COMO | January 2020

JA N UA RY 2020 | T HE 20 U NDER 4 0 ISSU E | A PU B L ICATION OF TH E B U SIN E SS TIM E S COM PAN Y

GEOFF KARR LANDMARK BANK

PEEK INSIDE THE NEW ADDITION AT GÃœNTER HANS Page 39

CL ASS OF 2020

SAGER BRAUDIS LAUNCHES NEW PROGRAMS Page 77

SPONSORED CONTENT

Downsizing is the new ‘Upsizing’

O

ne of the biggest obstacles for some guests taking a tour is the fear they are giving up their independence. In actuality, this is far from true! We’re here to shed some light on the downsizing process and how The Village of Bedford Walk is Missouri’s premier place to retire - where downsizing can really be the first step to upsizing you or your loved one’s life!

Karen Hayes, our Move-In Specialist, is unique to The Village of Bedford Walk. She helps with the entire move-in process including choosing the furniture, putting floor plans together and so much more. The best part is this service is included for all our new move-ins.

“When a resident moves here from out of state, I make contact by telephone and email. If they are within a few hours, I enjoy making the drive because I learn so much by spending an hour or so in their home. It helps me make the transition easier for them because I get a real feel for what they like. I get to hear stories about pieces of furniture and mementos. I also help them find a moving company, measure the items they want to bring along and put together a notebook with a few different ideas for floor plans. Once they get here, I spend a few hours with them getting them set up.”

A common misconception is when someone sees an empty apartment and thinks, “Oh, it’s so small. I can’t bring all my furniture.”

Karen’s floor plans help them understand how it all comes together. She often puts down tape so that residents can visualize their furniture in their new home.

Karen Hayes maps out a plan with new residents.

KAREN OFFERS THESE TIPS TO DOWNSIZING: 1.

Find items in your home that you rarely use and move them out of sight to the garage or a closet. Put Post-It notes on the items you think you cannot live without.

In a few weeks, think about whether you have used those items. This can help you start the process of thinning out and downsizing. You do not need to rush the process; take as much time as you can.

And of course, you can always ask family members what they would like to have.

2.

A big concern is what to do with all of those photos and files you have collected over the years. For photos, decorative photo boxes, scrapbooks or photo albums are good options. For files, Karen can help look up the length of time suggested to keep certain records, and if it is time to get rid of them, there are companies who can come to you to shred.

3.

When it comes to furniture, Karen can help decide how to proceed. There are several places in town that will pick up your items as a donation for a tax write-off.

There are also a few resale shops in town.

“Making the decision to move is the biggest challenge. This demographic has worked their entire life to earn money, to buy a house, to be self-sufficient – it can almost feel like a step backward to move. Once they manage those feelings and actually come for a visit, they see how fun Bedford Walk is and how they can interact with other residents. It is really a great community – they become the best of friends.”

With over 100 activities each month, private transportation, daily luncheons by awardwinning Peachtree Catering and more, making the move to The Village of Bedford Walk will leave you feeling as if you have truly upsized.

Call or stop in today to take your tour.

415 Bailey Drive, Columbia 573.203.5656 | TheVillageofBedfordWalk.com

SPONSORED CONTENT

Darion Dameron

State Technical College of Missouri student, Joe Machens Drives Education Scholarship Recipient

We’re giving back to our community by investing in continued education. Every month, we award a nominated high school student with a $1,000 scholarship. Darion Dameron is the scholarship’s latest recipient. She plans to attend the State Technical College of Missouri to study both business and nursing.

How did you feel when you find out you’d won?

I was thrilled! I was actually considering all my options at the time because I was struggling to pay for everything. The scholarship came in real handy.

What does continuing your education mean to you and your family?

It means everything. When I graduate, I’ll be the first member of my family to complete college since my grandmother.

What did it feel like to hold that check?

It was great – I’d never held a giant check before! I’d always seen pictures of people holding those giant checks and wondered what it would feel like.

What drew you to want to dual major in business and nursing?

My counselor encouraged me to seize the opportunity at State Tech. I was initially only interested in nursing, but the State

“When I graduate, I’ll be the first member of my family to complete college since my grandmother.”

Technical College of Missouri offered the chance to dual major, and after talking with my counselor, I couldn’t pass it up.

Everyone here at Joe Machens Dealerships wishes Darion a successful first year at the State Technical College of Missouri!

Do you know a student who could use some help when it comes to paying for their education? You can nominate a deserving student just like Darion!

Visit MachensDrivesEducation.com to apply.

You can nominate a deserving student just like Darion!

Visit MachensDrivesEducation.com to apply.

MID-MISSOURI’S LONG, HARD WINTERS MAKE CHOOSING THIS LIFESTYLE AN EASY DECISION ...

Especially now as we’re offering new, lower pricing on select villas.

Schedule a tour to experience Linkside Living and get the details on these extensive savings.

To schedule your visit today, call or text Hive Real Estate Group at 573-525-0744.

real estate group BULGIN | DREWING | DENNINGHOFF

Say goodbye to struggling with ice and snow and hello to affordable luxury living.

Linkside at Old Hawthorne is a perfect option for anyone seeking home ownership in an active 55+, resort-style, gated community.

Nestled within the championship golf community of Old Hawthorne, our villa and veranda homes feature award-winning, aging-in-place designs, superior construction and carefree living!

Enjoy fine dining, year-round activities and community connections. Golf, swimming, tennis and fitness options also available. Conveniently located near major highways, healthcare, downtown, shopping, restaurants, trails, and more. Do more of what you love at Linkside!

This is the perfect place to live and do more of what you love!

1764 Linkside Drive, Columbia, MO | LinksideLiving.com COMOMAG.COM

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JANUARY 2020

Discover all things COMO. April 2, 2020

1:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

The Crossing

Take advantage of a unique networking experience and get your business known at Columbia’s leading business gathering.

Presenting sponsor:

Engaging Business

for Community Excellence

Contact whitney@columbiamochamber.com for more information and to reserve your spot.

Letter from the Editor

Celebrate Good Times, Come On!

H

ello, 2020! It’s nice to see you and all of your good tidings.

I don’t know about you, but I love this time of year. The year is new, fresh, and full of possibility. It’s also my birthday month, so each year I start off a new age. There is just so much to celebrate!

Speaking of celebrations, that’s exactly what you’ll find throughout this 20 Under 40 Issue. We’re celebrating the new 20 Under 40 class members as well as the recent accomplishments of many 20 Under 40 alumni.

As our staff reviewed the hundreds of nominations we received for the potential 20 Under 40 class members for 2020, I was so delighted to see such a wide variety of people to choose from, many of whom I didn’t know personally and likely wouldn’t have known about had someone not nominated them.

Our newest class members include diversity champions, small business owners, nonprofit leaders, community heroes, and standout professionals who are all creating a better, richer community for all of us. You can check out all 21 people on page 89. (Yes, 21 is more than 20, but we like to bend the rules around here.)

In this issue, we also caught up with former 20 Under 40 class members to see where they are now and what they’ve recently been up to with their businesses.

Lydia Melton, owner of Günter Hans, expanded the pub’s space in the fall to include a barrel room, which doubles the size of their original footprint. The room doubles as overflow space from their main bar area and can be used as event rental space, as well. See it up close on page 39.

Several 20 Under 40 alumni visited Columbia’s sister city Hakusan, Japan, in October. Hear from them about what they saw and learned and what will stick with them as they continue to move Columbia’s relationship with our sister city forward on page 45.

“Life should not only be lived; it should be celebrated.”

— Osho And lastly, Joel Sager, co-owner of Sager Braudis Gallery, lets us in on their new space and the many programs they’ve been working on to offer interns, artists, and community members the space to appreciate, curate, and create art. Read all about it on page 77.

As you make your own imprint on this new year, we hope you take a moment to celebrate. Whether you’re cheering on the people in our community, your family, or yourself, remember that you aren’t alone in your celebration. This is a new year and a new beginning for all of us.

DESIGNER PICKS

We Local

Jordan Watts, COMO’s senior graphic designer, suggests three local Instagram accounts for you to follow to get inspired in the new year. Check them out! @coyotetradingpost “Bringing you thrifted magic + vintage inspiration, hand-picked furniture, and décor,” states their profile. You are sure to find unique gifts and pieces for yourself by scouring their second-hand finds.

@round.trip Travel blogger and COMO writer Kristin Blake shares her tips and tricks for traveling around the globe. Learn what you should (and shouldn’t) pack for your trip as well as suggestions for sights to see and foods to try in the states and abroad.

@adrienneeluther Adrienne Luther, a Midwest illustrator, wows her followers with her bright and quirky designs ranging from logos to portraits.

ON THE COVER Geoff Karr, Landmark Bank vice president and business banking manager, is one of 21 members in the newest 20 Under 40 class. See who all is in the class on page 89.

Photo by Anthony Jinson.

JA NUA RY 2020 | THE 20 UNDER 40 ISSUE | A PUBLICAT ION OF T HE BUSINE SS T IME S COMPANY

GEOFF KARR LANDMARK BANK

PEEK INSIDE THE NEW ADDITION AT GÜNTER HANS Page 39

CL ASS OF 2020

SAGER BRAUDIS LAUNCHES NEW PROGRAMS Page 77

EMMA BENTLEY EDITOR

COMOMAG.COM

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President Erica Pefferman

Erica@comomag.com

Senior Vice President Fran Patrick Fran@comomag.com

EDITORIAL Publisher Erica Pefferman Erica@comomag.com

Editorial Director Beth Bramstedt Beth@comomag.com

Editor Emma Bentley Emma@comomag.com

Editorial Assistant Tiffany Schmidt Tiffany@comomag.com

DESIGN Lead Graphic Designer Cassidy Shearrer Cassidy@comomag.com

Senior Graphic Designer Jordan Watts Jordan@comomag.com

Graphic Designer Sadie Thibodeaux Sadie@comomag.com

MARKETING REPRESENTATIVES Marketing Consultant Bonnie Hudson Bonnie@comomag.com

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Keith Borgmeyer, Casey Buckman, Anthony Jinson, Howard Schatzberg, Sadie Thibodeaux

Operations Manager Amy Ferrari Amy@comomag.com

OUR MISSION

To inspire, educate, and entertain the citizens of Columbia with quality, relevant content that reflects Columbia’s business environment, lifestyle, and community spirit.

CONTACT

The Business Times Co. 300 St. James St., Suite 103 Columbia, MO 65201 (573-499-1830) • comomag.com @wearecomomag /wearecomomag @wearecomomag

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COMO is published every month by The Business Times Co., Copyright The Business Times Co., 2008. All rights reserved.

Reproduction or use of any editorial or graphic content without the express written permission of the publisher is prohibited.

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Therasia Brautigam, Kristin Blake, Nicole Flood, Mary Kate Hafner, Katie Perry Harris, Jessica Jainchill, Kermit Miller, Caylea Ray, Jennifer Truesdale

INTERNS

Prince Chingarande, Jasmine-Kay Johnson

ON THEM E

Share a hope, dream, or goal you have for 2020.

Presenting Sponsor Adonica Coleman Advisory Board Member

Elizabeth Loboa Advisory Board Member

Carrie Gartner Advisory Board Member

For 2020, I hope to spend quality time with my family and friends, travel more, and make wise choices when it comes to next steps for my business.

My hope is that our engineering students feel empowered and inspired to think big, realize their immense potential to shape our world for the better, and achieve their dreams.

I’d love to lash our bikes to the back of a teardrop trailer and visit a national park so remote Twitter can’t reach it.

Jessica Vaughn Martin Writer With a move on the horizon, I’m going to savor the things I love about COMO — family, food, art, and music. Joys that will make it hard to wave goodbye.

Supporting Sponsor

EST 1925

IN THIS ISSUE

89 20 UNDER 40 Introducing the 20 Under 40 class of 2020.

JANUARY 2020 | The 20 Under 40 Issue

13

39

65

77

Editor’s Letter

GOURMET Making Old New Again

MOVERS & SHAKERS

BUSINESS UPDATE Sager Braudis Gallery

LIVING

42

112

21

FAVORITE FINDS Creature Comforts

LOCAL GOVERNMENT Medicaid Expansion

69

114

ART & CULTURE A Well-Built Business

23 PET FRIENDLY Championship Rider

25 WELLNESS Visualizing Wellness

26 HOMES California Vibes

51 COUPLE YOU SHOULD KNOW Aric Jarvis & David Miller

WORKING 61 CLOSER LOOK

62 BRIEFLY IN THE NEWS

67

PERSON YOU SHOULD KNOW Cameron Dunafon

72 CELEBRATIONS Maxwell Trailers & Pickup Accessories

74 NONPROFIT SPOTLIGHT Love Coffee

DATEBOOK

THIS OR THAT Suzanne Rothwell

FEATURE 45 A WELCOME HOMECOMING A Columbia delegation visits Hakusan, Japan, to celebrate a 30-year relationship with our sister city.

COMOMAG.COM

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YES, SUNDAY TOO! Folks, we’re delighted to remind you we’re here 7 days for your convenience.

So, no matter what day you choose to visit, you’ll find the same fully outfitted show room, same great selection, and the same “world’s best” SERTA mattresses. And last, and anything but least, the same terrific service ---start to finish.

Downtown Appliance Home Center and The Sleep Shop... two great stores in one!

John and Donnie at your service, including Sundays!

1104 E. Broadway • 573-874-3333 • DowntownAppliance.com

Living

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39

51

CALIFORNIA VIBES

MAKING OLD NEW AGAIN

COUPLE YOU SHOULD KNOW

With the help of Anne Tuckley, Kara and Gwen Corches bring their West Coast style to Columbia.

Curated experiences are what guests can expect at Günter Hans.

Aric Jarvis and David Miller talk about how they met and why they love being foster parents.

Ernie Ueligger’s mission is to...

Listen. Educate. Advise. Advocate.

ERNIE UELIGGER • Divorce • Legal Separation • Child Custody and Support • Grandparent’s Rights • Domestic Violence • Modifications of Child Custody and Support • Modifications of Maintenance/Alimony Awards

The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely upon advertisements.

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JANUARY 2020

2412 Forum Blvd, Suite 101 Columbia | 573-874-1122 NathanJonesLaw.com

Living

A Well-Built Business Emmett Russell moves to Columbia in hopes of turning his metalworking dreams into reality.

BY T H ERASIA BRAUTI G A M | PH OTO S CO URTESY O F E M M E T T R U S S E L L

ART & CULTURE

“My whole plan when moving here was to start my own business, and my wife would get a good job. The plan of what we wanted to do is what we are doing today,” he says.

Emmett and his wife, Nancy, moved to give their son Ethan better access to autism resources and medical resources related to a genetic kidney disease. Ethan needed a kidney transplant when they first moved, and several years later they discovered their daughter Emma also needed the same transplant.

“The business was built because of my son’s needs, my family’s needs, for me to be able to support our family,” he says. “Building a business is tough. I’ve made a lot of mistakes, but I’ve learned a lot of good lessons.”

CLAIM TO FAME As Emmett started growing his business, he discovered the advantages of gaining a social media following. In 2016, Joe Rogan, a comedian, mixed martial arts commentator, and host of “The Joe Rogan Experience” podcast, followed Russellbilt on Twitter.

Emmett reached out to him, asking if he could send Joe a piece of his work. Joe agreed, and Emmett created a grandfather clock built completely out of metal and LED lights. Joe posted the clock on his Instagram and Twitter pages, providing Emmett with a self-titled claim to fame item.

“It’s turned into this thing that has continually fed me and just paid me back in ways of jobs,” Emmett says.

Emmett has been invited on six different podcasts because of the exposure the grandfather clock has given him. He recently built another grandfather clock for Brenden Schaub, a former MMA fighter turned comedian and podcast host.

He has also built signs for four other podcasts, including the welding podcast “Arc Junkies.”

E

mmett Russell first took the initiative to learn how to create metalwork while working in a factory.

“When I was 19, I was working in a trailer factory. I didn’t do college well, and I needed to pick up a trade, and it was becoming obvious that to make good money, welding was a good trade,” says Emmett.

He was originally screwing down floors on the trailers when he asked to be switched to the welding department. Then in 2009, he moved to Columbia with his family and started his own metalworking business.

KEEPING IT SMALL Today, Russellbilt specializes in custom fabrication with metalwork and woodwork, and Emmett creates anything from grandfather clocks to staircases.

GETTING STARTED When first getting started, Russellbilt focused on small home improvements. Emmett completed a lot of kitchen and bathroom remodels, built doors and windows, and slowly started picking up custom projects. Two years ago, Emmett was able to transition from building custom projects part-time to full-time.

Emmett has been a success among many local businesses in Columbia. He recently finished building furniture for Fretboard Coffee, including a coffee bar with a bar top that replicates the fretboard of a guitar. He has also made several signs for Silverball and is a contributing artist to Tigers on the Prowl.

In the future, Emmett plans to continue operating Russellbilt how he’s operating it now.

