Community Blood Center executive director to retire

The first and only executive director of the Community Blood Center of the Ozarks has set a 2014 retirement date.

Don Thomson has led the organization since its inception in 1995, according to CBCO.org.

The executive director is scheduled to retire June 19, 2014, according to a news release.

“Don is an extraordinary leader, whose vision and commitment to our community helped make the dream of a community blood center possible,” CBCO board Chairwoman Dr. Margaret Janssen said in the release. “He helped guide the blood center through the challenging startup years to become an organization respected nationwide for an outstanding track record in quality, service and efficiency in our industry.

"We owe him a big debt of gratitude for his dedication and passion and wish him well in his retirement.”

CBCO currently provides blood products to 38 hospitals. In 2009, Thomson led a headquarters move to 220 W. Plainview Road, a new location - and former Summer Fresh grocery store - that cost $5 million in renovations and had four times as much lab space, additional parking and 10 acres of expansion space, according to Springfield Business Journal archives.

The CBCO Board of Directors has commissioned a search team to find Thomson's successor. The team comprises current board executive committee members, as well as Steve Edwards, president and CEO of CoxHealth.

"It will be a challenge to replace Don, because he is in rarefied air, among the best leaders I have ever known. The organization is extremely well run, with an excellent staff, and Don has agreed to stay in his role until the new executive assumes these duties," Edwards said in the release.