Zimmer adds Columbia-based ‘Wake-Up Missouri’ to Springfield airwaves
KWTO-AM, the Springfield news/talk radio station owned and operated by Zimmer Communications, is adding the morning program “Wake Up Missouri” to its lineup. The program, based at KSSZ-FM in Columbia, is simulcast on KWOS-AM in Jefferson City. The show features host Randy Tobler, a longtime practicing physician and award-winning broadcaster; attorney Stephanie Bell; an award-winning news staff including Brian Hauswirth, John Marsh and Don Louzader; and Central Methodist University student and producer Drake Whitman.
“We are excited to take what has been an extremely successful program in Mid-Missouri and bring it to an even wider audience,” Zimmer Communications Operations Manager Chris Carson said in a release to print. “The team’s ability to explore local, state, and national stories through different lenses – from a generational perspective to a gender-based perspective – resonates with listeners of all backgrounds across the country.”
Listeners can catch “Wake-Up Missouri” weekday mornings from 6:00 AM to 9:00 AM on KWTO at 93.3 FM and 560 AM.
Guaranty Bank names Becky Scorse president
Guaranty Bank’s Board of Directors announced the appointment of Becky Scorse as the organization’s new president, effective immediately.
Scorse has more than 25 years of commercial banking experience in the Springfield market. Since joining Guaranty Bank, she has served as Chief Lending Officer, a position she has held since 2014. Under her leadership, the bank has experienced significant growth, increasing its assets from $500 million to over 2 billion dollars.
Scorse currently serves on the Board of the Developmental Center of the Ozarks and has previously supported organizations such as the United Way of the Ozarks, the American Cancer Society and the Breast Cancer Foundation of the Ozarks. As president, she will continue her responsibilities as chief lending officer, overseeing the Commercial Lending, Consumer Lending and Treasury Management teams.
Lost & Found Grief Center turns 25 years old
In 2000, the Lost & Found Grief Center became the first organization in southwest Missouri to offer professional therapeutic support at no cost to children and their families. In 2025, the organization is commemorating 25 years of providing help, hope and healing to children, families and adults of victims through therapeutic grief support groups.
Founded by Dr. Karen Scott, a former school counselor, and local attorney Shawn Askinosie, Lost & Found held the first group sessions at Askinosie’s Springfield law offices. The need for grief therapy grew and in 2006, Lost & Found moved to Conor House, named after Conor Foster, who died aged 4. At Conor’s House, Lost & Found expanded its offerings to include adults, not just children and their families. In 2015, Lost & Found continued to grow when it moved to its current location at 1555 S. Glenstone Ave.
In addition to free therapeutic grief support groups, Lost & Found also offers individual fee-based counseling. Over 25 years, the organization has served more than 25,000 people with those and other services.
The Central Bank announces the new managers
Central Bank announced the promotion of long-time team member Karen Neff to banking center manager, as well as the hiring of Jessica Simmons as the new manager of loan operations.
Neff, previously an assistant branch manager, was promoted to retail sales officer and banking center manager of Central Bank of the Ozarks’ South National branch. In her sixth year with the team, Neff began her time at Central Bank as a cashier at Glen Isle after 20 years of restaurant management. When she’s not on the front lines of her branch, Neff can be found volunteering with Ozarks Food Harvest.
Central Bank also added a new head of department, welcoming Simmons as manager of credit operations. With more than eight years of experience in the finance industry, much of it spent in subprime finance for consumer installment loans, Simmons’ experience also includes time spent in the mortgage industry where she oversaw a team in an end-to-end loan process. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business from Missouri State University.
Catholic Charities announces regional leadership change
Catholic Charities of Missouri Southern is pleased to announce that Jeremy Rowland, former chief regional officer, assumed the role of chief program operations officer in November. Based in Cape Girardeau, Rowland will provide high-level oversight of all programs throughout the agency’s 39-county service area.
Rowland joined CCSOMO as regional director in 2020 and has since made significant contributions to the agency. Over the past four years, he has provided detailed management of the Developmental Disabilities Services program on the east side of the state and has contributed to numerous updates that have increased organizational efficiency, allowing for expansion of service capacity. The role of Regional Chief will not be refilled.
Ives joins OMB Treasury Services
OMB Bank announced that Deziree Ives has joined the Treasury Services team as a treasury services officer.
Ives has two years of banking experience, beginning her career as a retail relationship banker for Bank of Montreal in Leawood, Kansas, before joining Simmons Bank in 2024 as assistant financial center manager. In her new role, Ives will work closely with local businesses to provide customized cash and treasury management solutions tailored to their unique financial needs. She will also focus on fostering customer relationships and ensuring a seamless banking experience through OMB’s innovative financial strategies and dedicated local support.
Powell joined the mediation group
Retired Greene County Judge Mark Powell has been inducted into the National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals, a professional association whose membership consists of ADR professionals distinguished by their practical experience in the fields of conflict resolution civil and commercial.
Powell retired as a judge in May 2023 and started Mark Powell Mediation LLC in June 2023. He was appointed District Court Judge for the Thirty-First Judicial District of Missouri in 2000 and held the position for 23 years. Prior to taking the bench, he practiced law for fifteen years with the firm of Miller and Sanford PC, which later merged with Lathrop & Gage LC
Since founding Mark Powell Mediation in 2023, he has mediated more than 100 cases. Its services include mediation, arbitration, early neutral evaluation, mini-trials and summary jury trials. He has also been appointed as a special master in cases of high conflict.
