Leadership Springfield announces next two classes

Last edited 2:53 p.m., June 5, 2019

Leadership Springfield this morning announced the 68 people selected to participate in its next two signature classes. (See the full list below.)

The business and community leaders are scheduled to start the nine-month program this fall. The community-based leadership development program includes two retreats and daylong, monthly sessions on such topics as Springfield’s needs, problems, resources and opportunities, according to a news release.

Leadership Springfield spokeswoman Ashley Clair said the two classes will start Aug. 28 and graduate June 9, 2020.

At Leadership Springfield, three changes have defined the organization in the past few years. Leadership Springfield in 2016 announced it was doubling in size to include a second signature class; in March 2018, it became an independent organization after 34 years as an affiliate program of the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce; and in July 2018, its first executive director, Carrie Richardson, came on board, according to Springfield Business Journal archives.

The organization also announced this morning its 30th academy class with 32 students from area schools.

Signature Class 37 members, in alphabetical order, are:
• Amy Amason, Drury University;
• Amy Bacon, Ozarks Technical Community College;
• Brian Baremore, TransLand Inc.;
• Cindy Beecher, GEEO Teacher Travel Programs;
• Julie Bilyeu, BKD LLP;
• Meredith Bosso, KPM CPAs & Advisors;
• Ken Brown, Missouri State University;
• Teri Cantwell, Central Bank of the Ozarks;
• Jackie Douglas, Discovery Center of Springfield;
• Tyler Drenon, Self Interactive/Tacit;
• Stephen Evans, Evans Wealth Planning;
• Laura Farmer, CASA of Southwest Missouri;
• David Fields, BKD LLP;
• Betsy Fogle, Jordan Valley Community Health Center;
• Courtney Hayes, AG Financial Solutions;
• Justin Hickey, BancorpSouth;
• Christopher Hoeman, city of Springfield;
• Nicole Holt, Springfield Public Schools;
• Donna Johnson, SMC Packaging Group;
• Ben Jones, City Utilities of Springfield;
• Jan Kraft, Abilities First;
• Nick Lofaro, Guaranty Bank;
• Chase Marable, Connell Insurance Inc.;
• Johnny McNeil, Community Partnership of the Ozarks;
• Marie Moore, Mercy Hospital Springfield;
• David Olive, Carnahan, Evans, Cantwell & Brown PC;
• Ryan Russell, city of Springfield;
• Crystal Sharp, Commerce Bank;
• Emily Shook, Greene County Prosecutor’s Office;
• Sarah Smith, CoxHealth;
• Matthew Suarez, Central Trust Co.;
• Allyson Tuckness, Breast Cancer Foundation of the Ozarks;
• Jhasmine Watson, Care To Learn; and
• Sarah Watson, Southern Bank.

Signature Class 38 members, in alphabetical order, are:
• Rebecca Anderson, TransLand Inc.;
• Jasmine Bailey, city of Springfield;
• Randy Berger, CoxHealth;
• Scott Blevins, Factobot;
• Karen Braun, Mercy Hospital Springfield;
• Melissa Briggs, DermaHealth Laser and Skincare Clinic;
• Christina Craig, BancorpSouth;
• Doug Cramer, National Weather Service;
• Chuck Dow, Northwestern Mutual;
• Nate Dunville, Neale and Newman LLP;
• Andy Ebbrecht, PJC Insurance Agency;
• Duston Farrell, Complete Electronics Recycling;
• Joe Gaunt, Ollis/Akers/Arney;
• Holly Gray, Heim Young & Associates;
• Scott Haney, Wood & Huston Bank;
• Ryan Hatch, Duckett Ladd LLP;
• Sandra Haynes, O’Reilly Auto Parts;
• Mackenzie Hernandez, Missouri Safe and Sober;
• Kensie Jarosinski, Springfield Dream Center;
• Sarah Justice, Great Southern Bank;
• Natosha Lancaster, Isabel’s House;
• John McNabb, Sapp Design Architects;
• Tina Pham, Foundation for Springfield Public Schools;
• Tonya Price, Springfield Police Department;
• Bret Range, Springfield Public Schools;
• Allison Robertson, Junior League of Springfield;
• Gretchen Russell, KPM CPAs & Advisors;
• Gregg Scholtens, Nabholz Construction;
• Krista Shurtz, City Utilities of Springfield;
• Ashley Silva, Community Foundation of the Ozarks;
• Rhonda Sorensen, Arvest Bank;
• Lindsey Taggart, Missouri State University;
• Amy Unser, Central Bank of the Ozarks; and
• Regina Waters, Drury University.