Springfield Chamber announces Athena and Virginia Fry prices
The Springfield Region Chamber of Commerce announced the recipients in 2025 of the Athens and Virginia Fry Awards, who recognize exceptional women who have shown excellence in their profession, their community service and the mentorship of other women in the community.
“Our 2025 recipients illustrate the qualities that we celebrate with the Athena and Virginia Fry Rising Star Awards,” said room president Matt Morrow. “These are not only leaders accomplished in their fields, but also dedicated mentors and community champions. We are delighted to see how they will continue to shape our community for the years to come. »»
2025 ATHENA Prize recipient Stéphanie O’Connor is the Vice -President Director – Chief Technology and People Officer at City Utilities. O’Connor is a graduate of the leadership springfield Signature Class 34, member of the Sunrise Rotary and Recipient of Springfield Business Journal 40 2001. She was the first woman selected as Association of Information Technology Professionals (AitP) Executive of the year in 2018. In 2021, she was named one of the women of Biz 417 Who Mean Business More influential from Springfield Business Journal and received the Missouri Public Utility Alliance Honor Award. O’Connor is actively involved in the community, serving many advice and committees. She is also the founder of the Strong Women Achieving Offs (Swag) program.
2025 Virginia Fry rising star award recipient of Dr Nacy Tai Ryerson is a leader in education dedicated to the transformation of traditional models into personalized, strength and adaptable systems that meet the needs of all learners. As a co-founder of Academy CLACKASS, a pioneering school school in Springfield, she defends educational practices focused on students. The influence of Dr. Ryerson extends beyond enclosures, because it sits at the Board of Champions engaged in children, the conferences of guests in universities and was recognized as one of the 20 most influential women of Springfield Business Journal in 2024. His commitment to innovation and accessible education is shaping the future of learning in the community of Springfield.
Piney River Brewing Company celebrating 14 years old
The Piney River Brewing Company famous for 14 years of craft beer in the Ozarks with a Brewery Farm party from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday March 22. The “14th Aleversary” party will take place at La Grange – the brasserie and the upgrading room off the ZZ junction in Bucyrus – features beer versions, live music and food.
Two groups from Springfield, Stevie Newman Band and Hurricanes, will perform and Tinga Tacos from Springfield will be on site with his Taco trailer. The Berne room in Piney River will present all year round and some beers with limited liberation, as well as Andy’s root beer and the Seltzer and the Gluten -free harsh.
All ages are welcome and everyone will be invited to show identification before entry. Pets on a leash are also welcome. For more information, go online www.pineyriverbrewing.com.
The room adopts a new strategic plan
The Springfield Region Chamber of Commerce has announced the launch of its new long -range strategic plan, called The Chamber Path, during its annual meeting on January 31. Developed with contributions from more than 400 stakeholders, partners and investors throughout the region, the way to the Chamber aims to cultivate confidence -based partnerships that can help direct and fuel economic growth over the next five years.
The way to the room focuses on four key priorities:
- Direct regional economic development
- Increase the population ready for the workforce
- Strengthen and support activities
- Operate with excellence
For more information on the way to the room or to read the long -term full plan provided by Economic Leadership, Inc., go online www.springfieldchamber.com/the-path-trategic-plan-2025-Action-plan/.
Women in construction week start on March 2
The National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) will celebrate the Women’s Week in Construction (WIC) with a variety of events from March 2 to 8.
Nawic Southwest Missouri # 366, the local chapter, invites all local women who work in a position in the construction industry to attend the events planned throughout the week. Wic’s week’s calendar includes:
- Monday: Proclamation ceremony with the city of Springfield at 1 p.m. at the Busch municipal building;
- Tuesday: Family match evening from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Frisco community room of the library station);
- Wednesday: Volunteering opportunity from 7:45 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., at least, Ozark;
- THURSDAY: Private site tour at the Springfield Public Schools Reed Academy followed by Happy Hour at 417 Taphouse;
- Friday: Women in the construction of lunch and the EPI showcase at noon in prima’s on South Glenstone avenue;
- All week: Drive of blood at the Ozarks Community Blood Center.
