Best Places to Work | Septemper-October 2023 | Biz 417

20 local companies employees love

EDITORIAL

Katie Pollock Estes EDITORIAL DIRECTOR EDITOR@417MAG.COM

Jamie Beckman BIZ 417 EDITOR JBECKMAN@417MAG.COM

Jamie Thomas DIGITAL EDITOR JTHOMAS@417MAG.COM

Jo Jolliff RESEARCH EDITOR JO@417MAG.COM

Kali Salazar ENGAGEMENT EDITOR KALI@417MAG.COM

Angela Rechtfertig, Madeleine Rice EDITORIAL INTERNS

Sarah Patton CREATIVE DIRECTOR SARAH@417MAG.COM

Jordan Dykstra ART DIRECTOR JORDAN@417MAG.COM

Brandon Alms SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER & DESIGNER BRANDON@417MAG.COM

Leah Stiefermann PHOTOGRAPHER & DESIGNER LSTIEFERMANN@417MAG.COM

Grace Chipley EDITORIAL DESIGNER GRACE@417MAG.COM

Hali Patton EDITORIAL DESIGN INTERN

CONTRIBUTORS

Lucie Amberg, Ren Bishop, Karen Bliss, Sonia Guzman, Max Havey, Jennifer Johnmeyer, Jennifer Swenson

AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT

Mariya Serykh MARKETING COORDINATOR MARIYA@417MAG.COM

FOUNDERS

Gary Whitaker FOUNDER GARY@417MAG.COM

Joan Whitaker FOUNDER JOAN@417MAG.COM

Logan Aguirre PUBLISHER LOGAN@417MAG.COM

Megan Johnson VICE PRESIDENT OF OPERATIONS & CUSTOM PUBLICATIONS MJOHNSON@417MAG.COM

Ammie Scott Motes VICE PRESIDENT OF STRATEGY & SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE ASCOTTMOTES@417MAG.COM

J.J. Massey FINANCE MANAGER ACCOUNTING@417MAG.COM

Kaitlyn Messina FINANCE ASSISTANT KAITLYN@417MAG.COM

Bernadette Pry OFFICE MANAGER BERNADETTE@417MAG.COM

Erin Payne OPERATIONS COORDINATOR EPAYNE@417MAG.COM

Jami Wightman SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE JAMI@417MAG.COM

Janelle Haik ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE JANELLE@417MAG.COM

Kathy Grieve ACCOUNT SERVICES MANAGER KATHY@417MAG.COM

Nicki Hodges ACCOUNT COORDINATOR NICKI@417MAG.COM

Katie Batliner ADVERTISING DESIGN COORDINATOR KBATLINER@417MAG.COM

Rin Stuenkel ADVERTISING DESIGNER RIN@417MAG.COM

Elizabeth VanFosson DIGITAL COORDINATOR EVANFOSSON@417MAG.COM

Jade Hinzman BRAND DESIGNER JADE@417MAG.COM

CONTRIBUTORS

Ettie Berneking, Annah Crow, Kristin Knapton, Morgan Lea Photography, Jennifer Swenson

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER · Volume 8, Issue 6 · 2023

ADVISORY BOARD

David Atkisson Spring eld Of ce Leader J.E. Dunn Construction

Thomas Douglas CEO JMARK Business Solutions, Inc.

Anna Evans

Vice President of Business Retention & Expansion Show Me Christian County

Heather Hardinger

Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Of cer CoxHealth

Sally Hargis

Vice President/Chairman

Ozarks Coca-Cola/Dr Pepper Bottling Co.

Ryan Mooney

Vice President of Economic Development Arvest Bank

Daniel Ogunyemi Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Ozarks Technical Community College

Benjamin Sapp Partner | Business Development Sapp Design Architects

Debra Shantz Hart Owner Housing Plus LLC

DHTC Development

Sustainable Housing Solutions

Jack Stack President/CEO

SRC Holdings Corp.

54

2023 BEST PLACES TO WORK

Our annual list shows the top 20 companies to work for in 417-land, broken down by the top 10 large and small employers.

BY LUCIE AMBERG

OMG Commerce celebrates its spot as No. 1 on the 2022 Best Places to Work list at last year’s event.

PHOTO BY KRISTIN KNAPTON

15 HEAT INDEX

See what’s on the rise in 417-land right now.

15 FOUR TO FOLLOW

Fatima Grover shares her favorite social media recommendations.

16 TRENDING NOW

Zach Fletcher brings immersive golf simulators to Branson.

16 FORWARD THINKING

A look at HeyThere, an AI integration with more than 200 personas.

17 CORNER OFFICE

RC Cares reveals the secret of its success.

17 #NAILED IT, #FAILED IT

Insight from Fatima Grover and Rita Baron.

18 Q&A

Jeremy Wells explains the idea behind The Ozarker Lodge.

46 ROOTED HERE

Mike Ingram tells the story of Fireworks Over America.

48 NETWORKING NOTES

Learn what Josh Beaird has in mind for The Whitlock Company.

50 WORKSPACE

Step inside Touché Design Co.’s newly renovated of ces.

74 CALENDAR

Our roundup of September and October networking events.

An inside look at 2023’s Ladies Who Launch conference.

Carriger, general manager of Pinegar Honda, was one of the 2023 Women Who Mean Business honorees.

ROLE CALL

Nominations are open for the 2024 list of Women Who Mean Business in 417-land. If you know a trailblazing woman who is moving our business community forward, head to biz417.com/wwmb to nominate her today. The chosen nominees will be featured in the March/April 2024 issue of Biz 417.

BY BRANDON ALMS

JOIN OUR NEWSLETTERS

•Ladies Who Launch •Biz Break AND

CONNECT WITH US ON

Monique

IT’S FESTIVAL SEASON

Summeriscomingtoaclose,and everyone’sfavorite417-landseasonis abouttobegin!Coolerweathermeans plenty to do outdoors as the leaves turn their beautiful golden brown, and you can nd the best fall festivals to experience over on 417mag.com/fallfests.

ADD IT TO MY CALENDAR

Got a networking event coming up and need to get the word out? Looking to make connections over coffee? Head to biz417.com/calendar to stay up to date on everything that’s going on in 417-land and to submit your own event.

IT WAS THE BEST DAY EVER

We hopeyou didn’t miss our annualLadiesWho Launch leadership conference back in July. It was an incredible gathering of women from the local business community, and the day was filled with excellent speakers (like keynote speaker and New York Times bestselling author Sarah Knight), tons of networking opportunities and inspiration galore.

concommunity, and the

“My rst #ladieswholaunch. It was an inspiring day surrounded by so many wonderful women. The future is bright for our city, with all these female leaders. Great job, Biz 417.”

—Laine Scholz

“We had a wonderful time at Biz 417’s Ladies Who Launch! We spent the afternoon learning, networking and developing personally and professionally.”

—The Arc of the Ozarks

“We had an inspiring time at the Ladies Who Launch event. Over 500 in uential women attended the luncheon (the biggest one yet!).”

—Husch Blackwell

HOW TO CONTACT BIZ 417

“If you hire people you know are honest, the customer gets honest service.”

—Rick Hughlett, founder of Rick’s Automotive, p. 59

“We work in a highstress industry, but these folks are still there to lend our customers an ear and a helping hand on- and o -hours.”

—Ron Wallace, director of RC Cares at Russell Cellular, p. 17

“A lot of people, when they’re doing commercial real estate, they start with projections, underwriting and budgets... We started with the brand identity and the story.”

—Jeremy Wells, co-creator of The Ozarker Lodge, p. 18

“AI can get a little boring. It’s easier talking to a person, so we started building out unique characters with di erent back stories, personality traits and elds of experience.”

—Brad Jones, co-owner of HeyThere, p. 16

“It matters to people for their manager to understand that they have things going on in their life besides what’s going on in this building. I’ve found that when you build trust with people, they’ll always want to do their best.”

—Joe Gaunt, chief operating o cer at Ollis/Akers/Arney, p. 57

On a Quest to Be the Best

Full disclosure: I applied for my own contest. I promise, I wasn’t trying to compete for a spot on our own Biz 417 Best Places to Work list. But I did want the benefit of seeing a full picture of how we stand up as a workplace. So I applied for the Best Places to Work survey just like the companies you see on this list. Our results were evaluated by the team at Best Companies Group just like everyone else’s.

True confession: While we did score high enough to qualify as a Best Place to Work, our score was not high enough to have ranked in the top 10 for small businesses. But that’s why I applied. I wanted to see the data on where we are hitting the mark and where we need to improve. We received high marks on culture, communication, leadership, role satisfaction and overall engagement and not-so-high marks on pay and benefits. And now the work begins on drilling down into the areas to improve. I’m excited to work with our team on how to solve the puzzle together.

It’s probably safe to say that any company that chooses to apply as a Best Place to Work is likely already a pretty good place to work. They apply so they can see where they can keep improving. If, like me, you know you may not rank in the top 10, that's even more reason to apply. See how your

employees truly view you as an employer, and then identify what to focus on to improve. And then apply again the next year to see where you moved the needle. The survey will open again in late September at biz417.com/bestplaces, so I encourage you to apply.

Congratulations to these remarkable employers for being named to the list. You are setting an excellent example for other employers to follow.

Logan Aguirre Publisher, Biz 417

MY FAVORITE LESSON

This is our third year to publish the Best Places to Work list. After listening to feedback from the employers who apply, we chose to take the list from a top 20 and break it into two groups of 10: large employers and small employers. If the fact that your business would be evaluated against businesses much smaller, or much larger, than yours was a barrier, I hope this change helps you say yes to applying this year.

BREAKTHROUGH STRATEGIES

All Fore the Best Zach Fletcher, owner of Meta Golf Branson, creates a one-stop shop for gol ng with fully immersive golf simulators.

p. 16

The AI Driver

A look into HeyThere, an integration that makes communicating with AI more userfriendly and effective by creating personas that can assist with a variety of needs, from language translation to gift buying.

p. 16

Etching Out Success

Russell Cellular Director Ron Wallace shares how its nonpro t sector, RC Cares, hit more than $1 million in donations in two months— and the secret behind beating its initial ve-year goal.

p. 17

“The Ozarker Lodge shows a glimpse of what the future could look like and should look like going forward.”

—Jeremy Wells, Longitude˚’s brand strategist and partner, p. 18

WHAT’S HOT IN 417-LAND NOW

We may not have time-traveling DeLoreans or personal jetpacks (yet). But planning for the future? That just makes good sense. These organizations are launching innovative programs that meet people where they are—and where they will be in the next few years.

BY JAMIE BECKMAN

SCHOOL TIES

OzarksTechnicalCommunityCollege(OTC)’snew ve-yearplan has three prongs: student success, institutionalexcellenceandlocal communities. OTC Chancellor Hal Higdon said in a statement that the college is “committed to moving forward as an institution” in all three areas. “These values shape everything we do, and our new strategic plan is no exception,” he continued. The plan includes steps such as increasing students’ access to tech and the internet in rural areas byexpandingtechnology-lending programs, developing ways for academic departments to work together to create new teaching methods and courses, and making it easier for students to take advantage of trainingandeducationforhigh-wage, high-demand occupations.

TEAM EFFORT

To help reduce wait times and improveaccessforpatientsseeking mental health care, Mercy has been working with Concert Health, a company that connects behavioral healthcliniciansandpatientsvia virtual and telephone visits, all while keeping patients’ primary care providers (PCPs) in the loop. Concert also gives patients’ PCPs access to consultative psychiatrists who can help diagnose and treat conditions likeanxietyanddepression.The program,CollaborativeCareManagement, has already expanded into Oklahoma and Arkansas and is set to be implemented in all of Mercy’s communities by the end of the year.

