Biz 417

08/28/2024

Meet the team at Springfield’s Canine Rehabilitation Institute. They’re transforming pet care with cutting-edge facilities and a passion for helping dogs heal. They welcome around 1,400 students each year for immersive four- to five-day courses. Discover how they’re making a big difference in our community.

Traditional physical rehabilitation techniques meet cutting-edge technology—and a serious passion for animals—in this highly specialized Springfield, Missouri business.

08/23/2024

Discover wellness and rejuvenation with Vanessa Howe’s BelowZero Cryospa! ❄️ Howe shares the inspiration behind BelowZero Cryospa and the journey she took to bring it to life. 💆‍♀️✨

Vanessa Howe has gone from a life-changing diagnosis to a life-improving business.

08/22/2024

Biz 417 is proud to welcome the Fall 2024 cohort of Remark/Able! Over the next six weeks, these 12 women will select and refine their core message, develop it into a compelling signature talk and learn to deliver it with grace and confidence, preparing them to speak at both local and regional events. We can't wait to see all they'll accomplish!

08/21/2024

Meet Tyler Moles, the visionary leader of the Discovery Center of Springfield! With a passion for STEM education and a forward-thinking approach, Tyler is dedicated to educating the next generation. Learn more about his innovative work and the impact he's making in our community.

Tyler Moles joined the Discovery Center of Springfield, Missouri in April 2021 as Chief Operations Officer and moved into the role of CEO in March 2024. Learn about Moles’ goals, what inspires him and what excites him about the future.

08/20/2024

Knowing when and how to take your business to the next level can be tricky, which is why efactory, Missouri State University's Center for Business & Economic Development, has put together two new programs focused on accelerating business creation, innovation and growth for small business owners, aspiring entrepreneurs and CEOs. To learn about the programs and find out which is right for you, check out our article below!

efactory is offering two programs to small business owners, aspiring entrepreneurs and CEOs to help them grow their businesses and expand their networks.

08/15/2024

Congratulations to the top 10 Large Business Finalists for Biz 417’s 2024 Best Places to Work celebration! These are companies that have achieved successful business performance, employee engagement and customer retention—based on an anonymous survey completed by employees.

To learn more about and get tickets to the celebration, visit 417mag.ticketspice.com/biz-417s-best-places-to-work-celebration 🎉

08/08/2024

Congratulations to the top 10 Small Business Finalists for Biz 417’s 2024 Best Places to Work celebration! These are companies that have achieved successful business performance, employee engagement and customer retention—based on an anonymous survey completed by employees.

Stay tuned next week for the top 10 Large Business Finalists! And to learn more about and get tickets to the celebration, visit 417mag.ticketspice.com/biz-417s-best-places-to-work-celebration

08/07/2024

Rachel Fortenberry thought she had her professional life figured out, but when an unexpected family diagnosis occurred, she tossed out her plan and moved back home. Now, Fortenberry is the Founding Attorney at Fortified Elder Law, specializing in end-of-life care. Rachel marries her legal expertise with compassion and empathy, taking a holistic approach to serving her clients. Her grace, poise and exemplary work ethic landed her a spot in our 2024 class.

Rachel Fortenberry is Founding Attorney at Fortified Elder Law and one of Biz 417's 10 for the Next 10 for 2024.

08/05/2024

As Chief Operations Officer and Managing Partner of a global IT services provider, Michael Smith is focused on building a tech company that combines good, hard work with smarter, custom solutions. Investing in 417-land isn’t just a core value for Next Level Solutions, but a call to action. Smith’s passion for our community, its people and its future earned him a spot in the 2024 class of . Read his full story below!

Michael Smith is Chief Operations Officer and Managing Partner at Next Level Solutions and one of Biz 417's 10 for the Next 10 for 2024.

08/03/2024

Michael Kromrey’s mission is simple: keep our water clean. But with new challenges around every bend, it’s a daunting task. As Executive Director at Watershed Committee of the Ozarks, Kromrey sees opportunity in the challenges, pioneering more stream restoration, more innovative programs and more education. With his forward-thinking mindset and initiative, we’re honored to have him as a part of the 2024 class of .

Michael R. Kromrey is Executive Director at Watershed Committee of the Ozarks and one of Biz 417's 10 for the Next 10 for 2024.