“I think the idea is to keep it small,” he says. “I don’t want to be a manager. I’m a business owner so I can build the things I want to build and to fit my family’s needs.”

COMOMAG.COM

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Congratulations to this year’s class of

20 Under 40!

IF YOU’RE READING THIS,

PRINT IS NOT DEAD. Magazine ads provide higher comprehension and recall than any other media. And best of all, magazines show the highest return on your advertising spend. (p e r th e Ni e l s e n Ca t a l i n a S o l u t i o n s , 2016). Advertising in our magazines will yield an increase in your brand awareness, brand favorability, and purchase intent.

Dr. Ashley Emel

DC, CACCP, Webster Certified 2516 Forum Blvd. #102 (573) 445-4444 compass-chiropractic.com

Adjusting Your Health In The Right Direction

CONTACT US TODAY TO BEGIN THE CONVERSATION. 573-499-1830 | comomag.com

COMO Mag.indd 1

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JANUARY 2020

12/19/19 8:48 AM

Living

PET FRIENDLY

Championship Rider Nora Wade’s love for English riding pushes her to great heights.

BY JESSICA JAINCHILL | PHOTO BY HOWARD SCHATZBERG

I

n many ways, Nora Wade is your typical 14-year-old Columbian. She is sweet and bubbly like most teenage girls, but unlike most girls, she loves spending time in competitions with animals that can weigh over 1,000 pounds.

At 10 years old, Nora had tried multiple sports, but always ended up quitting because she didn’t feel passionate enough about them.

It wasn’t until she went to a horseback riding summer camp that she discovered that her true passion was English riding.

Nora credits her close friend, and fellow rider, Grace Markel, with getting her interested in riding at the summer camp.

“Grace said I should come out to the barn and ride sometime,” Nora says. “It kind of went from there. I have her to thank.”

Nora later attended High Spirits Farm, a local training facility for English riders.

She entered multiple English riding competitions and her hard work paid off this last August. As a fi rst-timer to the World’s Championship Horseman Show in Louisville, Kentucky, the super bowl of the sport, Nora and her horse, Perfect Elizabeth, won a reserve world championship in her division. Grace and her horse, Feather, won a reserve championship as well.

Concerning the prestigious competition, Nora says, “Just getting to be there is such an experience.”

However, Nora adds that while winning competitions is great, it is not why she rides. For Nora, competing is all about “having a good ride.”

Though Nora loves English riding, it is not without its difficulties. She often gets up at six in the morning to get in a practice ride or stays until midnight at a riding competition to support her friends.

“I’m riding, I’m doing tours, anything that gets me around horses to prepare for competitions. I ride Elizabeth every week or two weeks. I get the kind of practice I need from riding other horses. I ride a bunch of different horses because if you get used to one horse and learn how the one horse works, you don’t get anything,” she says.

Despite the hard work, Nora believes it is worth it for her riding passion.

“Horses are beautiful animals. They fought our wars.

They’ve done amazing things for our country and people.”

“If you truly love [English riding], you don’t care if you have to put poop in a bucket or fi ll up water buckets,” she says. “Horses are beautiful animals.

They fought our wars. They’ve done amazing things for our country and people. You watch a historical documentary and chances are there’s a horse in it.

They’re so sweet, and they will do anything for you as long as you do anything for them.”

Nora knows that there are people who don’t share her passion for horses because they are anxious around them. To these people, Nora encouragingly says, “[For] people who get on a horse [and] are nervous, the horse knows. You have to trust that your horse knows what they are doing. You have to help them, and they have to help you.”

Nora is a young lady with an inspiring passion for horses, and as far as her future in competing in English riding is concerned, Nora says, “I’m 12 feet deep in the deep end right now. I can do this until I’m dead.”

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JANUARY 2020

Living

Visualizing Wellness How medical thermography is reshaping health prevention.

BY JASMINE-KAY JOHNSON

WELLNESS

Although the procedure’s uses vary greatly, it has garnered increasing attention in conversations around breast cancer.

“We aren’t thinking about our breasts until it becomes an issue,” Arminta said recently at an informational session she hosted. Unlike the traditional mammogram used alone, thermography gives people the opportunity to get ahead of issues.

However, thermography isn’t a replacement for a mammogram; it’s simply a tool used to enhance them.

For example, mammograms aren’t generally recommended until around the age of 40. There’s no age recommendation for thermography screenings, though. Arminta says that her patients who come in for screenings can vary from 20 years old to 70 years old.

Medical thermography is a screening procedure that uses thermal imaging to pick up on heat variations throughout the body.

A

t Achieve Balance Chiropractic, men and women alike are taking advantage of a decadesold practice that’s undergone great technological advancements: digital infrared thermal imaging (DITI) or medical thermography.

Medical thermography is a screening procedure that uses thermal imaging to pick up on heat variations throughout the body. The goal of this technique is to provide patients with the knowledge of present abnormalities that may signal more significant issues.

“It’s indicative of inflammation, lymphatic congestion, edema, or swelling, things along those lines,” says Dr. Arminta Phelps, owner of Achieve Balance Chiropractic, and 20 Under 40 alumna.

The FDA-registered procedure is noninvasive, doesn’t require physical contact, doesn’t use radiation, and is endorsed by the United Breast Cancer Foundation. It can also arm patients with solutions for issues earlier than other procedures can.

Arminta doesn’t only inform others about medical thermography; she’s an advocate for it herself as both a doctor and patient. “Not only did I get information about my breast tissue, but I also got information on my lymph nodes, and I got information on my carotid arteries,” she says of her own exam.

“I just think that they’re not mainstream utilized because insurance companies really don’t cover them,” Arminta says.

Thermography scans are offered at Achieve Balance for $175 for a breast scan, $275 for a half body scan, and $395 for a full body scan.

For anyone considering getting a scan done, there are a few things to note. A patient shouldn’t smoke for at least two hours before the test or use deodorant or lotions the day of. It’s also suggested that patients avoid getting too much sun, tanning, and shaving the areas to be inspected.

Arminta also says that patients should continue conducting personal breast exams.

She also suggested phluffing, a useful technique that can relieve pain, encourage blood flow, and soften the breasts. “They are organs,” she says, “and should be taken care of as such.”

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California

VIBES

With the help of Anne Tuckley, Kara and Gwen Corches bring their West Coast style to Columbia.

BY CAYLEA RAY PHOTOS BY KEITH BORGMEYER

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JANUARY 2020

Living

HOMES

K

ara Corches and her husband, Gwen, moved to Columbia from California in January of 2019, when Gwen was recruited to be the international manager for Hubbell Power Systems in Centralia. When deciding on where to live, they knew they wanted to bring their minimalist, Californian style to Missouri.

The house they chose was the fi rst of 25 homes they eventually toured. “We knew when we walked in — it was just a very nice, classy home,” Kara says. “I knew this was a canvas for us to work with.”

Kara and Gwen closed on the Bluff Creek Estates property last February and started working on the home immediately, finishing in May.

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“Let’s take a more traditional, older home in a more established neighborhood and completely renovate the inside and make it younger.”

— Kara Corches 28

JANUARY 2020

Living

“We had lived in very cookie-cutter homes in California. Everything there is a bit newer, all the homes looked the same, and I think that was the appeal here as well,” says Kara, a lobbyist for the Missouri Chamber of Commerce in Jefferson City.

“So we thought, let’s take a more traditional, older home in a more established neighborhood and completely renovate the inside and make it younger," Kara says.

Interior designer Anne Tuckley completely fl ipped their home upside down, creating a modern California luxury vibe throughout the entire household. Kara found Anne randomly by googling for an interior designer in Columbia.

“I knew this was a significant project, and we found that Anne and her portfolio matched our style — very modern and glam,” Kara says. “She was really fun to work with and it just so happened she lived in the neighborhood.” Anne had actually staged the home for the previous owners when they were trying to sell it.

The fi rst step in redoing the home was taking out a wall in the living room and opening up the space.

“There was a big wall in between the living room,” Anne says. “We had to have some engineers come over to see if the whole ceiling would cave in. That’s why the two pillars are there — because they’re actually holding up the ceiling.”

There were Roman-style columns there already, so their contractor rewrapped them and painted them black. The living room was also three different colors originally: green, red, and

HOMES

tan. Neutralizing the living room and focusing on the stark white, black, and gray tones Kara and her husband were attracted to was the main focus.

Next was the bathroom, Anne and Kara’s favorite part of the home.

“They wanted a walk-in shower, a tub, and a TV. So, it wasn’t going to work without moving into that front bedroom,” Anne explains. “It was just figuring out how it was all going to work. From there, it pretty much fell into place. The big investment piece was the countertops. We went and shopped granite. From there we just worked down.”

“It’s very sexy, cool, and different,” Kara says.

Another favorite part of the home is the bar. With the open floor plan of the home, the kitchen has expanded into the rest of the home with the bar area.

“One thing that Anne is really great at, too, is explaining how when you have these visions initially, like we’re going to have this bar downstairs, that might not work out. She told us she has a basement, but that people really don’t hang out down there,” Kara says. “Now I’m so glad we didn’t build the bar downstairs, because everyone wants to hang out up here.”

“I’ve always said if you could build the perfect house, it would be one giant kitchen, because it’s where everyone always ends up for a party,” Anne says.

There were a few things that got scratched in the process, like a fi replace, but Anne and Kara say that, overall, the concept really came together.

“We were working with a budget and sticking with that budget and still making

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Homeowners Kara and Gwen with their three dogs: dachshunds Rex and Remy, and Shoyu, a Pomeranian mix.

it everything it could be,” Anne says. “We had to take out that wall and a wall in the bathroom to expand into the front bedroom and give them the larger master, but it just all came together."

During the process, when talking to friends about the renovations and doubts about taking out the wall in her living room, the biggest piece of advice Kara’s friends gave her was, “Do it the way you want it or you’re always going to regret it later,” she says.

Anne wants others to know that nothing happens like it does on HGTV. “It was close to four months by the time we got everything moved in.

In all reality, that’s kind of how it works. There’s always that waiting time between cabinets being installed and countertops being installed,” Anne says.

“Overall, no major hiccups.

We worked together.”

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JANUARY 2020

I don’t just see a customer.

I see you.

While other insurance companies just see a customer, I see a neighbor in my community. I’m here to get to know who you really are so I can help life go right.

LET’S TALK TODAY.

Phyllis Nichols, Agent

573-443-8727 | phyllis.nichols.g15k@statefarm.com 1006 West Boulevard North | Columbia

1706814

State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company State Farm Fire and Casualty Company Bloomington, IL

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JANUARY 2020

W H AT T H E

Home

PROS KNOW

Matt Costanza

Adam Kinser

Jake Baumgartner

Jake Frink

TLC MORTGAGE

SERVICE MASTER OF COLUMBIA

BAUMGARTNER’S FURNITURE

ROST LANDSCAPING

W H AT T H E

SPONSORED CONTENT

Home P R O S

KNOW

New Year, New Furniture

By Jake Baumgartner Find more at baumgartners.com

H

ave you got the winter blues? Tired of being cooped up in your house with the same old furniture and décor you purchased when you moved in?

It’s a new year and the chance for new beginnings, a new you, and a new space to enjoy.

When deciding where to start and how to prioritize your time and budget, choose your favorite room in the house or the one where you spend the most time. For many, that may be the living room. Here are a few items you can add or replace to liven up the main room of your house.

OTTOMANS

Don’t have a lot of money to spend? Splurge on a new ottoman so you can lean back, prop your feet up, and really enjoy the new Netflix series you’re dying to watch. La-Z-Boy and other brands make them in all shapes and sizes. Also, with the ability to pick from hundreds of custom covers, you’re sure to find one that fits your style and adds a new look. Another great idea is to add some accent pillows in the same cover as your new ottoman to tie the room together.

your space. A sofa table could also add a new design element and decorating opportunity to your living space. Sofa tables look great underneath some wall-mounted televisions.

shades of fall, creamy neutrals, or a splash of bold color, Dalyn has a collection for you.

You can even choose from five shapes: oval, round, square, rectangle, and octagon.

ACCENT TABLES

AREA RUGS

Need help finding just the right accessory for your living room? Whatever your project, we’re here to help. Visit our showrooms in Columbia and Auxvasse and let our staff help you start the year off right with the latest living room furniture.

Another quick fix is to repurpose or replace your hand-me-down, mismatching tables.

Whether you’re looking for a table to hold your cocktail, books, or lamp, while you curl up to read, you can find a size or shape to fit

Want to modernize your family room or add some new energy? What about replacing your decade-old area rug with a fresh color palette or design from the Dalyn Rug Company. Whether you prefer the rustic

Jake Baumgartner

BAUMGARTNER’S FURNITURE Jake essentially grew up in the furniture industry as he is the fourth generation involved in Baumgartner’s Furniture. Working very closely with his father, Alan, Jake has been devoted to the stores full-time since 2004. His greatest enjoyment, however, still comes from working closely with the customers. He is married to Sarah and they have two active boys, Noah and Laine. Jake received his degree in finance from Saint Louis University.

573-256-6288 BAUMGARTNERS.COM

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Mortgage Terms Continued

By Damon Volkart Find more at tlclender.com

I

n last month’s magazine, we gave you the first five of 10 mortgage terms that you should know when applying for a home loan. If you haven’t seen those first five key terms, pick up a copy of COMO magazine’s December issue to get up to speed 6. Loan Estimate. When you find a home and the seller accepts your offer, you’re onto the next step. Your loan officer will give you a loan estimate within three days. This estimate lists all of the fees connected to your loan.

Some of these main fees include: • Appraisal fee • Origination fee • Title fees • Insurance • Taxes • County transfer fees 7. Loan Processor. Besides working closely with your loan officer, you’ll also have another person helping on your home loan called the loan processor. They’ll work with you from the moment your offer is accepted until you sign all of your loan documents on the day of closing. It’s their job to get any additional paperwork from you along with any further information or explanations needed and submit them to the underwriter.

8. Underwriter. The underwriter is the highly trained professional that reviews your loan and makes sure it qualifies based on the particular loan guidelines. They will look at your income, credit, and assets very carefully, and if they have any questions (and

they always do), they’ll ask the processor to get any additional data from you. One thing that helps the loan process go smoother is if you’re ready and willing to furnish anything the underwriter requests.

9. Escrow Account. An escrow account is set up by your lender. They determine how much your yearly property taxes and homeowner’s insurance will be. They then have you pay 1/12th each month along with your principal and interest payment. When your taxes and insurance come due, they pay the bills from your escrow account.

10. Closing Disclosure/Settlement Statement. At closing, you’ll receive two

documents: the Closing Disclosure and the Settlement Statement. These disclosures list out all of the money paid and collected during your transaction for all parties. For example, it would list the appraisal, survey, title fees, deposit money, and real estate commissions. You’ll also see information about your mortgage payment, including the rate and term.

This might seem like a lot . . . and it is.

That’s why we work so hard at Total Lending Concepts to be experts so you don’t have to be. You find your first home or your dream home and we’ll make sure everything else is taken care of.

Damon Volkart

TOTAL LENDING CONCEPTS Damon Volkart is a senior loan officer at TLC with over seven years of mortgage lending experience.

Born and raised in California, Missouri, Damon attended the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg. Damon is very active in the community participating in many activities and organizations, such as Women’s Council of Realty, E.P.I.C., Missouri Home Builders Association, and the Columbia Chamber of Commerce, among others. The financial aspects of buying a home can be stressful and overwhelming, but they don’t have to be. With an experienced and caring professional like Damon on your team, the reality of home ownership is just a click or phone call away.

TLCLENDER.COM

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Preventing Frozen Pipes

By Adam Kinser Find more at servicemasterofcolumbia.com

W

inter can be a bitter and an unwelcome friend to your water pipes, especially as temperatures plummet below freezing in the coming weeks.

A frozen water line not only causes a hassle by eliminating your access to water, but it creates a huge mess that can lead to flooding, mildew, mold, and even architectural damage.

How can you protect your home and your sanity from frozen pipes? Here are a few tips from the experts at ServiceMaster of Columbia.

KEEP YOUR HEAT ON Whether you’re at home, or on the road, don’t turn your heat off during the winter months.

Keeping your house above 55 degrees during the day and at night will ensure that your pipes stay thawed out and working properly.

INSULATE DOOR FRAMES AND WINDOW CRACKS Jack Frost can play havoc on your pipes if gusts of wind are allowed through improperly sealed door frames and window cracks. Take the extra time to seal the cracks with a tube of caulk or cover them with plastic sheeting or old towels.

KEEP DOORS AND CABINETS OPEN Certain areas of our homes can get colder than others. To be on the safe side, particularly when heading out for a period

of time and turning down the heat, leave doors to all exterior rooms open. This way the heat can evenly distribute throughout the house. In addition, opening the cabinet doors beneath your sinks will allow the heat to directly reach your pipes.