FIVE ON FIRE

Fatima Grover is the director of development at Isabel’s House, a nonpro t organization in Spring eld dedicated to sheltering children in family crisis. These are four social media accounts Grover follows to keep up with local businesses.

BY MADELEINE RICE @CFOZARKS

Community Foundation of the Ozarks is a phenomenal resource for 417-land’s nonpro t organizations, Grover says.“Theyprovideeducation,workshops,guidance and development resources,” she says, “and are always striving to provide Spring eld-area nonpro ts and organizations with all the tools they need to thrive and positively impact our community.”

@LOVESGFMO

LoveSpring eld’s Instagram account is a fantastic way to get up-to-date information on things to do, festivals and events, food and drinks, seasonal fun, and so much more, Grover says. “When I rst moved to the area, this platform truly helped me connect and gain a sense of community simply by providing fun and notable information about what was going on in our area,” she says.

@CELEBRATE_SGF

Celebrate Spring eld brings together all of the wonderful opportunities and events the city has to offer by removing barriers and helping locals connect, Grover says. “It’s a one-stop shop to discovering all that our amazing city has to offer our community’s families,” she says.

@ISABELSHOUSE

At Isabel’s House, Grover says, “we utilize our social media platforms to educate, offer help, provide volunteer opportunities and spread the word regarding all of the phenomenal work and resources we provide to our community’s most vulnerable children and families. I encourage everyone to follow Isabel’s House to keep up to date on upcoming charitable events and opportunities, and to help spread the word to our community’s families in need of love.”

BIZ417.COM September/October 2023 15

GOLFING THE WORLD

BY KAREN BLISS

The 417-land golf experience has accelerated to the next level: fully immersive golf simulators.

Zach Fletcher, owner of Meta Golf Branson, says golfing at its one-stop shop for golf is not what you might expect of digital golfing. “The system is state-of-the-art; it was the No. 1 golf manager for five years with Golf Digest.”

Fletcher says golfing with Meta Golf is like Topgolf, but a full simulator. You view whichever course you select from more than 200 courses, made just like real-life courses, on a screen while standing on a 1,500-pound platform that moves with you. If you’re moving up a hill, the system raises up, just as if you were standing on that hill, or the feeling of the terrain changes from sand to grass. “The system is so true to golf,” Fletcher says.

Meta Golf Branson also has a full-time PGA professional on staff, a full pro shop and a driving range.

“I was born in Little Rock, Arkansas, and most of my family is out here in Branson now,” he says. “After my father retired from the Air Force, we just wanted to get back into the area. Something that was missing here was a true pros’ shop and a fun, inexpensive form of golf.”

Fletcher says he’s been golfing since he was 6, and the sport is a passion his family shares. He says Branson has become a big golf tourist town, with local courses, but Meta Golf is just adding to that, bringing in course options from all over the world, like California’s Pebble Beach or courses from Japan, which can all be played at Meta Golf.

“The system is made to actually build your game up and play courses from around the world,” he says. “We have courses that are absolute gems to play but cost so much money to travel to and to play.”

Meta Golf also offers tournaments and leagues that enthusiasts can participate in. Since it opened back in June, golfers started coming in for training, shopping at the pro shop, taking classes or participating in tournaments. But, Fletcher says, anyone can golf, purchase drinks and snacks, and enjoy the day. “A lot of times, we just want golfers to a good time,” he says. “We will give them few pointers and help them out. We’ve already had a lot of great reviews come in from customers and friends who have come in to just have a great time. After all, that’s what it’s all about.”

NIGHTSTAND

“[Seeing Around Corners by Rita McGrath] has taught me to keep my eyes open and not think of business as usual. Get out of the o ce and listen to people. As we know, there is new technology every day that could cause in iction. This book is a great reminder of how important customer service is through the new age of technology.”

—Rita Baron, principal of Baron Design & Associates, LLC

SAY HI TO AI

Scott Blevins and Brad Jones have a long history of building cool things together. Their latest integration, HeyThere, o ers something for everyone.

BY JENNIFER JOHNMEYER

We’re learning that AI can help us in ways that we never imagined. Scott Blevins and Brad Jones continue this with HeyThere, an integration that makes communicating with AI not only user-friendly, but helpful and fun.

The pair first met at Kickapoo High School and began collaborating nearly 25 years ago.

“AI can get a little boring. It’s easier talking to a person, so we started building out unique characters with different backstories, personality traits and fields of experience. It was so interesting and fun that we wanted to expand on it, so we took our experimentation from that and built HeyThere,” Jones says.

HeyThere offers more than 200 personas, from creative marketers to fantasy characters to keynote speakers. The personas can assist with a variety of needs, from language translation to gift buying. You can even pick up a confidence boost.

Addressing the fear about large language models, the pair compares HeyThere’s curated approach to a walled garden, ensuring additional layers of protection to create a safe learning environment that is also safe for children.

“There are a lot of people who don’t have access to personalized information. We just saw that there were so many applications. We have people coming to us saying, ‘Hey, how can we use AI here?’ Small businesses can now utilize resources that only really large companies could use previously,” Blevins says. “It started as a fun thing, but it’s turned into so much more.”

PHOTOS COURTESY SHUTTERSTOCK, BRAD JONES, SCOTT BLEVINS

[FORWARD THINKING]

How Zach Fletcher brought the trending activity of simulated golf to Branson.

Brad Jones

Scott Blevins

Zach Fletcher

Giving Back Big-Time

RC Cares, the nonpro t sector of Russell Cellular, hit $1 million in donations two months before its ve-year goal. Director Ron Wallace explains the success and its impact.

BY SONIA GUZMAN

Biz 417: How did RC Cares get its start?

Ron Wallace: We gave the initiative a name in July of 2017, but philanthropy has been a part of Russell Cellular’s mission since it was founded in 1993. Jeff and Kym Russell have big hearts, and they’ve always given back and invested in team members and the community. I always tell people it’s easy to share big hearts, and that’s what Russell Cellular and RC Cares are all about.

Biz 417: What is RC Cares’ mission, and how has it evolved?

RW: The mission of RC Cares is to make sure we are committed to recognizing the needs around us and doing what we can to help meet those needs for the sole purpose of making a positive impact in someone’s life. We do this by working with...Habitat for Humanity, Toys for Tots and St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. However, what makes us unique is that we give back to our local and rural communities. When a team sees a need in their community, they can invest and volunteer through RC Cares.

Biz 417: How does it feel to reach the one million mark?

RW: I think it’s great! We started the fundraising effort in July of 2018 and set a goal of raising $1 million by the end of year ve, and we were able to reach it early, so that’s amazing. It feels extra special to me because, as the director, I get to see all of the organizations and meet the impacted families, and it just empowers you to keep going.

Biz 417: How were you able to meet your goal early?

RW: It’s really a testament to our team. It shows how willing they are to show up and help make a change. We work in a high-stress industry, but these folks are still there to lend our customers an ear and a helping hand on- and off-hours. It speaks volumes about the men and women who work for us. We can’t wait to see what we are able to accomplish in the next ve years. Ron Wallace

#NAILED IT, #FAILED IT

Two of this issue’s sources share lessons learned and victories earned on the road to success in their careers and personal lives. From raising funds with nonprofits to traveling, these women have seen it all in the world of business and beyond.

#Nailed It, #Failed It

Fatima Grover, see her social media picks on p. 15

“When I accepted my position at Isabel’s House, I knew I would be planning and building our strategicdevelopment,grantsandmarketing programsfromthegroundup—whilesimultaneously having only 2.5 months to plan, raise money and procure for Isabel’s House’s largest charitable event. It was a whirlwind. But after 2.5 months of planning and executing, Isabel’s Gala was a success, resulting in exceeding our initial goal of funds raised by over $20,000! I am so proud of what is being built and developed at Isabel’s House, and I simply hope to continue to do well for our community.” #NailedIt

“When I was in grad school, I was selected to compete in the 3MT [Three Minute Thesis] competition. Basically, you condense your thesis down to an exact, memorized three-minute presentation. As luck would have it, I was the second to the last to present. I sat through an hour of absolutely fantastic presentations. I was in awe. And when my turn came, I psyched myself out. The blinding light from the center stage, all eyes on me, the camera right in my face… I froze and couldn’t remember my own thesis. I let my imposter syndrome get in my way. I allowed myself to forget that I rightfully earned my spot next to all of the amazingly intelligent individuals who had already presented. And my research was fantastic. But I had gotten in my own head. And what makes this situation funnier: I taught public speaking. I still tell my students this story to remind them that even the most seasoned professionals have moments of doubt and can mess up—but the key is to keep going. Your voice and ideas matter. Don’t get in your own head.” #FailedIt

#Nailed It, #Failed It

Rita Baron, see her reading recommendation on p. 16 “Keeping an open mind and thinking outside the box. Making sure that I give my clients the service that they deserve. My traveling has given me a lot of inspiration and contributes to my success. Sharing the information I have learned through traveling with my colleagues is one of the most important things I have learned.” #NailedIt

“I tend to get too excited about projects and start them too early without doing my homework. There have been a few projects that I jumped into without doing the research beforehand. I don’t consider them to be failures but mistakes. To me, mistakes are good because that is how you learn in life.” #FailedIt

BERNEKING, COURTESY RUSSELL CELLULAR, RITA BARON, FATIMA GROVER

chaos to calm

Three companies, tired of band-aid solutions to improve outcomes for employees, chose a wholistic partnership approach.

Frenzied Decisions Torment 500-Employee Company

Chronically late employee benefits renewals caused concern for company decision makers. Ollis Risk Assessment created a pathway to a proactive plan for employee benefits, retention, and attraction.

A Pound of WorkComp Prevention

Lack of client education led to a costly WorkComp rating. The Ollis EDGE 360 system brought a multipronged solution to improve the internal Workers’ Compensation program and WorkComp dividends.

60-Day Scramble to Build HR Functions

Little did owners know when departing their Professional Employer Organization to bring all HR functions in-house, they would leave with none of their documents or employee records. In 60 days Ollis/Akers/Arney HR Consulting built their HR system from scratch.

AN OLD MOTEL GETS NEW LIFE

A brand, a destination, a new experience—that’s what Longitude˚ branding partners Jeremy Wells and Dustin Myers created with The Ozarker Lodge. Wells shares how he hopes the new hospitality brand will elevate and celebrate the Ozark Mountains for generations to come.

BY REN BISHOP

BIZ 417: THE OZARKER LODGE IS THE FIRST OF ITS KIND IN BRANSON, OFFERING A RETRO MOTOR LODGE EXPERIENCE FOR FAMILIES LOOKING FOR A MODERN ADVENTURE. WHERE DID THE IDEA COME FROM?

JEREMY WELLS: I think the idea first formed from the work we do at Longitude˚. We do a lot of hospitality and resort-type projects all over the world, and throughout the years, we formed a love for the hotel and hospitality industry. We started working toward a dream, building relationships, learning, and in 2021, we found a property that had real potential.

BIZ 417: THE OZARKER LODGE HAS A VERY SPECIFIC IDENTITY AND BRAND, HEARKENING BACK TO THE GREAT AMERICAN ROAD TRIP ERA OF THE 1950S AND 1960S. WHY THIS SPECIFIC VIBE?

WELLS: We saw these great, modern roadside hotels and motor lodges popping up all over the nation. We visited some on the coasts, and we knew there was huge potential for something like it in the Ozarks. I grew up in the Ozarks, and I have a lot of great memories of Branson from my own childhood. But now, younger families are looking for new experiences that

they can drive to, hotels that are unique and have a sense of place. Moving forward to the next few decades for younger travelers, we’re wanting to help guide that change. The Ozarker Lodge shows a glimpse of what the future could look like and should look like going forward. Not disparaging the past, but helping to elevate the market for the future.

