Springfield, Mo. – Pellham Phillips Architects & Engineers was named W. Curtis Strube Small Business of the Year today (May 7) by the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce.

With more than 30 years of experience, Pellham Phillips has earned the reputation as a premier architectural/engineering firm in the region.

Pellham Phillips was one of five finalists for the prestigious award, presented by the Chamber’s Small Business Council. The other finalists were All Pet Supplies & Equine Center, Jack Ball and Associates Architects, Pearson-Kelly Office Products, and Professional Massage Training Center.

An independent panel of judges based its selection on staying power, response to adversity, innovative products or services, business philosophy and contributions to the community.

The annual award is named for the late director of the Breech School of Business at Drury University, Dr. W. Curtis Strube. He was instrumental in the creation of many programs for small businesses, among them the Small Business Council of the Chamber.

The award celebrates the importance of small business. Small businesses make us the majority of the Chamber’s membership. Of the Chamber’s nearly 2,000 members, more than 85 percent employ 50 or fewer and 76 percent employ 25 or fewer.

Pellham Phillips Architects & Engineers was established in 1977 and has 23 employees. Larry Phillips, P.E. is president and CEO. Some of their projects have included Hammons Field ballpark; Chateau on the Lake; Juanita K. Hammons Hall (joint venture); Hammons Office Tower; Ripley’s Believe It or Not; James River Assembly; Second Baptist Church and many more landmarks in the region. A few projects in progress include John Q. Hammons Arena (joint venture) and Mount Pleasant Winery.

Pellham Phillips has a unique work environment in that it places its architects, engineers, and interior designers side by side instead of in separate facilities. They believe the design of a building requires the integration of all disciplines throughout the design process.

Also actively involved in the community, Pellham Phillips has contributed “pro bono” or “greatly reduced cost” work for a variety of non-profit organizations including Victory Mission, Lighthouse Daycare, the parking lot at Boys & Girls Town and the Ozarks Food Harvest.

Springfield, Mo. -- Where to Retire magazine profiles Springfield as a top retirement town in the May/June issue which is on news stands now.

Each year, 700,000 Americans move to new towns to retire. The six-page article, written by Missouri native Diana Lambdin Meyer, features many aspects of Springfield life from entertainment to restaurants.

"This is a place where people want to live. We're seeing an influx of people at all stages of life, especially retirees, who are fleeing traffic congestion, high cost of living and crime on both coasts,” says Greg Williams, senior vice president of economic development at the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce. "It's about quality of life. We have the cultural amenities of a much larger city, but have been able to maintain the charm of a comfortable Midwestern community."

According to Where to Retire editor, Mary Lu Abbott, Springfield has many of the qualities that are important to today’s retirees. “With more than 800 restaurants, minor league baseball games, a local symphony and ballet and a zoo, Springfield seems surprisingly metropolitan for its roughly 150,000 residents,” Abbott said.

“Springfield’s metro area population exceeds 420,000,” says Williams. “The livability factors this region offers make it a real destination for retirees, businesses and families alike.”

Where to Retire magazine was launched in 1992 with the goal of helping its readers find the ideal place to retire. Now published six times a year, the magazine covers the best retirement regions, towns, and master-planned communities, and has a national circulation of 220,000. Visit Where to Retire magazine online at www.wheretoretire.com.

SMALL BUSINESS WEEK: CELEBRATING ACHIEVEMENT AND ASSISTING GROWTH OF SMALL BUSINESS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN THE SPRINGFIELD AREA

(SPRINGFIELD, MO) April 24, 2008 Entrepreneurship is alive and well in the Springfield area, with the majority of area businesses employing 25 or fewer employees. In 2007 Inc. magazine rated Springfield in the top 20 mid-sized cities in the country for entrepreneurship.

Small Business Week (May 5-10) will celebrate the achievements of area small businesses and educate existing business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs on how to achieve success.

The week of seminars and other events is a collaborative effort by Missouri State University’s Small Business Development Center, SCORE, Small Business Administration and the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce. Small Business Week Events - PDF

Springfield, Mo. – Neal D. Spencer, managing partner of BKD, LLP, announces the promotion of Charlotte T. Emery to supervisor effective May 1, 2008. A certified public accountant, Emery has been with BKD for four years and in firm Administration since June 2007. She works directly with the director of accounting and auditing services as well as the department’s associate directors. Emery’s past experience includes providing audit and tax services for financial institutions and other clients. She is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and Missouri Society of Certified Public Accountants. She is a 2000 cum laude graduate of College of the Ozarks, Point Lookout, Mo., with a B.S. degree in accounting. BKD ranks as one of the 10 largest CPA and advisory firms in the nation, with net revenues of $318 million and approximately 1,900 personnel, including approximately 230 partners, based in 27 offices within 11 states in the central United States.

Springfield, Mo. -- Ryan Mooney, CEcD, manager of business development at the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce, has recently been promoted to vice president, business development. Mooney will take the lead role in providing staff support to the Partnership Industrial Center West Administrative Council while continuing his staff support to the Chamber's Transportation Committee and the Development Issues Input Group and serving as the lead business development project manager for Springfield's Partnership for Economic Development. Mooney has been part of the Chamber’s economic development team for nine years. During his tenure with the Chamber, he served as a key contact for T-Mobile when the wireless carrier was selecting a city for a 800-employee call center and in several plant expansions in Partnership Industrial Center. Active in downtown redevelopment, Mooney served as past president of Downtown Springfield Association and is currently serving on the board of the Urban District Alliance. Mooney holds a bachelor’s degree from Missouri State University.

Springfield, Mo. – The annual Springfield/Greene County “Choose Environmental Excellence” Business Award was presented to the Home Builders Association of Greater Springfield during a luncheon on Friday, April 18, at the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce.

Each year, the Chamber recognizes a Chamber member whose efforts toward environmental stewardship serve as a model for business and industry.

The HBA has led the way in the Springfield community for green residential building through its adoption of the National Association of Home Builders Green Building Guidelines. Such guidelines include lot preparation and design, resource efficiency, energy efficiency, water efficiency & conservation, occupancy comfort and indoor environmental quality, and operation maintenance and homeowner education. In addition, HBA has set an example by building its new office space according to these residential green building guidelines.