USE HEAT TAPE Heat tape is an accessory that can be added directly to your pipes to ensure water stays in liquid form and flows correctly. Using heat tape adds another layer of protection for you

and your home during the season where temperatures drop below the 20-degree mark.

Despite the precautions, if you end up with frozen or burst pipes, ServiceMaster of Columbia is here to help. After shutting off your water supply, call ServiceMaster of Columbia first, take photos of the damage, and contact your insurance company. We are the experts in emergency restoration services, and we’re here to help.

Adam Kinser

SERVICE MASTER OF COLUMBIA Adam bought the franchise in March 2002 from the previous owners, who started the business in 1972. The family-owned business provides cleanup and remediation for water, fire and mold damage.

ServiceMaster of Columbia is your MASTER OF DISASTER! Adam’s wife Aniceta, his parents, and daughter are involved in the business as well.

10620 N. HWY. VV, COLUMBIA, MO 65202 SERVICEMASTEROFCOLUMBIA.COM

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Custom Landscaping for a Custom Home

By Jake Frink Find more at rostlandscaping.com

I

f you are building a custom home, it is really easy to get caught up in all the decisions of construction and interior design and forget about landscaping until the last minute. We might be a bit biased, but don’t underestimate the impact landscaping can have on the look of a finished house.

So, here is my advice on a few details to consider as you plan and build your new custom home.

CONSIDER A REALISTIC LANDSCAPE BUDGET There is nothing worse than building your dream home and not being able to finish it off with proper landscaping. Keep in mind irrigation, lawn, landscaping, and hardscapes for all of your outdoor spaces and add up a budget that works with your overall budget.

INCLUDE YOUR LANDSCAPE DESIGNER EARLY Small details can often be overlooked but make a huge difference. Too often, we see a brand new house that could have been even more inviting with just a few small tweaks to something as simple as a driveway or sidewalk layout. It might be fully functional, but there is nothing we can do to improve the aesthetics if we come in at the very end of the project. Plus, if nothing else, for a cohesive look, design your home and landscape together.

PLAN AHEAD There are a lot of elements of landscape design that should be considered early in the construction process. Grade changes, walls, patios, and outdoor spaces should not be an after-thought. There is a lot a landscape crew can do that is purposeful and preventative and much more cost effective, rather than trying to correct a problem later on. It is important to know how you intend to utilize your yard and what features you would like to include.

Designers then take those elements into

consideration while balancing what will work best with your particular piece of property such as lot size and location, foundation, and elevation.

A custom home should look and feel just that—custom. For what is comparatively just a little more of an investment, you can make your new home stand apart from the sea of homes popping up all around you. Consider these guidelines, talk specifics with your designer, and we can promise you will feel the difference when you pull into to your new dream home.

Jake Frink

ROST LANDSCAPING Jake Frink is a Columbia native who enjoys working and playing in outdoor spaces. He has a degree in plant science and landscape design from MU. With Rost Landscaping for nearly 18 years, Jake is the Design Manager. His natural talent for creating beautiful outdoor spaces gives him a huge sense of satisfaction. Jake considers himself to be a very lucky husband as well as a lucky dad of three great kids.

573-445-4465 | ROSTLANDSCAPING.COM

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Living

GOURMET

Making Old New Again Curated experiences are what guests can expect at Günter Hans.

BY M A RY K AT E H A FN ER | PH OTO S BY K EI T H B O R G M E Y ER

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cross from Ragtag Cinema, in the alley off Hitt Street, Günter Hans reveals itself by way of a gas-lit lantern and the aroma of baking dough.

Inside, multiple generations coexist over steins of beer you may struggle to pronounce.

But that's okay. Günter Hans is not the place where watery domestics are tolerated.

Günter Hans specializes in rare and hard to find European beer. That dough smell? It's from the bretzels, made fresh by hand each morning. Everything served at Günter Hans has a taste and artful skill that demands to be savored.

It's not uncommon for guests to comment they’re reliving their trips to Europe.

"They'll say, 'We had this beer, and I don't remember what it was, but it was like from this town, and it tastes like this, do you have that?'" says owner, founder, and 20 Under 40 alumna Lydia Melton. "Maybe we can't get that one beer from that one small town, but we will be able to get something remarkably close."

Günter Hans isn't a restaurant or a bar, nor is it a kind of common hybrid that you’ll find — restaurant by day, bar by night. Borrowing from Western European countries (think eating German bratwurst at a Parisian cafe table under London bus signs), Günter Hans is something entirely its own.

Lydia has adopted a more European philosophy by avoiding excess and doing what she does exceptionally well. Th is responsibility for authenticity and quality has grown since Günter Hans has expanded its space to their new Barrel Room.

Barreling Down the Door "I still remember the flying tacos with the sharp teeth all over the walls," says Kylie

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JANUARY 2020

Evans, Günter Hans' experience curator, of the room's former look.

Kylie calls the Barrel Room her work baby.

She's been cradling the project since her start date, three weeks before construction began.

"We talked to the landlord and said, ‘Well, if it ever makes sense for [our neighbor] to give up that backroom, let's have a conversation and talk about what that would look like,’” says Lydia.

In February 2019, the opportunity arrived to take the room. While their neighbors had an excess of space, Günter Hans was facing overcrowding and turning away guests.

Construction began in early June.

Now, Kylie works every day in the new Barrel Room, planning upcoming events and reservations. The new space can accommodate up to 65 guests.

Kylie says the expressions of awe across guests' faces when walking in for the fi rst time is irreplaceable.

"It's just a humbling and reaffi rming feeling," says Kylie. "It lights that fi re within that, 'Yes, we do have this asset that nobody else in town has.'"

The room had the design challenge of joining a European theme with historical assets of an American modern industrial space. The fi nal result was the warmth and intimacy associated with a European café and the cool-newness of an American pub. But the room's success did not come without the prescribed amount of blood, sweat, and tears.

"It's funny. When you asked what people's reactions are like coming in here, I have flashbacks to what it was like to get it, because we DIY’d a lot," says Lydia.

The long wooden table and benches in the Barrel Room were constructed by Lydia's woodworking enthusiast husband, Colby Melton, from two giant slabs of sycamore found in St. Charles. The acid-

Living

“Our priority is doing what we’re doing now very well, as opposed to doing too much.”

- Lydia Melton

treated metal fi replace was inspired by the ever-dependable Pinterest. New Orleans-inspired gas lanterns are dotted throughout the room, warming the space both physically and visually without the fi re hazard. Gothic chairs from an online Catholic supply store and a revitalized church bench make up a large portion of the seating. They’re pushed up against handmade zinc tabletops that each will age with an individual, unique patina.

Two pieces of wooden art hang to the right of the wood-paneled bar. The carvings are antique plaster molds brought back from Europe. Like giant stamps, these molds were pressed into walls to create texture.

A Curated Experience "Our focus is building curated experiences," says Lydia.

The Barrel Room is like no other space in Columbia, so offering experiences like no other in Columbia is a given.

Food is an influential part of those experiences. Günter Hans' entire menu is made by hand to emulate the artisanship one could experience while touring Europe.

GOURMET

Reservations at least ten days in advance give guests access to expanded menus, including a menu for brunch and dessert.

"Our priority is doing what we're doing now very well as opposed to doing too much and not being able to give people the attention they deserve," says Lydia.

To maintain as authentic a European taste as possible, ingredients or products are imported from Europe or sourced from a U.S. supplier with high standards. If you give notice beforehand, almost anything is possible.

Günter Hans plans to collaborate with other local makers and businesses. Events such as Pints ’n’ Pups with Lizzi and Rocco's, Ophelia's Plant Killers Anonymous workshops, and stein painting with the Mud Room are already in talks. Their fi rst pop-up with Ophelia's and Amplified Productions, a local jewelry maker, was a success.

An absinthe fountain and table-top service is planned to be rolled out in 2020.

That’s one of the appeals to Lydia about entrepreneurship: the opportunity to push the envelope and do more. With a dedicated team behind it, Günter Hans’ possibilities are endless.

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Creature

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JANUARY 2020

Comforts Living

FAVORITE FINDS

Stay snug as a bug this winter with our favorites of all things comfy and cozy.

PHOTO BY SADIE THIBODEAUX STYLED BY TIFFANY SCHMIDT

Products courtesy of: KIRLIN’S GIFTS

Vera Bradley convertible mittens, Vera Bradley plaid throw, Vera Bradley powder blue pom hat, plaid infinity scarf, thermal slipper socks, Giving Heart pillow POPPY Barr-Co. bath bombs, French Knot headband, Barr-Co. candles, fi r and grapefruit and original scent THE TIN ROOF MONOGRAM & GIFT Exchange candle in lavender sandalwood, C.C Exclusives pom hat, Warmies elephant, Sweet Rain turtleneck sweater ITALIANSLIPPERS.COM Le Clare slippers, Le Clare ballet flats

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ようこそ帰省

A Welcome Homecoming A Columbia delegation visits Hakusan, Japan, to celebrate a 30-year relationship with our sister city.

BY KATI E PER RY HA R R I S | PHOTO S CO U RT E SY O F DA N ATWI L L

F

or the members of Columbia’s delegation to Japan, it was a trip made special not just by the visits to national treasure sites or traditional artisans, but for the friendships and partnerships that grew even stronger.

More than 30 years ago, Columbia signed our sister city agreement with Matto City, Japan, now known as Hakusan, a city of more than 112,000 bordering the Sea of Japan.

Columbia’s sister city program — the city has four additional sister cities besides Hakusan — is designed to create opportunities for citizens to experience other cultures, explore economic development and trade, and foster partnerships.

Among the first to visit our Japanese sister city years ago was former mayor Mary Anne McCollum, who returned with the delegation this October. For Mary Anne, it was a homecoming of sorts to celebrate the city’s long relationship with Hakusan.

“It was a bit emotional to see friends from over the past 30 years and to meet their children and grandchildren,” Mary Anne says. “It was such a unique experience to look back on that many decades and see what has happened, and wanting this partnership to become even better and stronger for the next generation.”

While Columbia’s relationship with Hakusan dropped off in the post-9/11 era, it was recently rekindled, beginning with a Hakusan delegation that visited Columbia in spring 2019. The October trip to Hakusan was planned and organized by the Asian Affairs Center at MU, which has been working with our sister city partners for the past five years.

Find out more about our sister city in Japan and how the relationship is creating opportunities for future generations as we visit Hakusan with several of COMO’s 20 Under 40 alumni.

ARTISANS & CRAFTERS Carrie Gartner won’t soon forget the experience of standing next to delegation member Adonica Coleman wearing kimonos that were each worth more than $40,000. More than the monetary value was the incredible artistry that went into making each kimono.

“Making the kimonos is an ancient process, part of a fourth-generation family business in Hakusan,” says Carrie. “They use rice glue to highlight the design after they’re done painting by hand and then clean off the glue in the river. It took two women to properly dress us in the kimonos. It was so amazing.”

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JANUARY 2020

Carrie describes the kimono as “wearing a work of art” — and no, they didn’t get to take the kimonos home. For Carrie, executive director of The Loop, representing Columbia’s business community and visiting Japanese artisans and small-scale manufacturers were important aspects of the trip.

“It informed what we’re trying to do on The Loop,” she says. “What got me is there’s a place for small manufacturers that are highly localized and really reflect the culture. What we found the most exciting as tourists and customers are things that highlighted the region, locality, and culture.”

In Tokyo, Carrie was struck by prefab buildings under train tracks that created a pedestrian mall, where artisans used the underground spaces to make leather bags or silkscreen textiles that were then sold out front. It made her think about “how we can be clever and creative about building,

particularly on The Loop. There’s a lot of space that we could reclaim if we think creatively,” she says.

The group visited a taiko drum manufacturer that has been run by the same family for 400 years. “Columbia certainly can’t compete with that longevity and history – but if we start now,” Carrie adds, “we can hit that 400-year mark.”

Carrie and fellow delegation member Susan Hart brought gifts — a key part of Japanese culture — of handmade lapel pins with a dogwood, Missouri’s state tree. Susan first met the Hakusan delegation in her role as then-Chamber of Commerce chair when they visited Columbia this past spring.

As a member of the Columbia Metro Rotary Club, Susan presented to a Rotary club in Hakusan on the economy of Columbia and our relationship with the state. She felt an instant bond with her fellow Rotary members

and enjoyed a culture she described as endearing and friendly, a sentiment shared by others on the trip.

“We really are a family to them,” says Susan, vice president and partner at Huebert Builders. “I felt the same fellowship and camaraderie with our sister city individuals.”

With her role in the construction industry, Susan found the Japanese culture’s emphasis on preparation and efficiency particularly interesting, especially in Tokyo, where they’re constantly planning for stormwater and the electrical grid needs of a population of more than 80 million.

Her most memorable experience, however, involved being a part of a special meeting between the delegation and the original mayor of Hakusan, Kumeo Hosokawa, now 92 years old, who first signed the agreement with Columbia 31 years ago. This time, they met in a private room at a sake distillery,

COMOMAG.COM

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where both parties exchanged gifts, and Mary Anne and Columbia Public Schools’ superintendent Peter Stiepleman were honored with international friendship awards for beginning and re-kindling the sister city relationship.

“It truly was like old friends meeting again,” Susan says. ”It was very touching to see the old guard and then the new guard, almost like the passing of the torch. It was emotional to honor someone who had the foresight 30 years ago to create these relationships.”

STEM SCHOOL PARTNERSHIP FOR STUDENTS Re-kindling those relationships also meant re-establishing Columbia Public Schools’ partnership with a school in Hakusan to create opportunities for Columbia students. Jonathan Sessions, vice chair of the CPS Board of Education, has a friend who went on the Japanese exchange program years ago. His goal is to see the program return to what it once was in the heyday of the 1980s and the 1990s.

That’s why Jonathan, Peter, and CPS Science Coordinator Mike Szydlowski, met with officials from the International College of Technology during the delegation’s visit to work out details of the exchange program. Under the partnership, the program will send five to 10 CPS students on a pilot program led by Mike beginning this summer.

Students will need to have completed ninth grade and have an interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Once in Hakusan, students will engage in problem-based learning at the International College of Technology, a five-year secondary school in the foothills of the mountains, with STEM lessons taught in English.

Peter lauds the partnership as a great achievement for our community. “We hope that kids will go to Japan and recognize they’re

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JANUARY 2020

part of a larger world,” says Peter. “They have a lot to learn and a lot to teach, and with their interactions with our sister city and the youth who attend ICT, they will have a different lens on how to see the world.”

Both Peter and Jonathan shared lessons they learned about public education in Japan. Jonathan noticed there was very little technology in the schools — no smartboards, only chalkboards. In a culture that emphasizes the collective over the individual, older children walk the younger children to school, with senior citizens on the route to bow to them and wish them a good day.

There are no custodians in the schools, with students responsible for cleaning the building every day, including the bathrooms. “The students took ownership of the building,” says Jonathan. “They wanted to make sure it was beautiful, and it was.”

“There’s a sense of community, that we’re all in this together,” says Peter. “We’re a collective, nobody is better than anybody else.”

That sense of community is now set to continue thanks to the friendships that were re-kindled and created from this latest visit.

“We see ourselves as ambassadors for Columbia and carrying forward what had been established,” says Peter. “There’s no way this sister city agreement for our school partnership would have happened if people like Mary Anne, Bill Watkins, and others hadn’t established this relationship. To see the power of a decades’ worth of relationshipbuilding was pretty special.”

It will be pretty special, indeed, for the CPS students who travel to Japan this summer and the summers to come to create lasting relationships and learn about our global community. When the Hakusan delegation returns to visit, they’ll have plenty of friends ready to give them a proper COMO welcome.

Imagine what we can create together.

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Living

COUPLE YOU SHOULD KNOW

Aric Jarvis & David Miller 20 Under 40 alumnus Aric Jarvis and David Miller talk about how they met and why they love being foster parents.

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES? A: I enjoy watching my kiddo play baseball

and I really enjoy swimming. I am looking forward to taking the kids to a few water parks this summer.

HOW DID YOU MEET? David: We met online in early 2010, but didn’t really hit it off in the beginning. We were both pretty stubborn and set in our ways. Later that year, we ran into each other while out with friends and have been together ever since.

D: I love to go camping and head out on a yearly float trip with friends. I also enjoy amusement parks and am looking forward to when the kids can ride some rides with me.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE

WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST DATE?

RESTAURANT IN COLUMBIA?

Aric: I took David out to a local karaoke

A: I will selfishly plug my restaurant, 11Eleven.

We have amazing burgers. When I’m not eating at my restaurant, I do enjoy eating at Coley’s, Texas Roadhouse, or Chipotle.

bar. It was a chance for me to show him something I enjoyed doing in a comfortable setting for me. Thankfully, he stuck around after that.

D: Lutz’s BBQ and Texas Roadhouse.

WHAT KEEPS YOU BUSY DURING THE WEEK?

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR FAVORITE

A: As the general manager of the Broadway

PROJECT TO WORK ON TOGETHER?