BIZ 417: YOU GOT YOUR REAL ESTATE LICENSE TO BETTER UNDERSTAND A HOTEL DEVELOPMENT FROM THE GROUND UP, BUT YOUR BACKGROUND IS IN BRAND DEVELOPMENT. WHAT CAME FIRST, THE OZARKER’S BRAND OR THE AESTHETIC?

WELLS: Us being branding guys at Longitude˚, we did what we do best and started coming up with the story, brand and identity, envisioning that. We started there. In tandem with that, we started putting together some visuals, mood boards, concepts… A lot of people,

 Nestled beside the lodge, the brand-new pool is just one way guests can enjoy The Ozarker Lodge. The hotel o ers seasonal programming all year long to keep a steady stream of guests, regardless of the season.

when they’re doing commercial real estate, they start with projections, underwriting and budgets, and we did that pretty quickly, but we started with the brand identity and the story. That helped us dial in the experience, the business and all the decisions along the way. We’re always proponents of starting with branding discussions early on.

BIZ 417: THE 102 GUEST ROOMS ARE BOOKED, AND GUESTS ARE RAVING ABOUT THE OZARKER ON SOCIAL MEDIA. TEN YEARS FROM NOW, WHAT ARE YOUR HOPES FOR THE OZARKER?

WELLS: My hope is that The Ozarker will show an example of what Branson hotels could be: a modern, relevant view of developments in the area. When we create a new space, we don’t want to create a development that doesn’t belong. This isn’t a boutique hotel that should be in Boston or California; this hotel feels Jeremy Wells

like it should be in the Ozark Mountains. It’s been received well, and we’re grateful to the collaborators and partners with other brands in the area who are seeing the need for different types of attractions. We’re celebrating what makes Branson great—from saltwater taffy from Silver Dollar City for kids in our lobby to passes to Fritz’s Adventure park given away on our social media. Branson is a destination, but for so many people, this is flyover country. Over the next 10 to 20 years, I’m excited to see how Branson continues to craft its own identity to attract more tourists and have an even greater economic impact on our region.

The Ozarker Lodge o ers guests deals like local attraction bundles and savings for longer stays.

The storeroom features a co ee and wine bar, merchandise and local treats like Silver Dollar City’s saltwater ta y.

Behindeverystoryandeverybrand are thefacesofleaderswho are shouldering monumental decisions. Faces of inspiration and new ideas; faces of grit and endurance. They are the faces keeping our economy strong, our families fed and our local pride alive.

These are the Faces of Biz 417.

Ourbusinessispromotingyourbusiness! We cancreate anything with your logo. Of course that covers screenprinting and embroidery on apparel. But really, the sky’s the limit! Think pens, awards, desktop items, electronics, gol ng gear, tools,drinkware…andthose are justafewofourmost popular orders.

Our professional team loves to brainstorm with you to form ideas, go above and beyond your expectations and provide promotional items that you’ll love. We pair our team members’ expertise with extreme attention to detail, so you can trust that every order that runs through our shop is going to be right for your branding solutions!

Photo by Leah Stiefermann

Pictured:

BluCurrent has been the face of credit unions, building better lives together right here in the Ozarks, since 1929. Our credit union is part of 417-landers’ families. That starts with members’very rstKidsClubsavingsaccountsand rst checking accounts, and advances through life alongside them with the purchase of their rst car, rst home and even their business accounts.

Choosingacreditunionhasbigbene ts. We offerthe banking services and support you need without the big bank bureaucracy. We are one of Spring eld’s largest credit union with over 22,000 members, 4 branch locations and over $300 million in assets. We provide access to more than 5,000 shared

THE FACE OF CREDIT UNIONS

BLUCURRENT CREDIT UNION

branches through our unique CU Service Center af liation, and nearly 30,000 free nationwide ATMs through our CO-OP Network membership.

When you choose to bank at BluCurrent, you choose to support your community. Our credit union’s dollars stay in the community and help our membership thrive. Not only are we local, but we are a not-for-pro t organization. Our profits go to community investment, higher interest on deposit products,lowerloanratesandimprovementstoproducts and services.

Choosetobanklocal.BankwithBluCurrent.Federally insured by NCUA.

Photo by Morgan Lea Photography

Pictured: Kyle Short, Kaitlyn Peoples, Myra Jackson, deAnna Downs

BROOKLINE DOORWORKS THE FACE OF COMMERCIAL GARAGE DOORS

Brookline Doorworks has been an Ozarks staple for 35 years and counting. Family-owned and operated, we install and service a wide range of commercial and residential garage doors.Ourcommercialprojectsencompassallsortsof businesses, from warehouses to car showrooms to industrial facilities and beyond.

Few doors get more use than the garage door, so we prioritize quality and durability. We install products from the industry’sleadingmanufacturers,suchasC.H.I.Overhead Doors, Cloplay and Cookson Preferred Door Solutions. Our options include contemporary glass and aluminum doors as

well as large industrial doors that are powerful and reliable. Whetherit’sanewinstalloraserviceonexisting garage doors, our highly-skilled technicians have the expertise to get the job done right. We provide prompt and thorough servicetoensurethatthiscriticalpieceofequipment operates properly.

If you are looking for someone you can trust to install or servicecommercialandresidentialgaragedoors,youwill want to talk to our team at Brookline Doorworks. Visit our Spring eld showroom, and let us help you nd the right door to suit your needs.

Photo by Morgan Lea Photography

Pictured: Joe Fetty, Kevin & Christine Howell, Jamie Sheets

Real estate is a competitive industry. This is especially true with retail, of ce and industrial properties. As a nationallyrecognizedSVNcommercialrealtor, I domorethanjust negotiate the buying and selling of space. I match people with properties that solve their speci c business solution and investment needs. Daily I have the opportunity to provide commercial real estate knowledge and expertise that transcends typical brokerage services. My goal is to transform the commercial real estate industry into a more functional, ef cient ecosystem that bene ts everyone, including buyers and sellers.

To be great at my job, I put in the time and money to know my market intimately. I attain advanced designations and yearly training. I focus on the positive and possible. Most importantly, I put my client’s interests ahead of my own. Because of my process, I consistently perform in the top 1 percent of commercial real estate brokers worldwide.

As I head into my 30th year in this profession, I continue to count my blessings. My faith, my family and my clients drive me to be the best at selling commercial real estate. I am grateful to live in 417-land. I love this place and the people that make it work!

Photo by Morgan Lea Photography

COMMERCE BANK

The best relationships are built on a foundation of trust. When it comes to choosing a financial partner for your business, it requires effort to keep it strong, and a proven track record to keep trust alive. At Commerce Bank, we

Photo by Leah Stiefermann

Photo by Brandon Alms

THE FACE OF OFFICE TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS

CPI TECHNOLOGIES

CPI Technologies is the Ozarks’ leading supplier of office technology solutions and has been family-owned and operated since 1963.

Your office’s efficiency largely relies upon the systems thatcompriseyourbusiness.Makesureyourofficeis up to speed and has access to the latest advances in technology with CPI Technologies. For example, with today’s increaseinemployeesworkingremotely,VoIPphones andmanagednetworkofferingshavebeenextremely popularproductskeepingourclientsconnected. We have also seen an influx in mailing equipment along with interactive boards, and our team is dominating in office printing equipment.

At CPI we believe that an open, honest partnership with our clients is the best approach to serving their needs. OurMissionistocontinuallystrivetowarddeveloping trust and loyalty in our customers by providing top quality technology,superiortechnicalsupport,professionalism and customer service long after the sale. Our highly trained staff can provide a broad-spectrum analysis at no charge to determine where we can help our clients save time and money.

Increasingproductivityandreducingcostsfor ourbusinesspartnersisourhighestpriority.CPIis proudtobetheFaceofOfficeTechnologySolutions in 417-land.

Photo by Brandon Alms

Pictured: Josh Glove, Director of Technology Solutions; Erik Crane, CEO/President; Rob Kassing, VP of Sales

Photo

FIVE STAR PAINTING THE FACE OF COMMERCIAL PAINTING

Your building represents your business. It represents the productsorservicesyourbusinessprovides,anditrepresentsthepeoplewhoworkthere.Anupdated,wellmaintained space is appealing to customers and employees alike. At Five Star Painting, we know the importance of a business space, and we bring the ultimate in professionalism to every project.

We are a full-service painting company that transforms both commercial properties and residences. Because no two projects are the same, we collaborate with each client to de ne their vision and to work out the logistics of their project.

417-720-2376 | FIVESTARPAINTING.COM

A client’s time and investment is valuable to us, so we make it a priority to communicate clearly, respect property and exceed expectations. We offer transparent pricing via detailed estimates, and we are fully licensed and insured.

Whether we are refreshing a commercial property or a private residence, countless clients attest to our integrity and expertise. We are active members of the Home Builders Association of Greater Spring eld, accredited by the Better Business Bureau and a winner of the BBB Torch Award for Ethics. Let us show you why Five Star Painting is the Face of Commercial Painting in 417-land.

Photo by Morgan Lea Photography

Pictured: Doug & Andrea Windsor, Owners

Ready to make a big-impact upgrade to a part of your business you might not have thought about? Transform your plain ooring into an instant showcase area with an epoxy coating system professionally installed by the Garage Experts. Our high quality, “direct to concrete epoxy” product wicks deep into the concrete, forming an extremely strong bond that is guaranteed with a 10-year warranty not to peel or ake. Plus, our high quality top coats leave a bright nish that is extremely durable and easy to clean and maintain. Now that you’re dreaming of what your oor could be, are

GARAGE EXPERTS

you noticing a need to nd a solution for the clutter? We also offer our own line of custom storage cabinets and organizing systems designed to match your new oor, making one of the highest traf c areas of your business both beautiful and functional.

We are passionate about revitalizing any unattractive commercial oor, showroom, basement or patio in 417-land. With over 100 different custom akes to choose from, we can create a variety of color combinations that t perfectly with your needs and personal style in a cost-effective way.

Photo by Josh Beecher

JMARK THE FACE OF IT MANAGED SERVICES

JMARK manages IT for our clients to protect their business and help them grow. We have clients in 43 states and are ranked as one of the Top 100 Security Providers in the world by MSSP Alert. We provide cybersecurity, network and server management, telecommunications, collaboration systems, help desk services,strategictechnologyplanningandotheressential technology solutions.

During our 35 years in business, we have developed partnerships with the most respected companies in technology, ensuring that we are uniquely positioned to help organizations who want to leverage technology to become more productive and pro table.

Everything we do re ects our “People First, Technology Second” approach. Our mission is to empower people to do work that facilitates growth, spurs innovation, increases opportunity and creates lasting success.

We create unrivaled technology outcomes that reduce risk, increase business velocity and let our clients focus on what matters. In fact, a third-party research study showed that JMARK clients enjoy 30 more hours of discretionary time each week.

We are honored to be recognized alongside the best of 417-land. We havecalledthisareaourhomesince1988 and are proud to see it grow into a leading business and technology hub.

Photo by Leah Stiefermann

Pictured: Chris Huels, President; Thomas Douglas, CEO; Brad Prost, Account Executive; Andy Whaley, Chief Growth O cer

Kingsley Group is 417-land’s premier resource for business sales, acquisitions, exit planning and business market valuation. In our 40-year history, we have worked with thousands of clients in a wide array of industries and business sizes. Whether a client is pursuing an expansion, looking for a new opportunity or planning an exit strategy, our priority is to help each one achieve their financial goals.

Ourclientstrustusbecausewehavebeenbusiness owners ourselves. Each of our brokers has a unique story, but we are united in our desire to help people who are pursuingtheirdreams.Ourentrepreneurialexperiences make us well-situated to navigate the complexities of a

THE FACE OF BUSINESS BROKERAGE

KINGSLEY GROUP

businesssale. We alsocarryvariousindustrycertifications, including the Missouri Real Estate License and the Certified Business Intermediary (CBI) designation from the International Business Brokers Association. We are poised toworkwithmarketing,documentation,screeningof potential buyers, ensuring due diligence, maintaining confidentiality and more.