Other applicants for the Chamber’s Choose Environmental Excellence Business Award included J. Howard Fisk Limousine, Inc., Missouri State University, Ozarks Technical Community College, Watershed Committee of the Ozarks, Inc., and Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield.

Other organizations presenting awards were Ozark Greenways, Watershed Committee of the Ozarks, Solid Waste Management District “O” Executive Board, Tree City USA Citizens Advisory Committee and Greater Ozarks Audubon Society.

Choose Environmental Excellence is a voluntary, non-regulatory education program that encourages increased awareness of our impact on our natural environment, presenting viable alternatives and recognizing accomplishments that foster environmentally responsible decisions.

Springfield, Mo. – Carol Wright has been named membership coordinator for the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce. As membership coordinator, Wright will help attract new Chamber members and maintain current members through a variety of programs, including ribbon cutting events. She is responsible for maintaining the membership database for the Chamber. Wright is the Chamber’s most veteran employee with more than 24 years service to the organization. She began her Chamber career in 1984 when she served as membership coordinator for 15 years. Then she served as the Chamber’s public affairs coordinator for the next eight years. For the past year she has worked with the Chamber’s subsidiary Springfield Business & Development Corporation during its capital campaign. Wright is a board member of the Summit Optimist Club and a former “Big Sister” for Big Brothers Big Sisters.

Springfield, Mo. – Five area businesses are finalists for the W. Curtis Strube Small Business of the Year Award to be presented by the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce May 7 during Small Business Week.

The award, presented by the Chamber’s Small Business Council, is determined by an independent panel of judges.

Finalists are:

All Pet Supplies & Equine Center, specializing in retail pet supplies and high-end gifts, opened its first store in 18 years ago and has 10 to 12 full-time employees. Larry G. Wilcox is president.

Jack Ball and Associates Architects, specializing in architecture and planning, including historic rehabilitation and urban planning, was founded in 1974 and has nine employees. J. Christopher Ball, AIA, is the president and CEO.

Pearson-Kelly Office Products, offering full-service, customized document solutions, was founded in 2002 and has nine employees. Mike Kelly and Bryon Pearson are co-owners.

Pellham Phillips Architects & Engineers, a full service design firm specializing in architecture, engineering, planning, and interior design, was established in 1977 and has 23 employees. Larry Phillips, P.E. is president and CEO.

Professional Massage Therapy Training educating and developing students for the massage therapy and bodywork industry, was founded in 1993 and has 15 employees. Juliet Mee is president.

Springfield, Mo.—Production is under way today on a video to be used for promoting Springfield as a destination for conventions, meetings and other group events.

Featuring Doug Pitt talking about Springfield while driving a dark blue Jeep and narrator Jim Wunderle riding along, the video will showcase the city’s meeting facilities, amenities and attractions.

“Springfield is a great place and I’ll do anything I can to promote the city to visitors,” Pitt said.

The video is a cooperative marketing project among the Convention & Visitors Bureau, University Plaza Hotel & Convention Center, Oasis Hotel & Convention Center and Clarion Hotel & Convention Center.

Along with posting on the hotel and CVB Web sites, a DVD of the video will be sent to qualified meeting planners along with a portable DVD player. The goal is to increase awareness of Springfield for conventions and, ultimately, lead to booking groups into the city.

This is just one of many marketing tactics the Convention & Visitors Bureau uses to attract conventions and visitors to the city.

The bureau also spends about $1 million annually on travel advertising, maintains a Web site, produces visitor guides and other publications, operates tourist information centers, works to bring journalists to the city for feature stories, represents Springfield at a variety of meeting planner trade shows and more.

The video is being produced by Springfield advertising agency Schilling/Sellmeyer & Associates.

Doug Pitt, brother of actor Brad Pitt, is a local business owner, chairman of the Chamber of Commerce board and a former member of the CVB’s board of directors.

Wunderle is former lead singer for a rock and roll group called The Dog People and owner of a local video production company.

It's not just Good Business, It’s Being a Good Neighbor

Springfield, Mo. – In the aftermath of a disaster, the resiliency of local businesses directly affects the ability of the entire community to recover. Being prepared is not just good business, it’s an investment in the community.

How can your business be ready for a disaster? It may seem overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. Take the first step in preparedness by attending the H.O.P.E. Begins Here Business Preparedness Seminar, the second of three H.O.P.E. Begins Here disaster preparedness events, inspired by Convoy of Hope, that both educate and connect the entire community.

The Business Preparedness Seminar and Follow-On Actions will give you exposure to industry experts who will help your business:

• Identify and prepare for areas of risk
• Create a business continuity and disaster recovery plan
• Plan tests and exercises
• Form partnerships with local, county and state emergency management offices • Participate in planning efforts that will benefit your business and community
• Become Hometown Ready certified through the Office of Emergency Management
• And more

“This campaign is a community-wide disaster preparedness initiative and will build community resiliency that benefits everyone from all walks of life,” according to Rob Clay, Associate Director of U.S. Disaster Response for Convoy of Hope. “Helping Others Prepare for Emergencies begins in each home, school, business, and place of worship.”

Business Preparedness Seminar
7:30 – 11:30 a.m., Wednesday, April 23
University Plaza Convention Center
$25 in advance, $30 at the door (student discount is available)
Business leaders will gather to hear speakers cover specific topics such as business continuity and risk management. Experts will help those in attendance break down the steps they can take to better ensure their employees’ safety and business’ resiliency.

Sponsored by: Great Southern Bank, Ollis & Co. Risk & Benefit Advisors, Springfield Business Journal, Empire Bank and the University Plaza Convention Center.

Even if the faith-based and business communities are prepared, each individual must also be prepared to care for themselves and their families for at least 72 hours after a disaster. The Family Preparedness Festival will equip them to do that.

