Christopher Stone has accomplished a great deal in his 28 years.
Since obtaining his bachelor's degree in history from the University of Missouri in 2004, he's served four years in the military, worked with two U.S. senators and is now the executive director of the Ozark Chamber of Commerce.
Stone's military aspirations were determined at an early age: "I had worked very hard since third grade to become an Air Force officer."
Stone notes that taking the oath to become a lieutenant is one of his proudest moments. He also considers it a great honor to have served on the staffs of Sen. Kit Bond and former Sen. Jim Talent.
"I got to learn a ton about the federal legislative branch and got to help a lot of people in southwest Missouri," Stone says.
With Bond, Stone served as academy program coordinator and staff assistant, and with Talent, he was a field representative for the southwest Missouri office.
"For as long as I can remember, I have been one to lead from the front regardless of my job or assignment," he says.
This quality, as well as Stone's commitment to integrity, perseverance and hard work served him well in the Air Force, where he worked with nuclear weapon systems.
"I have mentored junior officers, students and co-workers in ways to move forward more efficiently," he says.
"Also, I have never been afraid to offer up new ideas and always bring solutions to problems when they are spotted."
His military and leadership experience prepared him for the hard work involved in reorganizing the Ozark Chamber of Commerce. From his first day on the job in September 2008, Stone shook things up, but with a purpose.
"I presented a plan to the board in October, and by January, we had committees of excited and motivated people pressing ahead," he says.
The Ozark Chamber has since partnered with the Springfield, Republic and Nixa chambers to support the local and regional economies, provided free counseling to small-business owners and increased chamber member benefits to attract more members.
"My goal is to continue to keep the energy up here in Ozark and watch our influence, as a team, grow in southwest Missouri," Stone says, noting that he plans to combine accountability, energy and motivational leadership to keep momentum going strong for business development in Ozark and Christian County.[[In-content Ad]]
April 7 was the official opening day for Mexican-Italian fusion restaurant Show Me Chuy after a soft launch that started March 31; marketing agency AdZen debuted; and the Almighty Sando Shop opened a brick-and-mortar space.
