SCA hosts surprise retirement party for exiting Baer

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Springfield Contractors Association held a surprise retirement celebration for Kathy Baer, its longtime employment service director who served a stint as executive director.

Baer, who’s scheduled to retire at year’s end, said about 150 people attended SCA’s annual Christmas open house that doubled as a retirement party.

“It was a surprise, so that was very nice,” she said this morning. “Twenty-four years, and it’s just been a great job. I have met some wonderful, wonderful people who I’ll call my friends forever.”

During the party, SCA’s Generation Next group for individuals 40 years and younger presented Baer with a sign that reads: “Momma Baer … we appreciate you for 24 years, 1,251 weeks, 210,240 hours. … Springfield owes you a debt for committing your life to the building and maintaining of our fair city.”

Baer worked as SCA’s executive director for two and a half years until July, when the association’s board selected Megan Short as its leader. Short joined the SCA from her previous position as the city of Springfield’s communications coordinator for the Department of Workforce Development and the Ozark Region Workforce Development Board. Baer committed to stay on through the end of the year to help Short transition into the role.