Family Preparedness Festival
10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Saturday, May 3
Springfield Expo Center
$3 per adult at the door; senior citizens and children 12-and-under are FREE!
The series will conclude with a community-wide event that everyone should attend.
Here, various nonprofits, businesses, and other service providers will help inform residents on how to prepare themselves, their families and their neighbors for a variety of potential disasters while also increasing familiarity with county emergency plans. Attendees will find what they’re looking for - anything from the most basic to comprehensive disaster preparedness information.

Sponsored by: the City of Springfield, Servpro of Springfield/Greene County, and University Plaza Convention Center.

Please visit www.HopeBeginsHere.org to register for the Business Preparedness Seminar or to learn more about the Springfield/Greene County H.O.P.E. Begins Here campaign.

Springfield, Mo.—The Springfield, Mo., Convention & Visitors Bureau has a new program that will help visitors save money and create a unique keepsake of their visit. The Passport to Family Fun is a coupon book with discount offers from 25 retailers, restaurants and attractions. When the booklet is presented at a participating business, the page featuring the business is stamped with a unique symbol. No purchase is required to receive the stamp. The booklet then becomes a colorful keepsake filled with reminders of a visit to the third-largest city in Missouri. Participating businesses include Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World, Fantastic Caverns, Springfield Cardinals, Animal Paradise Family Fun Park, Dickerson Park Zoo, Discovery Center, Ted E. Bear’s Toy Factory, Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield, Candy House Gourmet Chocolates and many others. To receive a free Passport to Family Fun, 2008 Visitors Guide and other vacation planning information, visit one of the bureau’s Tourist Information Centers at 3315 E. Battlefield Road, 815 E. St. Louis St. or Springfield-Branson National Airport. A printable version of the Passport also is available at www.vacationspringfield.com/passport.

Springfield, Mo.—Production begins Monday on a video to be used for promoting Springfield as a destination for conventions, meetings and other group events.

Featuring Doug Pitt talking about Springfield while driving a dark blue Jeep and narrator Jim Wunderle riding along, the video will showcase the city’s meeting facilities, amenities and attractions.

“Springfield is a great place and I’ll do anything I can to promote the city to visitors,” Pitt said.

The video is a cooperative marketing project among the Convention & Visitors Bureau, University Plaza Hotel & Convention Center, Oasis Hotel & Convention Center and Clarion Hotel & Convention Center.

Along with posting on the hotel and CVB Web sites, a DVD of the video will be sent to qualified meeting planners along with a portable DVD player. The goal is to increase awareness of Springfield for conventions and, ultimately, lead to booking groups into the city.

This is just one of many marketing tactics the Convention & Visitors Bureau uses to attract conventions and visitors to the city.

The bureau also spends about $1 million annually on travel advertising, maintains a Web site, produces visitor guides and other publications, operates tourist information centers, works to bring journalists to the city for feature stories, represents Springfield at a variety of meeting planner trade shows and more.

The video is being produced by Springfield advertising agency Schilling/Sellmeyer & Associates.

Doug Pitt, brother of actor Brad Pitt, is a local business owner, chairman of the Chamber of Commerce board and a former member of the CVB’s board of directors.

Wunderle is former lead singer for a rock and roll group called The Dog People and owner of a local video production company.

Springfield, Mo.— About 300 members of the Intelligent Transportation System Heartland Midwest Chapter are meeting at University Plaza Hotel & Convention Center April 7-9.

ITS Heartland, a chapter of ITS America, focuses on the advancement of intelligent transportation systems in Missouri, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska and Oklahoma.

More than 42,000 people die and 2.7 million are injured on American roadways each year. The economic toll of traffic crashes is $230 billion annually and traffic congestion costs $63.1 billion due to wasted fuel and time.

ITS works toward a future where people and goods are transported without delay, injury or fatality by integrated systems built and operated to be safe, cost-effective, efficient and secure.

To learn more, visit www.itsheartland.org. - ITSA_ChairmansMessage.pdf

The Ozark’s changing—and diminishing—workforce is the topic for an April program sponsored by the Springfield Area Human Resources Association. Featured speaker Gerry Hoeffner, president of Personnel Dynamics Consulting of St. Lucie County, Fla., will discuss “Where have all the employees gone?”

The professional development event is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. April 17 at Doubletree Hotel (Hawthorn Park Hotel), 2431 N. Glenstone. Cost is $35 for SAHRA members and students, $50 for others. Lunch is included. Contact Jennifer Schofield, 864-1828 or jschofie@springfieldmo.gov.

Hoeffner is past president of the St. Lucie County, Fla., chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management and is presently district director for HR Florida State Council. He has been featured in HR Magazine for his work on a Workforce 2020 program. His “Best Places to Work” program and the St. Lucie County HR Association were recognized by the Society for Human Resource Management with its 2002 National Pinnacle Award.

In Springfield, Hoeffner will discuss the difference between employee attraction programs versus recruitment programs. His talk also will deal with retaining good employees and managing the “human side” of business.

Established in 1998, firm growth spurs promotion of principal to chief investment officer

Springfield, Mo. - Jack E. Thurman, president of BKD Wealth Advisors, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of BKD, LLP, announces the promotion of Principal Jeffrey A. Layman to chief investment officer effective April 1, 2008.

Layman is the first individual to hold this high-level post since the subsidiary’s inception in 1998. With $1.5 billion in assets under management as of December 31, 2007, BKD Wealth Advisors serves more than 1,100 clients in 32 states. Office locations are in Little Rock, Indianapolis, Denver, Kansas City and Springfield.

“This promotion signals another milestone in the firm’s strategic development,” Thurman said. “With the growth of BKD Wealth Advisors, we are positioned to expand our integrated wealth management services under Jeff’s leadership as chief investment officer.”

With nearly 20 years of experience in portfolio and investment management, Layman is chair of BKD Wealth Advisors’ Investment Committee. He develops, implements and oversees the firm’s investment management process, including investment selection for high net-worth families and institutions.

Layman is a Chartered Financial Analyst® charter holder and received an MBA in 1995 from Missouri State University, Springfield. Before joining BKD, he was senior portfolio manager in the private bank group of a nationwide banking organization.

Springfield, Mo. -- According to the U.S. Census Bureau, population growth since 2000 ranks the Springfield metro area in the top 20 percent nationally.