08/02/2024

Biz 417’s 2024 Best Places to Work Celebration presented by Warrior’s Journey is right around the corner! If you’re new here, celebrates the top 20 small and large businesses in the Ozarks that maintain exemplary company culture and are trailblazers in our community.

The best part? The winners are based entirely on a data-driven, anonymous survey from employees. Their feedback demonstrates the importance of employee-ownership and emphasizes the impact effective corporate leadership has on achieving successful business performance, employee engagement and customer retention.

Interested in fist-bumping the best of the best in 417-land business? Get your tickets today at 417mag.ticketspice.com/biz-417s-best-places-to-work-celebration 🎉

07/31/2024

Jeremy Wells’ passion for design and love for the Ozarks came from his childhood and inspired him to design brands with connection and meaning at their core. As a partner at Longitude° Branding and Design and Flyover Developments, Wells aims to elevate the travel experience in 417-land. This dream is helping foster job creation, eco-friendly ventures and more, making him an integral addition to the 2024 class of .

Jeremy Wells is a partner at Longitude° Branding and Design and Flyover Developments, and one of Biz 417's 2024 10 for the Next 10.

07/29/2024

Gerard Barbero began his soccer career at the ripe age of 3, and he’s been committed to the game ever since. After playing at Missouri State, Barbero started coaching at Springfield Soccer Club, now Sporting Springfield. As Boys Director of Coaching, he’s focused on helping these young athletes become their best on and off the field by leading with a growth mindset, landing him a spot in our 2024 class.

Gerard Barbero is Boys Director of Coaching at Sporting Springfield and one of Biz 417's 10 for the Next 10 for 2024.

07/25/2024

As Assistant Director of Aviation at Springfield-Branson National Airport, Dave Schaumburg is at the forefront of the airport’s expansion efforts. With a vision of a terminal expansion that would include six more gates along with an improved experience, amenities and airport additions (think an outdoor patio and bar), Schaumburg has his sights on curating an airport that draws in travelers from all over the US. With his can-do attitude and determination, Dave landed a spot on our 2024 Class of .

Dave Schaumburg is the Assistant Director of Aviation at Springfield-Branson National Airport and one of Biz 417's 2024 10 for the Next 10.

07/24/2024

In our latest issue, we enjoy a drink with Regent Bank's Conrad Griggs and discuss his career path, advice for young professionals and lessons-learned. Our favorite line? "Don't let other people dictate who you should be." We'll cheers to that! 🥃

Conrad Griggs, business development officer at Regent Bank, sat down to regale us with stories and advice from a long career in Springfield, Missouri.

07/22/2024

Coming from a fourth-generation farm family, Blair Gann is deeply rooted in the Ozarks. Her passion for the community is evident through her various leadership roles and in her creation of the Webster County Market Animal Show and Sales, a nonprofit that cultivates skills and scholarships for local students. Blair’s focus on blending tradition with innovation stems from her love for our community and is one of the reasons she’s a part of the 2024 class of .

Blair Gann is Assistant Vice President, Commercial Lending, at Central Bank of the Ozarks and one of Biz 417's 10 for the Next 10 for 2024.

07/19/2024

On July 18, 612 of the Ozarks’ most influential and energetic women came together for another inspiring day at Biz 417's Ladies Who Launch, presented by Forvis Mazars US.

The seventh annual women’s leadership conference, our biggest one yet, kicked off with the first ever Rise & Shine Official Pre-Conference Workshop, presented by Burrell Behavioral Health and led by People Centric Consulting Group Engagement Specialist Stephanie Anderson. Participants in the workshop learned how to cultivate their influence in and out of the workplace. One attendee said, "This was the best pre-workshop I’ve ever attended. I loved the interactivity."

Throughout the day, attendees were encouraged to embrace their journeys as they celebrated authenticity and rooted for one another. Speakers shared leadership lessons, bold action plans for taking the next step in your career and stories about leading with empathy.

Featured speakers included Biz 417 Publisher Logan Whitaker Aguirre, keynote speaker Humanitarian and Filmmaker Mallory Brown, Director & Founder of The Rebound Foundation Christina Ford, the 2024 Biz 417 Women Who Mean Business honorees and Owner of SpeakHer Lori Robertson.

