It's Your Business has Amanda Gudgell, Thomas Lobell, Adam Heiman and Nathan Ansley

Hires

Stormont Vail Health welcomed Amanda Gudgell, a board-certified pulmonologist, to the Stormont Vail Pulmonary Care team. Gudgell provides care for various lung and respiratory disorders at the Cotton O'Neil Pulmonary Care clinic, 823 SW Mulvane St., in Topeka. "So many people have pulmonary diseases, and many of these are lifelong,” Gudgell said. “So to help them feel better, do the activities they want to do — go to their grandkids' graduation, that vacation they want to do — that's what makes me feel successful at my job." Gudgell found her niche as an undergrad pursuing her bachelor of science in microbiology at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater. After earning her medical degree at Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences in Tulsa, she completed her internal medicine residency and pulmonary and critical care medicine fellowship at the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City, Kansas. "You have a unique opportunity to get to know your patients," Gudgell said. "You have to understand their lifestyle, family dynamics, jobs, hobbies, and health goals to be able to provide the best care for them."

Promotions

Following its annual meeting, The American Home Life Insurance Co. announces that Thomas P. Lobell has been elected president and chief executive officer. Lobell went to Washburn Rural High School and is a graduate of the University of Chicago with a degree in economics. He was previously executive vice president and chief marketing officer of American Home. Other promotions were Adam Heiman to vice president, chief financial officer and treasurer and Nathan Ansley to vice president of marketing and legal services. American Home Life is a mutual life insurance company that has been based in Topeka since its founding in 1909. The company operates in 35 states and is in the process of gaining admission to California, Oregon and Washington state. It provides individual whole life and term insurance, final expense life insurance, pre-need annuities, retirement annuities, Medicare supplement insurance and more.

The Kansas Electric Power Cooperative board of trustees has appointed Steven O. Foss as interim executive vice president and CEO, effective immediately. Foss will replace Suzanne Lane, who has served as KEPCo’s EVP and CEO since October 2018. “We extend our heartfelt thanks and appreciation to Suzanne,” said Mike Morton, KEPCo’s board president. “Her tireless service and leadership to KEPCo for the past five plus years will be greatly missed.” Foss previously served as CEO of FreeState Electric Cooperative until his retirement in January 2022. “Steve’s background as CEO of a member-owner of KEPCo and serving in leadership positions on KEPCo’s board make him ideally suited to serve in this interim role, and the board and I have complete faith in his ability to lead KEPCo and meet the needs of our members until a permanent successor is named,” said Morton. KEPCo, which is headquartered in Topeka, will begin a national search for its next EVP and CEO as soon as possible.

Honors

Mize CPAs Inc. announces it has earned the 2024 Top Workplaces USA award issued by Energage. Mize is the only business headquartered in Kansas (150-499 employees) to earn this honor, and the Great Plains regional award. “We are honored to be named one of the Top 200 Workplaces in the USA,” said James Hilbert, CPA, managing shareholder at Mize CPAs. “This recognition underscores our dedication to prioritizing the well-being and satisfaction of our team. We have continued to listen and respond to employee feedback, and we have adjusted our employment practices to better suit the needs of our team.” The Top Workplaces designation is earned from comprehensive feedback gathered through the anonymous Energage Workplace Survey, demonstrating Mize’s commitment to fostering a supportive and fulfilling environment for its employees. Jan Marrs, shareholder human resources and payroll services, added that Mize is a leader in the industry with workload and hours management. Mize's annual cap of hours translates to under 45 hours a week. Founded in 1956, Mize CPAs Inc. has offices in Topeka and Overland Park.

Topeka-area hirings, promotions, retirements and other announcements can be emailed to iyb@cjonline.com.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: It's Your Business has Stormont Vail, Mize CPAs and American Home Life