Since 2000, the Springfield metropolitan area's population has increased 51,646 (a 14 percent increase). For the third straight year, the five-county Springfield metro area has grown by an estimated 10,000--pushing the population to 420,020.

"It's no secret that the Springfield region is a place where people want to live and work," said Greg Williams, senior vice president of economic development at the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce. "The employment opportunities and livability factors this region offers make it a real destination for business and for families. Leadership in this region is keenly aware of the need to grow, not simply for growth's sake, but for quality growth in workforce and population."

The Springfield metropolitan area is defined by the federal government as Greene, Christian, Webster, Polk and Dallas Counties.

Add the counties of Barry, Dade, Lawrence, Stone and Taney and this 10-county region that makes up the Chamber's Ozarks Regional Economic Partnership has also gained population at annual rates of more than two percent in recent years. This region's population currently stands at 578,663.

March 28, 2008 – Springfield, MO An economic conditions study published last week (March 19) rates the Springfield metro area considerably stronger than other metro areas in parts of seven surrounding states. The study was released by the Eighth Federal Reserve District.

While overall economic activity in District (which is the St. Louis zone) slowed during the early part of 2008, the Springfield area remained steady. St. Louis zone general retailers and automobile dealers reported weakened sales and area manufacturers reported reduced activity across the St. Louis region. Residential real estate markets also continued to soften, although commercial markets remained relatively strong in the St. Louis zone.

By comparison, the report looks at Springfield area’s job growth and housing starts, along with manufacturing activity and continued low unemployment rate, and rates the region significantly above other metropolitan areas in the district.

The full study is available at www.business4springfield.com. For more information contact Greg Williams at 417-862-5567 or greg@springfieldchamber.com.

Springfield, Mo. – Former white-collar criminal, Patrick Kuhse, will share his life story as a stockbroker and former Certified Financial Planner and his involvement in a bribery scheme that landed him in prison. The event is at 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. on April 25, at University Plaza Convention Center.

Kuhse will go into detail about his involvement in the bribery scheme with the Oklahoma State Treasurer’s Office, his subsequent flight and life as an international fugitive, eventual self-surrender and incarceration in both a foreign jail and U.S. federal prisons. He will define business ethics, discuss common ethical dilemmas in industry and ask why people make the ethical decisions they do, and provide insight on how to define, develop and control our own ethical behaviors.

Hosted by Leadership Springfield, all dues-paying alumni can attend at no charge. The cost for general public is $25. Seating is limited. Register online at www.leadershipspringfield.com, or call Kim Everest at 862-5567.

Leadership Springfield is an affiliate of the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce. Its mission is to create positive change in the Springfield area by inspiring, developing and connecting leaders dedicated to serving the community.

SPRINGFIELD, MO. (March 13, 2008) – Arvest Bank broke ground to begin construction of its new bank branch on W. Republic Road in Springfield.

The 6,000-square-foot, full-service branch will offer the longest banking hours in town, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday thru Friday, and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays. It will also feature five drive-thru lanes, a 24-hour ATM, and will house representatives from Arvest Asset Management and Arvest Mortgage, in addition to a commercial lender and consumer loan officers. The branch is expected to open this fall.

Mike Daw, president of Arvest Bank in Springfield, stated, “While most of the banking facilities in this area are limited service branches, our location will offer everything from commercial lending to investments, mortgages and consumer loans. Our branching philosophy is to build large, full-service branches whenever possible. We’d rather get our bankers out into branches where they are accessible and convenient to customers as opposed to having them all in a high-rise tower.”

In addition to the groundbreaking, Michal Moss Early, assistant vice president and private banking manager, presented two checks, each for $2,500, to the Ozarks Regional YMCA and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Springfield, on behalf of the Walton Family Foundation.

“While building new branches to provide the utmost convenience to our customers is important, we are also passionate about the community in which we live and work. Non-profit organizations, such as YMCA and Big Brothers Big Sisters, are vital to this great community, and we’re proud to present this money to these organizations on behalf of the Walton Family Foundation,” Early said.

Arvest Bank opened its first Springfield location in June 2007 at 1435 E. Bradford Parkway near the Cox Medical Center. In addition to the new branch on W. Republic Road, Arvest has plans to build three to four more locations in the next three years in Springfield. The two Branson branches, located at Branson Landing and Gretna Road, have recently become branches of Arvest Bank Springfield. The branches were previously branches of Arvest Bank North Central Arkansas.

About the Walton Family Foundation
The Walton Family Foundation works to support initiatives that honor the values and principles of Sam and Helen Walton. The Foundation seeks to provide funding to grantees who are actively working to create positive change for others. Major areas of focus include: K-12 education reform, economic development in the Delta Region of Arkansas and Mississippi, conservation of sensitive marine and freshwater environments and enhancing the quality of life in northwest Arkansas. For more information, go to www.waltonfamilyfoundation.org.

About Arvest Bank
Arvest Bank Group operates more than 200 bank branches in Arkansas, Oklahoma, Missouri and Kansas through a network of 16 locally managed community banks, each with its own board of directors and management team. These banks serve customers in 90 communities with 12-hour weekday banking at most locations. Arvest also operates a mortgage company, asset management company, insurance division and mortgage servicing company.

Named to Chamber of Commerce Executives of Missouri Board of Directors

Springfield, MO—Chris Tuckness IOM, Vice President, Community Development/Special Events of the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce, has been appointed to a three-year term on the board of directors of Chamber of Commerce Executives of Missouri (CCEM).

Chamber of Commerce Executives of Missouri (CCEM) was organized to strengthen Chamber management throughout the state. Its purpose is to promote increased efficiency of management skills by chamber of commerce executives.

CCEM works to provide professional growth and development opportunities for its members. But, more importantly, CCEM initiates friendly relationships between the staff members of those organizations, encouraging them to work together to learn, share and improve their skills in chamber management, and to work for Missouri's economic growth.

