Doug Pitt honored as 2026 Springfieldian

Businessman Doug Pitt has been awarded the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce’s highest annual honor.

Pitt on Jan. 30 was recognized as the 2026 Springfieldian during the chamber’s annual meeting. The Springfieldian Award is given annually to an individual with strong community service, excellence in their field and dedication to improving quality of life for Springfield residents.

Pitt co-owns managed service provider Pitt Technology Group LLC and leads real estate investment firm Pitt Development Group LLC, and he also founded nonprofit Care to Learn. His philanthropic work includes support of WorldServe International.

In an interview with Springfield Business Journal after the chamber event, Pitt said his career successes haven’t happened in a vacuum.

“I like the ability to just share, because there’s been a lot of people along the ride with me,” he said.

Pitt said receiving an award like the Springfieldian honor is a time for reflection and growth.

“Usually, it’s somebody who’s been in the game for a long time and stayed in the game for a while,” he said. “We’re a lot better off than we were, and I’m excited about what’s next.”

For Pitt, his career will continue to move forward.

“I don’t slow down. I don’t plan to,” he said.

In a Springfield chamber news release, colleagues Kevin Waterland and Krystal Simon spoke about Pitt’s influence.

“He is a guy that leverages all of his business connections, and all that success specifically to do good things,” said Waterland, co-owner of Pitt Technology Group, in the release.

Simon, CEO of Care to Learn, added that Pitt has made a “profound impact” in his career.

“At the end of the day, legacy is an opportunity to make an incredible impact, and it doesn’t have to be when you’re older. I think you can do it at a young age,” Simon said in the release.

The annual Springfieldian recipient is chosen by a selection committee at the chamber after nominations are submitted. Last year’s honoree was Kevin Ausburn of SMC Packaging Group., and past recipients include Richard Ollis, Louis Griesemer, Sam Hamra, William H. Darr and Brian Fogle.

In 2025, Pitt was recognized with Springfield Business Journal’s annual Lifetime Achievement in Business honor.