CBT | The 20 Under 40 Issue 2023

THE

STEPHANIE GOANS

Edward Jones

CLASS OF 2023

APRIL 2023

MEET THE WALTERS TEAM

PG. 19

TAPPING INTO SUCCESS Logboat prepares to reopen.

PG. 63

had

“Bringing

“Hawthorn

COMO Rocks

Congratulations Revee White

on being selected to the 20 under 40 Class of 2023.

We’re proud of the impact you make each day.

It’s here!! In your hands, you hold the issue that most of my recent dreams, blood, sweat, and tears have been about. Of course, we love 20 Under 40. This is a staple brand for our community, and it happens to be my favorite time of the year. But what you also hold is the return of Columbia Business Times, rebranded as COMO Business Times to fit the rest of our portfolio.

For those of you that may not be familiar, this magazine was published for decades in Columbia and was officially retired during a merger with a former magazine we owned named COMO Living in July 2019. In August 2019, we published our first issue of COMO which combined our business and our lifestyle content. This worked great, especially as COVID would soon be upon us. The price of paper would soar and that’s if you could even get it.

COMO has served the community well for nearly four years. However, it’s big brother is back! After many requests and thoughtful consideration, we decided to bring back Columbia’s only premier monthly business-to-business publication featuring the people, places, and stories our business community is interested in and needs to know. And, what better way to celebrate its return than with its legacy brand of 20 Under 40?

In these pages, you will find a celebration of 20 of our best and brightest in Columbia. This isn’t meant to be an exhaustive list. Trust me. Many great candidates are nominated every year. (Kim's Editor's Letter in COMO contains the selection process if you’re curious.) These are this year’s final recipients representing business, higher education, nonprofit service, nuclear engineering, law enforcement, and much more. Every year, I make new friends in this group and can’t wait to introduce them to you, too.

But wait! There’s more! Everyone receiving the magazine will now receive both of our magazines. I hope you enjoy our creative way to get all of this amazing content to Columbia. It’s called a flipbook by our printer. So, once you get done reading CBT, just flip it on over to catch the best of COMO. If you know anyone that would enjoy receiving this content as a gift, please subscribe by going to www.comobusinesstimes. com. Remember, you’ll get two for one!

We’ve done a lot of new things with these issues. We’ve added new voices and will be adding more in the coming issues. I’d like to hear what you think. Please reach out to me directly with any thoughts that you have at Erica@comocompanies.com.

Cheers,

er many requests and thoughtful consideration, we decided to bring back

Congrats!

EDITORIAL

Erica Pefferman, Publisher Erica@COMOBusinessTimes.com

Kim Ambra, Editor-in-Chief Kim@COMOBusinessTimes.com

Jodie Jackson Jr, Digital Editor Jodie@COMOBusinessTimes.com

DESIGN

Kate Morrow, Creative Director Kate@COMOBusinessTimes.com

Jordan Watts, Senior Designer Jordan@COMOBusinessTimes.com

MARKETING

Charles Bruce, Director of Sales Charles@COMOBusinessTimes.com

Scott Callahan, Director of Events Scott@COMOBusinessTimes.com

Amanda Melton, Director of Account Services Amanda@COMOBusinessTimes.com

J.J. Carlson, Director of Web Development jj@comobusinesstimes.com

Sarah Hempelmann, Marketing Representative Sarah@COMOBusinessTimes.com

Becky Roberts, Marketing Representative Becky@COMOBusinessTimes.com

MANAGEMENT

Erica Pefferman, President Erica@COMOBusinessTimes.com

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Anthony Jinson, Dale H. Lloyd, Catherine Rhodes Photography

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Kim Ambra, Sam Barrett, Lauren Sable Freiman, Jodie Jackson Jr, Steve Spellman, Brian Toohey

SUBSCRIPTIONS

Magazines are $5.95 an issue. Subscription rate is $39 for 12 issues for one year or $69 for 24 issues for two years. Subscribe at comobusinesstimes.com or by phone. COMO Business Times is published monthly by e COMO Companies.

OUR MISSION STATEMENT COMO Business Times and comobusinesstimes.com strive to be Columbia’s leading source for timely and comprehensive news coverage of the local business community. is publication is dedicated to being the most relevant and useful vehicle for the exchange of information and ideas among Columbia’s business professionals.

Copyright e COMO Companies, 2023 All rights reserved. Reproduction or use of any editorial or graphic content without the express written permission of the publisher is prohibited.

Amanda Melton J. J. Carlson

Kim Ambra Jodie Jackson Jr

Erica Pefferman

Kate Morrow Jordan Watts

Charles Bruce Scott Callahan

Becky Roberts Sarah Hempelmann

Meet the Advisory Board for COMO Business Times

CBT ’s advisory board is made up of industry leaders and small business owners who help ensure CBT ’s content is relevant to our local business community.

ERIC MORRISON President Sundvold Financial

STEVE SPELLMAN Senior Investment Officer The Bank of Missouri

SUZANNE ROTHWELL Vice President Advancement Division Columbia College

MEGAN WALTERS Founder & Team Lead The Walters Team, eXp Realty

BRIAN TOOHEY CEO Columbia Board of REALTORS®

MATT MCCORMICK President Columbia Chamber of Commerce

MATT MOORE Retired Shelter Insurance

JEN HEDRICK President SOA Architecture

SHAWN BARNES Director of Business Development and Recruiting Williams-Keepers LLC

MIKE GRELLNER Vice President Plaza Commercial Realty

BROOKE BERKEY VP Relationship Manager Central Bank

NICKIE DAVIS Executive Director The District, Downtown CID

PERSON YOU SHOULD KNOW

John Hall, Chief Strategist at Relevance

19

Meet the Walters Team

24

On Top of the Game

Midway Golf & Games expansion will feature nearly 20,000 square feet of family-friendly outdoor entertainment.

36

20 Under 40: 2023

Each year, we honor a new class of 20 professionals who are taking strides in their elds and in our community.

Closer Look

scratch baked goods such as cookies, cakes, scones, and cheesecake bites, Wish our Bakery is always open to other fun customer requests.