Personal protective equipment will be necessary for the visit to the site. The details of the event and the links for online registrations are available on the Nawic website in www.nawicsouthwestmo.org/events or its Facebook page @NAWICSOUTHWESTRIRI.
The church of James River donates to shelters in cold weather
On Monday, February 17, the staff and volunteers of the James River church bought and donated hundreds of covers, food products and essential supplies for a new shelter in cold weather in North Springfield.
The Springfield shelter program, managed by Community Partnership of the Ozarks, provides shelter and vital resources to homeless people during extreme winter temperatures. In response to the urgent need during the recent cold snap, James River Church donated hundreds of essential and essential items to help the shelter. Awareness of the church has extended to other shelters from the region, including Eden Village in North Springfield.
Awareness was part of James River Church’s “Saturday Serve”, a monthly partnership between the local community and the James River church. For more information, call the church at 417-581-5433 or visit Jamesriver.church/Serve.
Greene County Extension swears in the new members of the Council
The new members were sworn in during the February meeting of the Greene County Extension Council.
The members of the Council work throughout the year with the staff of the University of Missouri extension to plan and recommend educational programs. The new members who start their mandates in the county of Greene are Lisa Bakerrink, Cara Harris, Bill Nguyen and Shelia Taylor.
Mary Chalender, Sandi Haustein, Elaine Montgomery, Judy Sutherland Elaine Montgomery, Judy Sutherland and Eric Sutton. The appointed members include Morgan Ash, Habitat for humanity; John Russell, county of Greene; Joseph Hoffman, city of Springfield; And Tammy Lowerry, Farm Bureau.
For more information on the offers of Greene County Extension Council or Greene County Extension, please contact the Extension Office of the University of Missouri in Springfield at 417-881-8909 or follow “University of Missouri Extension Greene County” on Facebook.
Branson Bank promotes Joseph Cherek
Branson Bank announced the promotion of Joseph Cherek Jr. to the portfolio officer and specialist in government loans. Cherek will manage the daily operations of the credit service ensuring an effective subscription to loans, portfolio management and as a point person for the processing of guaranteed loans. He is responsible for revising loans, subscription, maintenance of regulatory compliance and credit risk management.
Cherek obtained a baccalaureate in business administration at the University of Nebraska-Oomaha with concentrations of commercial finance, banking and financial systems and management of the investment portfolio. Since obtaining the diploma, he has accumulated more than 11 years in various banking roles, including Teller, Lead Teller and Universal Banker before joining the Branson Bank credit team in 2019 as a portfolio risk manager.
Cherek recently attended the Area Leadership Academy lakes, a program that the Branson and CVB Chamber of Commerce facilitates to teach leaders of the Branson region and the surrounding community.
Branson adds the manager of veterans initiatives
The Chamber of Commerce of Branson Lakes and CVB with the city of Branson, hired Kody Petersen as director of the veterans’ initiatives, from February 17.
Petersen is an American Air Force veteran with more than nine years of experience in project management, program and installations, as well as fundraising. Petersen holds a baccalaureate in business administration, specializing in project management of Park University.
The new Petersen position is funded by tourist taxes in order to create a collaboration between groups focused on veterans in and around the community with the city and the Chamber and CVB. Kody will also help various events related to veterans and soldiers in the region. Anyone interested in working in partnership with Branson as a destination to attract, promote and appreciate soldiers and veterans in active service is encouraged to contact Petersen in kpetersen@bransoncvb.com Or call 417-243-2126.
BPJ Insurance announces a new employee service manager
BPJ Insurance, an independent insurance agency belonging to employees whose headquarters are in Springfield, announced the promotion of Sarah Wehner to the benefits of employees’ benefits.
With nearly 14 years of experience at BPJ, Wehner has previously been associated with customer service responsible for the daily customer account service, market analysis for new and renewal companies, data management and solving complex services, complaints and eligibility. It holds a Missouri life insurance and health license and will continue to focus on the provision of an exceptional service while improving BPJ services.