SBJ picks 12 People for 2013 series

Springfield Business Journal has selected the 2013 class of 12 People You Need to Know, marking the sixth year for the monthly breakfast interview series.

SBJ’s editors handpick the 12 individuals, paying special attention to up-and-coming professionals in the community, businesspeople who have relocated to the area, behind-the-scenes workers who make a big impact and well-known names that readers and event attendees would like to get to know better. SBJ Editor Eric Olson each month interviews the featured guests in front of a live audience, and the 2013 group brings the number of individuals to 72.

The class of 2013, in alphabetical order:

• Jim Baker, vice president for research and economic development and international programs at Missouri State University;
• Nadia Cavner of the Nadia Cavner Group at BancorpSouth;
• Michael Chatman, senior vice president of philanthropy for Community Foundation of the Ozarks;
• Andy Kuntz, president of Andy’s Frozen Custard;
• David Leong of Leong’s Asian Diner and the father of Springfield-style cashew chicken, which celebrates its 50th year in 2013;
• Kay Logsdon, editor of The Food Channel, a Noble company;
• William Mahoney, president and CEO of Skaggs Regional Medical Center, which is slated to become Cox Medical Center Branson on Jan. 1;
• David Manuel, incoming president of Drury University;
• Scott Miller, general manager of City Utilities;
• Dottie Mullikin, executive director of Isabel’s House;
• Nick Nelson, director of the Springfield Art Museum; and
• Pam Pure, CEO of Ozark-based home care software developer HealthMedX.

Arvest Bank, event sponsor since its 2008 launch, has signed on for 2013, and the breakfast interview events will be held at Hilton Garden Inn for the third year.

The 2012 series wraps up Dec. 18 with Phill Burgess, vice president of sales and revenue management for John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts.

More information is posted to SBJ.net/12people.[[In-content Ad]]