Tuckness is also serving on the National Board of Regents of Institute for Organization Management, a four-year professional development program of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Tuckness has his undergraduate and graduate degrees in Communication, Graphic Design and Business Administration from Drury University. He also has an Institute of Organizational Management Certification from the U. S. Chamber of Commerce.

Springfield, Mo. -- Employee theft is a problem in even the most stable businesses or organizations. Attend a special seminar, "How to Discover, Prevent and Recover from Employee Theft," from 2-5 p.m., March 6, at the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce.

Presenters include Angela Morelock, CPA, CFE, ABV, assistant director of forensics and dispute consulting, BKD, LLP; Michael Huddleston, senior assistant prosecuting attorney, Greene County Prosecuting Attorneys Office; and Cpl. Culley Wilson, Springfield Police Department.

Topics will include:

-The key red flags associated with embezzlement and fraud
-Common fraud schemes
-Tips to protect yourself from embezzlement and fraud - What to do if fraud is suspected or discovered

Victims of employee theft will also make a presentation.

FREE to Chamber members and SMBA members. $90 for non-members in advance. There will be a $25 additional fee if you pay at the door. Refunds are subject to $10 handling fee. No refunds unless SMBA is given 48 hours notice. Register online www.springfieldchamber.com .

This seminar is a collaboration of the Greene County Prosecuting Attorneys Office, the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce, the Springfield Metropolitan Bar Foundation and the Springfield Metropolitan Bar Association.

SPRINGFIELD, MO.—This month, the Ozarks Antique Auto Club has made a donation of more than $20,000 to the OTC Foundation, the fundraising division of Ozarks Technical Community College. The gift will be used to provide scholarships for students in Automotive Technology programs.

The OAAC has designated $8,000 for its scholarship endowment previously set up through the OTC Foundation. The remaining $12,600 will be used to fund scholarships during the fall 2008 and spring 2009 semesters. That amount will provide 21 automotive scholarships in the amount of $600 each, which may be used for tools, or for tuition and fees.

“We are so appreciative of the Ozarks Antique Auto Club and its investment in our students,” said Dr. Hal Higdon, president of Ozarks Technical Community College. “This donation will allow the Foundation to continue to provide financial support for our students, and will demonstrate to our students that the community supports their education.”

The Ozarks Antique Auto Club has donated more than $87,000 to the OTC Foundation since 2006. The Club was recognized in October of 2006 with the dedication of the Ozarks Antique Auto Club Automotive Technology Lab in the Industry and Transportation Technology building at the main campus in Springfield.

SPRINGFIELD, MO. (February 26, 2008) – Arvest Bank today announced the appointment of Mike Daw as president of its new bank in Springfield, Mo. Daw previously served as market president for Arvest in Mountain Home, Ark.

This announcement is another step in the development of Arvest’s plans for an expanding presence in the Springfield market and follows the bank’s model for establishing and growing community-based, locally controlled banks under its flagship brand.

Additionally, the bank also announced that its two branch locations in Branson, Mo., which were opened and operated as branches of its North Central Arkansas bank, have become branches of the bank in Springfield.

Commenting on these developments, Scott Grigsby, regional president of Arvest, commented, “We are very excited to be moving forward with establishing Arvest as a preeminent bank in the Springfield area. Mike Daw’s experience, passion and dedication to community-based banking will be a wonderful fit for our aggressive expansion plans here in the coming years. Counting the two Branson locations, our new bank now has three location, with a fourth location to quickly follow when our new full-service branch on West Republic Road opens this fall.”

Daw is a graduate of Northwood University in Midland, Mich., with more than 30 years of banking experience. He has been with Arvest since 2003. He graduated from the Illinois Bankers Association Graduate Trust School.

“I am thrilled to have been given the opportunity to join the outstanding team of professionals Arvest already has in place in Springfield and work with them to build a customer-focused bank like Springfield has never seen before,” said Daw. “The Arvest culture of community banking will quickly catch on in Springfield. It’s certainly been successful everywhere else, and we’re ready to keep the momentum going here,” Daw concluded.

Arvest Bank currently has 220 branch locations in four states while operating 16 locally managed autonomous banks. Each of these 16 banks has its own management team and board of directors.

About Arvest Bank
Arvest Bank Group operates more than 200 bank branches in Arkansas, Oklahoma, Missouri and Kansas through a network of 16 locally managed community banks, each with its own board of directors and management team. These banks serve customers in 90 communities with 12-hour weekday banking at most locations. Arvest also operates a mortgage company, asset management company, insurance division and mortgage servicing company.

Springfield, Mo.— The Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau presented the 2008 Travel & Tourism Awards during a banquet attended by more than 200 people Feb. 28 at the Clarion Hotel & Convention Center.

Awards were presented in six categories:

Ambassador Award

The Ambassador Award is presented to individuals or organizations that generated significant economic impact for the area by working to encourage tourism or secure a major convention or event in Springfield.

The recipient of the 2008 Ambassador Award is the Greater Ozarks Bowling Tournament.

Celebrating its 50th year in 2008, the Greater Ozarks Bowling Tournament is a major bowling event in the Midwest and one of the largest open bowling events in the United States. This event brings more than 12,000 people from around the country to Springfield each year and utilizes two bowling venues—Enterprise Park Lanes and Sunshine Lanes – along with numerous hotels, restaurants and other city amenities.

Hospitality Award

The Hospitality Award is for an attraction, lodging facility or restaurant that demonstrates outstanding hospitality to the traveling public and exhibits a team spirit in promoting the growth of Springfield area travel and tourism.

The Oasis Hotel & Convention Center was presented with this award. Not only has owner Robert Low worked diligently in recent years to improve the lodging and meeting facilities at Oasis Hotel, the addition of the Fire & Ice restaurant has improved the travel experience for Springfield guests and local residents. Not only that, the hotel staff has a bend-over-backwards attitude when it comes to working with the CVB and other organizations.

Diplomat Award

The Diplomat Award is presented to a government official, organization or employee who has provided significant support to the Springfield area travel industry.

The 2008 Diplomat Award was presented to Springfield City Manager Bob Cumley.

