BRIAN “ROB” O’BRIAN

1016 N. Sergeant Avenue Joplin, MO 64801 rob@obrianassociates.com

Experienced economic development and chamber of commerce executive leading a consultancy for organization and community growth and success.

President, O'Brian & Associates, LLC. March 2018 - Present.

O’Brian & Associates is a consultancy in workforce, economic and community development with a target market of chambers of commerce, economic development organizations, community organizations and local government. Serves include strategic planning, community visioning and input, community and organization meeting facilitation, workforce and business park assessments. Principal Rob O’Brian also consults on disaster preparation and recovery, based on his direct experience with the 2011 Joplin EF-5 tornado. He has also worked on disaster-related projects for EDA and SBA.

President of the Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce (M0) 1995 – 2018.

Oversight of a staff of twelve, focused on providing exceptional services to members and being the lead economic development organizations for the city and region. During Rob’s tenure, the Chamber developed a business incubator in a historic downtown building as well as an advanced manufacturing skills training center in partnership with the community college and city. The Chamber formed the Joplin Regional (now MOKAN) Partnership, a regional effort on marketing and workforce development that comprised seven counties across three states. On behalf of the Joplin Industrial Development Authority, the Chamber purchased, developed and managed the JIDAs’ 700-acre business park as well as developing speculative building. The Chamber was recognized as a five-start accredited organization by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce on three reaccreditation cycles. Under Rob’s leadership the chamber grew from less than 500 members to over 1,000 members. Rob was a founding member of the Joplin Regional Medical School Alliance, which the Chamber managed, in a successful effort to bring a medical school to the community. The Chamber was a leading organization in the recovery from the 2011 EF-5 tornado and recognized by the SBA for its efforts on small business recovery.

President of the Warsaw-Kosciusko County (IN) Chamber of Commerce 1990 - 1995. As President, Rob as tasked to rebuild the Chamber membership as well as develop an economic development program. During his tenure, the Chamber grew from less than 300 members to 500 members and fiscal stability was restored. The Chamber took in the Main Street program and also developed a foundation to fund education programs. Given the landlocked position of the existing industrial park, Rob worked with a nearby community to acquire and develop a park.

Vice-President of the Muncie-Delaware County (IN) Chamber of Commerce 1985

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1990. Rob became the first full-time economic developer on the Chamber staff after serving as a volunteer on the small business council. Rob developed a strong business retention program, working with companies impacted by a significant downturn in the automotive sector. Rob worked with the mayor of Muncie to form a labor-management council to improve relations at local plants to help gain contracts as well as developing a “no unionization effort for three years” agreement to encourage new companies to move to the community. Rob developed the case for implementing a local economic development sales. The tax was successfully passed and proceeds used to develop a convention center in an