1023 E. Walnut, Ste. 7 573-239-6110

Wishflourbakery.com

ECLIPSE CATERING AND EVENTS

COMING HOME

A unique home goods shop lled with what you love best about coming home, located in the North Village Arts District, Coming Home specializes in unique, nostalgic, and sustainable items. Some of their most popular items include Bee’s Wraps, stasher bags, and Swedish dishcloths, just to name a few of the reusable items. Located in the Balsamo Warehouse for the past ve and a half years, Coming Home wants to assist you with that special gift or to help you start on your nonsingle-use journey. Owner Jean Gruenewald saw a need in the community for a place like Coming Home. “Our family has always done the reusing, recycling before it was even a thing ... growing up on a farm and my mom went to the rst Earth Day 50-plus years ago,” she says. “When I started the shop one of the things I wanted to carry was sustainable items and have been on a constant search since then to continue to add more of those to my inventory.” Coming Home is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Wednesday

110 Orr St. Ste. 103 573-777-6957

cominghomecomo.com

WISHFLOUR BAKERY

After being told multiple times that she should open a bakery, owner Marcey Mertens did just that with Wish our Bakery. In 2006, after going for a walk, the early ideas of Wish our Bakery and its signature dandelion logo were conceived. From its website, Marcey says, “While baking is what we love to do, Wish our Bakery is so much more. It’s a dream that didn’t wither or give up with life’s challenges and di culties or even the passing of time. ... We are profoundly grateful for the community of extraordinary people that have loved this dream into a reality as much as we have.” Most known for its made-from-

In January 2022, Eclipse Catering and Events reorganized and rebranded into what it is now, a full-service catering company with service to all of mid-Missouri. “We rmly believe that everyone deserves a caterer that cares about their event, so we are dedicated to bringing you premiere catering at a price you can feel good about,” says Leanne Geiss co-owner along with Josiah Williams. With a combined 40 years of experience in the catering and events industry, Eclipse Catering and Events is the largest locally-owned and operated catering and events company in Columbia with 82 employees. Leanne says, “Eclipse Catering and Events was born of the idea that everyone deserves a caterer that cares about creating a memorable experience for their guests. We discovered a need in the community — a need for quality caterers committed to providing the true start-to- nish experience for their clients, whether that’s recreating grandma’s signature dish for a family gathering, working with our mixologist to create custom cocktails, or catering your corporate event.” CBT

22 N. 10th St. 573-442-8220

eclipsecateringandevents.com

Are you starting a new business? Reach out to our team at

through Saturday and from 5 to 9 p.m. during First Fridays in the North Village.

Briefly in the News

CELEBRATION

Celebration of Service: Columbia College Leaders and Groups Honored at 2023 MLK Awards

Leaders who foster diversity. Teams who demonstrate equity and inclusion. People who devote their days to the ideals of public service. Columbia College honored four individuals or groups during its fourth Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Service Awards on Tuesday, Jan. 24, inside Dorsey Gymnasium. e annual event recognizes and acknowledges sta , faculty, and CC community members who follow in the footsteps of Dr. King. “We are delighted to celebrate our colleagues who make a di erence in our community every day,” says Alejandra Gudino, director for diversity, equity, and inclusion at Columbia College. “ ese people represent the best of who we are, and we can all learn from their powerful examples. e passion they pour into their continual acts of service is nothing short of inspiring.” is year’s event was dedicated to Rev. Dr. C.W. Dawson Jr., a fourth-generation preacher in Columbia who grew up during the height of the Civil Rights movement. e following recipients were honored with 2023 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Service Awards:

1. CARMELA THORNTON individual award-winner

2. JARED CLARK individual award-winner

3. GIRLS WHO GAME group award-winner

4. OFFICE OF THE REGISTRAR group award-winner

CELEBRATION

The Missouri Symphony Announces New Youth Ensemble

e Missouri Symphony and Missouri Symphony Conservatory are pleased to announce the Vianello Players, a new prestigious youth ensemble named in honor of Missouri Symphony co-founders Hugo and Lucy Vianello to celebrate the Vianellos’ contributions in educating young musicians across mid-Missouri. “I am so excited to start our newest conservatory ensemble, the Vianello Players,” stated music director Wilbur Lin. “Conservatory students who qualify for this group will receive unique opportunities and sit in leadership positions in the Missouri Youth Symphony, leading the orchestra and passing on their knowledge and passion for music to their younger colleagues.” As the Conservatory continues to grow following the pandemic, its two main orchestras combined into one (titled the Missouri Youth Symphony), and the addition of the Vianello Players will give ample opportunities to the Conservatory’s most advanced players. e Vianello Players will make their debut performance in 2023 at the spring Conservatory Concert on April 30th at the Missouri eater.

COMMUNITY

Former U.S. Senator Roy Blunt to Lead State Historical Society of Missouri

e State Historical Society of Missouri board of trustees has elected recently retired U.S. Senator Roy Blunt of Spring eld as president of the State Historical Society for a three-year term.

e former senior U.S. Senator from Missouri has served as a trustee of the

Society since 2005. Blunt’s term as president follows that of Virginia Laas, a professor emerita of history at Missouri Southern State University in Joplin. Laas will continue to serve as a trustee of the Society. Blunt begins his presidency as the State Historical Society of Missouri celebrates the 125th anniversary of its founding by the Missouri Press Association in 1898 and its establishment as a trustee of the state a year later. e State Historical Society collects, preserves, and shares with the public materials related to all aspects and periods of Missouri history. It has research centers in Cape Girardeau, Columbia, Kansas City, Rolla, St. Louis, and Spring eld. Its vast holdings include newspapers, manuscripts, rare books, maps, oral histories, photographs, editorial cartoons, and an extensive art collection of important artworks related to the state’s history and westward expansion.

COMMUNITY

Boys & Girls Clubs of Columbia, Burrell Partner to Provide Mental Health Services for Kids

A mid-Missouri agency that provides space for kids and teens during out-ofschool hours has entered into a partnership with Burrell Behavioral Health to provide on-site services for the youth and families they serve. rough this new agreement, behavioral health professionals will provide individual and group services to Boys & Girls Clubs of Columbia locations. ese services include connecting youth and their families to appropriate community services. “ rough this collaborative partnership we are building and nurturing young peoples social and emotional skills to prepare them to be positive and contributing members of our community,” said Abigail Anderson, CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Columbia.

“By integrating Burrell’s services at our ve

locations, it helps level the playing eld for our youth, especially those who may not have had resources to access behavioral health care,” Anderson said. Safe and positive environments where social and emotional skill development is a priority for Boys & Girls Clubs of Columbia. is new service supports that goal.

CELEBRATION

Weichert, Realtors®First Tier Recognized as a Top Performing Weichert® Affiliate in the Country

Weichert, Realtors® - First Tier has been named to the prestigious Premier Client Group (PCG) by Weichert Real Estate A liates, Inc., earning the distinction as one of the top-producing companies in the national franchise system in 2022. e Weichert® a liate is one of only 31 companies – out of over 250 from the Weichert national franchise system –named to this elite group of real estate brokerages. PCG members are identi ed based on outstanding sales performance in 2022. Weichert, Realtors® - First Tier ranked fth on this year’s list of the system’s top producers. “We are proud to honor Weichert, Realtors® - First Tier as one of our system’s top-performing companies,” said Bill Scavone, president of Weichert Real Estate A liates, Inc. and Weichert, Realtors®. “ eir team’s dedicated customer- rst philosophy and ability to nd innovative solutions for their clients have been instrumental to their continued success.” Weichert, Realtors® - First Tier, and other PCG members demonstrate the success that can be achieved when integrating the innovative technology, tools, management systems, marketing strategies, and training programs that Weichert provides with their own expertise and resources. CBT

Movers & Shakers

BOONE COUNTY

HISTORIAL SOCIETY

The nonprofit Boone County Historical Society (BCHS) unanimously elected three local leaders to its board of directors and appointed two local leaders to its trust board. The three new board directors are David Wilson, Robin LaBrunerie, and Victoria Hubbell. The two new trustees for the BCHS Endowment Trust are Marie Nau Hunter and Patsy Ponder Dalton. “These five individuals are community leaders who are all excellent in their respective fields,” said Chris Campbell, BCHS executive director.

