Ozarks Profile: Ann Elwell

What is your job?

Ann Elwell is communications manager for the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce. "I oversee a variety of projects, including our monthly newspaper, the Springfield Spirit; our Web page, www.springfieldchamber.com; our annual report; and other promotional pieces," she said. "I do writing for our volunteers and staff, too."

Please tell us about your business.

With more than 2,100 member businesses and professional firms, the local chamber is "dedicated to improving the economic environment of the Springfield area," Elwell said. "Many people think of us as a tourist information center, but in reality our primary mission is to serve as an advocate for business. We work in partnership with the community, promoting existing businesses, stimulating jobs and improving the quality of life in the Springfield area."

What prepared you for work as public relations person?

Elwell has a master's degree in mass communications from Central Missouri State University. She has worked in the public relations departments of both Southwest Missouri State University and Central Missouri State University. "My background includes directing the nonprofit Community Task Force, and freelance writing with my own company, Elwell Creative Ink," she said. She also for seven years was staff assistant with the Springfield-Cape Girardeau Catholic Diocese weekly newspaper.

What's the best part of your job?

"What I really enjoy is the chance to be active in the community, in making the Springfield area a better place to live," she said. "The chamber is involved in many ways and our communications work touches it all. The staff ... is great to work with, especially the communications department very professional, very hardworking, and always ready to share a smile."

Can you tell us something about your personal life and family?

Elwell has been married 26 years to Dana Elwell, senior vice president at Guaranty Federal Savings Bank. The couple's oldest son, Daniel, 21, is a junior at SMSU, and Tim, 17, will be a senior at Nixa High School. "We just said good-bye to another member of our family, an exchange student who was living with us this past year," she added, "Oliver Kraus of Budapest, Hungary." Elwell is serving her third term on the board of education in the Nixa School District, which she said is one of the fastest-growing school districts in the state. "We just opened a new high school, and will open our fourth elementary in August. Our board was named Missouri's Outstanding Board of Education in 2000," she said. She also is active with the League of Women Voters and the Association for Women in Communications.

How do you like to spend your leisure time?

"Activities with my family are the best," Elwell said. "Eating dinner together, snow skiing, taking a walk. For myself, I like to get in a run several mornings a week, and do other kinds of exercise in between. I love to read; I just finished Prodigal Summer' by Barbara Kingsolver. And this summer Tim and I will be traveling to Hungary to see our exchange student and meet his family."