For us, there’s no better place than Southwest Missouri to grow a business, and Kingsley Group is honored to be the Face of Business Brokerage in the region. Whether clients are buying or selling, we love to help them achieve a new, exciting chapter in their lives.

Photo by Morgan Lea Photography

Pictured: Gary Rogers, Joe Howard

KPM CPAS & ADVISORS THE FACE OF CPAS/ACCOUNTING

Founded in 1966, KPM CPAs & Advisors (KPM) is a top Midwestern rm, top 300 rm in the U.S. and one of the largest locally owned CPA and advisory rms in Southwest Missouri. With nearly 100 professionals, we have the depth of resources to provide a broad base of technical expertise, while also delivering the individualized attention our clients deserve.

We are dedicatedtobuildingstrongercommunities through the commitment of time, resources and expertise

and understand there’s only one way to lead — by example. Through our community giving program, KPM CARES, we encourage team members to pursue community involvement through volunteer opportunities, charitable giving, civic engagement and professional memberships.

At KPM, we believe in providing client-centered solutions; staying apprised of industry trends, evolving tax laws and accounting regulations; and enriching the lives of our clients, communities and professionals.

Photo by Morgan Lea Photography

Pictured: Matt Wallace, Angie Rebmann, Jennifer Schatzer, Josh Brock

For more than 30 years, we have focused solely on employee bene ts. With more than 25,000 covered lives throughout Southwest Missouri and the Midwest, we represent one of the largest buying markets in the Greater Spring eld area. Our client base includes prestigious public institutions, regional employers and locally owned entrepreneurial

THE FACE OF COMMERCIAL GENERAL CONTRACTORS

NABHOLZ

Founded as a small construction company in 1949, Nabholz has grown into a full range of construction contractors including industrial, excavation and environmental services across 13 locations in seven states.

Nabholz takes a 360 approach to caring for customers and employees and building our communities. Our groundbreaking wellness program has been featured in the HBO documentary series Weight of the Nation and numerous national events as a model for other organizations. We emphasize preventative care, which has helped Nabholz’s insurance premiums stay belowthenationalaverageandhelpedemployeesdetect early signs of treatable health issues, such as rising blood sugar numbers.

We are committedtogrowingouremployeesbycreating careers in construction, not just jobs. To give employeesthetoolstheyneedtodeveloptradeandleadershipskills,weestablishedNabholzUniversityin1973. NabholzUniversitynowencompassesover10differentprograms thatprovidedevelopmentopportunities for all employees.

The ability to give back and serve our communities comes from a culture of servant leadership that permeates our company.In scalyear2021,ourcharitablefoundationmade $156,000inone-timedonationsandpledged$470,000to 13differentorganizations,andouroperationscontributed $495,000 in sponsorships and donations to 205 organizations.

Photo by Leah Stiefermann 2223 W. SUNSET ST., SPRINGFIELD | 417-450-6000 | NABHOLZ.COM

Pictured: Bay Mourer, Gregg Scholtens

Break away from the cookie cutter meeting space and choose a tropical-inspired oasis for your next company meeting, retreat or celebration. At Oasis Hotel & Convention Center, you’re getting more than just an event space—you’re getting the details.

Surrounded by waterfall-lined gates, vibrant colors and lush greenery, our event venue adds a relaxing atmosphere to every gathering. Eleven private meeting rooms can accommodate groups from 10 to 1,500. The Oasis is fully equipped with all the necessities: state-of-the-art audio visual equipment, theatrical lighting, a dedicated staff and an outstanding culinary team.

THE FACE OF HOSPITALITY

Mix business with pleasure while exploring our resort-style amenities. Our onsite restaurant and bar, Fire & Ice, offers a wide range of cuisine and is home to Spring eld’s only ice bar, ensuring your drink is always cold. Leave behind of ce stress at The Palms Massage Therapy, and after a day of meetings, unwind at one of our pools. With our tranquil setting, your group won’t even realize they are working.

Enjoy an unforgettable business event at Oasis Hotel & Convention Center. Corporate rates are available. Contact us for information.

Pictured: Missy Handyside-Chambers, John Blansit, Tracy Powell

ADVERTISEMENT BIZ417.COM September/October 2023 37

OMB BANK THE FACE OF COMMUNITY BANKING

Community lives at the heart of OMB. It informs every decision we make, from business and agri-business loans to home mortgages and the best in digital banking services. While we believe in old-fashioned customer support, we welcome new technologies that streamline our customers’ day-to-day transactions and make your banking more convenient.

It’s a steadfast commitment to excellent service and strong relationships for nearly 25 years, where customers are people and not simply account numbers. Community means a lot to us at OMB, so we’re proud to say that decisions are made right

here locally, in our bank and in the communities we serve. With teams that work closely together right here in the Ozarks, we’re able to serve all of our personal, commercial, mortgage and digital customers faster and more ef ciently.

AtOMB,we’reloyallydedicatedtoprovidingthebest banking experience for everyone and to helping build bright futures for the people and businesses we serve. It’s what we mean by community banking made better. We invest in our community because we live here, too. We’re proud to remain your trusted, locally owned community bank.

Photo by Morgan Lea Photography

Pictured: Jordan Johnson, VP & Loan O cer; Callie Carroll, VP & Business Development & Shareholder Relations

cer; Brodie Wingert, Loan O cer; Christy Maupin, Private Banking O cer

Pictured: Cindy and Burnis Gibson

Photo by Morgan Lea Photography

THE FACE OF SMALL BUSINESS LENDING

REGENT BANK

There is nothing more satisfying than being able to help a small business owner achieve their goals and live out their dreams.AtRegentBank,we are entrepreneurshelping entrpreneurs, and we love what we do!

We’vehelped nancetheAmericandreamfor121 yearsasanSBApreferredlender. We are proudto differentiate from the rest, being owned and operated by smallbusinessowners. We haveclosepersonalrelationships with our clients and we add value beyond traditional banking services.

SBA loans are a part of a powerful economic development program that offers small businesses another avenue

for business nancing, while promoting business growth and job creation.

In May of 2018, Regent Bank took advantage of an opportunity to hire six of the best in banking in Spring eld, Missouri, and opened a branch in this dynamic community. In a few short months, the bank grew to almost $70 million in assets.

Regent Bank’s slogan is “Passion to Serve” because we are passionateaboutourclients,communitiesand shareholders. Banking is not just a job for us, it’s personal because we have been in our clients’ shoes as entrepreneurs. We are emotionally invested in the success of those we serve and the community we all serve together.

Photo by Leah Stiefermann

3271 E. BATTLEFIELD RD, SPRINGFIELD | 417-886-1330 | REGENT.BANK

Pictured: Je Killian, Nick Burlison, Kim Cash, Mick Nitsch

Did you know that Rick and Karen Hughlett founded Rick’s Automotive, Inc. in 1980, and what has become a multioperational enterprise initially began with just two employees? After decades of success, a new generation of family members are now running the operation—Rick and Karen’s daughter Kala and her husband Travis. Kala grew up watching her parents and has worked here for 16 years. Travis has worked his way up over the last 13 years to VP.

We started by working with local families on their personalvehiclesandquicklygrewtomaintainambulances forbothlocalhospitalsand eetvehiclesfor150local companies. Rick’s is also the Professional Sprinter Service

Provider of the Ozarks, being the only eet repair shop in Southwest Missouri with authorized diagnostic tools speci c to Sprinter.

No matter how large we grow, we continue to appreciate the business of individuals for their personal cars, where we got our humble start!

Our technicians are dedicated and make it a priority to stay up-to-date on the latest technologies. Many have been on our team for 20 years and some even 30!

We have worked hard to earn and keep the trust of our community, and we hope to do so for decades to come.

We are proud to be your Face of Automotive Services.

Photo by Brandon Alms

If it were easy, everyone would do it. Selling is a tough job. And Salespeople don’t always have the tools they need to do it well. That’s where Trustpoint comes in. Trustpoint, a Sandler Training center, is built for sales professionals who have the desire to sell ethically, get to the truth faster, and are willing to be challenged to grow. Our bold, take-charge approach to the sales process challenges

long-held sales beliefs, turns the tables on prospects and places the power and control of the sales process rmly in the hands of the sales professionals. Maybeit’stimetolearnwhytraditionalsellingstrategiesfail. Are youreadytoclosemoresalesand build a team of sales masters? Connect with us today to start the conversation.

Photo by Morgan Lea Photography

Pictured: Brett Baker, Aaron Solari, Bev Baker

Quality

options align with current trends, making Med-Pay a top employee benefit provider.

Dependable

For over 35 years, Med-Pay has o ered 417-land clients experience-driven advice.

For over 35 years, 417-land clients and their employees have trusted Med-Pay with dedicated service, expert guidance and product innovation. We work harder so your life is easier.

Adaptable

With over 25,000 covered lives, Med-Pay serves businesses of all sizes.

Impeccable

Quality options align with current trends, making Med-Pay a top health care competitor.

Blast from the Past How Mike Ingram, president of Fireworks Over America, took his company from a roadside stand to a nationally known empire.

p. 46

Put Me In, Coach

Get an inside look at new Whitlock Company CEO Josh Beaird’s vision for the business and its coaching program, which helps develop the next generation of leaders.

p. 48

Designer Digs

For its of ce remodel, Touché Design Co. got to do what it does best: create a space that’s functional, trend-forward and personal—and a testament to the company’s design prowess.

p. 50

PHOTOS

BRANDON ALMS, COURTESY SHUTTERSTOCK

“I’m really excited about our future—our ability to serve our clients and continue to see the growth of our younger people as they get more established.”

—Josh Beaird, CEO of The Whitlock Company, p. 48

TOOLS TO HELP YOU DOMINATE PHOTOS

MIKE INGRAM’S BOOMING BUSINESS

How a 417-lander turned a summer pastime into a reworks empire.

BY JENNIFER SWENSON

With its bold, festive signage and gleaming windows, Fireworks Supermarket is impossible to miss. Adjacent to I-44 in the northeast corner of Springfield, the showroom attracts thousands of locals and interstate travelers each year. The 105,000-square-foot facility is also home to a large warehouse and, most importantly, it serves as the headquarters of nationally known Fireworks Over America. President Mike Ingram is the beating heart of the company, which has grown up right here in 417-land, expanding from a local niche business to a major distributor of fireworks throughout the United States.

Back in 1964, Ingram’s current success was a distant dream. He simply knew that he loved fireworks, and he loved the Fourth of July. Using every dime he had, he ordered a batch of fireworks from a retailer in Little Rock, Arkansas. “I had absolutely no money,” he says. “The retailer didn’t know I was just 15 years old, and I didn’t tell my parents about the order.” When the fireworks were delivered to his parents’ Branson house, Ingram was forced

to confess. “Fortunately, my mom let me unload the order, but my dad was very unhappy.”

The young Ingram persevered. He purchased a $2 license from the city of Branson, and he and his brother built a fireworks stand using scrap wood from a lumberyard. “We were so poor that the stand had no roof,” Ingram says. “Back then, Branson was much different. It didn’t have a highway bypass; it was just getting started as a tourist destination. We placed [our stand] on Branson’s main road, and we were open from June 20 to July 4.”

That first year, Ingram netted $150. “I thought I was rich!” he says. The next year, he profited $500. In the third year, Ingram and his brother operated an additional fireworks stand in Branson. By the time Ingram started college at Southwest Missouri State College (now Missouri State University), he had opened a stand in Springfield.

