Business briefcase 2/1

ORLANDO, Fla. - Ryan Weaks, who became interested in animals and veterinary science while a member of the New Madrid County 4-Hers, is serving an internship at the Disney Wild Animal Park in Orlando. He will work with the exotic and wild animals.

A student at the University of Findlay, Weaks said he was planning on returning to New Madrid County at the end of the semester to seek his veterinarian of medicine degree at a university closer to home until he happened to see a notice for applicants interested in working for Disney's Animal Kingdom. Weaks was one of fifty who applied and one of only three who actually met Disney's requirements and accepted the internship.

This opportunity comes about through a program the University of Findlay has in conjunction with the Disney Corp. Weaks will earn 30 credit hours toward his veterinary degree, will receive his room and board and will be paid for the work he will does.

Weaks is the son of Pat Weaks.

DPS employee

SIKESTON - Sikeston Department of Public Safety Field Training Officer Andrew Caton was named the Employee of the First Quarter of 2004 for DPS.

During his employment with the city, Caton has become a field training officer, a member of the Special Operations Group and is a Dynamic Control Simulation instructor. Currently he is assigned to the Power Squad.

According to Mayor Mike Marshall, who presented Caton with the honor, he was selected because he "exhibits excellent initiative and produces numerous self-initiated felony as well as misdemeanor arrests." Also Caton was praised for his enthusiasm and dependability.

SIKESTON - Helen Waters was named the Bootheel Counseling Services Employee of the Year recently.

The center's medication clinic coordinator, Waters received a plaque from Chuck Grant, chairman of the Board of Directors for Bootheel Counseling Services as part of the honor.

Bootheel Counseling Services is located at 760 Plantation Blvd. in Sikeston with a branch office at 25 N. Walnut St. in Dexter.

POPLAR BLUFF -- A non-credit course in medical terminology will start Feb. 16 at Three Rivers Community College.

The eight-week, 32-hour course is designed for those working -- or seeking employment -- in community or allied health fields; it provides a general knowledge of medical terms, including word structure, pronunciation, meaning and use. Instructor Jody Nelson, of Poplar Bluff, organizes course content around human body systems, medical procedures and tests, abbreviations and symbols.

Class will meet 5-9 p.m. Mondays, Feb. 16 through April 5, in Room B112 of the library/occupational/technical building on campus.

Tuition is $125 for students living within the TRCC taxing district and $208 for those outside it. In addition, a textbook for the class costs $55.

To enroll, or to get more information, call TRCC's Division of Extended Learning toll-free at 877-TRY-TRCC, Extension 690, or dial direct at (573) 840-9690.

Comstock gets

SIKESTON - Stacey Comstock, who has completed the required courses and tests for her real estate license, is joining 1 First Realty GMAC Real Estate.

"I look forward to helping others as they make one of the most major decisions in their lives in buying a home," said Comstock.

In addition to her real estate work, Comstock will continue working at the Cutting Edge Styling Salon. She and her husband, Tim, are the parents of two children.

Comstock can be reached at the Cutting Edge or at through 1 First Realty at 472-0012.

Caring center

SIKESTON - Lillie Johnson is the "Employee of the Month" for January at Hunter Acres Caring Center.

Johnson, who was worked at the facility since December 2001, is a certified medication technician. In naming her employee of the month, she was praised for her friendly smile and kindness which "makes taking medication a lot easier."

Hunter Acres Caring Center is located at the corner of Northwest Street and Wakefield Avenue.

Former resident

DALLAS - Brad Whitlock, formerly of Sikeston, Mo., was named one of the best lawyers in Dallas in the May 2003 issue of D Magazine and as a Texas Super Lawyer in the November 2003 issue of Texas Monthly magazine.

The son of Billy and Betty Whitlock of Sikeston, Whitlock is a graduate of Sikeston High School and Westminster College in Fulton, Mo. He received his juris doctorate degree from Southern Methodist University School of Law where he was a member of the Journal of Air Law and Commerce and a Hatton W. Sumners Scholar.

Whitlock is a partner in the business transactions section of the Dallas firm of Jackson Walker LLP. His practice focuses on mergers and acquisitions law and securities law. In addition, he is co-author of the four-volume "Texas Practice Guide - Business Transactions," published by West Publishing Co. Also he is a frequent speaker on a variety of corporate topics.

Currently serving as chairman of the business law section of the State Bar of Texas, Whitlock also served as chairman of the Corporation Laws Committee of the Business Law Section from 2002-03 and helped draft sections of the Texas Business Corporation Act.

Whitlock is active in civic affairs and currently serves as the immediate past president of the Arts District Friends and as president of the Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra. He is a 2001 graduate of the Leadership Dallas Program sponsored by the Greater Dallas Chamber of Commerce and now serves as chair-elect of the Leadership Dallas Alumni Advisory Board.

Whitlock resides in Dallas with his family.