7 locals to receive Missourian Award

Twelve leaders, seven of whom have ties to the Springfield area, will be honored next month at the 23rd annual Missourian Award ceremony.

The award recognizes native Missourians for their civic, business, arts or political achievements, according to a news release.

The honorees, in alphabetical order, are:
    •    Alden Buerge, chairman of First National Bank of Clinton;
    •    Stephen Danner, adjutant general of the Missouri National Guard since 2009;
    •    Warren Davis, founder and co-owner of Warren Davis Properties in Springfield;
    •    Rob Fulp, CEO and chairman of Springfield First Community Bank;
    •    Michael Garrett, retired Barry County Circuit judge;
    •    Mike Hamra, CEO of restaurant franchise group Hamra Enterprises, based in Springfield;
    •    Ted Koplar of Koplar Communications;
    •    W. Dudley McCarter, founder of Clayton-based law firm Behr, McCarter and Potter;
    •    Gary O'Neal, CEO of Commercial Bank in St. Louis;
    •    Tim O'Reilly, founder and CEO of O'Reilly Hospitality Management in Springfield;
    •    Dr. Timothy Woods, surgeon and trauma medical director for CoxHealth; and
    •    Rick Ziegenfuss, city administrator for Hollister.

The Missourian Award was created by Ralph Slavens and his late wife, Corrine, to honor individuals who have made a lasting impact on the Show-Me State. The winners are scheduled to be honored Sept. 24 at Chateau on the Lake Resort in Branson, according to the release.