More Springfield locations followed in quick succession, and during his senior year of college, Ingram bought out his wholesaler and started MidAmerican Fireworks. “I was just retailing and wholesaling at that point,” Ingram says. Yet, as the business continued to grow, Ingram began importing products and distributing in other states, and in the mid-1970s, he changed the business’s name to Fireworks Over America.

Today, Fireworks Over America owns 20 supermarket showrooms nationwide, including two in Springfield, plus a location opening in December in Loxley, Alabama. The company also operates packaging warehouses in Springfield, the Kansas City area, Indiana and South Carolina. In its warehouses, Fireworks Over America manufactures “assortments,” purchasing

high-quality products and packaging them in unique groupings. “We work with factories on the development of each item, and our art department designs the packaging,” Ingram says. “We have nearly 300 private-label items that are exclusive to Fireworks Over America. We register these items with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and sell them all over the country.”

It’s a challenging, high-stress business, but Ingram loves the whole process. When July 5 rolls around each year, the company takes a deep breath—and then immediately begins planning for the next year. “We are financially conservative,” Ingram says. “We believe in controlled growth, and we are constantly looking for opportunities.”

In spite of its national reach, Fireworks Over America is firmly rooted in 417-land. “I’m a native to Southwest Missouri, but it is a great place to do business,” Ingram says. “The work ethic of the people here is as good or better than any place in the country.” In fact, his son, Michael, is now the executive vice president and has worked for the company all his life, first during summers and then joining full time after graduating from college.

Outside the workplace, Fireworks Over America is committed to bettering the community. Ingram is a former chairman of the Missouri State University Foundation, and the company supports organizations including Help Give Hope, Care to Learn and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Ingram has come a long way from that little scrap-wood roadside stand, but he hasn’t forgotten his beginnings. His parents may have disapproved of his initial fireworks purchase, but “they were around for a long time, and they saw the business grow,” Ingram says. “They were very happy for me.”

PHOTO BY BRANDON ALMS

The attention-grabbing Fireworks Supermarket facility also houses Fireworks Over America’s company headquarters.

BUILDING THE NEXT GENERATION OF LEADERS

Get to know Josh Beaird, CEO of The Whitlock Company, including how he rose through the ranks and what his vision is for fostering a strong company culture to support Whitlock’s future.

BY MAX HAVEY

osh Beaird has built his career with The Whitlock Company. Shortly before gradu-

ating from Missouri State University in 2010, Beaird started off as an intern and steadily worked his way through many different roles of increasing responsibility before being named CEO of Whitlock in June 2023.

Beaird first cut his teeth on the banking and audit side of Whitlock’s business, noting that he followed a relatively standard path for advancement in the accounting world, moving from intern to staff accountant to senior supervisor to manager, and eventually to partner. The ability to work within the many sides of Whitlock, both internal-facing and externalfacing, is something that was important to Beaird, and after 13 years, it helped set him up for the new challenges of taking over as CEO. “That’s one of the things I enjoy most—and why I’ve been here so long—is because I’ve had those opportunities to grow and develop in different areas,” Beaird says.

The title of CEO, though, is not as common at accounting firms as you might think, as most are overseen by a managing partner. “We chose the CEO title intentionally,” Beaird says. “As we’ve grown, we hit an inflection point as a CPA firm, and we want to transition to more of a corporate model. Our goal, over time, is to have a professional management team.”

Beaird notes that one of his objectives as CEO is to further develop Whitlock’s reputation, both in the community and as a firm. This means focusing on growth in the key markets it serves, which include community banking, real estate and client accounting advisory services. “I want to make sure we’re focusing on those areas so we can be a highvalue resource for our clients and help them grow and develop their businesses,” he says.

Another one of Beaird’s goals is to continue fostering and advancing a strong culture, making Whitlock a place where people want to work. Being part of Whitlock’s coaching program, in which more-tenured employees help newer employees figure out their long-term vision for their career and their life as a person outside the office, was a turning point for him. And as the older generation of management is beginning to retire, programs like this can help Beaird, and Whitlock at large, develop the next generation of leaders. “I’m really excited about our future—our ability to serve our clients and continue to see the growth of our younger people as they get more established and take on more responsibility,” Beaird says.

WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT WHITLOCK

The Whitlock Company is an accounting and consulting rm that was founded in Spring eld in 1913. In the intervening century-plus, it has expanded into Joplin and Kansas City, with of ces in those locations too. The company's primary services fall into tax preparation, auditing and accounting, and advisory and consulting for a wide array of businesses.

Local Banking At Its Best

There’s something to be said for “being local.” It means a lot to customers when they meet with their banker face-to-face…one-onone. At Central Bank, that’s just how business is done. Important decisions are made in person, rather than exchanging emails and phone calls with someone in a faraway office who doesn’t even know you. If you want to change the way you do your banking, see Central Bank today.

“If you haven’t experienced local community banking at its best, reach out to any of Central Bank’s commercial lenders today to discuss what’s right for you and your business.”

opments and real estate purchases to working capital and lines of credit. Plus, choose from a broad-based menu of checking, investment, and cash management tools to keep your business running smoothly.

Central Bank has been serving businesses in the Springfield area since 1956, including everything from commercial devel-

If you haven’t experienced local community banking at its best, reach out to any of Central Bank’s commercial lenders today to discuss what’s right for you and your business. Whether you’re just setting up shop or financing a multimillion-dollar expansion, Central Bank is here to help.

Back Row (Left to Right): Stephanie Murphy, VP Loan Of cer (NMLS# 1313740), Tyler Phillips, AVP Loan Of cer (NMLS# 1706830), Blair Gann, Loan Of cer (NMLS# 2299464), Corey Harmon, SVP Commercial Loan Of cer (NMLS# 1402061), Blake Will, SVP Director of Commercial Lending (NMLS# 2119348), Jeff Jones, VP Loan Of cer (NMLS# 1159752), Andy Redman, VP Commercial Loan Of cer (NMLS# 710920), Rob Turner, SVP Commercial Loan Of cer (NMLS# 1197661), Bryan Horton, VP Commercial Loan Of cer (NMLS# 2108011), Justin Loveday, VP Loan Of cer (NMLS# 914231)

Front Row (Left to Right): Jamie Clark, Community President (NMLS# 554855), Missy Montgomery, SVP Commercial Loan Of cer (NMLS# 412281), Rick Watts, SVP Commercial Loan Of cer (NMLS# 554857), Joselyn Baldner, President & CEO (NMLS# 2365769), Jacob Kellett, SVP Chief Credit Of cer (NMLS# 733118), Barbra Wallace, SVP Commercial Loan Of cer (NMLS# 554849), Kendal Dingus, VP Loan Of cer (NMLS# 1695099), Michael Baldus, Loan Of cer (NMLS# 2432995)

Down to the Last Detail

Touché Design Co. brought its o ce culture and brand to life through the remodel of its workspace. The team was able to design the space together and create tangible changes to improve everyday life in the o ce, maximize space and add inspiration.

BY JO JOLLIFF

PHOTOGRAPHED BY BRANDON ALMS

1

While remodeling and redesigning the space,theTouchéDesignCo.team took full advantage of being able to showcase its skills to everyone who stepped foot into their workplace. Now, clients and other visitors get a firsthand look at the results the team members are capable of, and they get to work in an environment that breathes creativity and inspiration into their craft. “It really has shifted our pride, having this beautiful space to come in and work,” says Ginger Robinson, the company’s president and creative director. “It has defined who we are as a team and given our workplace personality.” 2

The team went into the project with threemainmotivators:creatingan open of ce collaboration layout, making the of ce ow to maximize studio space and bringing in design inspiration. “We had a rebrand, and it was time that our space re ect-

ed that,” Robinson says. “The space wasn’t serving us well as a team and didn’t have a lot of design inspiration.” To accomplish the project’s goals, they created a better layout for their library of materials and a new lounge for team meetings. 3

In addition to updating their own workspaces, Touché’s team members also created a presentation space for clients. Complete with a new layout and large screen, the new space serves all of their needs for client interactions. For other meetings with the team and clients, they updated the conference room, adding their branding photos and manifesto to the wall. Regardless of which space they were working on during the remodel, the team enjoyed doing what they do best in their own of ces. “We had a lot of fun doing this together,” Robinson says. “It was something that we’ve been looking forward to being able to do as a team.”

One of the goals of the remodel was to give Robinson a workspace that representedherpersonality.Theteamdesigned and fabricated chairs, lled the space with plants and adorned the walls with Robinson’s photography and paintings. “My new of ce space has been so useful in giving me a more private space to work that re ects our mission and brand,” Robinson says. 5

Whileupdatingthebreakroom,the team members wanted it to showcase theirpersonalitiesandre ecttheir lives outside of the of ce. “On our break room wall, we have this whole collection of Instagram photos, which are people’s personal photos they wanted to put on display of their pets, family and travels,” Robinson says. They also incorporated the design into the function of their of ce by creating a space for inspiration. “Each week, a different team member selects an inspirational quote that we put on the wall,” she says. “It’s just a cool rhythm that we have incorporated into our new space.” 6

Upon entering the of ce, the rst thing visitors see is the one-of-a-kind mural, designed and painted by the team. “We wanted something that was a hit of color, a little bit of whimsy in our space and something personal to us, meaning it’s not duplicated somewhere else,” Robinson says. “So we put together inspiration for the mural, designed it in software, and then the team painted it on the wall.”

THE 2023 WINNERS

THE TOP 20 PLACES TO WORK IN 417-LAND, INDEPENDENTLY ASSESSED BY THE BEST COMPANIES GROUP AND BROKEN DOWN BY EMPLOYER SIZE.

CATEGORY: SMALL EMPLOYER (15 TO 99 EMPLOYEES)

1.

6.

CATEGORY: LARGE EMPLOYER (100 OR MORE EMPLOYEES)

OLLIS/AKERS/ARNEY INSURANCE & BUSINESS ADVISORS

HQ: Spring eld

63 employees

Industry: Insurance

President/CEO: Richard Ollis

2. GRADDY REAL ESTATE

HQ: Spring eld

21 employees

Industry: Real Estate

President/CEO: Adam Graddy

3. RICK’S AUTOMOTIVE HQ: Spring eld

46 employees

Industry: Auto & Transportation

Owner: Rick Hughlett

4.

OMG COMMERCE, LLC

HQ: Spring eld

51 employees Industry: Advertising/PR/Marketing

CEO: Brett Curry

5. SAPP DESIGN ASSOCIATES ARCHITECTS

HQ: Spring eld

25 employees

Industry: Architecture

Partner/Director: John McNabb

INVESTMENT PROPERTY LOAN EXCHANGE HQ: Spring eld

22 employees

Industry: Financial Services

CEO: Damon Riehl

7.

PARAGON ARCHITECTURE

HQ: Spring eld

24 employees

Industry: Architecture

President: Brad Erwin

8. KEEP SUPPLY HQ: Spring eld

48 employees

Industry: Industrial Equipment

CEO: Joshua Burch

9.

PEARSON-KELLY TECHNOLOGY

HQ: Spring eld

34 employees

Industry: Technology

CEO: Chelsey Bode

10.

CLEAR CREEK GOLF CAR & UTILITY VEHICLES HQ: Ozark

63 employees

Industry: Auto & Transportation

CEO: Brian Cheever

1. JMARK

HQ: Spring eld

120 employees

Industry: Technology

CEO: Thomas H. Douglas

2.

WEST PLAINS BANK AND TRUST COMPANY

HQ: West Plains

110 employees

Industry: Banking

President/CEO: David M. Gohn

3. PADDIO HQ: Spring eld

4,745 employees

Industry: Financial Services

Director of Production: Ryan Kluttz

4. FORVIS HQ: Spring eld

5,864 employees

Industry: Accounting

CEO: Tom Watson

5. ARVEST BANK

HQ: Bentonville, Arkansas

6,637 employees

Industry: Banking

President/CEO: Kevin Sabin

6.