“There are great things in store for our future with the addition of such dynamic thought-leaders to our leadership boards.”

JOSIAH MOORE

Josiah Moore, PE, of Klingner & Associates, P.C. (Klingner) has earned his Professional Engineer licensure from the State of Iowa Engineering and Land Surveying Examining Board. He has extensive experience with pump selection, mechanical and electrical systems for pump stations, electrical systems for commercial buildings, and technical specifications.

Josiah is a member of the American Society of

Mechanical Engineers and holds additional professional licenses in Missouri and Colorado. He earned a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering from Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas.

JACLYN

ROGERS

Jaclyn Rogers, Sales Rep with Ai Painting Plus, LLC, has earned her certification as a Psychological Color Expert™ (PCE™), demonstrating mastery in specifying interior paint in residential applications. Jaclyn was trained by the internationally acclaimed residential color and home staging expert, Kristie Barnett, The Decorologist®. The demand for residential paint color consulting has been rising over the last several years, as homeowners are looking for ways to add value to their home environments without the high cost of hiring a traditional interior designer. Paint color consulting is a one-time service, providing homeowners with expert recommendations that they can implement with a few gallons of paint. A Psychological Color Expert™ is able to transform the complexion of interiors by specifying the perfect paint palette for any style of home.

KATIE MOLITOR

Katie Molitor recently moved into a new leadership role at the Columbia Center for Urban Agriculture as programs director — she had previously been the organization's assessment manager. Katie now directly oversees the organization's program managers in addition to grant reporting, data management, and managing the Produce Prescription Program which she successfully launched last year after COVID delayed its initial launch. The Produce Rx program connects participants with vendors at the Columbia Farmers Market (CFM) where they can redeem their prescriptions for fruits and vegetables. Katie was also the catalyst behind the $1.3 million EDA grant that the CFM was recently awarded to complete the MU Healthcare Pavilion.

HEART OF MISSOURI UNITED WAY

Heart of Missouri United Way recently announced new hires and promotions. Courtney Daviess was promoted to Chief Community Impact Officer. Alaina Leverenz was promoted to Chief Communications Officer. Pasha Pukhovski was hired as Database and Campaign Manager. CBT

MOORE

DAVIESS

ROGERS

LEVERENZ

MOLITOR

PUKHOVSKI

Confessions of a Late Bloomer

BY STEVE SPELLMAN

I WAS NEVER A 20 UNDER 40

As readers peruse the intriguing proles of this year’s crop of 20 under 40 recipients, I can’t help but feel like a comparative underachiever.

I never was awarded this, but it’s okay. Groucho Marx quipped, “I’d refuse to join a club that would have me as a member.”

But it’s not sour grapes, as for one being now aged out, and I wouldn’t have probably quali ed then. I was instead more of a late bloomer.

CBT ’s fearless leader, Erica, could be described similarly. She boldly shared her own story some months ago — in these pages — of a challenging youth and dropping out of high school. But she regrouped and overcame life’s challenges, maturing through a tenacious professional journey to leading today’s expanded marketing and publishing enterprise.

I liked learning but found a standard classroom setting less than comfortable or inspiring. Believe it or not, my sixth-grade teacher

was fully aware that I hated creative writing. ere’s no inspirational comeback story along the lines of a best-selling book — it was just pretty good but far from great.

My early career lacked aggressive ambition and my networking skills weren’t yet developed. I was just being a diligent worker and following opportunities as they dropped in my lap — some by being in the right place at the right time, and surely divine providence.

My 30s were a decade of growth: a big job promotion, embracing volunteer work, and a growing family. And I was trying stu : serving as a board director for local nonpro t organizations and chairing committees for local community groups while stumbling into hosting a public access radio talk show and nding myself interviewing city council candidates on air each spring. How’d that happen?

It wasn’t until reaching 40 that new heights were being achieved. New career horizons, our family moving into the house

where we really needed to be, and kids going to college. Being invited to contribute pundit fare to legit local journalistic publications like the newspaper associated with the world's rst (and still most prestigious) journalism school, and now an opinion writer for the comeback storied COMO Business Times Who let this joker in the door?

Now salt-and-pepper-bearded Steve has no words of wisdom for the glam-photoed whippersnappers in the pages before you.

ere are trends afoot for these folks not yet over the hill, though.

Folks under 40 could be described as digital natives, being born into the internet age with natural instincts for rapid communications. Change, and the pace of it increasing, tend to be assumed and accepted.

But let’s stop there, and notice the usual tone of “them” — talking over younger adults. It often seems tacky to overgeneralize about a younger generation in general.

e award is for 20 people under the age of 40, not vice-versa.

Your current career is less likely to be directly associated with your college degree than your elders. You are more likely to not just change jobs more uidly, but switch careers several times over your working life. And that’s okay.

Skills build upon themselves. So you mowed lawns in high school, clerked in a liquor store in college, then sold shoes in a department store, or analyzed sales data for a mobile phone company. en a past boss calls with a job o er out of the blue because they need somebody trustworthy, smart, and can gure out whatever comes along.

And a side project nobody else wants to mess with — you tackle head on and it becomes your dream job. Until the next better thing comes along, right after one dream job crashes and burns to leave you crying for a while until you bounce back. Such is life, maybe.

You under-40s are comfortable with technology and it seems are opened minded to the next new thing, with the opportunities and risks involved, than more mature leaders might tend to be.

Take the gig economy, like ride-sharing apps Uber and Lyft. When these arrived in COMO years ago, local leaders balked at how they’d a ect local taxi companies and what the risks were to consumers. One rule still on the books was requiring taxi companies to maintain a local landline telephone. Huh?

Smart younger folks seem to be comfortable simply checking the rating of their potential Uber driver or to be more open to considering becoming one themselves. Or realize that booking an Airbnb when traveling can be cool or you might want to rent out your own place as an Airbnb host occasionally.

So it can be darn bewildering to learn that City Hall wants to outlaw renting out a place you own if you don’t reside in it yourself enough. Because they don’t trust you to not be a potential public nuisance? Huh?

