Council selects OTC director for vacant seat

Photo provided by city of Springfield

Matthew Simpson

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Springfield City Council yesterday chose Ozarks Technical Community College director Matthew Simpson over five other hopefuls for a vacant seat on the governing body.

Simpson, OTC’s director of research, strategic planning and grant development, takes over the Zone 4 spot recently vacated by Craig Fishel, who’s running for the 136th District seat in the Missouri House of Representatives. Simpson will serve in the Zone 4 seat until the next council election in 2019, according to a news release.

In his application, Simpson said he has a “strong background in research that I could bring to council work, and I have worked on public policy as the Missouri Community College Association Research Council legislative chair.”

Simpson was selected over candidates:
    •    Jennifer Colwell of Advanced Sleep Technologies;
    •    Edward Griesbaum, retired from Meyer-Blanke Co.;
    •    Andrew Lear, retired from BKD LLP;
    •    Derek Lee of Lee Engineering and Associates LLC; and
    •    Stephanie Smith of the Missouri State Alliance of YMCAs.

A member of Springfield Business Journal’s 2018 class of 40 Under 40, Simpson also co-founded Five Pound Apparel LLC. He also was chosen last year to serve on Gov. Eric Greitens’ Innovation Task Force to promote innovation and new technology startups.