Hotel, I find myself at work a lot. Thankfully my husband has a flexible schedule that allows him to pick up the kiddos and take them to their appointments. When I’m not busy or volunteering, I spend my time with them.

A: David and I have both spent a lot of time

WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO IN YOUR FREE TIME? A: I enjoy curling up on the couch and binge

watching a TV series or watching movies.

I also enjoy catching a concert or musical from time to time.

D: You can usually catch me working on a

home project, redoing or building something, working in the yard, cleaning and organizing something, or possibly shopping.

D: I’d say the key is communication — to be open and honest with each other and to never give up on each other.

WHAT IS THE BEST QUALITY OF YOUR PARTNER? A: David works hard to maintain the

relationships that he forms. He is usually one of the first people to jump in and help someone if they need something.

D: Aric is one of the most dedicated and hardest working people I know, both professionally and at home. I’ve always been very proud of his drive to achieve his goals for himself and our family.

WHAT IS THE KEY TO A LASTING AND HEALTHY RELATIONSHIP?

WHAT DOES THE FUTURE

A: You have to be patient and

HOLD FOR THE TWO OF YOU?

understanding when things change or come up in your relationship. People grow and change over time. With those individual changes, your relationship will also need to change and adapt.

A: We are currently fostering two children

that we would love to adopt. I see us continuing to support our community and giving our children an opportunity to have fun and be the best they can be.

focusing on becoming foster and adoptive parents. Fostering a child is so rewarding, and David and I have found so much joy in that process.

D: Through our process of becoming foster and adoptive parents, we learned so much about each other and have been a great team the entire way.

WHAT BROUGHT YOU BOTH TO COLUMBIA? A: I moved from Sedalia to Columbia in

2006 to go to MU and be a part of a more diverse community. Columbia has now become my home.

D: When Aric and I started dating, I didn’t live in Columbia, so it was difficult at times to see each other. Four months into our relationship, I took a leap of faith. I left the job I had invested about 10 years into, put all my stuff in storage except my clothes, and moved to Columbia to be with Aric and start a new career. It was the best decision I have ever made.

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Working

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STILL ON THE ROAD

MAKING ART INTIMATE

WHERE LOVE WORKS

Maxwell Trailers & Pickup Accessories celebrates 50 years in business.

Sager Braudis Gallery expands its space to create robust programming.

Love Coffee, Love INC’s new social enterprise, plans to open on the Business Loop later this month.

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Columbia Mall | 2300 Bernadette Drive, Ste 228 | (573) 615-0443

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CLOSER LOOK

JANUARY 2020

own cut from Ernest as “exclusive.” The word stuck with Ernest after his client’s passing, as did his desire to accommodate for the elderly and disabled communities that his previous shops didn’t prioritize. He has witnessed elderly and disabled people get turned away from opportunities, and he’s seen the sadness that follows. “We're just here trying to eliminate that feeling as much as possible,” he says.

Ernest and his wife, Katrina, are currently the only employees. Although Katrina mostly manages the business side, the two have almost 30 years of shared experience in cosmetology. In the future, the couple plan to expand into malls in larger cities such as St. Louis, Kansas City, and Atlanta.

2300 BERNADET TE DR. 573-239-3737

Camacho Coffee Pedego Bikes

Dan Cain fell in love with Pedego Electric Bikes after a family member recommended a ride. He later decided to open a Columbia shop in April 2019. “We want to move the needle in more ways than just selling and renting bikes.

We want to change the way people think about transportation,” Dan says. Seniors, veterans, non-car owners, students, and employees with short commutes are some of the typical customers. There are 18 models available, such as tandems, mountain bikes, and adult trikes.

In an attempt to share his love for both the electric bikes and the environment, Dan campaigns for sustainability.

In 2019, Dan partnered with MU’s Sustainability Office to implement a bike valet program for home football games as a way to help cut down on congestion and exhaust. “We’re pretty proud of that, that they’ve been able to really move the ball on sustainability and being green and good on the environment,” he says.

He hopes to continue working with the sustainability office for other programs, including a bike rental program for college freshmen without vehicles for next fall.

19 S. FOURTH ST., STE. 115 573-355-3248 PEDEGOELECTRICBIKES.COM/DEALERS/ COLUMBIA

Exclusive Cuts

Exclusive Cuts isn’t just a name for Ernest Daniels II; it’s a nod to the customer who inspired Ernest to make the shop what it is today. “I wanted to honor a die-hard customer and someone who really appreciated my skills,” Ernest says.

The client followed Ernest to the different barbershops he worked in until the distance became too great for the client to travel in his wheelchair. Ernest then decided to make house visits. The client’s nephew once referred to his

Morning exams and late-night study sessions are ingrained into the college experience, and as a result, coffee is too. Jesse and Megan Walters, two of three Camacho Coffee owners, experienced this personally as undergrads.

But when coffee began causing inflammation and acne problems for Megan, the couple sought answers that didn’t involve cutting it out completely. Enter cold brew.

Jesse began making homemade cold brew, and though it helped with Megan’s problems, the taste wasn’t appealing. Jesse kept experimenting until it tasted good cold or hot. Eventually, they decided to sell their air-roasted coffee, and now two years later, Camacho Coffee is available at more than 40 locations, including HomeGoods stores.

Jesse and Megan aren’t all about beans, though; philanthropy is also built into their mission. Ten percent of their profit from each bag sold is given to nonprofits. “We want to give back to a community that’s given to us throughout our whole lives,” Jesse says.

660-537-1983 CAMACHOCOFFEE.COM

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Christian Fellowship pastors Scott Williams, Donnie Berry, Marc Galaske, Clay Spencer, Nene Peter, Jean Claude Ntimpa, Michael Acock, and Phil Schaefer.

Briefly in the News JA N UARY 2020

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JANUARY 2020

NEW CONSTR UCTION

Coil Breaks Ground on New Christian Fellowship Church Facility Coil Construction broke ground at the new Christian Fellowship Church located at the corner of Chapel Hill Road and Louisville Drive.

The new single-story, contemporary design facility will be 38,615 square feet, with a large, open auditorium seating more than 800. The new building will also include multi-purpose rooms and a children’s classroom wing. The building will have space for a future commercial kitchen and is designed with the possibility for future additions to the site. Construction is scheduled to begin in February 2020, with completion anticipated by June 2021.

Working PART NE R S HIP S

CCUA Renames Farm to Honor Veterans The Columbia Center for Urban Agriculture and the Harry S. Truman VA Hospital recently entered into a threeyear agreement to use the Urban Farm for the new Veterans Urban Farm program.

Renamed to the Mark and Carol Stevenson Veterans Farm, the farm will be used as a tool to help veterans improve their health and lives. Patients at the VA will have the opportunity to serve as paid apprentices, working to maintain this site over the course of the growing season. Fruits and vegetables grown on site will be sold to the public, donated to local veterans, and used in health-focused programming at the VA. N EW CO NST R UCT IO N

Boone County Family Resources New Headquarters Boone County Family Resources broke ground on their new headquarters located at 2700 W. Ash St. The projected timeline for completion is fall 2020. BCFR has grown to serve nearly 2,000 children and adults with developmental disabilities in Boone County. The new building will provide space enabling the expansion of growing staff and individuals served by the agency. Enhanced accessibility features include a meeting room specifically designed for those with sensory needs and an expandable, multipurpose space that seats up to 108 people. Little Dixie Construction is the construction manager for the project, which was designed by Simon Associates, Inc.

the exclusive higher education partner for more than 1.3 million NAR members, providing opportunities for them to complete a variety of associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees, including real estate-specific offerings anticipated in late spring 2020. Columbia College also plans to develop and offer a Master of Business Administration degree with an emphasis in real estate, based on the award-winning Master of Real Estate degree curriculum developed by the association for its members through REALTOR® University.

PAT ENTS

WINDGO Granted Secure Smart Sticker Patent WINDGO, Inc., a research and development company specializing in smart material and vibrational transfer technologies, has been granted U.S. Patent No. 10,460,222 for an invention that will provide Smart sticker and labeling technology for the Internet of Things, or IoT, movement in information technology.

This new patent will provide security technology advancements in humanreadable and machine-readable dynamic and secure labeling. Static portions of the label utilize traditional ink printing, while the new intrinsically dynamic portions of the label can change content magically before your eyes. Networked information from data aggregate collection engines (i.e. smart phones, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, etc.) will create secure links that form Graphical Encoded Icon machine-readable image updates that are tamper evident and contain secure encrypted information.

FU ND ING

N EW PA RT NE R S HIP S

NAR Partners with Columbia College The National Association of Realtors announced a new, exclusive partnership with Columbia College to offer expanded access to academic programs to association members. With the agreement, Columbia College will become

Arch Grants Awards Funding to Roo Storage Roo Storage, a local Airbnb for storage, was awarded a $50,000 equity-free grant from Arch Grants in November. One condition of the grant is that Roo will operate from St. Louis for a period of at least one year. The goal behind the grant is to attract startups and new talent to the St. Louis area.

BRIEFLY

“The growing popularity of gigabit internet in our markets is proof positive that our fiber-rich network has become a true economic and social engine for the small cities and towns we serve across America.”

JOHN PASCARELLI, MEDIACOM’S EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT OF OPERATIONS ACCOMPLISHME N TS

Mediacom Surpasses Customer Milestone Announced in November, Mediacom Communications now has more than 50,000 combined residential and business customers subscribing to its 1-Gig internet service offerings. In 2017, Mediacom began systematically launching gigabit internet services as part of an aggressive threeyear, $1 billion capital investment strategy.

By the end of that same year, Mediacom had become the first major U.S. cable company to launch 1-Gig internet across its national network.

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Every auto accident has a story behind it …

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JANUARY 2020

MAGGIE SCHNEIDER

Coil Construction is pleased to announce the addition of a new team member, Maggie Schneider. Maggie joins the Coil team as a project manager with a specialty in interior design consultation. She earned a bachelor’s degree in architectural studies from MU and is currently working toward her NCIDQ certification from the Council for Interior Design Certification, the industry's recognized indicator of knowledge and proficiency in interior design principles.

SANDER SOWERS

The Lear Werts LLP law fi rm is proud to announce that partner Sander Sowers was elected to the Missouri Bar Board of Governors. The Board of Governors is comprised of 45 members from across the state.

They set the course of action for the Missouri Bar and are the policy-making authority for the Missouri Bar. Sander represents the attorneys of Boone and Callaway Counties.

S A R A DAVI S

Knorr Marketing Communications and KMC Events are pleased to announce that Sara Davis has joined the team as an events manager. Sara will be responsible for event planning

and coordination, creative execution, and on-site staffi ng for KMC Events’ corporate and nonprofit clients. She previously served as event manager at Riverbanks Zoo and Garden, the largest tourist attraction in South Carolina, where she directed the event team.

AMBER MYERS

Central Trust Company, an affi liate of Central Bank, is pleased to announce that Amber Myers, CISP, CTFA, assistant vice president and relationship manager, was recently awarded the Certified Trust & Financial Advisor, or CTFA, professional certification from the American Bankers Association. The CTFA certification is awarded to individuals who demonstrate excellence in the field of wealth management and trust.

DEENA KAHN

The Columbia Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce Deena Kahn as their new director of Women’s Network. Deena has experience working with nonprofit and small businesses. Previously, Deena worked as the senior communications assistant with News Leaders Association.

In this position, Deena wore many hats, including membership management, event coordination, communications management, and more.

LAURA KOGUT

Providence Bank is pleased to announce the addition of Laura Kogut as assistant vice president, mortgage banking officer. Laura will be responsible for originating residential mortgage loans in Columbia and the Mid-Missouri area. She has over 12 years of banking and lending experience.

SCHNEIDER

SOWERS

AMY HENDERSON

Cripps and Simmons LLC is pleased to welcome Amy Henderson to the fi rm as an associate attorney. A graduate of the MU School of Law, Amy has more than 15 years of experience in the administration of trusts and estates within the financial services industry, and holds her CTFA from the American Bankers Association. Amy’s focus with Cripps and Simmons will be in the areas of estate planning, trusts, probate, and elder law.

DAVI S

MYERS

KAHN

JARED HORSEWOOD

U.S. Cellular has hired Jared Horsewood as the sales manager for its Columbia store located on Broadway. In this role, Jared is responsible for leading his team of wireless technology experts to help customers select the devices, plans, and consumer electronics to best meet their needs. Jared, a Jefferson City-resident, has been with U.S. Cellular for more than two years.

KOGUT

HENDERSON

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LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Medicaid Expansion Discussing Missouri’s initial choice to opt out of Medicaid and a possible public vote to reverse that decision.

BY KRCG 13’S KERMIT MILLER

I

n a period largely bereft of partisan politics (at least partisan politics not connected to President Donald Trump), people have the choice between ignoring policy concerns entirely . . . or looking ahead to the issues that could draw intense scrutiny in 2020.

Among the latter in Missouri is the expansion of eligibility for Medicaid benefits.

Missouri remains one of 14 states that have not expanded Medicaid under provisions of the Affordable Care Act, the federal legislation signed into law by President Barack Obama in 2010, provisions of which took effect in 2014 — legislation which most Americans, including the former president, refer to simply as Obamacare.

Obamacare opened up Medicaid benefits for people with incomes up to 138% of the federal poverty level, about $32,500 for a family of four. The ACA came with billions of dollars in federal funding, being totally funded by Uncle Sam for the first two years and ratcheting down to 90% federal funding by 2020.

Throughout the Medicaid expansion debate in the Missouri legislature, a fundamental concern expressed by skeptics was the progressive shift of financial responsibility to the state. Many argued that any economic downturn in Missouri could trigger impossible choices between cutting other services and programs funded by taxpayers or eliminating health benefits for people brought into the Medicaid program under the ACA. Some even suggested that, politically, giving someone a government benefit and later taking it away would be worse than never giving it to them in the first place. So, after the 2012 U.S. Supreme Court ruling in NFIB v. Sebelius, which found

mandatory Medicaid expansion to be coercive, conservative Missouri lawmakers opted out.

The effects of that decision are a continuing (and sometimes incendiary) discussion. Progressive analysts have cited mortality rates to assert that Medicaid eligibility expansion has saved lives in the states that approved it and cost lives in states that did not. That's an open argument of cause and effect. More empirical is the impact on rural hospitals.

Such medical centers traditionally treat a higher percentage of people without health insurance coverage. In the past, Washington provided them with funding subsidies known as disproportionate share hospital payments.

On the supposition that states would expand Medicaid, Obamacare eliminated DSH payments. Unable to absorb the loss, some small hospitals in Missouri have disappeared or have fallen prey to a Florida company that swooped in at the last minute with a secret plan to sustain those hospitals without Medicaid expansion and without DSH payments. (That plan turned out to be a laboratory billing scheme that Uncle Sam has prosecuted as illegal.) At least two Missouri hospitals were forced to close anyway.

But the debate over Medicaid expansion lingers.

In October, with continued warnings from Speaker Elijah Haahr that Medicaid expansion would "blow a sizeable hole in our general revenue budget," a subcommittee in the Missouri House heard new testimony on the issue. Springfield Republican Steve Helms runs that panel and says his goal is to find ways to make health care affordable, not necessarily find out how to get government to pay more for it.

"It's not as critical who pays for health care," Helms told KRCG-TV's Megan Sanchez. "What's critical . . . and what's crushing on our economy, state, and individually . . . is the rising cost."

Missouri House Democrats have called health care coverage a state emergency. Some have predicted state revenue will increase and health care expenses will drop if Medicaid gets expanded and improves the health of working people. "Being employed is not the solution," St. Ann's Doug Clemens told Sanchez. "Making health care affordable and accessible is the solution.

Medicaid expansion is a step in the right direction for that."

In any case, the Missouri Department of Social Services says the number of

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"Some even suggest that giving someone a government benefit and later taking it away would be worse

Start the year off by

selecting the best agent for the job.

than never giving it to them in the first place."

Missourians on Medicaid has decreased from 953,000 in August of last year to 850,000 in October of 2019. Certainly, in some cases, that means people have replaced ACA benefits with workplace insurance. But Democrats say the 100,000 children dropped from the roles simply are not getting care anymore.

So, inspired by the success last year of ballot initiatives in Nebraska, Idaho, and Utah, as well as efforts in Maine the year before, a coalition of stakeholders — medical providers, hospitals, businesspeople, patients, and other advocates — launched a petition drive in early September to get a Medicaid expansion question on the November 2020 ballot. According to its website, "Healthcare for Missouri" will ask Missouri voters to adopt the 138% income eligibility standard to provide care for more than 200,000 people now without health benefits and "to bring home more than a billion of Missourians' tax dollars from Washington, D.C., every year." The group needs to collect roughly 172,000 signatures by May to get the question on the fall ballot.