ABACUS CPAS

HQ: Spring eld

100 employees

Industry: Accounting

Managing Partner: William A. Dunton

7.

NEXT LEVEL SOLUTIONS

HQ: Spring eld

352 employees

Industry: Technology

CEO: Chris Sawyer

8.

DUCK CREEK TECHNOLOGIES, LLC

HQ: Boston, Massachusetts

900 employees

Industry: Technology

CEO: Michael Jackowski

9.

SUMMIT NATURAL GAS OF MISSOURI, INC.

HQ: Branson

1,259 employees

Industry: Energy

President/CEO: Kurt Adams

10.

TITANIC MUSEUM ATTRACTION

HQ: Branson

134 employees

Industry: Travel & Tourism

CEO: John Joslyn

Becoming a Best Place to Work

For the third year, Biz 417 is celebrating the Best Places to Work in southwest Missouri—and the winners have all undergone a rigorous evaluation process to make the list.

This year, Biz 417 had a total of 38 nominees. Only the top 10 in each size category (small employers with 15 to 99 employees, and large employers with 100 or more employees) scored highly enough to place on our list and have their names published in the magazine. Of those 20 businesses, only the very highest-ranking ones, the top three in each size category, are profiled on these pages.

KNOW THE SCORE

How were the 20 list-makers chosen? Every company that applies is carefully evaluated by Best Companies Group using a hefty amount of data. The application process requires information provided by the company and a survey completed by its employees. Employee feedback is weighted more heavily than company-provided stats, meaning the results paint a true picture of what it’s really like to work there. If scores don’t pass a specific threshold, a company cannot be named a Best Place to Work. Companies that apply can review their data and use it to choose areas in which they want to improve.

—Katie Pollock Estes

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The physical workspace is covered here, including topics like working conditions, noise control, heating and cooling, and safety.

RELATIONSHIP WITH SUPERVISOR

Pollock Estes

Companies that apply for Best Places to Work are evaluated in eight categories, each with ve to 17 subcategories in which employees can express how well they feel the company is doing. Later, the companies receive a scorecard showing how they performed based on employee feedback, as well as how they compare to benchmark data from other in-market businesses that also applied for Best Places to Work.—Katie

LEADERSHIP

Employees are asked about topics like “I understand the long-term strategy of this organization” and “The leaders of this organization are open to input from employees.”

CORPORATE CULTURE AND COMMUNICATIONS

The largest category, this section has 17 topics covering issues such as effective communication about departmental goals and progress, staf ng levels, diversity and cooperation.

ROLE SATISFACTION

Here, employees are asked if they understand their job role and its importance, if they have a healthy work-life balance, if they are given enough authority to make decisions they need to make, and more.

METHODOLOGY: Biz 417’s Best Places to Work is a celebration of elite employers that have proved that they know what it takes to create environments where people love to come to work. Identifying and recognizing these outstanding workplaces was a joint effort of Biz 417 and Best Companies Group.

The Best Places to Work program was open to all publicly or privately held organizations in the 417 region. To be eligible for consideration, organizations must have at least 15 employees in the region; being headquartered in the region was not a requirement.

The Best Places to Work survey process was managed by Best Companies Group (BCG). BCG, an independent workplace-excellence research rm, managed the registration process, conducted the two-part survey process, evaluated the data and ultimately chose the employers that were good enough to make the list. To go through the assessment process, employers needed to register by February 18, 2023.

Part one of the assessment (one quarter of each organization’s score) consisted of the BCG Employer Questionnaire (EQ), used to collect information about each employer’s bene ts, policies and practices, as well as other gen-

Employees are asked if their supervisor treats them fairly, handles employees’ work-related and personal issues well, acknowledges work done well and offers feedback when work needs improvement, and more.

TRAINING, DEVELOPMENT AND RESOURCES

Are employees provided with adequate training? Do they have the technology needed to do their jobs, and is it adequately maintained? Are employees encouraged to develop and acquire new skills?

PAY AND BENEFITS

This section focuses on adequate pay and satisfaction with bene ts packages, speci cally asking about things like health care bene ts, retirement plans and more.

OVERALL ENGAGEMENT

The questions here are broader and touch on overall employee satisfaction, asking surveyed employees if they are proud to work at their company, look forward to going to work, are able to do their best work and more.

eral information. Part two of the assessment (three quarters of each organization’s score) involved the con dential 78-question Employee Engagement & Satisfaction Survey (EESS), which was used to evaluate the employees’ workplace experience and culture. The combined data allowed the experts at BCG to conduct an in-depth analysis of the strengths and challenges that exist in each organization. BCG’s workplace-assessment experts determined which were good enough to make this year’s list.

Participation was free, and each organization had the option to purchase access to the BCG Insights Reportal organizing the employee data collected through the employee survey process.

In addition to the employee opinion data, the Insights Reportal also included transcribed, employee-written comments, as well as benchmarking data from the winning and non-winning organizations. This data will help each company understand their workforce better and equip them with the information to make improvements.

For more information about the methodology, visit bestplacestowork417. com or email lcohen@bestcompaniesgroup.com.

OLLIS/AKERS/ARNEY INSURANCE & BUSINESS ADVISORS

WHERE OWNERSHIP IS A BOND

CATEGORY: SMALL EMPLOYER

HEADQUARTERS Spring eld

NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES 63

INDUSTRY Insurance

PRESIDENT/CEO Richard Ollis

Ollis/Akers/Arney Insurance & Business Advisors has become a regular on the Best Places to Work list. In 2021 and 2022, Ollis placed in the top five, and this year, it claims the No. 1 spot on the list of small employers.

Joe Gaunt, Ollis/Akers/Arney’s chief operating officer, says this is no accident. “We place a lot of emphasis on continuing to add to our benefits plans to make this a great place to work,” he says. This involves a yearly review, in which Ollis’s human resources consulting group suggests new benefits the company might consider.

The HR team also conducts regular market studies to evaluate Ollis’s pay structure. Gaunt says that because of increased competition in the labor market, Ollis now assesses its compensation every couple of years.

“In our industry specifically, there’s a lot of remote work,” he says. This means that people sometimes receive offers from companies on the East and West coasts, where the pay is likely higher than in 417-land. And although Ollis can’t always match a San Francisco salary, Gaunt says that if the company keeps its compensation competitive, it has a good chance of winning on culture. “We have had a couple team members who were recruited away to other organizations,” Gaunt says. “We were able to get them back here because they enjoyed our culture and our team.”

Employee ownership is at the heart of that culture. Team members at Ollis are employee-owners. This means they all have a real stake in the outcome, and this stake has become a bond among the team. It also affects the way Ollis evaluates potential employees—with character at the center of the conversation.

As Gaunt puts it: “If you’re trying to create a good culture, get your hiring practices in order and understand the type of people you want to have in your organization. None of the other things matter if you’ve filled the building with people who are toxic and don’t work well together.”

Once you’ve got those good people in the building, Gaunt says it’s crucial to lead with empathy. “It matters to people for their manager to understand that they have things going on in their life besides what’s going on in this building,” Gaunt says. “I’ve found that when you build trust with people, they’ll always want to do their best.”

“It matters to people for their manager to understand that they have things going on in their life besides what’s going on in this building. I’ve found that when you build trust with people, they’ll always want to do their best.”

JOE GAUNT

GRADDY REAL ESTATE

WHERE CHARACTER COMES FIRST

Afew years ago, Graddy Real Estate was experiencing something that may sound familiar to other small business owners. “We’d get a great candidate, and then we’d find out we’d lost them to a large corporation because they wanted benefits,” says Adam Graddy, president of Graddy Real Estate. “Often, they were taking less salary than we were offering, but they wanted the safety and security of the benefit package.” The Graddy team wondered what would happen if they offered the same salary along with a comprehensive benefits package. So they tried it, and “all this great talent started showing up,” Adam Graddy says. For him, the lesson was clear: “I think the key is to find really great talent and to pay them what they’re worth.”

The Graddy compensation package now includes familiar pillars like paid time off, bonusstructures, a 401(k) plan and good health insurance, plus some outside-thebox extras. For example, Graddy pays monthly subscription feesforallemployeesat Freedom Health Systems in Ozark. Adam Graddy says this service offers his employees easy access to quick telehealth

and in-office visits. From his perspective, it’s a manageable expense that gives his team a big quality-of-life boost.

Graddy also pays for gym membershipsatAchieving Your Best, and anytime an employee is at the gym, it’s consideredanexcusedabsence. Over time, Adam Graddy says, “people have started partneringupasworkout buddies, so it’s created a great culture. It’s a byproduct of them all having the same gym membership.”

Sometimes it’s these smallish things that really matter, Adam Graddy says. They underscore the depth of the employer-employeerelationship—and emphasize that it’s not transactional. This goes bothways,AdamGraddy says. When employees feel valued, they’re willing to give more.Ultimately,customers are the ones who benefit, which means the whole business benefits.

That’s why Graddy hires for character first, he says, even if that means taking on employees who haven’t worked in real estate before. “I focus on finding highly accountable self-starters with a great work ethic—Ican’tteachthat,”

Adam Graddy says. “I can teach real estate.”

CATEGORY: SMALL EMPLOYER

HEADQUARTERS Spring eld

NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES 21

INDUSTRY Real Estate

PRESIDENT/CEO Adam Graddy

“I focus on finding highly accountable self-starters with a great work ethic—I can’t teach that. I can teach real estate.”

ADAM GRADDY

RICK’S AUTOMOTIVE

WHERE GREAT RELATIONSHIPS ARE BUILT

Since Rick’s Automotive was founded in 1980, it’s grown quite a bit. It now has almost 50 employees, and is on its second generation of family leadership. Founders Rick and Karen Hughlett are transitioning leadership to their daughter and son-in-law, Kala and Travis Comfort. But, “we’re still a small business,” Travis Comfort says. “It’s family owned, and we treat everyone like family.”

For Comfort, this means really getting to know the people who work at Rick’s. He routinely invites new hires to lunch and sometimes dinner. “It’s just to know them on a whole other level, to see what they’re about,” he says. “When someone’s part of your business, you want to help them through their struggles—not just struggles here at work, but with their life.”

Reinforcing this family-oriented outlook, Rick’s offers competitive benefits, including a whopping 10% match to its 401(k) plan. “And it goes in weekly,” Comfort says. “You’re vested at 20% a year, so after five years, you’re fully vested.”

As for fun, Rick’s has become known for its next-level holiday par-

CATEGORY: SMALL EMPLOYER

HEADQUARTERS Spring eld

NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES 46

INDUSTRY Auto & Transportation

OWNER Rick Hughlett

ties. Last year, the company rented out Volleyball Beach Ozark for a “beach party in December”–themed event, complete with summer games and a DJ to keep the breezy atmosphere going. Employees who hit their two-decade anniversary with the company are rewarded with an even bigger perk. “Everyone who reaches their 20th gets sent on their dream vacation,” Comfort says. In the past, destinations have included Hawaii, Europe, Alaska and a train trip out West.

It pays to offer these extras, Comfort says, because the well-being and attitude of Rick’s employees make a big difference for the customer. “There’s a lot of automotive shops that give the industry a bad name,” he says. “We want to break away from that.” This means hiring for character, then maintaining great relationships with employees, which become the foundation for strong company culture. As Comfort puts it: “If you hire people that you know are honest, the customer gets honest service.”

It’s an idea that resonates with the principles he learned from his father-in-law. According to Comfort, “Rick’s always said: ‘Do the right thing, and everything else will fall in place.’”

“When someone’s part of your business, you want to help them through their struggles—not just struggles here at work, but with their life.”

