Harry Gibson, Lawrence, has joined the local Board of Directors at Douglas County Bank.

Gibson, who retired as an executive after 34 years with Exxon Corp., received his mechanical engineering degree and an MBA from Kansas University, where he played on the men’s basketball team. He is chairman of the Board of Advisors for the KU School of Engineering and president of the K-Club, an organization comprised of KU letter winners.

¢ Julia Butler and Laronna Lassiter Saunders have joined Riling, Burkhead and Nitcher Chtd. as associates practicing law.

Butler graduated from Emporia State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1996 and from Washburn University Law School in 2003 with a juris doctorate. She was admitted to the Kansas Bar in 2003 and also admitted to practice before U.S. District Court, District of Kansas. She was a staff attorney with the Kansas Sentencing Commission from 2003 to 2005.

Saunders graduated from the University of Missouri-Kansas City with a Bachelor of Arts degree in administration of justice in 1999 and from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law in 2002. She was admitted to the Missouri Bar in April 2003 and the Kansas Bar in September 2003.

¢ Cynthia Henrikson, Kate Harding and Yoko Matsuyama have joined Gould Evans Associates’ Lawrence office.

Henrikson, an architectural designer, earned a bachelor’s degree in architecture from Kansas University in May. She is working on design development for the third phase of the Structural Biology Center at Kansas University and Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church in Topeka.

Harding, an intern architectural designer, earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in industrial design from Kansas University in 2004. She is pursuing a master’s degree in architecture. She is working on construction documents for the new South Junior High School.

Matsuyama, an intern architectural designer, is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in architecture at Kansas University.

¢ David Bunker begins work Monday as vice president for Sunflower Bank in Lawrence. Bunker, who has 20 years of experience in the Lawrence banking community, will be responsible for the continuing development of the commercial business community in Lawrence as a lender at Sunflower Bank.

¢ Patrick Nichols, a mediator and partner in Associates in Dispute Resolution of Lawrence, has been appointed to serve as adjunct teaching faculty for the Washburn University School of Law. Nichols is teaching “Financial Issues in Divorce,” which is part of the Washburn University Family Law Program. Nichols’ practice of mediation includes divorce cases where substantial property is involved.

¢ First State Bank & Trust announces that Dan Berry, Lawrence, has been promoted from mortgage loan originator in its Lawrence market to mortgage loan production specialist, working from First State Bank & Trust’s headquarters in Tonganoxie. Berry has worked for First State Bank & Trust for four years.

¢ Alan VanGundy, of Landplan Engineering in Lawrence, recently was licensed by the State of Kansas as a registered landscape architect. He is responsible for the planning and design of subdivisions and site-specific projects, plus parks and recreational facilities.

Coming events

The Kansas University Small Business Development Center will present a workshop, “The Bottom Line on Stress,” from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Friday at the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce office, 734 Vt.

Craig Cochran, a local trainer, will be the presenter. He aims to show participants how to channel their energy and improve their effectiveness by simplifying and refocusing in business and in life. The cost is $40 if pre-registered and $50 for walk-ins. To register call 843-8844 or e-mail maggie32@ku.edu.