The question of a public vote on Medicaid expansion came up again at an October 18 news conference with Governor Mike Parson. In September, Parson had told reporters he anticipated the "Healthcare for Missouri" petition signature campaign would succeed, though he will not commit to signing it. And over the summer, Parson convened a task force to look into ways to get waivers from certain requirements of the ACA. "I think the most important thing you can do is educate the voters out there and let them make the decision," Parson told reporters in his capitol office in October. He cautioned that the existing Medicaid system must be fixed and the eligibility rolls must be verified, a process that’s now underway. "If there's people out there abusing the system and taking away from people in need," Parson noted, "that needs to be addressed."

Kermit Miller anchors the 6 and 10 p.m. news for KRCG 13. You can reach Kermit at kmiller@krcg.com

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2019 Columbia Board of Realtors

Realtor of the Year from one 20 under 40 to another,

CONGRATULATIONS to this year’s 20 under 40 class we wish you all the best!

ALISSA GERKE 573-489-6866 | alissagerke@gmail.com

OWNCOLUMBIA.COM

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PERSON YOU SHOULD KNOW

Cameron Dunafon CEO, DVERSE Holdings LLC, 20 Under 40 Alumnus PHOTO BY KEITH BORGMEYER HOMETOWN

Columbia YEARS LIVED IN COLUMBIA

38 years on and off.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Restaurant and property management.

EDUCATION

Bachelor of business administration from the University of Michigan.

PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND

Performed audit and consulting services for PricewaterhouseCoopers in the Detroit market, specializing in manufacturing and consumer goods. For the past 20 years, I have developed and operated Taco Bell restaurants in the Midwest.

FAVORITE VOLUNTEER ACTIVITY

I have been involved with the Boys and Girls Clubs for over 15 years. It’s exciting to see their growth in the community and the impact they have on youth.

FAVORITE RECENT PROJECT

DVERSE Holdings recently completed a new office building in partnership with Little Dixie Construction in the Cross Creek development at Stadium Boulevard and Highway 63. »

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A COLUMBIA BUSINESSPERSON YOU ADMIRE AND WHY

Jerry Taylor. He cares about people and takes time to understand and provide sound dialogue and advice.

WHY YOU ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT OWNING A TACO BELL FRANCHISE

I love the food! The franchise provides the flexibility to identify and develop new properties while having marketing and new product development support.

It allows my focus to be on people and finance — two things I enjoy!

WHY YOU ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT TACO BELL

Taco Bell has maintained a great executive team for many years and continues to drive growth through innovation like the Doritos Locos Taco and investment in youth via the Taco Bell Foundation and Live Mas Scholarships.

WHAT PEOPLE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT OWNING A TACO BELL FRANCHISE

The franchisee is independent of Taco Bell — there is no operational or financial support.

THE NEXT CHALLENGE FACING THE FAST-FOOD INDUSTRY

Labor markets. The service industry overall is dealing with a shortage of qualified workers. We continue to engineer the kitchen to provide more efficiencies. We are also partnering with schools and universities to supplement degree programs and scholarships for our team members.

IF YOU WEREN’T DOING THIS FOR A LIVING, YOU WOULD . . .

Farm, golf, and triathlon.

YOUR NEXT PROFESSIONAL GOAL

My permanent goal is to develop the people around me and provide opportunity. We cannot be successful without dedicated and capable people.

Coaching others and providing a career path for them within our business or wherever they may land is fulfi lling.

BIGGEST LESSON LEARNED IN BUSINESS

Surround yourself with good people that are experts at what they do and delegate to them.

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"It allows my focus to be on people and finance — two things I enjoy!"

HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO IMPACT THE COLUMBIA COMMUNITY

Create opportunities for others through work and philanthropy.

FAVORITE COLUMBIA RESTAURANT AND A DISH YOU’D RECOMMEND

Murry’s — get the chicken Philly and Brock’s pepper rings.

WHAT YOU DO FOR FUN

I enjoy traveling and playing golf. I also love to compete in triathlons and exercise.

I will take any opportunity to get out and bike or run on the trail — some of my best thinking time is on the trail!

We are proud of Columbia and are deeply attached to the local businesses that make this city such a great place to be.

WHAT YOU DO TO RELAX

Binge on Netfl ix and sports on a rainy day.

FAMILY

I have four kids scattered throughout Columbia Public Schools: Caleb, 17; Ava, 15; Chase, 13; and Walker, 8.

FAVORITE PLACE IN COLUMBIA

MKT and Katy Trail.

ACCOMPLISHMENT YOU ARE MOST PROUD OF

Four hardworking and respectful kids.

When they receive a compliment, it makes my day!

MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW THAT YOU:

Eat Taco Bell every day.

Please support local at every opportunity.

(Oh, and we think you should read local, too.)

We feel such gratitude for all those who’ve become such dear friends and valued clients.

We are blessed to have gotten to know you … and help dress you!

Come in soon to claim your

favorites!

MY SISTER’S CIRCUS 573-443-5618 • 1110 E. Broadway, Columbia Independent Distributor of LipSense

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Still on the Road

H

BY KRISTIN BLAKE

alf of a century ago, a husband and wife started Maxwell Trailers & Pickup Accessories on a rural Missouri farm. Since then, they have expanded to two locations, added a sister manufacturing company, and found their niche in small town customer service.

In 1970, Jerry and Janie Maxwell started this family business in Thompson, Missouri. In 1992, the company moved to Mexico, Missouri, and then added the Columbia location seven years later. Not long after his high school graduation in the early 1980s, the Maxwell's son, Randy, started working full-time for the trailer company; he would go on to become the owner in 1998.

The business is known for custom-designed trailers, but Maxwell sells a wide variety of inventory, from equipment trailers to stock trailers and snow plows to salt spreaders. “Basically, if it can go on a truck or has anything to do with a trailer, we have it,” says Columbia store manager Tony McCoy. They also started selling landscaping stone about 30 years ago.

Th is year marks 50 years in business, and Maxwell Trailers shows no signs of slowing down.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF MAXWELL TRAILERS

Customer Care

Maxwell Trailers & Pickup Accessories celebrates 50 years in business.

For Randy, running a business is about follow-through and providing what customers want. “You have to take care of them after the sale,” he says. “If you sell quality stuff, you won’t have to deal with much after.” He says Maxwell has a lot of repetitive business because of this dedication.

One of their Columbia customers is Denise Agre-Gill, who drives by Maxwell Trailers just about every day. She bought a trailer hitch from them so she could pull her

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CELEBRATIONS

1970

Jerry and Janie Maxwell start Maxwell Trailers in Thompson, Missouri.

1992

Maxwell Trailers moves to Mexico, Missouri.

1998

Jerry and Janie’s son, Randy Maxwell, becomes the owner.

1999

Maxwell Trailers opens a Columbia location.

2007

Randy starts Maxwell Trailers’ sister manufacturing company, Ironstar Beds..

2020

Maxwell Trailers celebrates their 50th business anniversary.

camper. She credits their customer service as the reason they’ve stayed in business for so long. “They were knowledgeable and kind and completed the job as they said they would,” she says. “They also gave me an estimate beforehand, and they were a better deal than two other places I went to.”

While Maxwell Trailers handles the consumer side, Ironstar Beds takes care of the manufacturing. Randy started this sister business a little over 10 years ago.

Because the manufacturer for Maxwell’s parts isn’t hundreds of miles away, it has made life easier for customers, especially when it comes to custom manufacturing. “When you don’t have another person involved, things are easier,” Randy says. “You have more control of the quality.”

Together, these two companies employ around 40 people.

The People The employees at Maxwell and Ironstar use what they sell. “We’re constantly using the trailers to do something every day,” Randy says. “Most dealers don’t know what this and that does for you, but we have a fi rsthand knowledge of that.”

Tony manages the Columbia location and has been working for Maxwell Trailers for 15 years. He credits everything from the business’ hometown values to their local focus for their success over the years.

Tony says he’s had many repeat customers, including second- and third-generation buyers, but it’s not just about the bottom line to him. It’s about “building a superb customer base by not only making a sale, but developing a relationship with the customer and making them our priority, thus creating return business and friendships,” he says.

If you walk into Maxwell Trailers’ Mexico location, Larry Gentry is the one who will greet you. He’s the manager of the store and says he wound up at Maxwell Trailers by chance.

More than two decades ago, he was looking for a job, approached the company, and was hired the next day. For 19 years, Larry handled repairs and

truck bed installs in the shop, and several years ago, he moved up to his current position as manager.

“Knowing how the operation works makes it way easier,” he says.

Although both locations offer similar inventory, Larry says his Mexico location tends to be more farm-related while the Columbia store sells more construction items. Over the years, he has seen the ups and downs. He says the business hit a lull around 2008, during the recession, but was able to keep their doors open. “It got pretty bad there for a while, but now it’s back and better than ever,” he says.

Plans to Expand One major milestone was adding the Columbia location, Randy says. “Columbia is more of a mega market,” he says. “There’s more going on there. That’s why we moved our business there.”

Looking forward, Randy says they’ve been watching and looking to add another location within the next five years. Although nothing is set in stone, he suspects this new location would be within 100 miles of here, perhaps in a town like Springfield, Kansas City, or St. Louis. “If the right location pops up that we think is economically suitable, we may add another location,” he says.

Although no celebration plans have been formalized, Tony says they might offer discounts and maybe even create an anniversary-edition trailer model. “We’re also always looking for new products that we can offer our customers either on our retail side or manufacturing side,” he says. “We strive to keep up with modernization and streamlining our services and products, so I'm sure that will be in the forefront.”

MA XWELL TRAILERS & PICKUP ACCESSORIES COLUMBIA LOCATION 9151 I-70 DR. NE 573-814-7550 MA XWELLTRAILERS.COM

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Where Love Works Love Coffee, Love INC’s new social enterprise, plans to open on the Business Loop later this month.

Love Coffee

BY JENNIFER TRUESDALE | PHOTO BY SADIE THIBODEAUX

A

ccording to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate among individuals with disabilities was 8% nationally in 2018, more than twice the rate for those without disabilities.

What can be done to help improve employment and independence among those with disabilities? One answer is social enterprise, a type of entrepreneurship that uses its business model to alleviate a societal problem. This is exactly what Love Coffee hopes to do.

The idea for a coffee shop that employs people with disabilities came to Chuck Crews more than two years ago. The Columbia philanthropist is best known for starting Tigers on the Prowl, an art auction to benefit local charities, as well as a cookie baking fundraiser at The Crossing church. He was spurred on to pursue his idea when he learned about the success of Bitty and Beau's Coffee, a small chain of coffee shops on the East Coast that employs people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Since 2019, Chuck has served on the board of Love INC, a nonprofit that helps disadvantaged people get on their feet and make their way toward independence and self-reliability. Chuck took the coffee shop idea to Pat McMurry and Jane Williams, the co-founders of the organization, more than two years ago.

The idea wasn’t to make money as a coffee shop, but rather to create a gathering place for those with disabilities and others in the community. They spent 18 months trying to secure a location on Rangeline, but it never worked out. The current location, at 15 Business Loop 70 E., seems fortuitous — it happens to be right next door to the Love Seat, another enterprise of Love INC.

An Ideal Training Ground "One of the things that makes a coffee shop appealing is that they’re great places to hang out. It’s a lot like a bar,” Chuck says. “There’s also a wide variety of jobs for a wide variety of abilities, and the social aspect of interacting with customers, bussing tables, and washing dishes is at the core of this, as well."

Love My Job Training Center is the coffee shop’s 501(c)3, which officially formed in early 2019 and has raised about $90,000 to secure a location and to hire full-time food services manager, Micah Baker.

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Micah, a native of Ithaca, New York, has been a professional baker for 18 years. He got his start in an iconic New York bakery, and for the past five years, he’s been the head pastry chef at The Broadway hotel. His wife, Stacey, is a Columbia native and MU graduate. Seven years ago, the couple moved to Columbia to be closer to her family.

"Stacey introduced me to Jane Williams, who then asked me if I was a baker, and when I said yes, she said we have to have you [for our new coffee shop]. When Jane explained the concept to me, I knew I had to be a part of this," Micah says.

The 3,000-square-foot cafe will seat 30 to 40 people and will house overflow furniture from the Love Seat that is available for purchase. (The shop will also provide additional seating.) The hope is to employ 10 to 15 part-time staff members who will learn new skills while building their resumes and references for other jobs in the future.

"Baking is very repetitive — it doesn’t change, and it will hopefully be an easier skill to learn than something that is always changing,” Micah explains. “There’s a lot of stability and comfort for our employee base in doing the same thing over and over." Micah says when he was hired for his fi rst pastry chef job in New York, he didn’t have any experience and his employer took a chance on him. With Love Coffee, Micah hopes to pay that opportunity forward.

Founded: 2019

Mission Love Coffee opens doors and hearts for those who have intellectual or developmental disabilities that hinder their ability to find meaningful employment. We do this by providing job and life skills training in an atmosphere of love and compassion.

Board of Directors:

Bread of Life

• Micah Baker

Micah has been busy developing the menu, which will include breakfast and lunch. The coffee will be sourced by Kaldi’s, which will also provide the barista training. Micah hopes Kaldi’s will roast a special blend just for Love Coffee.

Micah catered the annual Linking for Love event this year, which benefits Love INC, and guests got a taste of the menu with Micah’s signature chicken salad on freshly made croissants. Because bread making is Micah's core passion, Love Coffee will feature breads all made in-house.

There will also be an SSLT (smoked salmon with lettuce and tomato) on freshly made multi-grain bread, a mixed fresh veggie sandwich on chive and

• Tami Benus • Chuck Crews • Kristen Gadsden • Aaron Harris • Rebecca Laurens • Pat McMurry • Jane Williams • David Wilson

Working

From left to right: café manager David Wilson, volunteer Ray Batt, board member Chuck Crews, staff member Aaron Hudlow, Love INC executive director Pat McMurry, and food service manager Micah Baker

roasted garlic focaccia, freshly made cinnamon buns, stuffed fruit scones, cheese Danish, whole wheat waffles, fruit yogurt parfaits, fresh crepes, and two soups du jour. Everything will be made to order. Micah hopes to source food as locally as possible and operate as eco-friendly as they can.

Chuck also hopes the coffee shop will be able to offer community-building activities in the evenings, like karaoke, open mic nights, or crafting. Through coaching teams for Special Olympics, Chuck has met many individuals with disabilities who he says are very coachable and ideal for Love Coffee jobs. Two such Love Coffee hopefuls are Isaac Welch and Aaron Hudlow.

"A person who has disabilities is still a person,” says Isaac, 23, who is on the autism spectrum. “It’s hard for a guy like me — school was hard for me. I wasn’t like other kids." Isaac has worked two other jobs before,

NONPROFIT SPOTLIGHT

and though they didn't work out long-term, Isaac values the fact that "they gave me a chance."

Aaron, 19, has an intellectual disability and also hopes to work at the coffee shop. "I'm most excited about learning new skills like baking and working with others who have disabilities [like me].”

“We need more patience than we get,” Chuck says about individuals with disabilities in the workforce.

Love Coffee hopes to extend that patience and bolster a population that deserves to work and live independently. The shop’s goal is proudly in line with Love INC’s mission of “loving people forward.”

LOVE COFFEE 15 BUSINESS LOOP 70 E. 573-356-0067 MICAHB@COLUMBIALOVEINC.ORG

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February 15, 2020 9:00am – noon Community UMC, 3301 W. Broadway Be Inspired to Move to the next level in your Faith Journey Featuring Keynote Speaker

Elsa Kok-Colopy

Program also includes Erica Pefferman and Charity Goodwin Luncheon at 12:30—Single Moms only Snacks—Child Care—And More Tickets $25.00 each Contributing Churches $300.00/15 Tickets https://midmotix.com/events/forward-motion-christian-womens-conference-2-15-2020

QUESTIONS? Ava Summers, avaruth.tcp@gmail.com Karen Stone, karen@thecaringpeople.org

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BUSINESS UPDATE

Making Art Intimate Sager Braudis Gallery expands its space to create robust programming.

BY PRINCE CHINGARANDE | PHOTOS BY KEITH BORGMEYER

Staff, from left to right: Dan Boes, Jonny Pez, Rachel Trout, Joel Sager, Hannah Reeves, Brianna Bogucki, Scott Braudis

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"I THINK THAT VISUAL ART IS AN IMPERATIVE FOR ALL COMMUNITIES,” says Joel Sager, a 20 Under 40 alumnus. “I grew up in a small, rural town, but knew from an early age that I wanted to be an artist. I’d visit an art gallery twice a week and I felt tethered to something that made me different. I could meet people that were like me and see things that interested me. That is why I opened Sager Braudis.”

Now in its sixth year of operation, Sager Braudis Gallery, which Joel co-owns with Scott Braudis, has evolved to create more engaging opportunities for the community to view their contemporary artwork through a variety of initiatives, including extending their gallery space and introducing the artist residency, internship, and membership programs. Through these initiatives, Sager Braudis has shown that they are honest champions of connecting the Columbia community to visual art.

