Judges select 2007 Most Influential Women

This year’s honorees, in alphabetical order, are: Tracey Barton, Skaggs Community Health Center; Gwen Beebe, Integrity Home Care; Nancy Bolduc, CoxHealth; Joyce Buxton, Buxton-Kubik-Dodd Inc.; Brenda Cirtin, city of Springfield; Kim Hamm, BKD LLP; Sue Head, College of the Ozarks; Lora Hopper, Springfield Public Schools; Sandy Howard, Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce; Stephanie Ireland, Ireland & Associates Inc.; Shirley Lawler, Ozarks Technical Community College; Nancy O’Reilly, O’Reilly Health and Wellness Consultation Services LLC; Kelley Still, Drury University; Cyndy Teas, Camp Barnabas; Jean Twitty, community volunteer; Julie Vanvig Burnell, KTTS; Laura Ward, Webster University; Renette Wardlow, Christian County University of Missouri Extension; Anne Winkler, St. John’s Health System; and Mitzie Zerr, City Utilities.

An independent panel of judges selected these individuals from more than 70 nominees. The panel comprised Marci Bowling of Developmental Center of the Ozarks; Kirk Elmquist of Springfield Cardinals, Sterling Huff Jr. of Metropolitan National Bank, Kay Logsdon of Noble; and Louise Whall of the city of Springfield.

“The (judging) process is a good one, because it doesn’t just rely on one person’s opinion,” Huff said. “Having so many qualified (candidates) makes it a daunting task, but having five different judges with five distinct perceptions lends itself to coming up with a list of 20 very deserving people.”

The influential women will be honored during a Sept. 14 luncheon at University Plaza Convention Center, as well as in a special SBJ booklet, published Sept. 17. Missouri Rep. Sara Lampe returns as keynote speaker of the event. New this year is a silent auction to benefit Women In Need.

For more information, contact Circulation Director Diana Weber at (417) 831-3238 or e-mail dweber@sbj.net.[[In-content Ad]]