TRAVIS COMFORT

JMARK

WHERE THE TEAM SETS ITSELF UP FOR SUCCESS

In JMARK’s industry—managed services—competition for talent is fierce. But this hasn’t changed the way JMARK hires new employees for its team.

CEO Thomas H. Douglas says that when his company is filling a position, “we go through an average of eight people before we find one. We don’t shy away from saying ‘no’ just because we need a butt in the seat.” They get to be selective because the entire team wants to maintain the good working environment and culture at JMARK. “The team’s perspective is: ‘We’ll wait for the right person,’” Douglas says. “To have people give us permission to be picky is just tremendous.”

It probably comes down to JMARK’s culture, which Douglas says is based on respect. Everyone operates on a philosophy they call “downstream.” It’s the awareness that when one unit finishes with a product or process, they’re handing it downstream to their colleagues. “And we have to make sure that people are handed things that set them up for success,” Douglas says.

CATEGORY: LARGE EMPLOYER

HEADQUARTERS Spring eld

NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES 120 INDUSTRY Technology

CEO Thomas H. Douglas

When things aren’t going smoothly, respect plays an important role too. “What does it mean to create an environment where someone who’s been here for six months can come up to their supervisor and say, ‘I made a mistake’?” Douglas asks. “Or, ‘You made a mistake.’ Or, ‘One of my peers is hurting the team,’ and not worry about repercussions.” Douglas describes this concept as “psychological safety.” He says it comes down to humility and a willingness to look at the facts. When you can look at the facts of a situation—and separate them from your feelings about those facts—challenges and conflicts can be resolved in ways that actually enrich company culture.

With such a strong emphasis on maintaining a healthy culture, it’s no surprise that JMARK’s turnover rate is low. Douglas says that it’s just one-fifth of his industry’s norm. And it may also be why JMARK has earned a spot on the Best Places to Work list, every year since its inception—this year, coming in at No. 1 for large employers.

For Douglas, a lot of it stems from “the gift,” as he calls it—his team’s permission to be picky during the hiring process. “Generally speaking, good people want to do good work, so it’s up to us as leaders to put good people in place,” he says.

“Generally speaking, good people want to do good work, so it’s up to us as leaders to put good people in place.”

THOMAS H. DOUGLAS

WEST PLAINS BANK AND TRUST COMPANY

WHERE COMMUNITY IS BUILT ON TRUST

Backin2012,West Plains Bank and Trust Company began taking a deep look at its culture. As President/CEO David M. Gohn says, the bank was growing, and it needed to build up a layer of managers and supervisors who were empowered to make decisions. So it hired an outside consulting company and embarked on an intensive three-year process to refine and communicate the bank’s unique culture. After that, the organization continued to work on culture incrementally, and this emphasis still plays a big role in the hiring processes used today.

“In hiring, it’s more important to get the culture fit right and then teach the banking skills that are needed for the position,” Gohn says. “Certain positions are very specific, but at the entry level, you can teach skills—if you can get the culture fit right.”

In 2014, the bank made anotherimportantshiftwhen it implemented an employee stock ownership plan. Employee benefits already included a 401(k) plan with an employer matchand a profit-sharing plan. Transforming employees into employee-owners was a sensible next step, Gohn says.

“Now at the end of the year, instead of making a contribution to the 401(k) through the profit-sharing plan, we make

a contribution to the employee stock ownership plan,” he says. “Ourvaluewilloutperform most 401(k) plans, so the employee will get a better return on their dollar and be better off in retirement.” Plus, the ESOP brings an extra benefit. “Everyone takes extra accountability because they’re thinking like an owner now,” Gohn says.

This ownership mentality affects how team members treat each other—with support and encouragement—and this, in turn creates an environment of trust that makes customers feel comfortable with the bank.

Customersalsovaluethe bank’scommunity-focused approach, which shows up in initiativeslikeorganizationbranded debit cards. The bank offers different debit cards that are styled after local elementary or high schools, Missouri State University–WestPlainsand Ozarks Healthcare Foundation.

“Every time you swipe it, we allocate three cents per swipe and donate it back to the organization at the end of the year,” Gohnsays. “We’re donating over $80,000 a year now—it’s turned into real money.”

All of this has become part of the bank’s brand. As Gohn puts it: “Our customers see that we have fun at work. We support one another and support our communities, and that’s helped us grow.”

CATEGORY: LARGE EMPLOYER

HEADQUARTERS West Plains

NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES 110

INDUSTRY Banking

PRESIDENT/CEO David M. Gohn

“In hiring, it’s more important to get the culture fit right and then teach the banking skills that are needed for the position.”

DAVID M. GOHN

PADDIO

WHERE COLLEAGUES BECOME FRIENDS

“Be passionate and have fun.”

“Deliver results with integrity.”

“Enhance lives every day.”

These are the core values of home mortgage lender Paddio. “If you take away one of those, it just doesn’t work,” says Ryan Kluttz, Paddio’s director of production.

Kluttz says these values provide the foundation for a great work environment—and a mission in which employees know they’re truly making a difference in the community. Home mortgages aren’t just about interest rates and contracts, he says. “I’m sure there’s debate about causation versus correlation, but when you take a step back at the effect home ownership has on the average person’s life in America, it is significant,” Kluttz says. “From safety to life outcomes for children to wealth generation, home ownership seems to drive a lot of those positive life outcomes for the average individual.”

The team at Paddio takes this mission seriously. That’s why Kluttz says it’s very important to hire people of integrity and character— and to nurture the relationships between its employees. Paddio encourages small groups, where employees connect with each other around the commonalities they share beyond the workplace. For example, several employees discovered they’d all played basketball

CATEGORY: LARGE EMPLOYER

HEADQUARTERS Spring eld

NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES 4,745

INDUSTRY Financial Services

DIRECTOR OF PRODUCTION Ryan Kluttz

in high school, so they developed a group in which they could play together. Other small groups include book clubs and get-togethers where people trade “dad jokes.”

Kluttz says those moments of connection pay off, in the form of deep bonds between Paddio’s employees. “About a year in, we had an event at a Springfield Cardinals game,” he says. “I remember taking a step back and looking at our staff and their spouses and knowing that these were friends hanging out. That’s so cool, and it’s a huge win for us.”

At Paddio, Kluttz says, these relationships buffer everyone through the ups and downs. It’s especially important in an industry like home mortgage lending, where the market can be unpredictable. “Fighting alongside friends is different than fighting alongside colleagues,” he says. “We want to make sure we’re fighting alongside friends in a difficult market.”

“Fighting alongside friends is di erent than fighting alongside colleagues.”

RYAN KLUTTZ

Where do you want to work?

What makes a good business a great place for its employees? Get to know five 417-land companies that pour time and energy into their teams every day to become employers of choice.

EMPLOYERS OF CHOICE

Abacus cpas

Twenty- ve years and counting as an employer in 417-land! Worklife balance has been a hot topic across the job market and a big reason why employees are drawn to a company. Abacus CPAs value a “work-life integration” where employees don’t have to choose between their work and their life. Their employees are encouraged to nd a system that works for them and their families by o ering guilt-free exibility.

Beyond a great work-life balance, employees at Abacus CPAs are encouraged to thrive in an environment of growth. They are trained to embrace an entrepreneurial culture, to learn from mistakes and nd creative solutions.

Ready for Innovation? The Abacus App launched in

2022, where clients can track tax returns from start to nish in real-time and upload documents directly through the app. Their App won the Boomer Consulting, Inc.‘s 2022 “Bridging the Gap” Innovative Project Award given to rms in the accounting industry that show excellence in technology and rm management.

Abacus CPAs is proud to do things di erently. They believe that their employees and clients deserve to interact in an environment that fosters growth, trust and con dence. Abacus professionals provide leadership by relentlessly pursuing the best guidance possible so those they serve can make smarter decisions.

Visit abacus.cpa to learn more.

Grant Holmes, Teri Wingo, Bill Dunton, Shuhan Gu, Lauren Lyon, John Helms

Burrell Behavioral Health is one of the nation’s largest community mental health centers, providing comprehensive mental health services to more than 40,000 clients across 18 counties in Missouri. Their provider base of over 400 clinicians supports a full continuum of care with partnerships spanning across 100 organizations to help remove barriers to care.

Burrell believes all people deserve the opportunity to pursue a ful lling career path and have access to competent care in a safe, informed and respectful environment. This philosophy is embodied by Mitra Pedram, LCSW, the new Director of the Behavioral Crisis Center and Youth Residential Services in the Southwest Region. Mitra fosters

an inclusive and innovative workplace and inspires passion in her sta , who serve clients through Burrell’s complete continuum of care.

Mitra’s Behavioral Crisis Center sta supports Burrell’s commitment to helping communities in 417-land end the crisis cycle by providing evidence-based practices in24/7settings.Inthecomingyear,thisdynamic team will open Missouri’s rst Youth Behavioral Crisis Center, increasing access to one of the most vulnerable populations. In this setting and many others, a career at Burrell is an opportunity to work with a purpose and ex unique skill sets to help communities in Missouri heal, grow and thrive.

Mitra Pedram, LCSW, Behavioral Crisis Center and Youth Residential Services Director

"A career at Burrell is an opportunity to work with a purpose."

Drury university

Approaching its 150th anniversary, Drury University is one of Spring eld’s oldest institutions and has a long history of prioritizing its most important resource: its people. Rich with tradition and innovation, the university not only o ers a liberal arts education but also recruits employees passionate about student success, lifelong learning and professionalism, all of which contribute to the Drury Di erence.

The university treats its employees with exceptional bene ts. Many current employees are former students or have alumni in their families—the tuition remission program plays a role in family retention. Drury o ers free tuition for employees and free undergraduate classes for the em-

ployees’ immediate families. The university also believes in providing ample time o for rest and recovery, granting employees up to 300 paid hours o in their rst year. Employees may even enjoy the gym, pool, theater, sporting events and library on campus.

Drury’s o cial culture statement is “A spirit of community, passionate about student success.” The university embodies those words in everything it does, striving to make the best experiences for its students. From the facilities crew who keeps the grounds in bloom to the advancement sta keeping up with its alumni, Drury University honors a healthy work-life balance to nurture creativity, growth and educational opportunities.

With beautiful o ce spaces, celebratory and festive events for employees, and a genuine sense of community among coworkers, Drury University prioritizes its sta and faculty as its most important resources, even in its 150th year.

Toth and associates, Inc.

Toth and Associates (TOTH) is one of the best workplaces in 417-land, with an impressive employee satisfaction score of 98% on a recent third-party survey. They achieved this high rating by committing to creating an outstanding workplace prioritizing a family-orientedculture,employmentadvantages,and community involvement.

TOTH creates a welcoming “family” atmosphere through transparent communication, mutual respect, and shared activities such as monthly game nights and annual events like the Cajun Boil. Employees also participate in companysupported sports and groups, including softball, volleyball, ultimate frisbee, running, and cycling.

417-447-0535 | 2155 W. CHESTERFIELD ST. SPRINGFIELD | OAKSTARBANK.COM

In addition to the positive culture, employees receive

competitive pay and nd satisfaction in contributing to projects that are essential for our communities. Employees also enjoy the perks of ping pong, collaborative hangout spaces, a fully equipped kitchen, complimentary fruit and soda, and a robust co ee and espresso bar.

TOTH is a multidisciplinary engineering consulting rm that serves a wide range of clients, from public and private utilities to municipalities, architects, educational institutions, and more. Their mission is to give back to the communities they serve. Outside the workplace, the board of directors and employees nancially support, volunteer, and serve on boards for various community organizations.

Find out more about Toth and Associates by visiting their website at tothassociates.com.

arvest bank

Arvest operates not as a regional bank, but as 14 separate community-focused banks, each with its own management team and local board. This model allows them to o er a community-oriented, customer-focused banking experience to customers. That small-town bank feel extends to their work environment as well.