While our state legislature and the casino lobbyists debate sports gambling, I asked a younger adult recently if they realized that it was currently illegal in Missouri. ey gave me the “huh?!” look because anybody that wants to place an online wager is obviously already on DraftKings to bet on the Chiefs, Tigers, Italian soccer, or whatever.

A licensed nurse practitioner can’t open their own urgent care clinic, even in a smalltown health care desert, because of archaic requirements to be under a licensed medical doctor’s practice. Huh?

After Missouri legalized medicinal marijuana a few years ago, it turned out that City Hall here had zoning rules which wouldn’t have allowed a dispensary anywhere near downtown CoMo. Or when adult-use cannabis opened up in Missouri this February, it was delayed over the rst weekend here because City Hall didn’t already have its crap together to allow it locally. Huh?

I know a 30-something with a stable day job who started moonlighting at a local dispensary. She used to work at a furniture store back home, so she applied her professional skills to work now as a cannabis sales phenom.

Isn't that the kind of thing our best and brightest 20 under 40s would do? CBT

Steve Spellman is a lifelong Columbia-area resident and political observer.

It wasn’t until reaching 40 that new heights were being achieved. New career horizons, ... Being invited to contribute pundit fare to legit local journalistic publications like the newspaper associated with the world's first (and still most prestigious) journalism school, and now an opinion writer for the comeback storied COMO BusinessTimes. Who let this joker in the door?

Meet The Walters Team

The young real estate team taking over Columbia neighborhoods.

BY SAM BARRETT | TEAM PHOTO BY CATHERINE RHODES PHOTOGRAPHY

From left to right: Jesse Walters, Investment Specialist; Autumn Lear, licensed salesperson; Megan Walters, team lead/broker-owner; Brittany Stone, marketing manager

MEGAN WALTERS WAS ONLY 22 when she started her real estate journey. Four years later, she is the owner of her own, quickly-expanding team in Columbia.

e Walters Team — previously known as Homes by Megan — aims to help buyers and sellers transition smoothly from one home to the next.

THE WALTERS TEAM

Megan's real estate career had a unique beginning.

“When I went to college at Mizzou, I got my psych degree," she says. "I wanted to work with people and for people, but I didn’t quite know how."

After graduating, she decided real estate was the best avenue to achieve that goal, while still being able to create something of her own.

Taking her chance with Veterans United Home Loans, Megan failed the loan o cer’s exam three times, each by a single point. (She concedes that school wasn't her strong suit.)

“I knew I wanted to be a real estate agent, but commission, with all the student loan debt and everything I had, I was like, ' at makes no sense. Who’s going to buy a house from a 22-yearold?'” she recalls.

But Megan was determined to forge ahead.

“I was so stubborn; I just went and took the real estate exam and passed on my rst try," she says. "It was kind of one of those things where the stars aligned."

Megan started her journey with House of Brokers, who she had been working with until going out on her own. Homes by Megan started in 2017 and as she got further along in her career, Megan hired her rst agent, Autumn Lear, and realized it was time to rebrand.

“I didn’t feel quite right hearing her say, ‘Homes by Megan,’ when her name is Autumn," Megan explains. "It made me feel like I was stripping her of her identity, and I didn’t like that. I knew I wanted to grow a team ... so it was time to evolve and change.”

MEET THE TEAM

e team consists of four people: Megan, her husband and business partner, Jesse Walters; one licensed salesperson,

Autumn Lear; and marketing manager Brittney Stone.

When it comes to selecting team members, Megan likes to build a relationship with someone rst. It's the same approach she took when growing her real estate career into a family business. Megan and Jesse have been business partners for years. In addition to e Walters Team, they co-own Camacho Co ee.

Megan jokes about how seriously she invests herself in getting to know each team member.

“ at’s what I always say with anyone that comes up to the team: ‘I’m going to have to date you before I marry you,’ because I want to make sure that we get along," she says.

Megan has built friendships with her team members and hired most of them for similar reasons. She looks for fresh ideas, creativity, and personalities that stand out. at helps create the necessary dynamic to carry out the team's approach, as described on their website: “Whether you’re buying and/or selling your home, looking for land, or wanting to build, we can help you price properties, land, negotiate deals, qualify buyers, acquire nancing, interview builders, contractors, and more!”

e Walters Team also sells a wide variety of homes in the Columbia area.

"I’ve sold homes from 600 square feet to 8,000 square feet" and vacant lots to commercial sites, she says. "I would say if it’s real estate, we’re here to help.”

HOMEBASE

Rebranding Homes by Megan also meant a new brokerage and new o ce space.

While transitioning from Homes by Megan to e Walters Team, Megan made the switch from House of Brokers to eXp. Megan also opened a new o ce next to the Tiger Hotel in December 2022 for all local eXp agents.

Although e Walters Team has expanded a lot over the past year or so, Megan doesn’t see herself leaving Columbia anytime soon. e relationships and knowledge she has gained from the community are crucial aspects of her career.

“ e thing with real estate — it’s similar to a hairdresser," she says. "You can’t just up and go. All my clientele is here. I’m

from here. I was raised here. So I was very blessed going into real estate already having a plethora of contacts." She adds, "Columbia is what I know, I know this town better than most, so I’m an expert in this area. If I went somewhere else, I’d have to pretty much start all over.”

Megan wants to continue to foster relationships with the community. She says eXp is just beginning to expand across mid-Missouri, and she is hoping to grow that name along with e Walters Team.

“With e Walters Team, my goal is just to continue to grow, not to be the biggest team by any means," she explains. "More just to be a well-rounded group of individuals who are just there for each other to help each other grow and live their best life. Whether that’s work, spiritually, even physically like working out together — just really creating a family that wants to help each other succeed.” CBT

“WITH THE WALTERS TEAM, MY GOAL IS JUST TO CONTINUE TO GROW, NOT TO BE THE BIGGEST TEAM BY ANY MEANS. MORE JUST TO BE A WELL-ROUNDED GROUP OF INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE JUST THERE FOR EACH OTHER."

— MEGAN WALTERS

Photo by Dale H. Lloyd

New Business Licenses

Farmers InsuranceKleiner Agency

3600 I-70 Drive Southeast

Insurance Agency

Plants and Things Unlimited

1507 Merideth Dr.

Nurseries & Gardening Store

ACA Business Club

204 Peach Way

Business & Social Club

K&K Co. Bath & Home Collection

2002 Whispering Meadows Ct.

Handmade Soaps, Candles, Skincare and Home Goods.

