People in business for July 20

Axis Capital names Williams as treasurer

Jeanne Williams has joined Axis Capital in Grand Island as treasurer.

She will manage the accounting and treasury functions of the business.

Williams began her career with Deloitte & Touche in Lincoln. She has worked at Chief Industries, Associated Staffing and MFS/York/Stormor in Grand Island and was most recently employed at 105 Concepts in Doniphan.

She has a bachelor of science in administration with an emphasis in accounting from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She is also a graduate of Leadership Tomorrow.



Kool joins Contryman Associates

Brad Kool has joined Contryman Associates as its assistant firm administrator (controller).

In that role, he prepares financial statements, oversees budget preparation and assists in risk management issues for the firm. He is also involved in all aspects of human resources.

Kool was formerly a controller for a local distributing company.

He holds an associate's degree in business administration from Central Community College, and a bachelor's degree in management and a master's degree in business administration, both from Bellevue University.

He is a member of the finance committee for Resurrection Catholic Church and is a member of the Grand Island Young Professionals Group. Kool lives in Grand Island with his wife, Lisa, and their two children.

Contryman Associates, a certified public accounting firm, has provided accounting and business consulting services in Nebraska since 1939. It has offices in Grand Island, Hastings, Kearney, Lexington, Scottsbluff, Central City and Geneva.



Hastings Family YMCA names new sports director

The Hastings Family YMCA has hired Shannon Shaffer as sports director.

Shaffer specializes in sports, recreation and health and safety.

Shaffer, who is originally from Lisco, earned a bachelor of science in biology from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and a master of science in kinesiology with an emphasis in sports management from Texas A&M University.

She worked for four years at UNL Campus Recreation in youth activities and sports clubs. Shaffer was also a graduate assistant for sports clubs at Texas A&M for two years. Before joining the Hastings Family YMCA, she was sports club and risk management coordinator for the University of Central Florida.

She is a member of the National Intramural-Recreation Sports Administration and an American Red Cross certified instructor.



Stubbs joins Waddell & Reed

Mandy Stubbs has joined Waddell & Reed as a financial adviser in the Central Nebraska area.

As a personal financial adviser, Stubbs will help develop customized financial plans, recommend investment strategies and counsel clients throughout the area.

Stubbs comes to the job with expertise in financial counseling and planning. She earned a master's degree from Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kan.

Stubbs can be reached at (308) 440-6847.



McDermott & Miller accountant named outstanding graduate

Jenna Grenier, staff accountant at McDermott & Miller in Grand Island, received the Outstanding Graduate Award from the master of business administration program at the University of Nebraska at Kearney in May.

She and one other student were selected as award recipients from all MBA program graduates from the 2007-08 school year. Grenier was also inducted into Beta Gamma Sigma Honor Society-UNK chapter.

McDermott & Miller, a certified public accounting firm, has offices in Grand Island, Hastings, Kearney and Omaha.