New leadership takes reins on eco devo group's board

Courtesy USA Mortgage

Sarah Appleby is now serving as board chair for Show Me Christian County.

Provided by Show Me Christian County

Mark Wallace is named vice president of workforce development at SMCC.

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The Show Me Christian County economic development organization's board officers transitioned for the next fiscal year.

Sarah Appleby of USA Mortgage was named board chair for 2021-22, according to a news release. She succeeds Ozark Bank's Scott Harris, who wrapped up his year as the top board officer.

Additional new board officers:
• Vice Chair Brian Steele, mayor of Nixa;
• Secretary Ralph Phillips, presiding commissioner of Christian County; and
• Treasurer Jeff Allen, partner at BKD LLP.

The board has nearly 30 members who advise the organization on its goal of attracting economic development, including new businesses and workers, to Christian County.

The new officers were confirmed at SMCC's June board meeting, according to the release.

SMCC additionally announced the promotion of Mark Wallace to vice president of workforce development, effective July 1. He previously served as project coordinator.

“Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the quickly growing Christian County was among the majority in our nation experiencing a need for expansion in available, relevant workforce. As our region continues to recover from the trials of the past year, this need has become all the more apparent," Wallace said in the release. "A dedicated, full-time focus on workforce development could not be more timely."