First State Community Bank

3601 Endeavor Ave.

New Branch

Buchheit Inc. 21

S. 3910 Providence Rd.

Outdoor & Farm Supply Store

We Will LLC

5416 Baseline Pl.

We Are Set Up To Help Out

Where Needed - Personal Service

Business, Including Yard Work

Truck Norris Transports LLC

E. 7301 Richland Rd.

Medical Marijana Transportation

Four Sisters Kitchen, LLC

E. 500 Walnut St.

Catering Serenity Health

E. 1705 Broadway

Psychiatrist O ce

The Massage Coach

4603 John Garry Dr.

Providing Continuing Education

Opportunities to Licensed Massage erapists

Gamal Castile’s Smart Bodies

5010 Melissa Dr.

Personal Fitness Trainer

M And T Solutions

E. 500 Walnut St.

Sell of O ce Supplies, Janitorial Supplies, and IT

Hardware/Software

Resurfaced Epoxy System

3501 Clark Ln.

Resurfaced LLC - Countertop and Floor Resurfacing

CJ’s Hair Design

812 Hunt Ave.

Beauty Salon

House Of Milan

E. 416 Broadway

Tattsbyd Hoskins, Madd Goat Tattoo

2600 Forum Blvd.

Tattoo and Body Artist

Kelly Durante Art

5203 ornbrook Pkwy

Selling Art by Kelly Durante

Columbia Cat Sitters, LLC

4803 John Garry Dr.

Pet Sitting Service

5th Meridian Group 2500 Broadway Blu s Dr

Security O cers

Working in a Dispensary

Peak Performance

Pressure Wash LLC

S. 2500 Old 63

Pressure Washing Service

UMatter Care Services, LLC

N 109 Keene St. Home Care Services for the Elderly Population

EyedentityTeam Vision #T037

2200 Forum Blvd.

Optical Goods

Arise Dwellings LLC

602 Florence Ave.

Working in the City of Columbia to Refurbish and Renovate Dilapidated Homes, Providing A ordable Homes for Sale and Rent.

Noah Citron, LMT

111 Gipson St.

Licensed Massage erapist

Compugroup Medical, Inc.

W. 1711 Worley St.

Computer Hardware and Software Products and Services

Engage In Therapy

3610 Buttonwood Dr.

Mental Health Provider for Individual, Family and Group erapies

Hometeam

CDS, LLC

N 303 Stadium Blvd.

CDS Provider

Angels Cleaning

E 3501 New Haven Ave.

Cleaning Service

Cruz Custom Construction, LLC

2207 Nelwood Dr.

General Contractor

Midwest Custom Designs LLC

S. 2315 Grandview Cir.

Manufacturing Custom

Furniture and Building Woodworks

Valerio Painting & Remodel LLC

E. 3501 New Haven Ave.

Painting Pressure Performance LLC

1661 High Quest Cir.

Pressure Washing Service

Essentialz North

912 Rain Forest Pkwy.

Bodega CBT

Plaza Commercial Realty welcomes

Lauren Crosby is a member of National Association of Realtors, Missouri Association of Realtors, and Columbia Board of Realtors (CBOR).

Lauren participates in CBOR Women’s Network, and Chamber of Commerce Women’s Network and Emerging Young Professional Committee (EPIC).

Lauren Crosby was born and raised in Columbia and graduated with honors from the University of Missouri.

Throughout her career, Lauren has trained, mentored, and managed staff; helping others achieve their personal and professional goals while leading her agency team to success. Lauren will be focusing on multifamily, retail, office and industrial properties in Columbia, Lake of the Ozarks and surrounding areas. Outside of the office Lauren is involved in her local church and serves as Vice President for Klife, a local youth ministry.

Paul Land - Mike Grellner - Lauren Crosby

On Top of the Game

Midway’s expansion is a hole-in-one.

BY LAUREN SABLE FREIMAN

WHEN MIDWAY GOLF & GAMES reopens in late July, it will feature nearly 20,000 square feet of additional activity and events space. at new space will complement the existing 18-hole miniature golf course, go-kart track, batting cages, archery tag, outdoor axe-throwing booths, and more.

With the new space, Midway will boast a banquet and events center, a nearly 200seat restaurant, an outdoor patio space for smaller events, and 18 golf hitting bays spanning two levels.

“ e Rost family partnered with Midway Golf back in 2017 and Rost, Inc., became the sole owner of Midway in 2020,” says Taylor Burks, president of Rost, Inc., and general manager of Midway Golf & Games. “ ey always had an idea that they could expand.”

As the pandemic propelled outdoor entertainment venues to greater popularity, the desire to expand Midway became even more urgent. e team pulled together a budget and began to pursue the idea of enhancing Midway’s capabilities and o erings.

“ e reality is there are not a lot of family-friendly outdoor entertainment options in Columbia,” Taylor says. “What we have at Midway is a huge opportunity for this community. To incorporate an events center and a restaurant into Midway is somewhat unique in mid-Missouri.”

Contractors broke ground on the hitting range in October. e 18 hitting bays will be powered by Topgolf Entertainment Group’s Toptracer technology, positioning the new and improved facility to ll a hole in Columbia’s entertainment o erings.

“Columbia doesn’t have a Topgolf, but people enjoy golf and we thought about what we

1985

1989

could do in Columbia that would be a step above,” Taylor says.

Midway has also partnered with gastropub 44 Stone Public House to bring 44 Tavern to the complex. 44 Tavern will be the on-site restaurant and will also provide catering through Midway’s events center.

In addition to the new space, an existing building on the property has been recon gured to host birthday parties, and a revamped concession area will provide food and beverages for both parties and guests enjoying Midway’s outdoor games and other activities.

A STRONG PARTNERSHIP

When former Midway owner Mike Wilson rst approached Tim Rost and Rost Landscaping about handling the landscaping for Midway, it’s unlikely that they knew just how well the relationship would work. As the sole owner, Taylor says that all facets of Rost, Inc., can now shine.

“ is is a business that cares about people and about having great experiences for families and a nice location for sports,” he says. “When you play mini golf on the Par 3, you feel like you’re really on a nice golf course because of the landscape elements we are able to bring to our business.”

Although the entertainment industry and the landscaping industry don’t appear to naturally intersect, under Rost’s umbrella, the businesses complement each other perfectly.

“As a kid, I played some mini golf in Lake of the Ozarks and southwest Missouri, and mini golf was always fun but felt kind of cheesy,” Taylor says. “If you come to Mid-

Rost Landscaping was founded by Tim Rost.

Salt Creek Tree Farms was founded, Rost Landscaping moved to its current location off US-40, and Tim and Toby Rost married.

Superior Garden Center was founded.

Rost, Inc entered a joint venture with Midway Golf & Games.

“The reality is there are not a lot of familyfriendly outdoor entertainment options in Columbia. What we have at Midway is a huge opportunity for this community. To incorporate an events center and a restaurant into Midway is somewhat unique in mid-Missouri.”

— TAYLOR BURKS

way, we have amazing landscaping that you see at commercial projects. You feel like you’re on a nice golf course or in a commercial setting that feels more natural or real, not like you’re in a game.”