Together, we discovered that work-life balance might be a myth, but peace comes from prioritizing what truly matters and letting go of what doesn't—whether for a season or permanently (like having a spotless house!).Thank you to our sponsors for making this powerful event possible: Forvis Mazars US, Husch Blackwell, Mercy Hospital Springfield, Reliable Lexus Springfield MO, Maxon Fine Jewelry, Rosie, Cereset and Alps Pharmacy & Gifts.

07/17/2024

After seeing An Inconvenient Truth in college, Ashely Krug knew what she wanted to do with her career. As Marketing Development Coordinator for Environmental Services at City of Springfield, Krug is an educator and an advocate, helping 417-landers rethink their approach to food waste. Krug is a forward-thinking environmental champion, demonstrated by her determination to secure USDA funding for Dish to Dirt, a citywide food waste initiative, and we’re proud to have her as a part of the 2024 class of .

Ashley Krug is Market Development Coordinator for Environmental Services at City of Springfield and one of Biz 417's 10 for the Next 10 for 2024.

07/15/2024

As CEO of Perimeter Behavioral Hospital of Springfield, Alyssa Ingle is on a mission to provide top-tier training for her staff and be an advocate for more mental health resources in our community. Beginning her Perimeter journey as a therapist, Ingle’s first-hand experience with children ignited a passion for creating new solutions to help children recover from mental illness, landing her a spot on our 2024 list.

Alyssa Ingle is Chief Executive Officer at Perimeter Behavioral Hospital of Springfield and one of Biz 417's 10 for for the Next 10 for 2024.

07/11/2024

Adam Toth, President at Toth & Associates (TOTH), has a dream of turning Springfield into an engineering hub. As a Springfield native, he created TOTH to help ensure Springfieldians have safe, reliable infrastructure in our community for generations to come. Toth’s innovative mindset has led to the company being seen as a national expert in the electric utility space—and that’s just one of the reasons why he’s on our 2024 list.

Adam Toth is President at Toth & Associates and one of Biz 417's 10 for the Next 10 for 2024.

07/09/2024

Take the leap and apply for Biz 417’s Remarkable Fall Class of 2024! Do it for yourself and seize the moment to grow, learn and shine. With expert coaching and a supportive community, you’ll master the art of impactful storytelling. Applications close this Friday, July 12. Empower yourself and inspire others—apply today at the biz417.com/remarkable!

07/05/2024

In our Biz 417 July/August issue, we’re proud to announce Biz 417’s 2024 10 For The Next 10—the 10 people in 417-land who are setting the scene for the next 10 years. These trailblazers are cultivating innovative ideas, chasing big dreams and building spaces that will change our community for generations to come.

Please help us congratulate Biz 417’s 2024 10 For The Next 10:

Adam Toth, Toth & Associates
Alyssa Ingle, Perimeter Behavioral Hospital of Springfield
Ashley Krug, Environmental Services at City of Springfield
Blair Gann, Central Bank of the Ozarks
Dave Schaumburg, Springfield-Branson National Airport
Gerard Barbero, Sporting Springfield
Jeremy Wells, Longitude° Branding and Design and Flyover Developments
Michael R. Kromrey, Watershed Committee of the Ozarks
Michael Smith, Next Level Solutions
Rachel Fortenberry, Fortified Elder Law

To learn more about each of them and the impact they’re having in 417-land, read our Biz 417 July issue now at biz417.com/awards/10-for-the-next-10/2024-winners

Also in the Biz 417 July/August issue:
🥃Advice & Whiskey with Conrad Griggs
🏢A look at efactory's new space in Brick City
🐾The inside scoop on the Canine Rehabilitation Institute

Meet the 2023 class of 10 for the Next 10. These are ten people in the southwest Missouri business community who are leading us into the next decade.

