New GM starts at Tower Club

Recently hired John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts employee Shelby Williams has been tapped to manage The Tower Club, a business and social club located atop Hammons Tower in center city.

Effective today, Williams becomes general manager of the JQH Enterprises-owned club, which also serves as an event venue. He succeeds Jeff Anderson, who left the position about three weeks ago after serving as general manager of The Tower Club since 1990, according to Phill Burgess, vice president of sales and revenue management for JQH Hotels & Resorts.

Anderson and his wife, Andy, on Nov. 1 opened CPR Services of the Ozarks, which offers American Heart Association classes in first aid, CPR and automatic external defibrillator training.

Williams, who was hired in March as a sales and catering manager for University Plaza Hotel and Convention Center, came to University Plaza from 425 Downtown Events and Catering, where he was named operations manager in late 2011. Williams also formerly held the role of director of sales and marketing for Ramada Oasis Hotel and Convention Center, and he was named among Springfield Business Journal's 2005 class of 40 Under 40 honorees.

Williams said he's looking forward to cultivating and strengthening relationships with The Tower Club's roughly 900 members. He noted a large percentage are Highland Springs Country Club members, who also receive Tower Club memberships.

"The Tower Club has been in the community for a long time. It's been a part of Springfield, so it's an honor to be given the opportunity to be involved in something as iconic as the Tower Club," Williams said. "I'm also excited to bring some new ideas and a fresh set of eyes. I'm excited about bringing some rejuvenation."

He said an early-bird special began Dec. 6 and The Tower Club recently started hosting a Friday-night New Orleans-themed dinner and jazz performance with local singer Kristi Merideth.

Williams said he's considering instituting a happy hour and plans to look into other promotional opportunities as he settles into the job.