SUPPORTING GROWTH IN MID-MISSOURI

Midway is certainly committed to providing mid-Missourians with enhanced entertainment options, but the company is also committed to giving back to mid-Missouri. e company completed its due diligence ahead of the Midway construction project and is proud of the way the project will impact the surrounding community.

“We expect that this will create the equivalent of about 60 new full-time jobs,” Taylor says. “ e median wage is going to be 20 dollars an hour. It’s going to be a pretty good economic impact in an area of Columbia that doesn’t normally see a lot of investment in jobs and development.”

Rost, Inc., is also a strong supporter of several community organizations, including Welcome Home. During Midway’s October groundbreaking, Taylor says the company hosted a long drive competition that raised $3,000 to bene t Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Missouri.

While Taylor and his team look forward to Midway’s grand opening in late summer, he says that this project is just scratching the surface of possibilities.

“I don’t think this will be the biggest thing we can expect to see at Midway in the next ve years,” Taylor says. “ ere is a lot of undeveloped property in the Midway area, and Governor Parson’s investment in I-70 infrastructure could have an impact on how Columbia and Boone County grow. Growth in northwest Columbia has been limited over the past couple decades, but that could change with projects like ours and interest from the city, county, and state. I think you’ll continue to see more growth in the Midway area than we’ve seen in the past.” CBT

2020

2022

5500 W. VAN HORN TAVERN RD. (573) 445-8100

MIDWAYGOLFGAMES.COM

Rost, Inc became the sole parent company for Midway Golf & Games.

Top Tracer development broke ground in October 2022 with an estimated completion in summer 2023.

MIDWAY GOLF & GAMES

IS PAY-AS-YOU-GO WORKERS’ COMP A SOLUTION YOU’VE BEEN LOOKING FOR?

By Lance Hall, SBCS, PWCA lance@insuranceplusllc.com

If your business is looking to stabilize cash flow and avoid the pain of an unpredictable supplemental bill when it’s time to renew your workers’ compensation insurance, it’s time to learn about pay-asyou-go workers’ compensation insurance. Insurance Plus, an independent insurance agency powered by Accounting Plus, is in an ideal position to provide pay-as-you-go workers’ comp policies.

Pay-as-you-go is becoming increasingly popular because it eliminates up-front costs and outdated payment methods. Simply put, when compared to an estimated annual payroll amount — which is the method used for decades — payas-you-go relies on real-time payroll to calculate your workers’ comp premiums. The result is more accurate premium payments and less risk of paying too much throughout the year or, as many businesses have discovered, facing a hefty premium adjustment at the end of the policy term due to under-reported payroll.

Why does that make Insurance Plus your go-to resource for pay-as-you-go workers’ comp insurance? That’s an easy answer. Other insurance agencies don’t have the ability to walk down the hall and talk to your accountant, bookkeeper, payroll specialist, or business advisor, which is what Insurance Plus is able to do through its vibrant partnership with Accounting Plus.

More about pay-as-you-go workers’ comp in a minute. First, it’s important to know that Accounting Plus celebrated its 30th anniversary in business in 2022. Insurance Plus began in 2019 and the following year independent agent Lance Hall merged his agency with Insurance Plus.

“We can do anything anyone else does in writing policies,” Lance says. “For pay-as-you-go, you need to have access to that payroll data. It works so well at Insurance Plus because we have the payroll department here in-house with Accounting Plus.”

That ease of use also highlights the customer service pledge that Accounting Plus has embraced during its three decades in business: Listen intensely, earn your trust, and be a partner in your prosperity.

Here’s a quick overview of pay-as-yougo workers’ compensation insurance:

• Pay your workers’ comp premiums based on your pay schedule. With pay-as-you-go, your premium payments are based on your actual payroll, not projected annual payroll. That can help protect you from audit exposure because your premium is based on real-time payroll wages, not an estimate.

• With pay-as-you-go, you don’t have to make a large, cash-flow-killing down payment upfront. You pay your premium in smaller amounts spread over the course of the year.

• Pay-as-you-go is an alternative way of making your premium payments.

Lance Hall is a licensed insurance professional with 20+ years of experience. He holds designations for Small Business Coverage Specialist and Professional Workers Compensation Advisor, which enable him to provide expert advice on coverages, risk management, and insurance protection for businesses. Lance helps his clients understand the nuances of insurance and how it can help their businesses grow.

It’s not different insurance, and it doesn’t replace your responsibility to pay premiums, collect/ issue certificates of insurance from subcontractors, and other requirements.

• Your coverage must still be provided through a state-approved workers comp insurance carrier or approved self-insured source.

• Working with your payroll service provider, you can bundle your workers’ comp insurance premium with your payroll and pay a single bill - with payroll, taxes, and workers’ comp included - each pay period.

Where will you find that option in Columbia? Look no further than Insurance Plus and Accounting Plus.

BRANDED APPAREL: A FORCE FOR MARKETING YOUR BUSINESS

By Reid Allison team@showmecustomapparel.com

As the world becomes increasingly digital, it can be easy to see why many businesses are turning primarily to social media platforms to promote their brand. In doing so, they can be missing the mark by not also focusing on one of the most reliable and proven branding strategies – custom apparel. As it turns out, live streaming a line dance in your breakroom with your coworkers doesn’t always translate to brand recognition. But having hundreds, or even thousands of people walking around in apparel with your logo on it? That’s a different story!

Let’s explore how this traditional method of custom branded apparel can boost your business in 2023.

Cost Effective Marketing

The average apparel garment has thousands of impressions over its lifetime. This means the average cost per impression of each item ends up being a fraction of a penny!

Brand Recognition

Quality apparel with a consistent logo and design is a walking billboard for your business. This is a highly effective way to establish brand recognition amongst potential customers.

Stand Out Against Competition

When customers are wearing your gear, they are not wearing your competitor’s. Getting apparel in the hands of your loyal customers can give you an edge in your competitive market.

Build Loyalty Among Employees and Customers

Providing branded apparel can help create a sense of unity and pride among

employees, while establishing a company culture and cohesive team image. In addition, providing apparel for current and potential customers creates a positive perception of your business. This shows your business values your relationship with the customer and is willing to invest in their satisfaction and partnership.

Choosing a Quality Custom Apparel Producer

The most important step in creating custom apparel for your business is choosing a production partner that provides highquality materials and printing techniques that result in products that look great, feel great, last longer, and create a positive first impression on your customers.

REID ALLISON Founder & Owner

Reid is an entrepreneur and the founder of Show Me Custom Apparel. His experience in the business world has helped him understand the challenges that small businesses face in today’s economic climate. Reid has a passion for developing trusting and personal relationships in a digital age which is driving society to stray from these crucial elements of business success. Reid grew up in Tipton, Missouri and received his degree from the University of Central Missouri.