06/27/2024

Press Play! We made a playlist featuring songs that empower our LWL speakers from this year and years past. Whether you feel your best before a meeting while listening to Taylor Swift or Shania Twain, we’ve got a song for you on here. 🎵🤩 open.spotify.com/playlist/4wGScVsJTVkAib8tr4bx6F?si=b209fccd7d1e42ee

06/24/2024

We are proud to introduce the inaugural cohort of Biz 417’s The Legacy Network, presented by Guaranty Bank and hosted at Drury University! Beginning in September, these 22 individuals embark on a journey of personal and professional development, refining their leadership skills, network and influence. With curated programming, developed and led by Biz 417, members learn from the best minds and subject matter experts in our region, have unparalleled access to mentors and connect with a peer network to ultimately curate a lasting legacy.

Please help us welcome the 2024 Cohort:

Abbye Bobbett, Kinetic Design + Development
Adam Reichert, Commerce Bank
Blaine Wallace, Mercy Hospital Springfield
Brandon Wall, Nabholz Construction
Brock Shamel, CoxHealth
Brooke Johnston, Five Below
Ciera Baker, Environmental Works, Inc
Greg Johnsnon, Next Level Solutions
Jacob Basecke, Hammons Products Company
Jana Greig, Burrell Behavioral Health | Brightli
Janelle Grove-Moffett, SummitMedia
Jenna Sweeney, TelComm Credit Union
Jessica Olson, Maxon Fine Jewelry
Joe Gaunt, Ollis/Akers/Arney
Joel Thomas, Buf Studio
Laine Scholz, Garbo’s Pizzeria
Mandy Anthes, Central Bank of the Ozarks
Nate Thiry, Forvis Mazars
Shallina Goodnight, Alliance for Healthcare Education
Simoriah Stogner, Jack Henry
Todd Larsen, Guaranty Bank
Travis Liles, Forvis Mazars—Private Client

06/20/2024

Tick tock, ladies! The one-month countdown begins NOW for Biz 417's event presented by Forvis Mazars! Embrace every step of your journey, refine your vision, and get ready to connect with fellow trailblazers. In the words of Beyoncé, “Who run the world? Girls!”

06/20/2024

Ready to amplify your voice? With expert coaching from Lori Robertson and Logan Aguirre, you’ll learn to craft and deliver a compelling talk. Applications for the Fall Class of 2024 of Remarkable are open until July 12!

Don’t pass up this amazing opportunity to learn, grow and have a great time doing it! Apply right now at ➡️ biz417.com/remarkable—you'll be glad you did!

06/18/2024

Have you ever wondered what VP's keep on their desk? Us too. That's why we sat down with Bill Hennessey to learn about the different keepsakes and mementos he has around his office. Bonus—we learned that Hennessey is an avid drummer and in a doctors band. 🎵🤘🏼 Read the full story here!

biz417.com/companies/workspaces/bill-hennesseys-desk

06/10/2024

Leadership update! ⭐

In our latest issue, we sit down with Pam Yancey to discuss her new role as President/CEO of Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and Convention & Visitors Bureau. Yancey began her new role in 2023, but she's spent years volunteering for the organization and being an advocate for our community. Read her full story here!

Destined for leadership with the organization, Pam Yancey trades in her board hat to join the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and Convention & Visitors Bureau as President/CEO.

06/06/2024

The 2024 Women Who Mean Business class is set to take the stage at Biz 417’s 7th annual Ladies Who Launch event! This panel highlights local women who are making significant strides and impacting the community in remarkable ways. From entrepreneurs to leaders in various fields, these women will share their personal journeys and insights on how they are changing the game in 417-land. Learn more at ladieswholaunch.biz417.com ⭐

06/05/2024

⭐ Exciting News! ⭐
Applications for the Fall Class of 2024 are officially OPEN!

Your story deserves to be heard! Biz 417 is partnering with speaker coach, Lori Robertson and Biz 417 Publisher, Logan Aguirre to provide another six-week training course designed to empower women in public speaking. This unique opportunity helps you craft and deliver impactful talks, boosting confidence and visibility.

Join the Remarkable program and master the art of delivering a compelling 15-minute signature talk. Sessions will run August to October from 7:30–9:00 a.m. on Tuesday mornings at the 417 Magazine office. At the end of the program, you’ll have the capstone experience of delivering your speech on stage and gaining confidence and clarity in sharing your story. Ladies who have been a part of this program know the power in gaining a network of other women who empower each other. Here is your chance to join this community.

Applications close on July 12. Don’t wait—apply today at biz417.com/remarkable