Mr. Cumley has provided assistance to the Convention & Visitors Bureau with major groups and events, such as the Gold Wing Road Riders Association, Wally Byam Caravan Club International, the Tour of Missouri professional bike race and many others. He always has a positive, can-do attitude when working with conventions and events.

Spotlight Award

The Spotlight Award is for an individual, business or organization not usually considered part of the travel and tourism industry for noteworthy contributions in advancing travel and tourism in the Springfield area.

The 2008 award went to Urban Districts Alliance in appreciation for this nonprofit organization’s role in downtown redevelopment. Thanks to UDA and other organizations and individuals, downtown Springfield has become a great destination for enjoying the arts, dining and entertainment. UDA also is appreciated for showing support to events, such as the Tour of Missouri, Artsfest, Cider Days and many others.

Pinnacle Award

The Pinnacle Award is reserved for individuals who have been active in the travel industry for many years and have made substantial contributions to the betterment of the Springfield area travel industry.

The Pinnacle Award was presented to David Leong, former owner of Leong’s Teahouse and the “inventor” of Springfield-Style Cashew Chicken. Leong’s introduction of Asian cuisine broadened Springfield’s international dining options by leading the way for other restaurants with international themes, and his invention of Springfield-Style Cashew Chicken gained popularity throughout the nation and brought attention to Springfield over the years.

Decade of Service Awards

Decade of Service Awards were presented to volunteers who have served the bureau for 10 years. They were Don Bechtel, Don Hawkins, Helen Hurt, Bill Palen, Betty Palen, Bill Wright and Marilyn Wright.

In all, 47 volunteers have served 10 or more years at the CVB.

Since the volunteer program began in 1990, a total of 168 volunteers provided nearly 82,000 hours to the CVB. Currently, 93 people volunteer for the bureau.

Springfield, MO---February 19, 2008---Wonders of Wildlife, the National Fish and Wildlife Museum, continues to move forward with major renovation and expansion of their facilities. Demolition work is well under way and on track to allow for new attractions and exhibits.

In this process, several major mechanical pump and air-handling systems behind the scenes were found to be in a state of deterioration and disrepair, making it necessary to replace these units now rather than wait for further problems to show themselves, facing these costs later. The new systems will be more efficient, state of the art units that should carry the facility well into the future. While it was thought that reopening could occur as early as this summer, it is now anticipated that completing these improvements will extend into the winter months and that reopening will be early Spring 2009.

Due to this extended time to get the facility completed, 8 salary and 11 hourly full and part-time employees will be affected. WOW will work with these individuals to help them find other suitable employment.

All of the fish and animals on exhibit have been moved to other, temporary locations and are being well taken care of. Most of the current conservation and education programs will continue throughout the year while the attraction is being upgraded.

The overall additions and improvements to WOW’s new facility will more than double its size to over 200,000 sq ft. It will include a new entry, as well as expand its footprint into the existing Bass Pro Shops building, including a second story that will house several new hunting and wildlife attractions.

Some of the other new additions in the works include a walk-through shark tank and a 40-foot stingray dome, as well as many other aquarium additions that will be both entertaining and educational.

“This is a tremendous opportunity to make WOW the absolutely best it can be for the city of Springfield, the state of Missouri and all its citizens”, stated Peggy Smith, acting Executive Director. “When finished, Wonders of Wildlife will be one of the premier wildlife and aquarium destination attractions in all of the United States.”

The Missouri Career Center and the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce will present a Career Morning recruitment event on Monday, February 25, 2007 from 9:00 am to 11:30 am. Approximately 25 of Springfield’s premier businesses will be represented. This event presents an opportunity for job seekers to gain insightful information into the hiring process of area companies and speak personally with those same employers. Participants are encouraged to bring their resumes and be dressed for an interview. The event is free and open to the public. www.ozarksjobpath.com

SPRINGFIELD, Missouri – Monica Smiley, publisher and CEO of Enterprising Women Magazine has announced that Patti Penny of Penmac Personnel is a 2008 Enterprising Women of the Year Award Winner. Penny founded Penmac Personnel Services, Inc. in Springfield, MO in 1988. In the past twenty years, Penmac has experienced phenomenal growth from one home office to over forty branches and onsite locations in six states.

The Enterprising Women of the Year Award honors the country’s finest women entrepreneurs and their remarkable success. The award also recognizes winners as leaders who have mentored and give back to other women in business, and have had a profound impact on their communities.

“Our award winners are accomplished entrepreneurs who have earned the respect and admiration of their communities,” Smiley said. “This award is a testament to each woman’s remarkable accomplishments and we proud to honor their business successes. Every award winner is the president or CEO of a fast-growth company that has gone above and beyond to become a role model for other women in business.”

About Penmac Personnel Services
Penmac, a certified woman-owned Missouri corporation headquartered in Springfield, is one of the largest employment firms Missouri. Penmac is celebrating twenty years of placing people first in 2008. Penmac has been named Best of the Ozarks for the past six consecutive years by the readers of the Springfield News-Leader.

About Enterprising Women Magazine
Enterprising Women, headquartered in Cary, NC, is the nation’s only women-owned magazine published exclusively for women business owners that chronicles the growing political, economic and social influence, and power of entrepreneurial women. The magazine provides a friendly meeting place, a public forum, and a national stage for the critical issues confronting women’s businesses and daily lives from the unique perspectives and experiences of entrepreneurial women.

Springfield, Mo. - In the next five years, a quarter of America’s workforce will retire. How will the Springfield area ensure that it has its fair share of a quality future workforce?

The Groundhog Job Shadow program is a start in helping shape the workforce of tomorrow.

The Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce, Junior Achievement – Ozarks District (JA) and the Springfield Area Human Resources Association (SAHRA) are working together once again to provide a job shadow experience for high school students. The local program is part of a nationwide effort to provide secondary students with a unique opportunity to get an up-close look at the world of work and provide the answer to the commonly asked question in the classroom, “Why do I have to learn this?”

The Groundhog Job Shadow program educates local high school students about the importance of work ethic, communication, collaboration, critical thinking and other workplace skills necessary to be successful on the job.

The program will kick-off with Groundhog Job Shadow Day on February 1st and will run throughout the spring.