WIDENING THE APERTURE Expansion for Sager Braudis has always been an inevitable project, says Joel. When their former neighbor, Studio Home, moved further west of town, they expanded the gallery, adding an extra storage room and creating a client room.

As the gallery embarked on a three-month expansion project that ended in April of 2019, they knew that they wanted to increase their physical scope to allow for new programming initiatives.

“One element of the expansion was to make our programming more robust through additional, separate exhibits that we run through the space, or through larger curated exhibits,” says Joel.

Hannah Reeves, the gallery’s director and curator, adds, “We have our semiannual special exhibit, which runs through the entirety of the space, and we’ve also started a quarterly rotation of exhibits of collections and collectible work of mid-century artists and art, historically significant pieces that we can rotate out to make smaller collections.

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We also have a quarterly catalogue that accompanies these collections.”

The client room is where the gallery brings in clients to discuss what artwork they are looking for, whether it’s an individual inquiry or a client buying artwork for a business. There is also a library, which is a combination of the gallery staff ’s books and donations from the community.

The library is open to the public, and some of the art history books have accompanying artwoWrks from the gallery’s historically significant exhibits. Members of the community can read about artists like Mary Abbott and immerse themselves in one of her sink paintings, giving them an intimate experience with her artwork.

POURING INTO ARTISTS FROM ALL OVER The artists’ residency program was recently created and introduced to the public. It was created as a platform to nurture artists and give them the opportunity to create art in Sager Braudis’ space, exhibit it, and sell it to potential clients.

“When creating the residency program, we wanted to give artists a free space to work. As an artist, the biggest thing is room and board, where you can work, and the time. So, we felt that this [program] would be a good thing to offer. We opened applications to the country and the rest of the world and got many submissions,” says Joel.

The selection process for the residency is democratic. The gallery’s staff collectively reviews an applicant’s portfolio and curriculum vitae. They then critically discuss the applicant’s fit with the gallery’s aesthetic and how they can contribute to and maintain the gallery’s curatorial voice.

Artist residencies will run on a quarterly basis. The gallery has currently selected eight artists — two for each quarter in 2020. The gallery’s space allows for two artists, who are paired based on their availability and how their work combines in media, to have a shared studio space that comes with a storage room and bathroom.

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BUSINESS UPDATE

Interns Junie Haux, Will Engle, Linda Pepper, Kelsey Webster

“We have a great mixture [of artists]. We have some Columbia artists, but one of our first residents is from Cuba and we also have another artist coming from Montreal,” says Joel. “This will be a great mixture of our immediate community and the broader art community, and it’s an opportunity to bring new work to Columbia.”

MAKING ART A PERSONAL JOURNEY Prior to joining Sager Braudis’s staff as the gallery’s director and curator, Hannah taught art classes at MU and ran a contemporary art gallery through the school’s art department. After leaving her job at MU, she wanted to stay connected to their art department and the student workers she had mentored, so she designed an internship program for local college students that would give them curatorial experience while in college.

The hands-on program, which also has a curricular component, was designed by Hannah and MU’s art department head.

“Our program includes researching artists, weighing in on artists who send in work, sifting through the gallery’s collections to curate shows that are unique to the intern’s curatorial voice, and learning how to set up contracts with new artists and work with artists already represented by the gallery,” says Hannah.

As the interns learn to contextualize artwork based on their artistic preferences, they are given opportunities to put up shows, promote them, and give talks like any professional curator would do.

Sager Braudis has also created membership programs, where individuals can have more intimate experiences with the gallery. Outside of access to discounted gallery merchandise and exclusive happy hours, the gallery’s membership offers many kinds of programming.

Their Benefactor membership, which is the upper-most level, includes a membership lapel pin, a

Pablo Picasso, "Jacqueline au bandeau," 1962 ed. 10/50 Linocut on Arches paper 13 3/4 inches x 10 1/2 inches Signed in pencil

Mary Abbott, "Untitled," 1955 Oil on canvas 24 inches x 20 inches

bottle of your favorite beverage stocked for gallery visits, a signed limited glycée by a Sager Braudis artist, a swag bag, 10% off gallery merchandise all year round, invitations to private preview parties, monthly members-only happy hours on First Fridays, and a complementary catalogue reserved for Benefactor members each exhibit.

As Sager Braudis continues to display a variety of artwork, they have shown that consuming art can be a special, internal experience with oneself. Through their programming, they are proving that art can have a deeper personal meaning.

SAGER BRAUDIS GALLERY 1025 E. WALNUT ST. 573-442-4831 SAGERBRAUDISGALLERY.COM

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Outdoor living spaces are our

Specialty Patios • Lighting • Retaining or Seating Walls Stairs • Water Features • Furniture and Containers

Columbia’s destination garden center ... all year round!

Helmi’s Gardens 573.886.9419 | HelmisGardens.com | 7201 S. Nursery Road | Columbia, MO

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20 Under 40 Class of 2020

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s n o S i t t a a l c u e t y a Col r g n

e!

From all your friends at Joe Machens Dealerships COMOMAG.COM

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David Anderson from Chimaeric is honored to be a part of an outstanding 20 Under 40 class.

"I'M EXCITED TO WATCH OUR STORIES UNFOLD." -DAVID ANDERSON 84

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Congratulations!

Camille Rolan d

Social Services Clinic Specialist, City of Columbia

Tommy Goran

Engineer/EMT, Columbia Fire Department

Sara Dresser

Manager, Off ice of Cultural Affairs, City of Columbia

I am honored to have three City of Columbia employees selected for this year’s 20 Under 40 class. They set the example for the kind of hard work and dedication we expect from our team and I am extremely proud of them. Congratulations to Camille Roland, Sarah Dresser, and Tommy Goran, and everyone else selected!

- John Glascock, City Manager, City of Columbia, Missouri

Congratulations Laura Gerding on being selected to the 20 Under 40 Class of 2020.

You help us build stronger communities.

mem-ins.com 1-800-442-0593

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NCLUDER FILMMAKER STRATEGIST CONNECTOR SALSA DANCER FUNDRAI PRINCIPAL ADVOCATE RACE CAR DRIVER NETWORKER BANKER MARKETER IREFIGHTER DOCTOR MUSIC GURU CLOGGER ART AMBASSADOR CRAWDA T A T E C H A M P T E A C H E R V O LByUBeth N TBramstedt E E R Band I K Nicole E R IFlood NCLUDER FILMMAKER STRATE Photos by Anthony Jinson CONNECTOR SALSA DANCER FUNDRAISER PRINCIPAL ADVOCATE RACE CA NETWORKER BANKER MARKETER FIREFIGHTER DOCTOR MUSIC GURU CLO ART AMBASSADOR CRAWDAD CATCHER STATE CHAMP TEACHER VOLUNTEE NCLUDER FILMMAKER STRATEGIST CONNECTOR SALSA DANCER FUNDRAI

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De’Vion Moore Principal, Alpha Hart Lewis Elementary, Columbia Public Schools

n a daily basis, De’Vion Moore has the privilege of seeing children smile, answering their questions, and guiding their exploration of curiosity, topped off with a lot of hugs and germs.

That’s the job of an educator, he says, specifically in his role as principal of Alpha Hart Lewis Elementary.

“In all seriousness,” De’Vion shares, “my job looks like a micro version of our community and all of its complexities, good and bad.”

E: AG He says there are many misconceptions about the work of an educator, including the misconception that they don’t have a genuine desire to do the necessary work to address disparities among their marginalized populations.

“The ‘it takes a village’ mantra couldn’t be truer,” De’Vion says. “However, the key is it takes an informed village.”

De’Vion received his master’s in educational leadership and policy analysis in May of 2017 and quickly moved into administration in the Columbia Pubic Schools system.

“In the field of education, some individuals work for decades as teachers prior to stepping into administration. I had a desire to support our community and the children within our community sooner,” De’Vion says. “To have the opportunity to expedite the process to impact a larger population of future Columbia citizens is my proudest accomplishment.”

Mike Alden had the opportunity to work with De’Vion as a student athlete at MU, where he was a scholarship member of the football program. “De’Vion is hard working, courageous, organized, thoughtful, compassionate, and shows great humility,” Mike says. “He is inclusive in his work, deliberations, and decision making. He is certainly a team player, a mentor, and a role model.”

While at MU, De’Vion was influenced by Coach Gary Pinkel.

“Coach Pinkel fostered in me a sense of ‘do.’ We would often hear the FUN FAC T statement in the locker room that, ‘If it is to be, it’s up to me.’ The lessons De’Vion loves learned as a student athlete have traveling given me the mental fortitude to do without plans, life with calmness.“ especially De’Vion is motivated by the taking his children in our community, as sons to view well as his two sons. “They are a anything consistent visual reminder of the dinosaur importance of the work being done related. every day.”

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Laura Gerding Corporate Communications Strategist, Missouri Employers Mutual

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f Laura Gerding could do one thing to make Columbia a better place to live, she would move the needle on poverty.

After spending five weeks as a loaned executive for the Heart of Missouri United Way, she learned that Boone County is one of the hardest places in the state to climb out of generational poverty. “We have to change the story for generations to come, and that’s a tall order,” Laura says. “If we don’t take care of each other, who will?”

Laura’s passion reflects two of her key values: to always do the right thing and to be a cheerful giver. These values weave through every aspect of her life, including her role as a communications strategist for Missouri Employers Mutual.

E: AG “I have one of the best jobs in the world,” Laura says. “I manage the corporate impact program and work on public relations projects for the marketing team.”

Laura is also a connector.

“I help connect people in the community to the investments FUN we make in the community. I FAC T connect nonprofits to those Laura is investment opportunities, and an expert I hopefully help our employat flying ees become investors in those standby. causes as well,” Laura explains.

And MEM is honored to have her on the team. “In this role, Laura has advanced our company’s corporate social responsibility and made a lasting impact on the communial, a great team leader, and she always has a ty where we live and work,” says Laura’s boss, joyful spirit,” he says.

Revee White.

Laura is motivated by her family, including David Holtgraewe, campaign director for her husband, who likes to argue and keep her the Heart of Missouri United Way, agrees that on her toes, as well as her 6-year-old daughter Laura has a special way of making an impact. and almost one-year-old son.

“Laura has always been extremely profession-

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She admits it sometimes takes her awhile to finish a story, as she’s liable to go on all sorts of detours during the process. “I’d like to be a more active listener,” Laura admits. “I get so excited in conversations that sometimes I need to be more measured in my responses.”

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Dr. Bridget Gruender Owner and Physician, Liberty Family Medicine

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ridget Gruender’s life as a medical student was anything but ordinary.

In addition to the grueling hours of managing her three-year residency program in family medicine, she was a new wife and mother and a budding entrepreneur. She spent what little free time she had planning her new business and moonlighting to fund the startup, which opened the day after graduation.

“Most physicians receive little business training, as they’re employed by large companies after graduation,” Bridget explains. “Since I decided to buck the status quo, I have had to learn a lot about being a small business owner and how to run the business successfully, which adds a different level of complexity.”

Not only did Bridget open a new family practice in July of 2016, but she opened Liberty Family Medicine to offer affordable and accessible primary care to Columbia and the surrounding communities.

“After seeing so many patients unable to access or afford necessary primary care, we decided to start our clinic so that the people of Mid-Missouri from all walks of life would be able to access not only affordable primary care, but also personalized care,” she says.

While many may not understand the complexities, Dr. Arminta Phelps, owner of Achieve Balance Chiropractic, does.

Arminta admires Bridget not only as a doctor, but as a businesswoman and community influencer. “It takes some major guts and grit to open a direct primary care clinic and not be umbrellaed under a major entity,” Arminta says. “She saw a need and stepped up to the challenge so that she could create true relationships with her patients.”

Bridget would like to continue growing the clinic by adding more patients, physicians, services available, and possibly another location. She would also like to continue mentoring others.

“For me, success is feeling fulfilled in both my personal and professional life while effectively using the gifts I’ve been given to help others,” Bridget says. “I try to be an open book about my successes and failures and use these experiences to offer advice to others so that they can find their way a little easier.“

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Bridget gets a giggle out of spicing up her scrubs with graphic socks.

Megan Sievers Development Director, Welcome Home Inc.

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egan Sievers believes there’s nothing better than seeing someone’s life transformed, especially the life of a veteran.

As development director for Welcome Home, an organization that focuses on empowering homeless and at-risk veterans, Megan has the honor to work with and inspire the community to embrace the organization as part of their philanthropic efforts. She is responsible for fundraising, cultivating partnerships, and marketing.

E: AG “What many might not know,” Megan says, “is that as a director of the organization, I am also responsible for overseeing all administrative aspects at Welcome Home, including finance, grant management, and human resources.”

Yet what matters most to Megan FUN is making the difference in an indiFAC T vidual’s life. “Even if we can help just Megan one veteran out of homelessness and her and live a greater quality of life, that husband, makes all of it worth it,” she says.

Keegan, “Megan is a true force, not only got in her career field, but in the commarried in shorts munity at large,” says Major Travis and flip P. Miller. “I have learned that Meflops in a gan never stops, never takes no for courthouse an answer, and in the end, gets a in Twin result that is beneficial for all parFalls, ties involved.”

Idaho.

According to Megan, Welcome Home has gone through incredible growth and transition over the last two years. They tripled their capacity and moved into a 25,000-square-foot facility in September 2017. Additionally, their non-government fundraising budget grew from $50,000 sino Night and Charity Picnic fundraisers,” to nearly $700,000, and they’ve surpassed their Megan says. “It’s been incredible and humfundraising goal the past two years. bling to be part of the leadership team that “I am beyond proud of the committees who has seen Welcome Home grow and adapt put on wildly successful fundraising events through so much change.”

When not at work, you might find Megan for Welcome Home, including the annual Ca-

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hanging out in the community. “I love all activities that offer a fun experience for the entire family,” Megan says. “One of my favorite things is enjoying a nice cold beverage on the lawn at Logboat with friends and family. If it’s tied to a fundraising event or cause, even better!”

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Stacey Cole Brand & Marketing Director, Joe Machens Dealerships

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Stacey has a crush on Steven Tyler of Aerosmith.

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tacey Cole has a unique role at Joe Machens Dealerships as their brand and marketing director.

“I team up with general managers to build marketing campaigns and strategies for each of our nine dealerships as well as for the Machens brand,” says Stacey. “I’m privileged to work with awesome community and business partners throughout Mid-Missouri executing philanthropic and community outreach and events and sponsorships.”

In this role, she has a lot to be proud of.

Stacey completely restructured the sponsorship and donation process for Joe Machens and launched the Machens Drives Education Scholarship Program in Mid-Missouri in 2019.

Additionally, Stacey took all marketing buys and strategic planning in-house, which resulted in a 100% increase in gross rating points and a 25% cost savings.

“Stacey’s fantastic attitude and professional competency is outstanding,” says Eric Olsen, general manager at Joe Machens. “She has a great can-do outlook and is not afraid to tackle any challenge.”

Stacey was chosen to participate in the Columbia Chamber of Commerce’s 2018 Leadership Columbia class and, in 2019, was listed as a 40 Under 40 honoree for Auto Remarketing magazine.

She is intrinsically motivated and competitive by nature. “I love to learn and grow my skill sets, so learning motivates me and pushes me to grow in new areas, allowing me to discover new opportunities and new victories,” she says.

“Her demeanor makes her a positive force in any meeting or at any event,” says Krista Swenson, senior director of people and culture at McLarty Automotive Group. “Stacey truly cares about her colleagues, constituents, and her community.”

Danny Hammack, general manager and partner at Columbia Honda, says Stacey’s attitude is contagious and has helped guide their auto group to all-time record performances.

“She brings a vast amount of market experience as well as a unique perspective provided by her experience in the current director of brands role,” he says.

Stacey’s priorities are her faith, family, and career. “I married my high school sweetheart — we celebrated our 15-year wedding anniversary this past year,” she says. “I want to glorify God in everything I do, with a gracious and humble heart. Having this perspective guides my attitude and daily decision making.”

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General Manager, Columbia, QuesTec Service

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att Boyd is a goal-oriented person. He wants to know where he’s going, what he expects to do, and how he can surpass that goal.

Matt began working for QuesTec on the mechanical contracting side of the business. He worked hard FUN FAC T there and learned a lot. But when he was transferred to Matt was on the service side, he was givthe Christian en one task — to become a Fellowship Linc Diamond Award winSchool soccer ner in maintenance sales. team that “This is a task that only won four MCSAA state the top 2-3% of the franchampionships. chises achieve,” Matt says.

“I barely fell short my first year in service, but still achieved the Gold Award.

You’d better believe that I won that Diamond my second year in service!”

Since becoming general manager of the service arm of QuesTec, Matt has seen the company double in size. This does not surprise Rich Miller, partner at TIG Advisors and Matt’s former golf coach.

“It doesn’t surprise me, since Matt is super competitive and driven to succeed. He is also a man of character, a devoted husband, and an involved father,” Rich says.

