Brandon Russell   

Brandon Russell is the new president-election of the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE). Russell is director of career and technical education at Columbia Public Schools/Columbia Area Career Center. He will serve a one-year term beginning in July 2025, followed by one-year as president and one-year as past president per the normal election cycle. The election was open to ACTE’s membership of roughly 28,000 educators, administrators and other CTE professionals.    

Katie Carrier 

Katie Carrier has joined Gerding, Korte & Chitwood (GKC) as a partner of the firm effective January 1, 2025. Carrier is a certified public accountant licensed in the Missouri. She graduated summa cum laude from the University of Missouri with a Master of Accountancy degree in 2013. Her professional experience includes working as a CPA for KPMG LLP both in Kansas City and internationally in Zurich, Switzerland. Katie joined GKC in 2021 and serves as a key leader in the audit practice. She is an avid Mizzou fan and serves on the Jefferson Club Board of Trustees. Katie also leads adult education and serves on the administrative board of First Christian Church in Columbia.  

Brandon Kalista 

Mid America Bank has announced that Brandon Kalista has joined the team as AVP/Loan Officer. Kalista will work at the Columbia branch where he’ll be responsible for evaluating, authorizing, recommending approval of, and closing loan applications for consumer, residential, commercial, and agricultural loans. Before joining Mid America Bank, Kalista was employed at a local community bank and has over fourteen years of banking experience.  

Rhonda Stone Proctor 

Rhonda Stone Proctor has been appointed as the new elections manager for Boone County. As part of the County Clerk’s office, Stone Proctor will manage all aspects of election activities, including absentee voting, voter registration, and daily election processes. She has previously served on the County’s Board of Adjustment, Planning and Zoning Commission, Bicentennial Planning Committee, and the Harrisburg (MO) Sesquicentennial Planning Committee. Stone Proctor has also been a contributing writer for COMO Magazine and COMO Business Times. 

Steven A. Stodden 

Steven A. Stodden has been selected as the new president and chief executive officer of the Missouri Public Utility Alliance (MPUA). Stodden will succeed John Twitty, who has led MPUA for five years. Stodden joined the MPUA team in October 2023 as the director of electric transmission and distribution and later was promoted to chief energy officer in June 2024. While at MPUA, Stodden has led initiatives that include developing the Integrated Resource Plan for the Missouri Electric Commission’s power pools, as well as overseeing the $180 million Marshall Energy Center project. He previously served a twenty-six-year tenure with City Utilities of Springfield, Missouri.