The Groundhog Job Shadow program provides students with workplace experiences and helps them learn about career options. While the program cannot replace the experience of steady part-time work, it gives students an opportunity to see what a normal day on the job is like and how the skills learned in school relate to the workplace. Students are exposed to the workplace through a hands-on visit to a place of employment, usually scheduled for three to four hours during one day. During the visit, workplace hosts talk to students about workplace experiences, and students spend time shadowing employees of the workplace in various jobs.

Springfield, Mo.—Tickets are on sale for the 2008 Travel & Tourism awards banquet set for 6 p.m. Feb. 28 at the Clarion Hotel & Convention Center.

The Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau will present travel and tourism awards in five categories. They include:

· Ambassador Award—Greater Ozarks Open Bowling Tournament
· Hospitality Award—Oasis Hotel & Convention Center
· Spotlight Award—Urban Districts Alliance
· Diplomat Award—Springfield City Manager Bob Cumley

The Pinnacle Award recipient will be revealed at the banquet.

The bureau also will unveil its 2008 advertising campaign and present its annual report during the event.

Tickets are $50 per person or $475 per table of 10 and are on sale through Feb. 15. Call 881-5300, Ext. 100, to reserve tickets.

For information about sponsoring the awards ceremony, call Gina Tullos at 881-5300, Ext. 105.

The following businesses are sponsoring the event:

· Diamond Sponsor: Associated Video Producers, Inc.
· Platinum Sponsors: Clarion Hotel & Convention Center and Downhome Productions
· Gold Sponsors: Elliott Lodging and S.B. Bon
· Silver Sponsors: A Graphic Resource, Candy House Gourmet Chocolates, Gerry Averett Photography, Missouri Meetings & Events Magazine and Schilling/Sellmeyer & Associates
· Bronze Sponsors: Baum’s Promotional Products & More and Rock Creek featuring Drew Holt & Dennis Longwell

Springfield, Mo. – The Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce will present the 2008 Springfieldian Award at its 2008 Annual Meeting, Friday, January 25 at 7:00 p.m. at the University Plaza Convention Center.

For more than 50 years, the Chamber has honored an outstanding individual for leadership and commitment to our community.

The Springfieldian Award is presented to a citizen who has exemplified outstanding community service, excellence in his or her chosen profession and dedication to improving the quality of life for Springfield and its citizens.

Chase Hosts Jan. 16, Ceremony to Kick-Off Anniversary with Local Executives and Business Leaders;
Will Thank Employees and Make Year-Long Community Service Commitment

SPRINGFIELD, MO. – Jan. 16, 2008 – Chase, the consumer division of JPMorgan Chase & Co. [NYSE: JPM], commences today a celebration of their 10-year anniversary and long-time commitment to the city of Springfield, Missouri. Springfield is home to Chase’s largest customer-service call center in the U.S. which also positions Chase as the third-largest private employer in the city. Chase will kick-off a year-long anniversary celebration with a cake-cutting ceremony, Wednesday, Jan. 16, from 2:30-3:30 p.m. in the Chase building at 303 E. Republic Rd.

During the celebration, Chase will share an impressive list of accomplishments over the past 10 years, announce the Chase call center “2007 Employee of the Year” and announces it’s commitment to 10,000 hours of community involvement. Guests include Chase employees and executives as well as Springfield Chamber of Commerce members:

· Jim Anderson, President;

· Kristen Westerman, Manager, Workforce and Business Development;

· Greg Williams, CEcD, Senior Vice President, Economic Development; and

· Ryan Mooney, CEcD, Manager, Business Development

About Chase Springfield

As one of the key employers in the city, Chase values its employees and celebrates their important position in a top financial services company. Servicing consumers in all 50 states, the 1,600 employees of Springfield’s call center respond to 1.3 million calls per month and support the Card Services and Retail lines of Chase’s business, including one of Chase Card Services’ largest credit-card partners, United Airlines.

“Chase is a proud community member of Springfield and is thrilled to celebrate the successes of the past 10 years while looking forward to many more,” said Michael C. Replogle, Site Lead at Chase’s call center. “Our employees value their role in one of the top global banking firms while also cherishing the city and people of Springfield and contribute much of their personal time to community events and activities to show their support.”

Chase as Corporate Citizen

Chase and its employees are invested and committed to the betterment of the Springfield community and have made significant contributions since opening in 1998. Chase is pleased to announce that 2008 philanthropic goals include:

· Commitment to donating 10,000 hours of community service in 2008

· Continuing and increasing a partnership with McGregor Elementary School where Chase employees can mentor a child as a lunch buddy

Contributions during 2007 include:

· Donation of $75,000 in team grants and $60,000 in community grants to Springfield charities and organizations

· Participation in night-long runs to raise money for cancer during the local “Relay for Life” events, where Chase was the largest corporate contributor donating over $25,000 and more than 200 hours to the cause

· Donation of $20,000 in 2006 and 2007 to Habitat for Humanity as well as volunteer hours to build homes, assisting with the mission to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness in Greene County, Missouri

· A $10,000 donation to assist in the refurbishment of the historic Gillioz Theatre

· Donation of an $7,000 grant to the Discovery Center, an interactive hands-on museum aimed to inspire a life-long love of learning and an appreciation for the world

· Chase Leadership Academy partners annually with 30 seniors from a local high school to teach life and career skills as well as financial literacy. Upon completion of the curriculum students qualify for a $500 scholarship with the top performer receiving a $1000 scholarship.

“As a member of the Chamber of Commerce, I’ve had the honor and privilege of being involved with Chase for many years, from when Chase began to build their facility here to their contribution to our community,” said Jim Anderson, President, Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce. “I am delighted to join Chase in celebrating their 10-year anniversary in Springfield.”

About JPMorgan Chase & Co.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM) is a leading global financial services firm with assets of $1.5 trillion and operations in more than 50 countries. The company has more than 154 million credit cards issued. Under the Chase and JPMorgan brands, the firm serves millions of consumers and businesses in the United States and many of the world's most prominent corporate, institutional and government clients. Information about the firm is available at www.jpmorganchase.com

Springfield, Mo. – Brooke Forrester has been named coordinator of membership sales for the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce. Forrester is responsible for recruiting and retaining Chamber members. She provides support for various membership events and programs and serves in a leadership role with the Chamber’s Red Carpet Committee.

