CVB, Chamber professionals change occupations

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The makeup of two of Springfield's nonprofit service organizations is changing this summer.|ret||ret||tab|

It should come as no surprise, considering that the average professional changes jobs five to seven times in a lifetime, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. |ret||ret||tab|

Here are some of the latest transitions in Springfield:|ret||ret||tab|

CVB |ret||ret||tab|

The Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau is losing its director of communications, Tammy Leigh, to the advertising industry. |ret||ret||tab|

Taking her place is Mar'Ellen Felin, public information officer at Ozarks Technical Community College. |ret||ret||tab|

When Felin leaves OTC July 26, she will have been with the college for more than seven years. She begins at the CVB July 29. |ret||ret||tab|

"A large part of what I've done at OTC is forming collaborations, which I think will be very helpful in my new position," Felin said. |ret||ret||tab|

As for Leigh, she will return to the graphic design and advertising arena as a freelance artist. Prior to joining the CVB, Leigh had her own graphic design company. |ret||ret||tab|

"I kind of have an entrepreneur mindset," Leigh said. "I want to get back to the creative (side)."|ret||ret||tab|

Leigh also plans to get her real estate license. |ret||ret||tab|

Felin has roots in advertising too, which Leigh said is important "because you need to know the creative, the media buying, (and) the production. On top of that, she's got the public relations background, so it's a good mix." |ret||ret||tab|

Felin already understands the importance of hotel and tourism dollars to Springfield's economy. |ret||ret||tab|

"A big part of my goal will be to extend overnight stays," she said. "We have a fairly healthy tourism market in Springfield, since Bass Pro is the No. 1 tourist location in the state of Missouri, but we still need to extend those overnight stays. That creates a great deal of taxes for our city." |ret||ret||tab|

To keep those tax dollars in the city, Felin said, Springfield must discover its niche. |ret||ret||tab|

"I think one of the greatest challenges that we'll face is creating a brand and image for Springfield that is sustainable," she said. "That is a big part of what the job will be. |ret||ret||tab|

OTC recently lost Brian Fogle, vice president of institutional development, to a position at Great Southern. |ret||ret||tab|

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Chamber of Commerce |ret||ret||tab|

Web Freeman, the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce's former communications coordinator, has stepped into the classrooms of New Horizons Computer Learning Center. Freeman began working as an instructor at New Horizons June 19. |ret||ret||tab|

"I've always had an interest in teaching; it's always been a passion of mine," Freeman said. "By coming here I could kind of blend my interest in technology with my passion in teaching." |ret||ret||tab|

At the chamber, Freeman designed and maintained its Web site. |ret||ret||tab|

He hopes to draw on those experiences when teaching Internet- related and Web development and design classes at New Horizons. |ret||ret||tab|

Chris Tuckenness is a new addition to the Chamber. Tuckenness was hired May 20 to fill the shoes of Lisa Nally, who went to St. John's in February. Nally is director of marketing for St. John's Physicians and Clinics Inc.|ret||ret||tab|

As vice president of community development/special events for the Chamber, Tuckenness said he will focus on getting out in the community with events like Good Morning, Springfield and the Business and Technology Expo.|ret||ret||tab|

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