Rich has been equally impressed with Matt’s service to Coyote Hill Christian Children’s Home and The Crossing. “He works parking on Sundays whether it’s raining, snowing, or sleeting. Thousands of cars every weekend, and Matt is always there directing traffic.”

He continues: “My mom is an amazing role Who does Matt credit for his success? His model of strength and grit. When I was in parents, hands down. high school, she beat her battle with breast “My dad, Scott Boyd, founded QuesTec cancer.

And now, she’s in a battle with panMechanical,” Matt says, “His leadership has creatic cancer, and while the prognosis is not taken the company from a fledgling startup good, she continues to fight with grace and to a powerhouse that is spreading throughdetermination.” out the Midwest.”

Matt’s business philosophy is to treat others the way he wants to be treated. “As an extrovert, I love to work with people,” he says.

“I found early on in my career that the more I focused on helping other businesses and careers, the more my own prospered. This is truly a win-win.”

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Taylor Bacon & Kyle Cook Co-owners, Hitt Records FUN FAC TS

Taylor grew up clogging with his sister and Kyle promises he does not smoke weed.

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s a musician, Taylor Bacon has been a trendsetter and influencer since his days at Hickman High School.

“He is truly a virtuosic singer, as well as a highly talented multi-instrumentalist,” says attorney Jesse Craig. “Particularly noteworthy are his fantastic drumming abilities and flawless harmonies, skills he’s showcased in many local and touring bands.”

According to Jesse, Taylor has also been a fixture of downtown Columbia since he began working as a teenager. Many of Columbia’s most iconic institutions have had the pleasure of calling Taylor an employee, including Shakespeare’s Pizza, Booche’s, and Uprise Bakery.

Then several years ago, Taylor had the courage to turn his passion for music into a career.

He and his friend Kyle Cook opened Hitt Records in the old Coca-Cola bottling facility that is now Ragtag Cinema.

“I am proud to be able to have a space where freaks and regular Joes can mingle, put aside differences, and share their passion about music,” says Taylor. “Putting together the shop and seeing it grow has been immensely fulfilling.”

Kyle prides himself on what he and Taylor have built and the fact they still enjoy doing it.

“We opened this business with 1,000 records and a few thousand bucks,” Kyle says. “We have no debt and have staff that we pay over $10 an hour. It’s been a long and hard road, but I’m very proud of where our shop is at. We have one of the best and most diverse selections in the nation.”

Kyle classifies himself as an extreme extrovert and spends very little time alone. “I simply enjoy hanging out with musically inclined people and chatting with folks about current events, music, and film,” he says. He also enjoys going to live shows, seeing movies at Ragtag, and doing radio shows at KOPN. Down the line, Taylor would love to open a putt-putt golf course with a burger stand or a laundromat. And instead of a drive-in theatre, he would like to see a bike-in movie theatre located next to Lucky’s Market that plays old classics and has an airstream trailer serving fried snacks.

Annette Triplett Chief Executive Officer, PedNet Coalition

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adies, do you like having the option to wear pants? Annette Triplett says you can thank the bicycle.

One of Annette’s favorite community activities is Vélo Vino Vici, a women-only bike ride with stops for wine tastings. The event celebrates the role the bicycle played in women’s empowerment and independence.

As chief executive officer of PedNet Coalition, it’s no wonder that Annette cares deeply about Columbia becoming a town where it’s easy to walk, bike, and ride public transit, making it easy for anyone to get where they want to go.

“My role includes advocating E: AG for safe streets for everyone,” Annette says. “I serve on public commissions and task forces to advocate for policies and infrastructure that move us closer to this vision and provide testimony to the city council on PedNet’s policy positions on behalf of our FUN members.”

FAC T When Annette was hired, PedAs a Net was in crisis and was months master away from shutting its doors. Angardener, nette and her business partner Annette banded together to claw PedNet loves back from the brink. snuggling up with “There’s no doubt in my mind a cup of that without us, PedNet would coffee and have collapsed. We’re now seven a seed years later and we’re financially catalog. stable, we’ve tripled our PedNet deaths or serious injuries on membership, grown our team our city streets. from two to six full-time profes“In addition to Annette’s sionals, and had some of the bigprofessional day-to-day actions, which ingest policy wins in PedNet’s history,” Annette clude biking in high heels, I have been imshares. pressed with her ability to understand comAnnette and her team also led Columbia to plex problems, research potential solutions be the first city in Missouri and one of the first and impacts, and communicate to both techsmall cities in the country to adopt a Vision nical experts and the general public,” says BarZero policy, which sets a goal of zero traffic

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bara Buffaloe, sustainability manager for the City of Columbia.

Annette is motivated by setting goals and achieving them. Her core values include ambition, intentional data-driven decision making, and strength. Annette embraces her introversion, but would like to improve on her cocktail party chitchat and taking less than eight hours to write a paragraph!

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Camille Roland Social Services Clinic Specialist, City of Columbia

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amille was in fast food and retail before she started at the City of Columbia, where she worked the front desk for the WIC program. Within six months, she was promoted. She is now in her third E: position with the city, serving as the AG social services clinic specialist.

“My job is fulfilling and rewarding,” Camille says. “Our clinic offers referrals for clothing vouchers, as well as prenatal case management and support. We also have a prescription assistance program and a FUN utility assistance program.”

FAC T Camille says the clinic is often faced with challenges from serving Camille has been a low-income population with limitwriting ed resources, and they have to adapt poetry and change gears between clients. since she “We could have an ecstatic prenawas 12. tal client one minute, and 10 minutes later, we could have someone in deep crisis,” Camille shares. “People come and see us for all sorts of needs.”

In addition to being very involved with her work, Camille has volunteered at True North for eight years, facilitating life skills courses and answering the crisis hotline.

“When Camille speaks of her volunteer work, her entire face smiles,” says Environmental Public Health Supervisor Kala Wekenborg-Tomka. “She is passionate about helping others and the ability to be involved within the community.”

Camille’s life is guided by the values she sees in others and the values she needs from others. These include open-mindedness, flexibility, honesty, consistency, and humility. She is motivated by the people she spends time with, especially her nephew, Zen. “Hang with people that cheer for you harder than you cheer for yourself,” Camille says. “It has been life changing.”

If Camille could improve one thing about herself, she would be easier on herself and compliment herself more. In 2020, Camille hopes to learn sign language and the bus routes in order to better serve her clients. She also plans to write more, build her personal brand, and make fear her friend.

Pride Fest is one of Camille’s favorite community activities, and she also enjoys Art in the Park. “Columbia is just a beautiful melting pot of awesome people, places, and things,” Camille says. “I love the way the community comes together.”

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Mason Aid

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LGBTQ Diversity and Inclusion Ninja, Self-Employed

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ason Aid is a champion of diversity and inclusion for all gender identities and sexual orientations.

“As the owner of The Aided Collective, I work with organizations in a variety of fields as they begin the journey towards more inclusive practices and creating a culture where everyone is fully accepted,” Mason says.

They do this through inclusion trainings with a focus on transgender and non-binary individuals, consulting with organizations to improve accessibility to the LGBTQ community. Mason shares many of their resources for free through podcasting, blogging, writing, and social media.

“Our society as a whole has a long way to go, and I am honored to be able to play a role in starting the conversation in the greater Midwest on what LGBTQ inclusion can and does look like,” MaFUN son says.

FAC T Kristen Graham Brown, of Hoot Some of Design Co., worked with Mason to inMason’s troduce gender neutral design to their favorite web and branding services. “Mason bands are put together an incredible presentastill “Jesus Rock” tion for our team, inspiring them to bands think about our language and design from the practices,” Kristen says. late ’90s.

Mason approaches their work largely from a mental health perspective. “Inclusion is a large indicator of mental health in the LGBTQ community,” Mason says. “The Trevor Project [an orgain Columbia. They are an elder at Rock Bridge nization dedicated to suicide prevention in the Christian Church and serve at the church’s LGBTQ community] recently released research pride booth. stating that having one accepting adult in their In 2016, Mason was awarded the Catalyst lives reduces suicidality among LGBTQ people Award from the MU LGBT Center for their by 40%.” work with PRISM, an LGBTQ teen group run Mason has partnered with more than 30 orthrough The Center Project. ganizations in Missouri, which has led to opNikki McGruder, of the Inclusive Impact Inportunities like speaking at Missouri State University and the inaugural HerTomorrow event stitute, enjoys working with Mason. “With Ma-

son’s passion for humanity and demonstrated commitment to being a change agent, they are one human being that I value knowing and learning from.”

Mason’s overall mindset is to love mercy, do justice, and walk humbly. “If we are merciful people, work towards a just society, and maintain our humility through staying grounded, we can do mighty things,” they say.

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Angie Bass President and Chief Executive Officer, Missouri Health Connection

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n weekends, you may find Angie Bass on the baseball field coaching her son’s baseball team, resisting the temptation to eat nachos, or attending as many Mizzou events as possible.

“My family and I are Mizzou super fans,” says Angie. “We love tailgating and inviting friends and family to gather and celebrate our Tigers.

We think of ourselves as unofficial ambassadors for MU.” During the work week, however, you will find Angie leading the Missouri Health Connection, a health information exchange network.

Angie explains: “We are a middleware technology platform that allows health care providers to easily and comprehensively share electronic health data between each other when they each operate their own unique electronic health record system.”

In her current role, Angie drives the strategic initiatives of the organization. She Identifies, fosters, grows, and capitalizes on relationships to advance the value of services MHC provides and to strengthen the financial position of the company.

“Much of my time is spent on establishing key strategies to leverage the sharing of health information and health analytics for a greater public good and drive efficiencies in the delivery of health care,” Angie says.

Angie is motivated by being a leader and problem solver. She also likes to accomplish goals and get results. She is driven by a set of core values that include being mindful, stepping up when called upon, and validating people and feelings.

In summary, Angie strives to follow this Methodist proverb: “Do all the good you can, for all the people you can, in all the ways you can, as long as you can.”

“If at the end of my life, I can say I did this, I’ve led a fulfilled and meaningful life,” Angie says.

Angie’s life and leadership are inspiring to those who know her, including Central Bank of Boone County’s Brooke Berkey. “Angie has a strong, powerful voice and is able to execute and implement strategies,” Berkey says.

“Angie is determined to make our health system and network better for everyone. Needless to say, she is a devoted professional paving the way for the future of our health care.”

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Angie wants to use her diplomacy skills to serve the community by running for office someday.

Geoff Karr

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Vice President, Business Banking Manager, Landmark Bank

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eoff Karr credits his time playing high school football for getting him to where he is today.

“There were very high expectations and pressure packed situations,” Geoff says. “Not to mention that summer workouts were grueling and practices often took four hours after school.”

Geoff participated in sports because he enjoyed the teamwork and sharing the feeling of winning. The experience paved the way for life lessons that propelled him through college and into his career in banking. “The lessons that most stand out are respect for others, commitment, determination, and self-discipline,” he shares.

Geoff ’s role at Landmark Bank job gives him the space to help local companies achieve their goals. This means helping drive revenue growth, providing capital for purchasing needs, or simply being an extension of his clients’ sales team by providing quality referrals and connections.

The accomplishment Geoff relishes most happened just three short years into his career at Landmark Bank when he was recogFUN nized as Banker of the Year. “The FAC T award is given annually to those Geoff’s who are committed to representclaim to ing the bank’s values both internalfame in ly and externally,” Geoff says. “The the Karr ceremony was incredibly fulfilling, household as I had zero expectation of receivis his pancakes. ing that type of recognition.”

Geoff has not determined his official goals for 2020 largely because outlook for the remaining perLandmark is in the midst of a sonnel,” Geoff explains. “The merger, with the conversion to their new name biggest challenge after the conversion will be happening sometime in first quarter. helping our clients make the transition to a new digital customer experience and making sure “As a senior leader in the company, I will have their daily operation experiences no delays.” the task of working closely with our new manShon Aguero, executive vice president at agement group while maintaining a positive

Landmark, believes Geoff is up for the task.

“Geoff is a bright and personable individual,” Shon says. “He is self-motivated and well capable of achieving any goal he sets his mind to.

His rapid promotion is an example of that. But despite his success, Geoff remains one of the most genuine, kind people in our organization.”

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Cole Knudsen Plant Director, Quaker Oats

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ole Knudsen is trained as an industrial engineer, but has a heart for leading and managing people.

He enjoys putting himself in his front-line employees’ shoes and executing change management initiatives that not only drive efficiency within their labor team, but also improve work-life balance.

“The most recent example was when we restructured the labor force in such a way that would support 24/7 operations,” Cole shares, “but we also significantly improved the amount of time people were able to spend at home with their families.”

While Cole has only been in town AG E : since the summer of 2017, his leadership inside and outside of the Quaker Oats plant has not gone unnoticed.

“Cole maintains a busy position overseeing the Quaker Oats facility, and while ensuring a smooth and profitable operation of the plant could easily take all of his atFUN tention, he makes the time to be FAC T invested in improving the broader Cole’s community in which he lives,” says fondest Jolyn Sattizahn, vice president of childhood community affairs for the Chamber memories of Commerce. “As a young leader in are particular, he’s impressive in how he walking down demonstrates a willingness for both to the himself and the company he repcreek and resents to be a partner in the posicatching tive growth of Columbia.” crawdads.

Cole is passionate about youth development and education. “I feel there’s more to be done to provide a positive outlook to our kids — showing them how they can be successful when they get older and then helping them get there,” Cole shares. He also enjoys serving on the mechanics team at his church by helping those struggling with vehicle or house maintenance.

Cole describes his leadership philosophy as centering on five attributes: integrity, empowering others, confidence through adversity, teamwork, and empathy. And he’s excited to use his values and experience to build a team that can take on challenging projects, navigate difficult situations, and learn from their mistakes.

What would this self-motivated team builder like to improve about himself ? “I would like to be able to say 'no' a little easier than it comes out today,” he says. “I sincerely enjoy helping others that can use a hand, so saying 'no' is difficult sometimes.”

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Sarah Moreau

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Assistant Vice President, Community Outreach Officer, Central Bank of Boone County

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inancial literacy is a topic Sarah Moreau is passionate about. So passionate, in fact, that she’s made it her career.

Sarah started working with Central Bank of Boone County when she was 18. “I have worked with Sarah for the past 12 years and know firsthand her drive, commitment, and dedication to whatever she decides to tackle,” says Karen Taylor, executive vice president at the bank. “I have watched her grow in her role, starting as a teller in 2006, working her way through the organization and, most recently, taking on the challenge of starting our new ProsperU program.”

One of Sarah’s proudest professional accomplishments has been launching ProsperU from scratch. “From the initial strategic planning to launch, watching my ideas come to fruition has been incredible,” she says. From determining the three areas of focus (business, personal, and financial) to creating class curriculum, Sarah had a hand in developing every part of the program.

“ProsperU seeks to empower individuals and businesses to achieve financial success through educational programs, workshops, and one-on-one sessions,” says Sarah. “My job involves the coordination of the financial education programming, including curriculum, course scheduling, and providing support to community partners with financial expertise.”

The success of the program is already clear. “I initially had a personal goal to reach 500 attendees in the first year of the program,” says Sarah. “Today, five months since launch, we have had over 1,000 attendees in ProsperU classes and community presentations.”

Her favorite part of her job is getting to teach in both ProsperU and in the community. “One day I’m teaching high schoolers how to write a check, and the next I’m talking

FUN FAC T

Sarah works part-time as an accreditation specialist for the Columbia Police Department.

with seniors on the importance of recognizing online fraud.”

“Sarah has developed credibility for ProsperU with educators and various other public entities interested in bringing financial education

to our diverse community,” says Joe Henderson, president of Central Bank of Boone County.

“I strive every day to extend the program’s reach to as many individuals as possible, knowing what an incredible impact financial literacy can have on our community,” Sarah says.

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Sarah Dresser Manager, Office of Cultural Affairs, City of Columbia

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Sarah’s favorite piano piece to play is Maurice Ravel’s “Sonatine.”

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arah Dresser is a classically trained musician who majored in piano performance in college.

Thanks to her college piano teacher, however, rather than pursue a career as a professional pianist, she headed down the path of art administration.

That decision paid off, and today Sarah serves as the manager of Columbia’s Office of Cultural Affairs.

“I oversee the city’s public art program, annual funding for nonprofit arts organizations, and a number of special events throughout the year,” Sarah says.

Sarah’s current public art projects include the Columbia Sports Fieldhouse, The Molly Thomas-Bowden Neighborhood Policing Center, and the new Columbia Regional Airport terminal.

Sarah believes it will be a fun challenge to assist with the new terminal. “It will be our city’s first impression for many visitors,” she says. “I’m excited to send the message that the arts are vital to our community.”

Sarah started with the organization in 2012 and was promoted in 2017. Her department of three is small, but she enjoys working with such a tight-knit team.