573-375-3104

showmecustomapparel.com

At Show Me Custom Apparel, we pride ourselves in providing a great customer experience to our partners while delivering unparalleled quality. We specialize in screen printing, embroidery, and custom headwear.

If you need custom apparel for your business, organization, or event, our team is here to help! We can be reached at 573-375-3104 or via email at team@ showmecustomapparel.com. Let custom apparel boost your business branding this summer!

For all COMO Business Times readers, mention this ad and receive 10% off your first bulk apparel purchase!

BUILDING A LEGACY OF EXCELLENCE

By Vaughn Prost info@prostbuilders.com

Design and construction of buildings has been a Prost family tradition for eight generations starting in Europe (the sixth generation had five brothers involved in the building industry). This extensive background in construction led Paul Prost to open Prost Builders, Inc. for business in 1949. His brother, Jay, joined him soon after in his dream to build a quality construction firm. In 1993, Paul and Jay passed their dream on to Paul’s son, Vaughn. Vaughn started learning the construction trade at 12 years of age. As a registered professional engineer, Vaughn oversees the pre-construction as well as construction work.

Our firm’s key individuals have experience in a wide range of domestic and international construction work including building an actual city in Saudi Arabia. We are proud of our 74-year legacy of quality projects completed for our clients throughout Missouri and beyond. Today, Prost Builders is a proud employee-owned company.

We are proud of our legacy of quality projects since 1949. With our on-staff engineers we are able to provide complete design services as well. We pride ourselves on the ability to maintain and improve upon very demanding schedules while staying within the budget. The firm is ranked as one of the largest design-build contractors in Missouri. We employ over 20 design and construction professionals. Prost has managed the design, construction and development of major commercial developments all over the state of Missouri and beyond the state borders.

We are resolved to bring to the construction client a standard of quality and dependability unparalleled in our industry. Our greatest resource in the relentless pursuit of this goal is the experience and professionalism of our employees.

(573) 635-0211 | prostbuilders.com

3305 Crawford Street

Columbia, MO 65203

WHAT WE DO

• Design/Build

• Design/Build/Lease

• General Contracting

• Construction Management

• Maintenance Projects

Our 20+ employees have over 300 years of experience of working together as a team. Our craftsmen have completed apprenticeship craft training programs which meet State and Federal accreditation standards. Our excellent relationship with quality Missouri subcontractors and suppliers bring extra value to our clients by bringing quality work at a competitive price.

Contact us today for an initial consultation on your next project!

VAUGHN PROST Owner & President

Vaughn Prost is the owner and president of Prost Builders lnc., a design/build and construction services firm located in Columbia. Vaughn has over forty years of domestic and international design and construction experience as a cost and scheduling engineer, structural engineer, owner’s construction representative, and general contractor.

SMALL BUSINESS, BIG SECURITY RISKS

By David Nivens

dnivens@midwestcomputech.com

I’m not a geeky tech guy. I know that’s weird coming from a guy that’s owned a tech company for almost twenty years now. I used to do tech work years ago, but those days are long past for me so don’t expect to get far asking me to help you fix an issue you’ve been having. While I don’t know all I used to on fixing the technology issues, what I do know is the integration of business operations and tech and how technology can greatly improve or negatively impact your organization.

Over the years as we’ve developed the technology to work from anywhere, staying in front of and dealing with the security issues has become more and more of a challenge. It used to be having a firewall and a back up pretty much covered the bases when it came to security. Now, as we all know, that is not the case. There are so many layers to the new age of defense strategy in the cyber war being waged. The mindset of “I’m just a small business, nobody wants my information” should be long gone. Everything and everyone is a target. My goal this month is to start the dialogue on what are the base levels of security and monitoring you need to have for your organization and why you probably won’t have much of a choice when it comes to security measures that you’ll be required to have in the near future.

What are the new basic components of security? Firewall, encrypted off-site backup, multi-factor authentication (2FA or MFA), monthly or periodic security penetration tests, Managed Detection and Response software (MDR) and end user security training comprise our basic stack of security tools. Next month we’ll dig into the specifics of some of these and why they’re important to secure and protect your organizations data.

One of the major driving forces in these becoming mandatory in the near future

will come from your cyber liability insurance provider. We are working with several insurance carriers to do initial security scans and confirm the security tools that are in place for their insured. If these scans and checks turn up that there are critical security issues or the insured does not have the proper security tools in place then they are either denying coverage altogether, increasing the deductible amount significantly and/or decreasing coverage limits unless the insured can remediate the issues or add the security tools to their security plan.

Owned

Originally from Tipton, David and his wife Sara have called Columbia home since 2005. He has owned Midwest Computech since 2004, as well as owning 404 Portland Event Center in Columbia, and being partners in the COMO Companies. They have three kids and enjoy traveling and going to MU, Chiefs, Royals and Cardinals games. David is on the Board of Directors for The Food Bank for Central and Northeast Missouri, CrimeStoppers, the Columbia Chamber Foundation, and is the current Chair of the Walk to End Alzheimer’s.

Midwest Computech

Security isn’t something you can just put off or get around to sometime. Your best bet is to start the conversation with an outside expert to review what you have and give you best practices recommendations to protect your organization’s data and keep you in compliance to maintain the proper level of cyber liability coverage for your organization.

If you would like to learn more just email me at dnivens@midwestcomputech. com and I’ll not only get you connected to a member of our security team, but we’ll provide an external scan of your network along with the report for only $100.

Trusted Technology Partner since 1982

STEPS TO CREATING YOUR STRATEGIC MARKETING PLAN

By Erica Pefferman erica@comomarketing.co

Anyone can market a brand or a product with the right roadmap. Google can teach the basics of marketing and populate an abundance of stepby-step guides. But there is only one correct marketing plan — a strategic marketing plan created using the proper formula.

At COMO Marketing, we have clients in various different industries and have seen what works and what doesn’t. Even if in the same industry, no two companies will have the same marketing solutions for their goals. We build a strategy that is unique to them.

Here are six steps to get started on building your own strategic marketing plan.

1. What is your mission?

It’s time to get on the same page with your team. Go back to the basics: What is the mission and vision of your company? Not having a direction from the beginning will lead to chaos when trying to market your brand or product. You want to have clearly defined goals.

2. Define your target audience.

Once clear goals are established, then you can create a strategic plan to achieve the goals. This includes looking at who your target audience and consumer is, where to target geographically, and on what platform. Marketing comes with many options, but usually, only a few actually make a difference with your audience. Here are some questions to help define your target audience:

• What do they do for work?

• What do they do on the weekends?

• Do they drive?

• What decisions are they making right before and after they buy a service?

3. Set SMART Goals.

Specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, timely goals. If your goals don’t have these elements, they will be impossible to track. Think about how your big picture goals can be broken down into SMART goals.

