Springfield Chamber announces 2025 ATHENA and Virginia Fry awards
The Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce announced the 2025 recipients of the ATHENA and Virginia Fry awards, which recognize exceptional women who have demonstrated excellence in their professions, community service and mentorship of other women in the community.
“Our 2025 recipients, exemplify the qualities we celebrate with the ATHENA and Virginia Fry Rising Star awards,” said Chamber President Matt Morrow. “They are not only accomplished leaders in their fields but also dedicated mentors and community champions. We are excited to see how they will continue to shape our community for years to come.”
2025 ATHENA Award recipient Stephanie O’Connor is the senior vice president – chief technology and people officer at City Utilities. O’Connor is a graduate of Leadership Springfield Signature Class 34, a member of Sunrise Rotary, and a 2001 Springfield Business Journal 40 Under 40 recipient. She was the first woman selected as Association of Information Technology Professionals (AITP) IT Executive of the Year in 2018. In 2021, she was named one of Biz 417’s Women Who Mean Business, Springfield Business Journal’s 20 Most Influential Women and received the Missouri Public Utility Alliance Honor Award. O’Connor is actively involved in the community, serving numerous boards and committees. She is also the founder of the Strong Women Achieving Goals (SWAG) program.
2025 Virginia Fry Rising Star Award recipient Dr. Nacy Tai Ryerson is a leader in education dedicated to transforming traditional models into personalized, strength-based and adaptable systems that cater to the needs of all learners. As the co-founder of EnCompass Academy, a pioneering teaching school in Springfield, she champions student-centered, research-driven educational practices. Dr. Ryerson’s influence extends beyond EnCompass, as she serves on the board of Champions Committed to Kids, guest lectures at universities and was recognized as one of Springfield Business Journal’s 20 Most Influential Women in 2024. Her commitment to innovation and accessible education is shaping the future of learning in the Springfield community.
Piney River Brewing Company celebrating 14 years
Piney River Brewing Company is celebrating 14 years of brewing craft beer in the Ozarks with a party at the brewery farm from 2-10 p.m. Saturday, March 22. The “14th Aleiversary” party will be held at the BARn — the brewery and tap room located off Junction ZZ in Bucyrus — will feature beer releases, live music, and food.
Two Springfield bands, The Stevie Newman Band and The Hurricanes, will perform and Springfield’s Tinga Tacos will be on site with its taco trailer. The BARn taproom at Piney River will feature year-round and some limited release beers, along with non-alcoholic Andy’s Root Beer and gluten-free hard seltzer and cider.
All ages are welcome and everyone will be asked to show identification prior to entry. Leashed pets are also welcome. For more information, go online to www.pineyriverbrewing.com.
Chamber adopts new strategic plan
The Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce announced the launch of it’s new long-range strategic plan, called The Chamber PATH, at its Jan. 31 annual meeting. Developed with input from more than 400 stakeholders, partners and investors throughout the region, The Chamber PATH aims to cultivate trust-based partnerships that can help to lead and power economic growth over the next five years.
The Chamber PATH focuses on four key priorities:
- Lead regional economic development
- Grow the workforce-ready population
- Strengthen and support business
- Operate with excellence
For more information about The Chamber Path or to read the full long-range plan provided by Economic Leadership, Inc., go online to www.springfieldchamber.com/the-path-strategic-plan-2025-action-plan/.
Women in Construction Week starts March 2
The National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) will celebrate Women in Construction (WIC) Week with a variety of events March 2-8.
NAWIC Southwest Missouri #366, the local chapter, invites all local women who work in any position in the construction industry to attend the events scheduled throughout the week. The WIC Week schedule includes:
- Monday: Proclamation ceremony with the City of Springfield at 1 p.m. at the Busch Municipal Building;
- Tuesday: Family game night from 5-7 p.m. at the Library Station’s Frisco Community Room);
- Wednesday: Volunteer opportunity from 7:45-11:30 a.m. at Least of These – Ozark;
- Thursday: Private jobsite tour at Springfield Public Schools Reed Academy followed by Hard Hat Happy Hour at 417 Taphouse;
- Friday: Women in Construction Lunch & PPE Showcase at noon at Prima’s on South Glenstone Avenue;
- All week: Blood drive at Community Blood Center of the Ozarks.
