BRIAN “ROB” O’BRIAN

abandoned historic era post office across from the remaining downtown hotel, allowing that facility to be remodeled under a national brand. The Chamber offices were moved to the convention center, which was also managed by the Chamber. Rob also lead the effort to create a Small Business Development Center housed at the Chamber.

Prior to chamber-led economic development, Rob spent ten years in broadcasting doing news and sales in small and mid-market radio stations and cable television. During the last five years of that time, he was news director at WBST and also taught broadcast journalism at his alma mater Ball State University in Muncie, IN.

Educational Background:

Graduate of South Shelby High School, Shelbina, MO

Magna Cum Laude Bachelor’s Degree; Ball State University, Muncie, IN.

Major: Telecommunications Minor: Journalism, Political science

Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) designation by the International Economic Development Council

IOM (Institute for Organization Management) designation from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce

Certified Strategic Doing Workshop Leader, University of North Alabama

Civic/Business Activities:

Current:

Founding Board member and secretary, Joplin Regional Medical School Alliance Finance Committee

Member, Creative Learning Alliance

Board member and secretary, Community Support Services (assistance for with disabilities)

Chairman, Joplin Regional Airport Board, City of Joplin Chairman, Prop Action Implementation Committee, City of Joplin

Prior:

Founder & Board member of Connect2Culture

Past-President, Joplin Business and Industrial Development Corporation Past-President of the Joplin Regional Partnership

Past-Vice-president, Joplin Industrial Development Authority

Past-president, Missouri Chamber Federation

Past board member & president, Missouri Economic Development Financing Association Past board member & president, Missouri Economic Development Council

Past board member & president, Chamber of Commerce Executives of Missouri Past-member, Hawthorne Board of Directors

Past-member, State Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors

Past-member, Southern Economic Development Council Board of Directors

Past-District Chairman, Missouri Transportation Alliance

Co-founder and past co-chair, I-49 Corridor Coalition (Missouri)

Past-Member, U.S. Chamber of Commerce Transportation & Infrastructure Committee Past-Board member, Community Foundation of Southwest Missouri

Member of Governor Matt Blunt’s “reinventing Missouri government” task force 2005- 2006 (economic development and transportation focus areas)