I’d like to start by personally congratulating Johnny Morris on receiving the 2015 Springfield Business Journal Lifetime Achievement in Business Award.
Morris has almost literally put Springfield and Branson on the map. His contributions to the regional business economy are unparalleled. We are so blessed that Morris and Bass Pro Shops call Springfield home. I salute him.
I’ve been honored to be involved in our business community for some 27 years, and I can’t think of a more exciting time to be in business in our area than right now.
Business is growing to better serve our region. According to a recent survey by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, over two-thirds of 114 area businesspeople surveyed expect an improved economy this year compared to last. We are blessed with a solid employment base and a most diversified economy. As I reflect on my previous service at the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce, I am proud the chamber is a change agent, a risk-taking organization, but I also am proud of the chamber’s advocacy role.
The community leadership visits – 22 in total now – have paid dividends in learning best practices from other communities. There was the trip to Colorado Springs, Colo., which led to accelerated plans for a Springfield-Branson National Airport terminal; the Lexington, Ky., trip that created the catalyst for the Community Focus red-flag report card on Springfield and Greene County; and the visit to Boise, Idaho, spurring the formation of the Springfield Regional Economic Partnership.
A better community starts with lifting a hand, not pointing a finger. Community-building is not a spectator sport. I believe in the old African proverb, “When you pray, move your feet!” Time and again, the Springfield-area business and professional community proved this in spades.
The list of previous SBJ Lifetime Achievement in Business Award recipients are business leaders of vision.
Some people see things as they are and say, “why?” These people dream things that never were and say, “why not?”
I retired from the chamber a year ago and began the next chapter in my life at CoxHealth. I am here in communication and marketing because of CoxHealth CEO Steve Edwards and the tremendous respect and admiration I have for him. With some 10,069 employees and an annual economic impact of $750 million on the region, CoxHealth is helping lead growth in southwest Missouri.
The world of health care is most complex and complicated. I am learning a lot, but I have a lot to learn.
Jim Anderson can be reached at jim.anderson@coxhealth.com.