“Since hiring Sarah, I’ve witnessed her blossom into an accomplished city leader,” says Carol Rhodes, assistant city manager. “Her collaborative leadership style embraces a culture of teamwork while also allowing her to express her individuality.”

Tootie Burns works with Sarah on several art-related committees. “I have known Sarah for over five years,” Tootie says. “I continue to be amazed at her efficiency, creativity, and ability to do so many things well.”

Sarah believes there’s no such thing as too many local festivals. In fact, she’d love to see a front porch music festival that expands the footprint of Columbia’s music scene from traditional venues into neighborhoods. ”If anyone wants to get that going,” she says, “I’d welcome the chance to help make it a reality.”

In her free time, Sarah is involved in the MU Choral Union, singing in the alto section. She enjoys coming together with other community members and MU students to learn large-scale choral works each semester.

“No matter what’s going on in our personal lives or current events, creating music together helps remind me that the arts can build bridges and encapsulate the human experience,” she says.

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Tommy Goran Engineer and EMT, Columbia Fire Department

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ince Tommy Goran was 5 years old, he has recited the same Oath and Law of the Boy Scouts.

“If I had to sum it all up into one principle of my life, I would choose integrity,” Tommy says.

To him, this means doing the right thing, even when no one is looking.

Tommy serves as an engineer and EMT with the Columbia Fire Department. He works 24hour shifts on a Berkley schedule, also known as a Kelly schedule, meaning his three-person team serves three shifts over a nine-day period.

“We work in three-man crews and I am the engineer, so I drive and pump the truck at fires,” he says. Tommy says that one misconception many people have is that he and his crew mainly fight fires — they respond to more medical calls than anything else.

Like most firemen, on his days off, Tommy works his second job at his mowing and landscaping business called J&S Maintenance Lawn & Landscaping (named after his children, Jeffrey and Sophia). “This job keeps me extremely busy almost all year round, but I love the art of the hustle and the process of being an entrepreneur,” he says.

“Whether Tommy is on or off of his Columbia Fire Department job, he is an outstanding ambassador for our community and the City of Columbia,” says Nick “Cosmo” Schudel, morning show host on Y107.

Tommy is proud of being the event director for the Columbia Memorial Stair Climb, which held its inaugural climb on May 6, 2017.

“The climb is first and foremost a memorial event for first responders who have paid the ultimate sacrifice from 9/11,” he says. The event is held annually at Faurot Field, where attendees come together to climb 110 stories, the height of the World Trade Center, to honor those first responders who were killed on 9/11.

“Tommy has quickly become a pillar of the community with volunteering as the director for the Memorial Stair Climb,” says Krista Kippenberger, of Focus on Health Chiropractic.

Tommy’s biggest motivators are his wife and kids. “They are the center of my world and my biggest motivating factor in life is to show them what good looks like and how to treat others with respect,” he says.

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Tommy believes in the “leader-leader” model, focused on empowering the informal leaders within an organization.

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David Anderson Owner and Creative Director, Chimaeric Motion Pictures

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ilmmaker David Anderson is self-taught on everything he does.

David runs his own motion picture company where he develops creative ways to tell visual stories, collaborates with talented people to execute on the ideas, and emotionally moves people to think and act.

“My favorite part is being on set and working with other artists and actors to bring a story to life,” says David. “Some sets it’s just me, some sets it’s me and a few other filmmakers, some sets it’s me, 25 crew members, five clients, and a boat load of actors. No two days are E: the same, which I think is AG pretty badass.”

There are a lot of people that helped David get to where he is today, including his grandmother, who invested in his first film. From that project, David bought FUN his first professional camFAC T era, computer, and editing software.

David failed “It was freelance work American I did with that equipment Film that caught the eye of Brent Studies, Beshore, who took a chance the only on me to help start the creofficial ative division at Pure Marfilm class keting in 2008,” David says. he took in “He believed in my vision college. and put the financial resources in place for me to build a team and invest in the equipment needed.”

From there, the venture grew into a self-sufficient production company that spun off into Chimaeric in 2012, and David acquired the company from Brent in 2014.

“None of this would have happened without the love and support from my wife, Patty,” David shares. “There were so many times that I wanted to give up, or felt like I wasn’t good enough, and she would pick me up and know exactly what to do or say to reignite that fire in me to keep going.”

Patty is proud that David has turned his love for video production into a career. “David makes a conscious decision on a daily basis to become the best person he can possibly be. He approaches life with a sense of wonder, noticing and appreciating the beauty and art of all things around him,” Patty says. “He loves what he does and he loves where he lives.”

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Heather Brown

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Strategic Partnership Officer, Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans’ Hospital

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Heather helped to fix up schools that were bombed or run down in Iraq from 2003 to 2004.

lthough it may be a stretch from her creative writing degree, Heather Brown loves her job.

As the strategic partnership officer at Harry S. Truman Memorial k’ Hospital, her role is to create a network of relationships between agencies that enhance veterans’ lives and educate veterans about services and benefits available through the Veterans Health Administration.

Her position is unique in the national VA system. “I do a little bit of everything, from event planning to outreach and education to community relations to marketing and public affairs,” Heather says. “I have a passion for helping veterans and getting them the best health care possible.”

One of Heather’s current projects is working with the Columbia Center for Urban Agriculture to create a Veterans’ Urban Garden on 1.3 acres off College Avenue. “We’ll use that space for job training, behavioral health, recreation therapy, healthy eating, exercise, and our whole-health initiative,” Heather says.

As for this past year, Heather is proud of getting the Mizzou Veterans’ Wellness Center up and running for the fall semester. The center is a unique collaboration between the Truman VA and the MU School of Law Veterans Clinic. It provides enrollment and eligibility services as well as behavioral health care on campus for students, faculty, and staff who are veterans.

“Heather has built a strong foundation in the organization while exemplifying leadership in our community,” says Andrea Wiggins, assistant to the director at Truman VA. “She is paving the way for strategic partnerships and has developed a model that could be replicated at other sites across the VHA.” Heather’s passion has been fueled by three primary people in her life: her mother, her mentor, and her former supervisor. “My mother was career Army.

She instilled in me to give back to my nation. Stephen Gaither has been my constant champion, and David Isaacks believed I could do the job and expected me to excel,” Heather says.

Heather’s motivation comes from her husband and 4-year-old son. “My son motivates me to make this a better world than I found it,” she says. “I try to lead by example and to always be kind.“

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Secily Devese Diversity and Inclusion Coordinator, Veterans United Home Loans

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ot only does Secily Devese love to eat salsa, but she loves to get her boogie on as well.

She’s been dancing salsa, bachata, and merengue for four years now. As a member of the Voices of Power and Glory Choir, and more recently the Unity Choir, Secily has also been gracing our community with song since she was seven years old.

When she’s not participating in the arts, she’s often volunteering with the Inclusive Impact Institute or equipping and mentoring teenage women for success with a group called Executive of My Future.

“I feel like Secily is a hidden gem the community needs to know about,” shares Nikki McGruder. “She is always willing to be pulled into a conference room to brainstorm on different ways we can provide meaningful experiences that inform, educate, and change lives.”

As diversity and inclusion coordinator for Veterans United Homes Loans, Secily gets to utilize her passion by giving people opportunities to open their minds and view the world through different perspectives. Outside the four walls of VU, she hosts events that help the community mitigate their biases and focus on the importance of coming together in unity.

“I love to work with people in such an impactful way,” says Secily. “I get to advocate for them, hear their needs, and meet their needs with an answer. I get to meet wonderful beings and have meaningful interactions that allow me to learn about their life.”

One of Secily’s proudest accomplishments was receiving her Society for Human Resource Management certification. “The process to gaining certification gave way more freedoms than restrictions in my perspective,” Secily shares. “It gifted me the tools to give back and humanize my co-workers to make them feel seen.”

Respect and integrity are important values for Secily. She works hard to keep the confidence that she is good enough and that she doesn’t have to settle for anything that doesn’t meet her standards.

“I am so fortunate to have great examples in my life and people that do that right thing because it’s right, not because it’s easy,” she says.

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Secily can read upside down and write backwards.

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Galen Hassler Owner, Galen’s Auto Body

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alen Hassler is a bit of a hot rod.

He is the owner and operator of Galen’s Auto Body, where he repairs collision damage, restores old cars, builds hot rods and race cars, and does custom paint jobs.

In addition to working on cars, Galen also drives race cars, and he has won multiple races and two championships. “I’ve won rookie of the year in every class I’ve been in,” Galen says.

He’s raced professionally in the ARCA series at Daytona, Talladega, Kansas Speedway, and Chicagoland.

Galen is passionate about doing correct repairs to make sure his customer’s cars are safe inside and out. He believes in quality over quantity every day. Galen has won a local viewer’s choice award for best repair shop as well as 22 custom paint AG E : awards at various car shows.

This year, Galen hopes to add more employees, remodel the interior of the body shop, and increase sales by 50%. He is motivated by watching his business grow and hiring more employees. “I enjoy having good people around me, FUN especially ones that are as pasFAC T sionate about repairing cars as Galen’s me,” he says. daughters, Galen strives to run his business Pamela with honesty, good ethics, and and Olivia, kindness — values instilled in him are the reasons by his parents. he wanted Outside of his auto body shop, to start Galen enjoys giving back to the his own community. He is passionate about business.

Cars 4 Heroes, an organization dedicated to providing transportavices to fix cars for donation, tion for veterans, and became the pulling time away from his inoperating director for Missouri this come-earning work to provide reliable transpast year. portation for our veterans and their families,” Tyson Hunt, co-founder of Logboat BrewTyson says. “He has no doubt single-handeding Company, views Galen as a mentor and ly changed the lives of countless individuals is impressed by Galen’s dedication to Cars 4 throughout our region.”

Heroes. “Galen never hesitates to offer his ser-

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Galen also works with the Career Awareness Related Experience (CARE) program. “This program places high-risk kids in our care so we can teach them about the real-world workforce,” he says. “We teach them how to do some repairs in hopes they will get into the auto collision world.”

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EXPANDING ITS VIEWS TO INCLUDE IGLOOS We are excited to announce a unique winter experience!

Our outdoor bar will transform into the “Igloos @ The Roof”.

Warming up its guests (up to 8!), the heated structures allow an unobstructed view of our beautiful Columbia skyline.

Perfect for sharing with your friends, family or coworkers.

(573) 875-7000 • 1111 E. Broadway, Columbia • TheBroadwayColumbia.com

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ADV ERTISER INDEX

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A-1 RENTAL.............................................................................................................................................. 53 ACCOUNTING PLUS......................................................................................................................... 115 ALL SURFACES CARPET CLEANING......................................................................................66 ANTHONY JINSON PHOTOGRAPHY..................................................................................... 88 ATHLETICO PHYSICAL THERAPY.............................................................................................24 ATKINS, INC............................................................................................................................................ 44 BAUMGARTNER’S FURNITURE & CARPET........................................................................34 BMW OF COLUMBIA........................................................................................................................58 BOONE COUNTY HISTORY & CULTURE CENTER..........................................................66 BOONE HOSPITAL...............................................................................................................................16 BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA - GREAT RIVERS COUNCIL............................................ 57 BROCKMEIER FINANCIAL SERVICES................................................................................... 64 CARSON & COIL....................................................................................................................................50 CENTRAL BANK OF BOONE COUNTY...................................................................................81 CENTRAL MISSOURI AUTO BODY.......................................................................................... 64 CHIMAERIC............................................................................................................................................. 84 CITY OF COLUMBIA - CITY MANAGER’S OFFICE...........................................................85 COLUMBIA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE................................................................................ 11 COLUMBIA MARKETING GROUP.............................................................................................49 COMPASS CHIROPRACTIC........................................................................................................... 22 CONVERGENCE FINANCIAL...........................................................................................................2 DAVE GRIGGS FLOORING AMERICA....................................................................................... 8 DELINE HOLDINGS............................................................................................................................ 55 DOWNTOWN APPLIANCE.............................................................................................................18 EDWARD JONES-ANN ECHELMEIER...................................................................................56 HAWTHORN BANK........................................................................................................................... 116 HELMI’S GARDENS........................................................................................................................... 80 JOE MACHENS DEALERSHIPS..........................................................................................5 & 83 KNORR MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS.........................................................................54 LANDMARK BANK..............................................................................................................................82 LES BOURGEOIS.................................................................................................................................. 57 LINKSIDE AT OLD HAWTHORNE................................................................................................9 MACADOODLES..................................................................................................................................50 MEDIACOM............................................................................................................................................... 4 MERCEDES OF COLUMBIA...........................................................................................................10 MISSOURI EMPLOYERS MUTUAL............................................................................................86 MISSOURI WOMEN’S BUSINESS CENTER......................................................................... 111 MY SISTER’S CIRCUS..........................................................................................................................71 NATHAN JONES LAW.......................................................................................................................20 NAUGHT NAUGHT INSURANCE AGENCY..........................................................................50 NEXTHOME PARADIGM................................................................................................................ 64 ODYSSEY CHAMBER MUSIC SERIES......................................................................................71 PARKS AMUSEMENTS (LEVEL UP)........................................................................................ 60 QUESTEC...................................................................................................................................................87 SECURE DATA TECHNOLOGIES.......................................................................................... 6 & 7 SELECT REALTY GROUP - ALISSA GERKE..........................................................................68 SERVICEMASTER OF COLUMBIA.............................................................................................36 SHELTER INSURANCE AGENTS.................................................................................................20 SOCKET.......................................................................................................................................................14 STANGE LAW FIRM...........................................................................................................................110 STATE FARM - PHYLLIS NICHOLS............................................................................................. 31 SUPERIOR GARDEN CENTER/ROST LANDSCAPE............................................. 31 & 37 THE BANK OF MISSOURI................................................................................................................ 12 THE BROADWAY HOTEL...............................................................................................................110 THE CARING PEOPLE.......................................................................................................................76 THE KLEMPKES- IRON GATE REAL ESTATE..................................................................... 22 THE LAW FIRM OF HABER & COLBERT............................................................................... 57 THE TRUST COMPANY.........................................................................................................112 & 113 THE VILLAGE OF BEDFORD WALK...........................................................................................3 TIGER FAMILY CHIROPRACTIC & WELLNESS CENTER.............................................54 TLC MORTGAGE........................................................................................................................ 32 & 35 TRUE FALSE FILM FEST..................................................................................................................38 TRUMAN VA HOSPITAL.................................................................................................................. 84 VETERANS UNITED HOME LOANS........................................................................................ 80 WILLIAMS & ASSOCIATES EYECARE......................................................................................24 WILLIAMS KEEPERS.........................................................................................................................56 WILSON’S FITNESS............................................................................................................................ 52

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If you’re making time for these activities...

January JA N UA RY 2 3

MU Celebrates MLK: Dr. Gwendolyn Elizabeth Boyd Missouri Theatre

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JANUARY 2

JANUARY 4

First Thursday Book Discussion

Storytime & Activities

Daniel Boone Regional Library Noon to 1 p.m.

Legislative Reception 2020 The Blue Note 4 to 5 p.m.

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JANUARY 3

First Fridays North Village Arts District 6 to 8 p.m.

Barnes and Noble 11 a.m. to Noon

TRYPS Theatre: Live at Eleven Daniel Boone Regional Library 11 to 11:30 a.m.

Missouri Country Fest The Blue Note 7:30 p.m., $6-8

2020 JAN UA RY 4

JA NUA RY 23

Thad Requet & Mick Byrd

Lauren Alaina

The Dive Bar

The Blue Note

9 p.m.

8 p.m., $16-19

JAN UA RY 7 & 2 1

JA NUA RY 24

Museum Associates Sketching Group

Finding Neverland

Museum of Art & Archaeology

7 p.m.

10 to 11:30 a.m.

JAN UA RY 1 1

Odyssey presents Kids@Heart: Global Express!

First Baptist Church 3 to 4:30 p.m.

Jesse Auditorium

Missouri Bass Fest The Blue Note 9:30 p.m., $6-8

Bruce Springsteen Jam Session Stoney Creek Hotel & Conference Center Noon to 2 p.m.

Missouri Blues Fest The Blue Note 8 p.m., $6-10

JAN UA RY 1 2

Ad Hoc Film Series

JA NUA RY 25

Millennium Age Silent Party Bur Oak Brewing Company 8 p.m.

Museum of Art & Archaeology 2 to 4 p.m.

JA NUA RY 27

JAN UA RY 1 7

Découvrez Amélie Nothomb

Missouri Funk Fest

Skylark Bookshop

The Blue Note

Jenny Hayes

6 to 7 p.m.

9 p.m., $6-10 JA NUA RY 30 JAN UA RY 1 8

Comedian Todd Barry

MO Bacon & Bourbon Festival

The Blue Note

Polly Reynolds

6 p.m., $25

Bur Oak Brewing Company 1 to 4 p.m.

JA NUA RY 31

Missouri Bluegrass Fest

The Cadillac Three

The Blue Note

The Blue Note

8 p.m., $8-10

8 p.m., $15

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