Former Bears football coach joins Nixa chamber

Former Missouri State University head football coach Terry Allen was named membership development coordinator for the Nixa Area Chamber of Commerce.

Effective March 28, Allen’s primary responsibilities include new member recruitment and retention, as well as management of such special events as Leadercast, the joint Nixa and Ozark chambers golf tournament and NixaQue, according to a news release.

“The timing could not be any better with Tammy [Mast] just recently being named the executive director,” Allen said in the release. “I look forward to working for her and with her in building the best chamber we can.”

Mast said Allen’s position is new, but it is similar to one previously held by Kathleen Thompson, who was the marketing and development coordinator for the chamber.

“It had previously been more of an administrative position,” said Mast, who was named executive director of the Nixa chamber in February.

Mast succeeded Marc Truby, who left suddenly in December.

Allen’s new position, according to Mast, is more focused on community outreach.
 
Allen served as the Bears’ head football coach for nine seasons before his contract was not renewed following MSU’s 2014 season. Before coming to Missouri State, Allen coached at University of Northern Iowa, the University of Kansas and Iowa State University, according to the release. He and his wife, Lynn, also are co-owners of Springfield restaurant Ebbets Field, 1027 E. Walnut St. 

“This is a wonderful opportunity for our family to stay in the community that we have grown to love. When we moved to southwest Missouri 10 years ago, it was the school system that brought us to Nixa, and I will forever be grateful for that,” Allen said in the release.