Kromrey to leave Ozark Greenways 

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No Ceiling with Mary Kromrey

After seven years leading Ozark Greenways Inc., Executive Director Mary Kromrey will step down next month.  

“It's been remarkable,” Kromrey said this morning of her work with the nonprofit. “My commitment to Ozark Greenways and to trail advocacy is unwavering, and I can still be committed to Ozark Greenways and to trail advocacy and not work for the organization. I can embark upon a new adventure professionally that will provide for me some professional growth and personal growth that I'm seeking, and I can still be an advocate for Ozark Greenways and for our trails and our outdoors. 

“Ozark Greenways is such a strong and resilient organization. I felt like, gosh, things are good, and I can leave and know that things are good.” 

Ozark Greenways board President Krista Schurtz said in a news release the board has begun a search for Kromrey’s replacement. Beginning June 14, Frisco Highline Trails Manager John Montgomery will become interim executive director. Kromrey said she will work part time with the organization through the transition, likely into September. 

“On behalf of the board of directors, I want to express our sincere gratitude to Mary for her exceptional leadership and tireless commitment to Ozark Greenways,” Schurtz said in the release. “Under her guidance, we saw the construction of the trails at Fellows Lake, kicking off the Chadwick Flyer trail and ungapping the map on so much of the system.” 

Career impacts 
Kromey joined Ozark Greenways in 2016 amid a leadership transition with former longtime leader Terry Whaley. She was promoted to executive director in November 2017. Formed in 1991, the nonprofit has been a pivotal organization in overseeing an over 110-mile trail system. The growth vision for the organization is to see 200 miles of connected, multiuse trails across the region.

Kromrey said developing the Chadwick Flyer Trail in tandem with municipal and community partners, like Jeremy Parsons with the city of Ozark and the Ozarks Transportation Organization, is a career highlight. The $30 million, 17-mile trail project between Springfield and Ozark began in 2019. Over a quarter of the trail has been completed, according to past Springfield Business Journal reporting.

“It’s just been so exciting seeing that regional trail system come to life,” she said. “These trails are supposed to provide these connections to these communities, which is going to be really cool and awesome if you like to bicycle and walk, but then also if those are your only transportation choices, then it helps make our transportation network just that much more robust.  

“We're currently very car-centric, but getting this regional trail system done is also looking at what are the transportation needs going to be 15, 20 years from now.” 

Kromrey also identified working with a group of youth on the Lone Pine Bike Park as a highlight. While the legality of the 16.4-acre green space-turned-bike park, located north of Battlefield Road and Lone Pine Avenue, is making its way through the courts, Kromrey said the intent of the teenage mountain bikers was spot- on. 

“I got to witness and see firsthand their deep love of community, and it's remarkable,” she said. “I hope that project comes to fruition so that more people will see and understand just how remarkable it was. It gave me hope. That's our future.” 

What’s next 
Kromrey said she’s not ready to reveal her next career move, though she plans to stay in Springfield. 

“I just really want to keep the focus on Ozark Greenways and supporting the staff and the board during this exciting time where they look to select their next leader of the organization,” she said. “We're in a really good spot right now for a new leader to come in, whether that's internal or external, from Springfield or not from Springfield, to be able to have time and space to be like, wow, what's next for Ozark Greenways? I think that's really exciting.” 

Schurtz echoed comments on the strength of the organization in the release. 

"We are confident in the strength and resilience of Ozark Greenways, and we are committed to ensuring a smooth transition as we embark on this search for new leadership," she said. 

Ozark Greenways has four employees, including Kromrey, and its roughly $616,000 in annual revenue is overseen by a 14-member board of directors.