Delegation to visit Madison for community ideas

The trip is in its 15th year and is coordinated by the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce.

The group will be in Madison Aug. 14–16 to study the region’s success in university-business collaboration, capital formation networks, early childhood programs that affect work force development, and programs to attract and retain young people, according to a chamber news release.

Business, education and government leaders signed up for the trip are: chamber President Jim Anderson; Ann Marie Baker, UMB Bank; Jim Baker, Missouri State University; Tom Barr, Springfield-Branson National Airport Board; Harold Bengsch, Greene County associate commissioner; Brad Bodenhausen, the chamber; Greg Burris, MSU; Kris Callen, Springfield R-12 Board of Education; Mayor Tom Carlson; Springfield City Council members Dan Chiles, Mary Collette and Gary Deaver; Dave Coonrod, Greene County presiding commissioner; Steve Edwards, CoxHealth; Tom Finnie, Springfield Board of Public Utilities; Emily Fox, Discovery Center; Dwayne Fulk, Neale & Newman LLP; Steve Gassel, U.S. Bancorp; Jay Handy, Walnut Capital Management; Hal Higdon, Ozarks Technical Community College; Michael Hoeman, Springfield school board; Evelyn Honea, interim city manager; Sandy Howard, the chamber; Tracy Kimberlin, Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau; Allen Kunkel, MSU; Andy Lear, BKD LLP; Ken McClure, MSU; Morey Mechlin, Greene Countians for Fair & Impartial Judges; Matt Miller, Matt Miller Cos.; Scott Miller, CU; Michael Nietzel, MSU; Todd Parnell, Drury University; Doug Pitt, ServiceWorld Computer Center; Barby Pohl, Great Southern Bank; Norm Ridder, Springfield schools; Kimberly Shinn-Brown, OACAC Head Start/Early Head Start; Mary Lilly Smith, the city; Jaimie Trussell, MSU; John Twitty, CU; Kristen Westerman, the chamber; Greg Williams, the chamber; Rusty Worley, Urban Districts Alliance; and John Wylie, council.

Previous trips in the community leadership visit program have spurred ideas for local projects such as the Ozarks Regional Economic Partnership, improvements at Springfield-Branson National Airport, and the publication of a community report card, the release said. Past trips have included Knoxville, Tenn., and Oklahoma City.[[In-content Ad]]