
Dan Springer, president and CEO of Heartland Credit Union, announced the promotion of several members of the HCU Executive Team to C-level positions.
“HCU has experienced tremendous growth and success over the years, thanks in part to the leadership of our Executive Team,” Springer said. “This year, we reached 30,000 members strong. These new titles better recognize the executives’ hard work and the enhanced strategic focus their position requires to maintain our success.”
Zack Clobes will assume the title of Chief Technology Officer (CTO). Clobes has been with HCU since 1998. He worked his way up from a part-time IT employee to Vice President of Technology. As CTO, he will lead the technology and security efforts of the credit union.
Michelle Waln has been named Chief Culture Officer (CCO). Waln has been with Heartland for 22 years, beginning her career in member service roles, then HR director, and Vice President of Culture. As CCO, she will oversee the Human Resources, Marketing, Education, and Financial Well-Being areas.
Bambi Stewart has received the title of Chief Operations Officer (COO). Stewart began her career with HCU in 2002, holding many titles including teller, FSR, Real Estate Officer, and ultimately, Vice President of Lending. As COO, she will lead the Underwriting, Real Estate Lending, Commercial Lending, and Operations departments
Jeremy Stauffacher will serve as Chief Experience Officer (CXO). Stauffacher Joined HCU in 2009 as an FSR and went on to be a Branch Manager and then AVP of Retail Branch Operations, before becoming Vice President of Sales and Service. As CXO, he will head up HCU’s retail branches, eBranch, and Indirect Lending efforts.
Clobes, Waln, Stewart, Stauffacher, Springer, and Chief Financial Officer Joel Andrew make up the executive team that leads HCU’s strategic direction.
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McPHERSON – McPherson Hospital Inc. announces the naming of Charity Clark as Chief Clinical Officer. This is a new position that will focus the majority of clinical departments under one administrative leader.
Clark comes to McPherson from Ascension Via Christi Hospitals in Wichita, where she was Director of Case Management and Transitional Care. She started her career in health care as a registered respiratory therapist, serving hospitals in Missouri, Arizona, and Kansas. Over the years, Clark has developed increasing levels of administrative experience with Ascension Via Christi since 2001.
Clark’s educational achievements include a Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Care from the University of Kansas and a Master of Science in Organizational and Human Resource Development, including a Certificate of Graduate Study in Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation from Abilene Christian University in Abilene, Texas.
In addition to her occupational achievements, Clark has been active in professional organizations as a member, leader and speaker at the local, state, and national levels. She has also received awards including the Kansas Respiratory Therapist of the Year in 2012 and the Kansas Hospital Association Health Care Worker of the Year in 2019.
“I look forward to being a part of the dedicated team at McPherson Hospital and contributing to achieving a 5-Star rating,” Clark said. “I believe this will be a great fit for me and aligns well with my passion to improve the quality of life through care for patients and communities.”
“We expect Charity’s experience and leadership capabilities to challenge and propel our team to even higher levels of quality and service,” stated Christopher Stipe, president and CEO. “Her dedication to the best patient care possible is undeniable. We cannot wait to welcome her to our community starting June 20.”
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Governor Laura Kelly announced the reappointment of Jonathan Brunswig, Scott City, to the State Board of Pharmacy.
The purpose of the Board is to license and register entities conducting business relating to the practice of pharmacy and protect public health and welfare against unprofessional, improper, and unauthorized practice of pharmacy.
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STERLING – Dr. Lindsey Saenger, assistant professor of exercise science at Sterling College, received The William M. McCreery Teaching Award as part of the College’s Commencement ceremonies on May 15.
The award recognizes and encourages excellence in teaching and is presented to a faculty member whose efforts have provided noteworthy and innovative instruction to Sterling College students during the academic year.
The award was established in honor of Sterling College’s fourth president, William M. McCreery, and has been awarded to one outstanding faculty member each year since 1977.
Saenger has taught at Sterling College for four years and is a leader on campus in several capacities. In addition to being an assistant professor, she is the co-chair for her department and has led it through a curricular redesign of the Exercise Science program.
Saenger is described by students as “engaging” and “hands-on,” and by faculty that teach alongside her as “professional,” calling her academic expertise “invaluable in developing rigorous, data-focused courses.”
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Four Barton instructors earned the Distinguished Instructor Award for the 2020-2021 school year for their efforts in the classroom.
The winners are Paulia Bailey, College Advantage and BARTonline; Melissa Hardwick, Fort Riley Campus; Ann Ingala, Fort Leavenworth Campus; and Maggie Tracy.
The Distinguished Instructor Award recognizes teaching excellence. Faculty members are nominated by their peers and then evaluated by a committee including Barton students, a previous Distinguished Instructor Award recipient, members of the Barton Foundation, Board of Trustees and community members.
The committee considers each instructor’s contributions to teaching and learning, the college mission, and the community.
A plaque reflecting the names of the award recipients is displayed in Barton’s Office of Instruction located in the Science Building.