Springfield's Best looks for new leader

Freeman resigned July 1 from the organization’s lone paid position after more than two years of service to peruse other opportunities.

Kauffman, board president since June, said the group would hire a part-time executive administrator in lieu of another full-time director.

Freeman spearheaded recruitment, communication and dues collection, among other duties, for the marketing cooperative with offices at 1454 E. Sunshine St.

Both Kauffman and Freeman said the split was voluntary and amiable, but Freeman said he fears divergent ideas and wavering member commitment will hurt Springfield’s Best.

“I think the organization is going through a time when its very existence is in question,” he said.

Kauffman disagreed.

“I would say absolutely not,” she said. “You have nothing but good things come out of participation by many members.”

Freeman and Kauffman both declined detailed comment on the disagreements within the group.

Steve Thompson, chief executive of Protel Communications, has been involved with Springfield’s Best since Jackie Taylor Johnson founded it with 11 members in 1994. He said the group is neither in dire straits nor soaring to new heights.

“It’s about average compared to how it’s been in the past,” he said, adding that there have been four or five directors in that time.

During Freeman’s tenure, the number of member businesses grew from around 50 to its current level of 62 – still half of the organization’s all-time high. Also, Springfield’s Best was able to raise $7,000 for the Convoy of Hope to aid tsunami victims.

“I’m awfully proud of what we did as an organization,” Freeman said.

Kauffman said Freeman was a valuable asset.

“He will be missed,” Kauffman said of Freeman. “We really appreciate his commitment and friendship along the way.”

Kauffman said the board wants to take its time hiring Freeman’s replacement, targeting Nov. 1 as the deadline.

In the meantime, the nine members of the board have taken up Freeman’s duties to prevent any disruptions.

According to Sally Garber, co-owner of A-1 Guarantee Roofing and Remodeling in Bois D’Arc, the board has been successful at that task.

“We have some pretty good board members,” Garber said, “so things should run pretty smoothly.”

Meanwhile, Freeman said he’s exploring several work options, including self-employment.

“I’ve been networking with my friends to see if they’ve got an idea that I haven’t even considered yet,” he said.

Among his considerations are jobs in marketing, publishing and editing.

Regardless of his endeavor, Freeman said it would be local.

“Whatever I do, I’ll stay in Springfield,” he said. “We’ve been here for 18 years, and I can’t think of a better environment than Springfield to build a business.”