Prior to this, Forrester served as an intern for the Chamber communications department for nearly two years. As an intern Forrester worked primarily as a website advertising sales representative and writer for the Springfield Spirit, the Chamber’s monthly publication. She also spearheaded the sales and marketing for the Chamber coffee table book, Celebrating Springfield: A Photographic Portrait.

Originally from Gainesville, Mo., Forrester is a 2007 graduate of Drury University with a degree in advertising and public relations.

Jan 4, 2008(Springfield, MO)…J. Howard Fisk was chosen to preside over The Local Coordinating Board For Transit.

This organization will review the grant applications and make recommendations to the Ozarks Transportation Organization (OTO) for a final authorization. Fisk has been the Citizen At Large Representative for eight years on the OTO, a group that is made up of elected officials from the metropolitan area.

Prior to the formation of the Local Coordinating Board, Fisk served on the OTO appointed task force that formulated the guidelines for the formation for the LCB. “This grant source will provide funds to encourage the efficient transport of citizens who need assistance getting to work and it will provide new opportunities for small social service agencies who serve at risk populations,” comments Fisk.

J. Howard Fisk is the owner of Fisk Transportation, providing group transportation to the Ozarks region for over 30 years.

(The following is a release that was distributed by the Ozarks Transportation Organization (OTO) on December 21, 2007 by Natasha Longpine.)

The Ozarks Transportation Organization (OTO) is accepting applications for Job Access Reverse Commute (Section 5316) and New Freedom (Section 5317) funding. These two programs are a component of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU). All proposed projects within the OTO Study area must be submitted directly to OTO for application. This year there are approximately $135,000 dollars available for JARC and just over $180,000 for New Freedom.

JARC funds will be made available for capital, planning, and operating expenses that support the development and maintenance of transportation services designed to transport low-income individuals to and from jobs and activities related to their employment, and for reverse commute projects.

New Freedom funds will be made available for capital, planning, and operating expenses that support new public transportation services and new public transportation alternatives beyond those required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), that assist individuals with disabilities with transportation , including transportation to and from jobs and employment support services. Though this list is illustrative and not exhaustive, two additional eligible projects include Intelligent Transportation Services and the incremental cost of changing the basic mode of service of an ADA paratransit system from curb-to-curb to door-to-door.

The Application Handbook is available online at www.ozarkstransportation.org/transit. If you are applying, please submit a completed copy by January 25, 2007. Applications received after January 25 will not be considered. Applicants will be notified of project selection status in February.

The Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce, Junior Achievement – Ozarks District (JA) and the Springfield Area Human Resources Association (SAHRA) are excited to be working together once again to provide a job shadow experience for high school students. Area businesses are invited to participate as workplace hosts for this program that educates local high school students about the importance of work ethic, communication, collaboration, critical thinking and other workplace skills necessary to be successful on the job. The program will kick-off with Groundhog Job Shadow Day on February 1, 2008 and will run throughout the spring.

If you or your company would like to serve as a workplace host please fill out the Sign-up form below and fax it to Tina Moore at Drury University. The deadline to sign up as a host is December 21, 2007.

New Office Strategically Placed to Serve the Ever-Growing Christian County Area

OZARK, Missouri -- Penmac Personnel Services, Inc. proudly announced today the opening of a new office in Ozark, MO. The new branch will open Monday, December 10, 2007. The new office is located at 719 North 20th, Ozark, MO 65721, next to Buster’s Video.

Penmac, based out of Springfield, MO, provides permanent and temporary staffing solutions to manufacturing, clerical, transportation, and professional entities.

Penmac president Paula Adams says the new location is opening to better serve the rapidly expanding Christian County area.

“Not only have businesses been expanding, more people are relocating to this area,” Adams said. “Penmac wants to make sure that we can connect the citizens of the community with the great companies in Ozark, Nixa and Springfield.”

Jasen Lewis has been named the Ozark branch manager. Lewis has previously worked at Springfield Penmac branches.

Adams says the new office will provide the same services as Penmac’s other locations including temporary and permanent staffing solutions for manufacturing, clerical, transportation and professional entities.

“We work very hard for our clients and our associates,” said Adams. “Throughout Penmac’s growth, we have always maintained the flexibility to provide services and programs to meet the specific needs of each client and associate and are committed to doing that in Ozark.”

Penmac is an employment agency that serves over 3,000 associates working for more than 600 clients nationwide.

About Penmac Personnel Services

Penmac, a certified woman-owned Missouri corporation headquartered in Springfield, is one of the largest employment firms Missouri. Founded in 1988 by Patti Penny, Penmac has experienced phenomenal growth from one home office to 43 branches in seven states. Penmac has been named Best of the Ozarks for the past five consecutive years by the readers of the Springfield News-Leader. In 2006, Penmac ranked #29 of the top 500 Women-Owned Businesses in the U.S. Diversity Business named Penmac #1 of the top 50 Women-Owned businesses in Missouri.

A Sensory "Chocolat" Experience
The Moxie and Askinosie Chocolate Present Chocolat on Nov. 30

Springfield, MO, November 19, 2007—"And it melts, God forgive me, it melts ever so slowly on your tongue, and tortures you with pleasure," Yvette Marceau confesses in the movie Chocolat. The taste, the smell, the feel of chocolate is a rare sensory experience that few ever encounter in its complete form. In full sensory fashion (although probably not as seductively as Yvette), Askinosie Chocolate and The Moxie present Chocolat on Friday, November 30 at the factory of Askinosie Chocolate, 514 E. Commercial Street. The event will begin at 7 p.m. and feature a factory tour, chocolate making, samplings of Askinosie Chocolate, and fresh chocolate dipped fruit. Chocolat will be presented by The Moxie at 8 p.m. in the factory. Tickets are on sale for $10 during regular box office hours at The Moxie, 408 W. Walnut.

This is the first collaboration between Askinosie