Chamber names 2016 officers

Last edited 3:13 p.m., Jan. 18, 2016

The Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce plans to introduce its 2016 board officers and new members.

Debbie Shantz Hart of Housing Plus LLC later this month will take over as chairwoman, succeeding Tom Hilmes of CNH Reman LLC, according to a news release.

The other 2016 officers are:
    •    Chairman-elect John Wanamaker of BKD LLP;
    •    Treasurer David Ross of Morelock-Ross Builders;
    •    Assistant Treasurer Bill Hammitt of American Products LLC;
    •    Vice Chairman of Economic Development Doug Neff of Commerce Bank;
    •    Vice Chairwoman of Membership Krystal Russell of Payroll Vault;
    •    Vice Chairwoman of Public Affairs Jennifer Wilson of nForm Architecture LLC; and
    •    Vice Chairwoman of Workforce Development Denise Silvey of Paul Mueller Co.

The chamber also named nine new board members. They are:
    •    Jeff Childs of Sperry Van Ness/Rankin Co.;
    •    Regina Cooper of the Springfield-Greene County Library;
    •    John Gentry of Positronic Industries Inc.;
    •    Mike Meek of Meek's Building Centers;
    •    Joe Reynolds of Central States Industrial Equipment;
    •    Mary Beth Hartman of Hunter Chase & Associates;
    •    Kim Hogan-Chaffin of Hogan Land Title;
    •    Frederick James of 3M; and
    •    Marshall Kinne of Med-Pay Inc.

Chamber spokeswoman Ann Elwell said via email said the board’s 2016 goals include helping businesses grow through programs and member opportunities, creating jobs and investment through economic development, developing the local workforce through talent attraction and career preparation, and advocating for businesses in local, state and federal governments.

The new officers and members will be inducted during chamber’s annual meeting is scheduled Jan. 29 at the University Plaza Convention Center. At the meeting, the chamber will announce its 2016 Springfieldian, according to the release.