An Ingram's Magazine report names six area leaders on its annual list of 50 Missourians you should know.
Chosen by staff members of the Kansas City business publication,
the list includes Missourians who have a handle on issues facing the state, have achieved personal success and inspire others with their stories.
The six local leaders - comprising five Springfield businessmen and one Branson business owner - are below, in alphabetical order:
Dave Murray, president, R.B. Murray Co.
According to Ingram’s, Murray has been a leader in a 107-year-old company that has ties to construction, retail, grocery, hardware, insurance, banking and commercial real estate ventures.
“There has been a transition from heavy manufacturing toward medical, retail, entertainment, distribution, education, remanufacturing and service industries,” he told the magazine. “The fun part of my business is that I have had the pleasure of working with many of the companies that have driven our growth.”
Greg Burris, city manager, city of Springfield
The former Missouri State University vice president for administrative and information services in 2008 was named Springfield’s 12th city manager.
Noting he brings a unique perspective tying community and university, Burris paraphrased a quote from former MSU President John Keiser, who
died Jan. 19.
“‘There’s never been a great university without a great city, and there’s never been a great city without a great university.’ Having worked on both sides of that equation, I’m more convinced than ever that he’s right,” Burris said.
Jeff Schrag, owner, Mother's Brewing Co.
The downtown brewery owner also runs The Daily Events and has his hands on a number of real estate ventures.
In founding Mother’s Brewing, Schrag told Ingram’s he tapped into the industry at the right time, as craft brewing continues to boom and people increasingly want to know where their food and drink products are born.
“The notion that I could brew as good a beer as anyone, anywhere and brew right here in downtown Springfield, that was the golden moment in my journey,” he said.
John Jungmann, superintendent, Springfield Public Schools
John Jungmann, who recently was granted a second contract extension by the Springfield Public Schools Board of Education, brings a fresh and progressive perspective to the district.
He counts early inspirations for his success.
“I was fortunate to grow up in a caring family where my parents were very supportive and modeled an incredible work ethic for all of us,” he said
John Wanamaker, managing partner, BKD LLP
The local leader of Springfield public accounting firm BKD LLP has maintained a constant role in the Queen City, having graduated from Kickapoo High School and then Missouri State University.
He earned the managing partner role in 2004.
Wanamaker has a business-minded leadership focus, especially when it comes to health care, “specifically with home care, hospice, outpatient rehab agencies and long-term care facilities,” he told Ingram’s.
Phil Loyd, owner, Loyd’s Electric, Branson
In addition to his business, Loyd has been a community activist, serving as a city aldermen and a member of the boards for the zoning and planning commission, Branson Airport and Cox Medical Center Branson.
He’s now a third-generation owner of the company his father founded.
“You have to have a challenge within the business, embrace the business and be willing to move with the times. We’re all resistant to change, but you have to be willing to do it,” Loyd said.
