Committees & Task Forces
The Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce is about one thing: Your business. That's why your participation with the Chamber is so crucial - we are focused on your needs. Your input and leadership in the process is needed so we can serve you better, and so the community, ultimately, prospers.
Explore the list of committees and task forces below, or give us a call and let us help you find the opportunity that best fits your needs and interests.
Vice Chairman:
Christina Angle,
Erlen Group
Growth & Development Advisory Council
Purpose: To ensure representative voices from the private sector development community are regularly meeting with top leadership from regulatory entities in order to create an exceptional reputation for developing and building in our community
Staff Contact: Alex Woodson
Springfield Regional Economic Partnership
Purpose: To promote sustainable regional economic development opportunities for our partner members.
Staff contact: Danny Perches
Co-Chairmen: David Cameron, City of Republic (public sector partner); Ron Mersch, Olsson Associates (private sector investor)
Transportation Committee
Purpose: To serve as a catalyst for communication and action to improve the Springfield area transportation system.
Staff Contact: Ryan Mooney
Chairman: King Coltrin, CJW Transportation Consultants
Vice Chairman:
Brent Hubbard,
Mercy Hospital Springfield Communities
P-20 Council of the Ozarks
Purpose: The P-20 Council of the Ozarks is a partnership of educators, employers, community members and policymakers working together to provide consistent leadership thus ensuring seamless progression through education into the workforce and society.
Staff Contact: Alex Greiwe
Chairman: Julie Cummings, BKD, LLP
Vice-Chairman: Gary Goetz, SRC Holdings Corp.
The Network for Springfield's Young Professionals
(additional investment required)
Purpose: To attract, retain and engage young professionals, age 21-39, in the community and the Chamber of Commerce through professional development and networking opportunities.
Staff Contact: Katie Jones
Chairman: Paden Wilcox, Computer Recycling Center, LLC
Vice-Chairman: Ryan Sivill, BKD, LLP
Vice Chairman:
Dan Reiter,
Springfield Cardinals, LLC
Ambassadors
Purpose: To serve as official hosts and goodwill representatives with the goal of developing positive awareness of the Chamber by conducting ribbon cutting and ground breaking ceremonies.
Appointed by Chamber chairman.
Staff Contact: Dori Grinder
Chairmen: Sarah Watson, Southern Bank; and Duston Farrell, Complete Electronics Recycling
Business After Hours Committee
Purpose: To organize and facilitate networking opportunities for Chamber members and prospective members through Business After Hours events.
Staff Contact: Jen Moore
Chairman: Dee Wilson, Meridian Title Company
Red Carpet Committee
Purpose: To personally contact Chamber members, encouraging them to participate in Chamber activities and committee service.
Staff Contact: Jen Moore
Chairman: Tim Prater, BancorpSouth
Small Business Council
Purpose: To provide small business owners and managers with networking and educational opportunities.
Staff Contact: Dori Grinder
Chairmen: Charlotte Horsman, Employee Benefit Design; and Tammy Young, Roberts, McKenzie, Mangan & Cummings, CPAs
Vice Chairman:
John Oke-Thomas,
Oke-Thomas + Associates, Inc.
Governmental Relations Committee
Purpose: To monitor the activities of state and federal government; sharing information with Chamber members. To assist the Board of Directors in establishing public policy positions and to advocate those positions. To provide opportunities for Chamber members to interact with government officials.
Staff Contact: Emily Denniston
Chairman: Teresa Coyan, CoxHealth
Vice Chairman: Ben Shantz, Spencer Fane, LLP
Legislative Policy Committee
(membership by appointment)
Purpose: To assist the Board of Directors in establishing policy positions on state and federal issues.
Staff Contact: Sandy Howard
Chairman: Brian Hammons, Hammons Products Co.
Local Issues Public Policy Task Force
(membership by appointment)
Purpose: To assist the Board of Directors in establishing policy positions on local issues.
Appointed by Chamber Chairman.
Staff Contact: Sandy Howard
Chairman: Doug Nickell, Carnahan, Evans, Cantwell & Brown PC
Voice of Business Committee
(membership by appointment)
Purpose: To communicate a pro-business message and encourage local government officials to take a balanced approach on policy topics.
Staff Contact: Emily Denniston
Chairman: Sally Hargis, Ozarks Coca-Cola/Dr Pepper Bottling Co.
School Board Candidate Endorsement Committee
(membership by appointment)
Purpose: To assist the Board of Directors in coordinating the Chamber’s endorsement process for candidates for the Springfield R-12 Board of Education.
Staff Contact: Sandy Howard
Chairman: Mike Peters, Mercy
International Business Council
Purpose: To promote export opportunities for Springfield area businesses, connect Chamber members with international trade resources and position the Springfield area as a favorable location for foreign direct investment.
Staff Contact: Emily Denniston
Chairman: Brian Weiler, Springfield-Branson National Airport
Community-Wide Coalition for School Board Recruitment
(membership by appointment)
Purpose: To recruit candidates for the Board of Education for Springfield R-12, in partnership with various community organizations.
Staff Contact: Sandy Howard
Chairman: Julie Leeth, Community Foundation of the Ozarks
Past Chairman's Advisory Council
Purpose: To serve as needed in an advisory capacity to the Chamber.
Staff Contact: Matt Morrow
Chairman: John Wanamaker, retired, BKD, LLP