Branson chamber names interim president as search begins

Jonas Arjes will lead the Branson chamber in the interim as a search is conducted.

Last edited 12:33 p.m., June 16, 2020

On the heels of news that he's heading to Connell Insurance Inc., Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce & Convention and Visitors Bureau President and CEO Jeff Seifried this morning participated in Springfield Business Journal's 12 People You Need to Know live interview series.

Seifried said the chamber's board this week is starting a nationwide search for his successor. In the interim, chamber Chief Economic Development Officer Jonas Arjes will serve as president.

"I would imagine it would take a couple of months to get through that," Seifried said of the process that will involve a search firm.

Arjes also leads the Taney County Partnership, the economic development arm of the Branson chamber. Reached this afternoon, he said the board would meet later this month "to discuss search firm, process and timeline."

"I would highly recommend not only Branson but this position," Seifried said.

In the livestreamed interview this morning with SBJ Editor Eric Olson, Seifried discussed growth opportunities at Connell Insurance as he plans to become the firm's president and CEO in mid-July.

"Everything's on the table," he said when asked if acquisitions, new markets or additional offices are being considered. "What I'm interested in is really pushing in and leaning on some unique opportunities. We're going to evaluate all of that over the next couple of months."

As Seifried moves into the CEO role at Connell Insurance, the firm's primary shareholders, Tim Connell and Randall Gammill, are looking to step back from their day-to-day roles and focus on board oversight.

Connell Insurance previously had entertained possible purchase offers. Letters of intent from regional and national insurance groups valued the firm at more than $25 million, but with Seifried's hiring, the company is staying locally owned, according to past reporting.