Economic Impact Award honorees are selected by an independent panel of judges who fill different roles in the southwest Missouri business community.
Dawn Busick is executive director of the Center for Workforce Development at Ozarks Technical Community College, providing leadership for job training and community enrichment programs. She received the 2008 Jobs for America’s Graduates-National Workforce Development Leadership Award and is co-chair of the city of Springfield’s Education and Workforce Development Planning Committee.
Gary A. Cyr is director of aviation at Springfield-Branson National Airport. He manages operations at the small hub commercial service airport, which debuted its $119 million midfield terminal in May 2009. Cyr has been an accredited airport executive since 1994 and is a 2007–10 national board member of the American Association of Airport Executives. Locally, Cyr is a member of Sunrise Rotary.
Dana Montgomery is vice president and director of corporate services at Guaranty Bank, where she helps businesses manage cash flow, reduce fraud risks, save time and get the maximum benefit from their money. She is a graduate of Leadership Springfield and a 2006 Springfield Business Journal 40 Under 40 honoree. Montgomery is on the Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Ozarks Board of Directors and is a Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce Ambassador.
Norman Ridder is superintendent of Springfield Public Schools, a post he has held since the 2005–06 school year. Ridder serves on the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, as well as the boards of Discovery Center, the Mayor’s Commission on Children, YMCA and St. John’s Hospital, where he also serves as an ethics team member. Ridder also is an advisory board member of U.S. Bank.
Dennis R. Wubbena is a professor of marketing at Evangel University. He also provides free training on personal finance, with both biblical and secular perspectives, as well as extended church seminars and one-hour topical sessions for businesses and employees. Wubbena has a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Iowa, a Master of Arts from the University of Northern Iowa and an Ed.D. in Marketing Education from the University of Minnesota.[[In-content Ad]]
Moseley’s Discount Office Products was purchased; Side Chick opened in Branson; and the Springfield franchise store of NoBaked Cookie Dough changed ownership.