People don’t just consider salary, bene ts and advancement opportunities when deciding to join or remain at an organization. They want to know the company has a conscience—that it cares about the community around it and the people within it. Arvest’s mission statement of “People helping people nd nancial solutions for life” embodies this mindset to make it a great place to work.

417-885-7240 // Arvest.com

Devin Bobbett, Kaitlyn Love, Donna Cox, Mitch Wilkins

“It creates memories because you have to work through some challenging situations.”

—Thomas Douglas, CEO of JMARK SEE P. 80

 7:30-8:30 a.m., Friday, September 1

FIRST FRIDAY COFFEE

Enjoy coffee and pastries in aninformalnetworkingatmosphere to meet,mingle and make contacts with other chamber members and businesses. Drop in for a few minutes or stay for the whole hour. Free for members. Location varies each month. Visit ozarkchamber. com for more info.

 8:30–9:30 a.m., Wednesday, September 6

1 MILLION CUPS

This weekly event highlights a different local entrepreneur and their business each week. Bambino’s Cafe, 2810 E. Battlefield Road, Suite D, Springfield. Find upcoming speakers and more info online at 1millioncups.com/springfield.

 7:30–8:30 a.m., Thursday, September 7

GOOD MORNING, SPRINGFIELD!

Start your day with networking over breakfast at the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce’smonthlybreakfast event. This month, hear updates from Greene County, the City of Springfield and Springfield Public Schools.

$30 for members, $40 for nonmembers. DoubleTree by Hilton, 2431 N. Glenstone Ave., Springfield.Visitspringfieldchamber. com or call 417-862-5567 for more info.

 7:30–8:30 a.m., Friday, September 8

JACC MORNING BREW

Head west and do a little morning networking with the Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce. Free. Joplin Greenhouse & The Coffee Shop, 2820 E. 32nd St., Joplin. Visit joplincc.com for more information.

 8:30–9:30 a.m., Wednesday, September 13

1 MILLION CUPS

This weekly event highlights a different local entrepreneur and their business each week.

Bambino’s Cafe, 2810 E. Battlefield Road, Suite D, Springfield. Find upcoming speakers online at 1millioncups.com/springfield.

 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m., Wednesday, September 13

BIZ 417 ’S BEST PLACES TO WORK CELEBRATION

The results are in! Come celebrate the finalists on Biz 417 ’s third annual Best Places to Work list. We’re recognizing the top 20 businesses in 417land for their outstanding efforts in creating collaborative and fun workplaces. Join us for lunch and an award ceremony as we reveal the final rankings. Plus, hear speaker and entrepreneur Matt Coen share the importance of thinking outside of the box. Bring your team spirit, and get ready to party! $60generaladmission.Glendalough Convention Center at DoubleTree by Hilton, 2431 N. Glenstone Ave., Springfield. For tickets and more info, visit biz417. com/best-places-to-work-2023.

 4–6 p.m., Thursday, September 14

BUSINESS AFTER HOURS

Minglewithotherbusiness professionals in a casual atmosphere at the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce’s monthlyhappyhour,which features food, drink specials and door prizes.

$10 for members, $20 for nonmembers. Finley Farms, 699 N. 4th St., Ozark. Visit springfieldchamber.comorcall417-8625567 for more info.

 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m., Tuesday, September 19

WORKING WOMEN IN NIXA LUNCHEON

Working Women In Nixa is a

powerful monthly networking luncheon geared to businesswomen.Eachsessionisfocused on empowering, inspiring and connecting women in the community.

$15 for members before the previous Friday (discount applied at checkout), $20 for members after Friday or at the door, $25 for nonmembers.MainEventCenter, 101-B S. Main St., Nixa. Visit nixachamber.com for more info.

 4–6 p.m., Tuesday, September 19

BIZ BLITZ EVENING EDITION

Bring your business cards and get ready to meet new people and make connections fast at the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce’s popular speednetworking event.

$15 for members, $25 for non-members. DoubleTree by Hilton, 2431 N.GlenstoneAve.,Springfield. Visitspringfieldchamber.comor call 417-862-5567 for more info.

 8:30–9:30 a.m., Wednesday, September 20

1 MILLION CUPS

This weekly event highlights a different local entrepreneur and their business each week.

Bambino’s Cafe, 2810 E. Battlefield Road, Suite D, Springfield. Find upcoming speakers online at 1millioncups.com/springfield.

 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m., Monday, September 25

CHRISTIAN COUNTY NONPROFIT ROUNDTABLE

ThisgatheringofChristian County social service nonprofit executives is a place for organizations to share resources.

ChristianCountyAmbulance District Community Room, 393 N. 21st St., Ozark. Registration and info at nixachamber.com.

 8:30–9:30 a.m., Wednesday, September 27

1 MILLION CUPS

This weekly event highlights

a different local entrepreneur and their business each week.

Bambino’s Cafe, 2810 E. Battlefield Road, Suite D, Springfield. Find upcoming speakers online at 1millioncups.com/springfield.

 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m., Thursday, September 28

EXPERIENCE OZARK MONTHLY NETWORKING LUNCHEON

Attend the Ozark Chamber of Commerce’s monthly luncheon to network, catch up on local events and hear from chamber members about issues that affect the community.

$20 for members, $25 for nonmembers.OzarkCommunity Center, 1530 W. Jackson, Ozark. Visit ozarkchamber.com for info.

 8:30–9:30 a.m., Wednesday, October 4

1 MILLION CUPS

This weekly event highlights a different local entrepreneur and their business each week. Bambino’s Cafe, 2810 E. Battlefield Road, Suite D, Springfield. Find upcoming speakers online at 1millioncups.com/springfield.

 7:30–8:30 a.m., Thursday, October 5

GOOD MORNING, SPRINGFIELD!: STATE OF THE COUNTY

Start your day with networking over breakfast at the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce’smonthlybreakfast event. This month, Presiding Commissioner Bob Dixon will give the Annual State of the County presentation.

$30 for members, $40 for nonmembers. Hill City Church (new building),2050E.Trafficway St., Springfield. Visit springfieldchamber.com or call 417-862-5567 for more information.

 7:30–8:30 a.m., Friday, October 6

FIRST

FRIDAY COFFEE

Enjoy coffee and pastries as

you meet, mingle and make contacts with other chamber members and businesses. Free for chamber members. Location varies each month. Visit ozarkchamber.com for more info.

 8:30–9:30 a.m., Wednesday, October 11

1 MILLION CUPS

This weekly event highlights a different local entrepreneur and their business each week. Bambino’s Cafe, 2810 E. Battlefield Road, Suite D, Springfield. Find upcoming speakers online at 1millioncups.com/springfield.

 4–6 p.m., Thursday, October 12

BUSINESS AFTER HOURS

Minglewithotherbusiness professionals in a casual atmosphere at the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce’s monthlyhappyhour,which features food, drink specials and door prizes.

$10 for members, $20 for nonmembers.IronGrainDistrict, Highway MM and Sawyer Road, Republic. Visit springfieldchamber.com or call 417-862-5567 for more info.

 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m., Monday, October 17

INFORM OZARK

Bring your own lunch (or order a catered meal through the Ozark Chamber of Commerce prior to the event) to this quarterly TED Talk–style event and learn about progress and partnerships in Christian County. Expect to stock up on ideas for team-building, customer retention, and personal and professional development.

Free to attend. Visit ozarkchamber.com for more info.

 8:30–9:30 a.m., Wednesday, October 18

1 MILLION CUPS

Thiseventhighlights a different local entrepreneur and their business each week.

Bambino’s Cafe, 2810 E. Battlefield Road, Suite D, Springfield. Find upcoming speakers online at 1millioncups.com/springfield.

 11 a.m.–1 p.m., Tuesday, October 24

SPRINGFIELD AREA

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: 2023

NON-PROFIT OUTLOOK

Join the chamber for its inauguralNon-ProfitOutlook to celebrate the impact of nonprofitorganizationsinthe Springfield region. A panel of business and nonprofit leaders will share insights about creating successful partnerships that help attract and retain employees while contributing to the quality of life in our community.

$35 for members, $45 for nonmembers. The Barley House at Moon Town Crossing, 3060 N. Kentwood Ave., Springfield. Visit springfieldchamber.comorcall 417-862-5567 for more info.

 8:30–9:30 a.m., Wednesday, October 25

1 MILLION CUPS

Thiseventhighlights a different local entrepreneur and their business each week.

Bambino’s Cafe, 2810 E. Battlefield Road, Suite D, Springfield. Find upcoming speakers online at 1millioncups.com/springfield.

 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m., Thursday, October 26

EXPERIENCE OZARK MONTHLY NETWORKING LUNCHEON

Attend the Ozark Chamber of Commerce’s monthly luncheon to network, catch up on local events and hear from chamb er members about issues that affect the community and its businesses.

$17 for members, $20 for nonmembers.OzarkCommunity Center, 1530 W. Jackson, Ozark. Visit ozarkchamber.com for more info.

Biz 417 ’s Ladies Who Launch 2023

The sixth annual Biz 417 Ladies Who Launch half-day leadership conference provided individuals who have a passion for success with the tools, inspiration and support needed to thrive in today’s competitive business landscape.

Date: July 20 | Host Organization: Biz 417 | Location: White River Conference Center

Website: biz417.com

PRESENTED BY

PHOTOS BY LEAH STIEFERMANN, KIRSTIN KNAPTON

Publisher Logan Aguirre emceed the event.

Hustle Hour offered a chance to make new connections.

The 2023 Women Who Mean Business spoke on a panel sponsored by FORVIS.

Mercy hosted its annual Hustle Hour speed-networking.

Husch Blackwell sponsored Mizzou’s Desirée Reed-Francois.

Reliable Lexus’s installation made a great photo op.

The sel e-mirror booth from Volt Credit Union provided a fun opportunity for photos. Speakers encouraged interactions from attendees throughout the event.

Elevate Entertainment kept the energy up with music throughout the day.

Keynote speaker Sarah Knight talked work-life balance in her presentation, sponsored by Volt Credit Union.

The day ended with Rosé Hour, sponsored by Rosie, where attendees got to chat while sipping rosé.

Tracy Powell and Gretchen Pearman enjoyed a trip to the bar during a break.

Biz 417 ’s Ladies Who Launch 2023 (Continued)

Judy Miller, Tiff Barnes

Morgan Lance, Tiffany Enowski

Kimberly Browning-Clift, Rachel York, Ashlee Skeen

Dr. Nichole Lemmon, Dr. Nicole Holt, Jennifer Webb, Dr. Beth Engelhart, Crystal Magers

Rachael Mhire Palmer, Maria Stockton, Dami Odunewu

PHOTOS

Samantha Jent, Emily Alloway, Paije Luth, Taylor Stanton

Jessica Meyer, Katherine Medcalf, Regina McClain, Shinaed Peavey

Ann Marie Bianchi, Lisa Tinkler

Sarah Knight, Lucie Amberg

Jill Finney, Megan Neyer, Andrea Mueller

Loretta Roney, Gina McNabb, Carly Taft

DOWNTIME Jeepers Creepers

JMARK CEO Thomas Douglas enjoys getting outside in his downtime, exploring the great outdoors in his Jeep with his 15-year-old son. Douglas rst became interested in Jeeps after purchasing his Jeep Wrangler Rubicon and seeing what a connected community there was for Jeep owners. He started attending Jeep Jamborees with his son in 417-land and eventually traveling to Jamborees in other locations like Texas. The pair tries to attend one to two of the events each year. “It creates memories because you have to work through some challenging situations,” he says. “You go up these vertical rock climbs and all you see is your hood. It’s a little crazy to work through, but it’s the kind of thing that creates memories for the family.” —Jo

Jolli