trial attorney, he began buying properties for renovation and leasing.
Jill Edwards
Jill Edwards will be recommended to the Columbia Board of Education to become the principal at Shepard Boulevard Elementary School for the 2018-2019 school year. Edwards will replace current principal John Ellison, who accepted another position within the school district. Edwards has been the assistant principal at Alpha Hart Elementary School since 2012. Prior to working at Alpha Hart, Edwards was a teacher at Blue Ridge Elementary School for five years. She has a bachelor’s degree in teacher education from Texas Women’s University, a master’s degree in education, and a specialist’s degree in education leadership and policy analysis from MU. CBT
