GOBSA: Funny name, but good organization

Stephen Burrell, operations manager for Carter-Waters Corporation's Springfield facility, is Greater Ozarks Building Systems Association president.

GOBSA?

I remember the first time I heard that name. I had just begun my employment with JM Specialty Sales when Jerry Miller told me that I would be attending my first GOBSA meeting that week. I said, "Excuse me? GOBSA?"

"It's a lot easier to say GOBSA than Greater Ozarks Building Systems Association," he explained.

Little did I know what wonderfully talented people were involved in this organization.

It has been my privilege to serve on the GOBSA board for almost six years now two terms as a board member, one year as president-elect and this year as president. I have one more year to serve as past president.

The president-elect, president and past president allows us to have three people in key positions should any questions arise from the past couple of years and provides the benefit of having backup should anyone be unavailable to attend board meetings.

GOBSA has a monthly business meeting the second Tuesday of every month with the exception of June, July and August. We have board meetings the Thursday before the last Tuesday.

Our monthly business meetings consist of a member (and prospective new member) mixer, dinner and usually a speaker of note. Our meetings are always held at the Sheraton Inn Hawthorn Park in one of the ballrooms in the rear of the facility.

GOBSA has been a leading organization in the Springfield and Ozarks community for some 21 years now. We celebrated our 20th anniversary this past year under the leadership of Jack Miller, owner of Jack Miller Construction. He has been a member for more years than anyone can remember. He is most noted for his production and construction of the GOBSA booth at the Sertoma Chili Cookoff.

Great chili is not the only thing that GOBSA people do with style.

We have several opportunities for members and nonmembers to gather and have some fun. We host an annual lake outing in June which consists of a fishing contest, a daytime float on one of the lake yachts on Table Rock Lake, a steak dinner and a midnight cruise.

We have two golf outings each year and they are always loads of fun.

Our spring golf tournament was held at Island Green Golf Club in Republic, and the fall outing was held at Marshfield Country Club. Both were a smashing success with many cash prizes. All profits from the golf outings go directly into our scholarship fund.

Mark Gambon of Nixon & Lindstrom Insurance was also responsible for the success of our annual spring mixer, now known as the "Spring Fling."

Our scholarship committee chairman for this year has been Kent Eimers of Kel-Welco, A White Cap Company. He selected several applicants from many applications, brought them to the board meeting and presented them for discussion.

We chose the students that we felt would best serve the construction industry as a whole and also those that were in need financially. This year we have designated two $500 scholarships to Southwest Missouri State University students, Michael David Bildner and Douglas Jansen Azdell.

Two $500 scholarships have been set aside for two OTC students, yet to be selected.

Our board of directors consists of many dedicated individuals. Gambon is our president-elect and Miller is our past president. Terri Brazeal, with Radio Communications Specialists, is treasurer and Mitzi Drake, Finishing Touch, is secretary. Board members are: Eimers; Dwight Leigh, Leigh Environmental; Sherry Miller, Jack Miller Construction; JB Snethern, Springfield Plumbing; Steve Sutherland, KS Wood Products; and Gary Yost, Barker-Phillips-Jackson.

These people have been of great service to GOBSA and the community. They stand for what is good and professional in the construction business today in Springfield.

The GOBSA mission statement is:

to organize and promote general interest of the building industry in Springfield;

to develop knowledge and coordination between all parties to promote better relationships with building owners, public bodies, architects, engineers, code officials and material manufacturers;

to promote a high professional standard of conduct;

to promote proper safety standards and protection in the construction industry; and

to educate and encourage efficiency and sound business methods for industry.