Personal protective equipment will be required for the jobsite tour. Event details and links for online registrations are available on the NAWIC website at www.nawicsouthwestmo.org/events or its Facebook page @nawicsouthwestmissouri.
James River Church donates to cold weather shelters
On Monday, Feb. 17, James River Church staff and volunteers purchased and donated hundreds of blankets, food items, and essential supplies for a new cold weather shelter in north Springfield.
Springfield’s Crisis Cold-Weather Shelter program, managed by Community Partnership of the Ozarks, provides life-saving shelter and resources for individuals experiencing homelessness during extreme winter temperatures. In response to the urgent need during the recent cold snap, James River Church donated hundreds of life-saving and essential items to aid in the shelter opening. The church’s outreach extended to other area shelters, including Eden Village in north Springfield.
The outreach was a part of James River Church’s “Saturday Serve,” a monthly partnership between the local community and James River Church. For more information, call the church at 417-581-5433 or visit jamesriver.church/serve.
Greene County Extension swears in new council members
New members were sworn in at the Greene County Extension Council’s February meeting.
Members of the council work throughout the year with University of Missouri Extension staff to plan and recommend educational programs. The new members beginning their terms of office in Greene County are Lisa Bakerink, Cara Harris, Bill Nguyen, and Shelia Taylor.
Continuing to serve multi-year terms are Mary Chalender, Sandi Haustein, Elaine Montgomery, Judy Stainback, Merri Sutherland and Eric Sutton. Appointed members include Morgan Ash, Habitat for Humanity; John Russell, Greene County; Joseph Hoffman, City of Springfield; and Tammy Lowery, Farm Bureau.
For more information about the Greene County Extension Council or Greene County Extension program offerings, please contact the University of Missouri Extension office in Springfield at 417-881-8909 or follow “University of Missouri Extension Greene County” on Facebook.
Branson Bank promotes Joseph Cherek
Branson Bank announced the promotion of Joseph Cherek Jr. to portfolio officer & government loan specialist. Cherek will manage the day-to-day operations of the Credit Department ensuring efficient loan underwriting, portfolio management, and serving as the point person for guaranteed loan processing. He is responsible for performing loan reviews, underwriting, maintaining regulatory compliance, and managing credit risk.
Cherek received a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Nebraska-Omaha with concentrations in business finance, banking and financial systems, and investment portfolio management. Since graduation, he has accumulated over 11 years in various banking roles including teller, lead teller, and universal banker before joining the credit team at Branson Bank in 2019 as portfolio risk manager.
Cherek recently attended the Lakes Area Leadership Academy, a program the Branson Chamber of Commerce and CVB facilitates to teach area leaders about Branson and the surrounding community.
Branson adds veterans initiatives manager
The Branson Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce & CVB with the City of Branson, have hired Kody Petersen as the veterans initiatives manager, effective Feb. 17.
Petersen is a U.S. Air Force veteran with more than nine years of experience in project, program, and facilities management, as well as fundraising. Petersen holds a bachelor of science in business administration, specializing in project management from Park University.
Petersen’s new position is funded through tourism tax dollars with a goal of creating collaboration between veteran-focused groups in and around the community with the city and the Chamber & CVB. Kody will also assist with various veteran- and military-related events in the area. Anyone interested in working in partnership with Branson as a destination to attract, promote, and appreciate active-duty military and veterans are encouraged to contact Petersen at kpetersen@bransoncvb.com or call 417-243-2126.
BPJ Insurance announces new employee benefits manager
BPJ Insurance, an employee-owned independent insurance agency headquartered in Springfield, announced the promotion of Sarah Wehner to employee benefits manager.
With nearly 14 years of experience at BPJ, Wehner previously served as a customer service associate responsible for daily client account servicing, market analysis for new and renewal business, data management, and resolving complex benefit, claim, and eligibility issues. She holds a Missouri Life & Health Insurance License and will continue to focus on delivering exceptional service while enhancing BPJ’s benefits offerings.