Construction
Amanda Palmer, a paralegal with Nabholz Construction Services, recently became certified as a construction risk and insurance specialist. She completed the process in just five months, though five years are allotted for completion.
Education
Elizabeth Hopkins has been promoted to assistant director of Webster University, based in Jacksonville. Hopkins previously served as the site coordinator for the university’s campus in Belvoir, Va.
James Levernier, Ann Robinson and Mark Giese won the University of Arkansas at Little Rock Faculty Excellence Awards for 2012. Levernier, an English professor, won the Bailey Teaching Award; Robinson, an education professor, received the award for research; and Giese, associate professor of mass communication, got the award for public service.
RuthAnn Dawson, Ann Dixon, Tim Jones and Ann McLarty received Distinguished Service Awards during the annual faculty and staff dinner at Harding University on April 13. Dawson serves as the office manager for the counseling center, Dixon as the director of Brackett Library, Jones is a finance systems analyst, and McLarty is a nurse in university health services.
Elliot West, professor of history at the University of Arkansas, is the recipient of the 2012 Faculty Achievement Award given by the Southeastern Conference. Professors are chosen because of "outstanding records in teaching and scholarship who serve as role models for other faculty and students."
Energy
Theodore Bunting Jr. has been named group president of utility operations for Entergy Corp. Bunting is a Hendrix College graduate and previously served as the company’s senior vice president and chief accounting officer.
Financial Services
Owen McNulty has joined the team at Simmons First National Bank in Pine Bluff as a financial adviser and investment officer. McNulty will work out of the Highway 10 Financial Center in Little Rock.
Robert "Bear" Van Ness has joined the team at Simmons First Bank of El Dorado as a commercial loan officer. Van Ness comes to El Dorado after completing an extensive management trainee program conducted by Simmons First National Corp. in Pine Bluff.
Government
Raychel Pendergist and Chris Rittelmeyer have been promoted to bank assistant examiners with the Arkansas State Bank Department. Pendergist previously served as a credit analyst at First State Bank in Lonoke, and Rittelmeyer worked as a loan officer in the Little Rock branch of Riverside Bank.
Health Care
Richard Boone has been promoted to chief financial officer of Sparks Health System in Fort Smith. Boone previously served as an associate administrator.
Insurance
Christy Garrett of Little Rock has been named director of marketing and business development for QualChoice of Arkansas Inc. Garrett comes to QualChoice from Procter & Gamble.
Media/Marketing
Mark Gregory has joined the team at Searcy’s Zoe Portrait Art. Gregory is the owner and photographer at Roxy Creative of Searcy and will lead the commercial portion of Zoe’s business.
Real Estate
Jeff Yates has been appointed to the International Council of Shopping Centers as the state operations chair. Yates will represent the interests of owners, developers, investors, marketers and other retail specialists in the state of Arkansas. n
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