Businesspeople join chamber board leadership team

A bevy of businesspeople and community leaders have started their terms at the head of the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.

The eight-member executive committee was officially introduced to membership Jan. 25 during the chamber's annual meeting, according to spokeswoman Maggie Bridgeman.

Leading the board is Chairman Brian Fogle, president of the Community Foundation of the Ozarks. He succeeds John Wilson, senior vice president of commercial banking at UMB Bank. Mother's Brewing Co. founder and The Daily Events Publisher Jeff Schrag steps in as chairman-elect.

The other executive committee members are:

• Vice Chairman of Economic Development Tom Hilmes, general manager of CNH Reman;
• Vice Chairman of Public Affairs Tim Bellanti, senior vice president/division manager of the Springfield distribution center of Associated Wholesale Grocers Inc.;
• Vice Chairman of Membership Jeffrey Gower, Wil Fischer Cos. president;
• Vice Chairwoman of Community Development and Special Events Dawn Hiles, vice president for enrollment management at Drury University;
• Treasurer Jake McWay, CoxHealth senior vice president and chief financial officer; and
• Assistant Treasurer John Oke-Thomas, president and CEO of Oke-Thomas & Associates Inc.