OTC to present annual business award to chamber's Anderson

Ozarks Technical Community College will present its annual Excellence in Business Award to retiring Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Jim Anderson.

Anderson will accept the award during an April 25 ceremony at Bass Pro Shops' White River Conference Center. Excellence in Business honorees are chosen based on their business leadership, entrepreneurial success, innovative business growth, challenges overcome, educational development support, customer-driven quality and community achievements, according to a news release.

In past years, Anderson has interviewed award winners live during the ceremony.

"This year, we’ll turn the tables and find out more about Jim’s motivation and inspiration," OTC Chancellor Hal Higdon said in the release. OTC Vice Chancellor Cliff Davis is scheduled to lead the interview.

In 2013, OTC honored entrepreneur and restaurateur Paul Sundy, and has in past years presented the award to businesspeople including John Q. Hammons, members of the O'Reilly family, Jack Stack, Sam Hamra and Jack and Peter Herschend.

“Jim is most deserving of this award because his passion is growing the economy of southwest Missouri," Higdon said in the release.

Anderson plans to retire from the chamber this summer after 26 years at the helm. The chamber recently hired Cleveland, Ohio-based executive search firm Waverly Partners LLC and commissioned a search committee to find Anderson's successor, according to Springfield Business Journal archives.

Prior to being hired to the Springfield chamber in 1988, Anderson led the Jefferson City Chamber for nine years. He began his career as a teacher and administrator at Jefferson City Public Schools, according to the release.