4. It’s time to think about messaging.

ERICA PEFFERMAN President & Owner

Erica Pefferman is the owner and president of COMO Companies, which owns and operates COMO Magazine, COMO Business Times, COMO Marketing, and COMO Tickets. Erica shares her love of Columbia with the people she serves with on a multitude of boards including the Chamber of Commerce. In 2017, Erica was named Outstanding Business Woman of the year and her team was named the Columbia Chamber Of Commerce’s Small Business of the Year.

573.499.1830 | comomarketing.co

It’s time to cue the creativity. What is your messaging going to say? Above all else, your messaging should be reflective of your goals and relatable to your audience. Think about your company’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. Taking time to think through these different pieces will lead to your key messaging.

5. Let’s talk tactics.

This is unfortunately where most people immediately skip to. There are hundreds of ways to get your message out there. It isn’t about using it all. Think strategically and utilize the necessary tools based on your company and unique audience. When determining which tactics to use, think about time vs. money and what is actually

worth the time and money that successfully reaches your unique audience.

6. Track your success.

Strategy never really ends. Tactics, messaging and goals will inevitably change as time goes on. Tracking metrics is the best way to see areas of opportunity and improvement. Track, analyze, adjust and keep going!

Ready to get even more into the details? We are marketing nerds who thrive off coffee and talking strategy. Contact us today to get started building a strategic marketing plan.

Columbia’s Housing Crisis: It’s Time to Do Something

BY BRIAN TOOHEY

LIKE MOST OF THE NATION, Boone County housing sales and prices struggled during the Great Recession that occurred between 2007 to 2009. Although the economy was technically no longer in a recession in 2009, the housing market in Boone County continued to struggle until March 2012. en, from 2012 to 2021, housing sales and prices steadily increased and accelerated even more during COVID-19 until mortgage rates doubled in 2022.

Now our housing market for purchases and rentals has become extremely tight and expensive. New housing and development in Columbia have been controversial topics for a long time, and rst-time home buyers are paying a steep price. Boone County and many other parts of the country are in the midst of a housing crisis resulting from a lack of home inventory to meet the needs of a growing population. e city of Columbia and Boone County need to start making hard decisions to resolve this issue, or future renters and home buyers will continue struggling.

New subdivision development had a sluggish restart because of tighter credit standards and developer apprehension. During the recession's end, Columbia had several empty or half-built subdivisions. As homebuilding rebounded, those subdivisions nished out, but only a few new developments were happening to add to the pipeline of new building lots to keep up with demand.

As housing rallied back, a ordability became an issue, even more so in the previous few years. e average price for a single-family home in Boone County increased 13 percent from 2012 to 2017 to $212,776. From 2017 to 2022, prices rose to $328,216, an increase of over $155,000 or a 54 percent jump in ve years. During the same period, the average

income in Boone County only increased 29 percent, causing some to spend 30 to 40 percent of their income on housing alone.

Current homeowners have few reasons to move. Coming out of the housing recession, buyers were able to take advantage of depressed prices and buy more house for the money. Low mortgage rates have also driven up home prices and signi cantly reduced inventory levels as buyers scrambled to take advantage of historically low rates. is was a problem locally before housing demand shot up during the pandemic.

When mortgage rates were at the 4 percent level, sellers began staying in their homes longer as rates rose above 5 percent. Homeowners will remain in their homes longer as most have a 3 percent or lower xed-rate mortgage. e current home inventory level is still 50 percent below the optimal amount entering the spring market. As a result of lower interest rates and changes in lending requirements, homeowners are in better nancial shape compared to the early 2000s.

Solving the housing crisis in Boone County and Columbia comes down to one thing: We need to build more housing for owners and renters. Neighbors need to accept that development will continue around them and not fear what increased population density will look like. Columbia and Boone County need to nd ways to promote single- and multi-family home construction, reduce barriers that prohibit increased density, and reduce permitting costs.

We are already behind from a lack of sewer expansion during the last seven years. If home construction doesn’t improve, prices will continue to accelerate, while rst-time buyers and renters will continue to pay the price and have a stressful time nding adequate housing to meet their needs. CBT

Brian Toohey is the Chief Executive Officer for the Columbia Board of REALTORS®

The average price for a single-family home in Boone County increased 13 percent from 2012 to 2017 to $212,776. From 2017 to 2022, prices rose to $328,216, an increase of over $155,000 or a 54 percent jump in five years. The average income in Boone County only increased 29 percent.

JOHN HALL

20U40 ALUMNI

CHIEF STRATEGIST, RELEVANCE

JOB DESCRIPTION: I am the Chief Strategist at Relevance. A lot of people ask what we do so it’s easiest to learn from our website about being a growth marketing agency. We also have an investment arm of Relevance. I write weekly columns for Forbes and Inc. and I contribute to a variety of other publications, including CNBC, Harvard Business Review, Fortune, and Fast Company. I am the chairman of HJRJ investments, which developed Copperstone Park in Columbia.

PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND:

I started JMH Real Estate Investments while I was in college. I received my Master’s Degree from Mizzou. I then worked at JES Holdings and was the cofounding CEO of In uence & Co. In my spare professional time, I am a keynote speaker.

HOMETOWN: Peoria, IL

TIME LIVED IN COLUMBIA: 20 years

QUOTE YOU LIVE BY: “You are the average of the people you spend the most time with so surround yourself with amazing people.”

FAVORITE VOLUNTEER/COMMUNITY

ACTIVITY: I really enjoy Missouri

Startup Weekend that Scale organizes in Columbia to support entrepreneurship. ere are so many great organizations to get involved with in our community.

FAVORITE RECENT PROJECT: I’m doing a lake development in Mexico, Mo., that I’m working with Robinett

Construction on. It will be something unique to mid-Missouri.

Photo by Anthony Jinson

A COLUMBIA BUSINESS PERSON YOU ADMIRE AND WHY: Brant Bukowsky. I’ve been friends with Brant prior to the success of Veteran’s United. He and his brother set a good example on staying humble and looking out for others as they’ve seen success. I used to be more of an egotistical entrepreneur as I saw success, and having people like this in my life has helped me re ect on making sure I stay grounded and look out for others.

WHY YOU ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT YOUR JOB: Our o ce environment is pretty great. We have things like skeeball, shu eboard, spa room, miniature golf, etc. However, I really just love the people I get to work with. ey help me become a better version of myself, and we have a lot of fun at work. I wish the world could have the collaborative environment we have here so there would be a lot less drama. Life is pretty short and with all the tension and con ict in the world, it’s great to look forward to being around the people at the o ce.

WHY YOU ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT YOUR COMPANY: 100% the people and the culture we have built and continue to build. My business partner (John Rampton) and I have learned a lot about working together and bringing the best out in each other. en when I see our employees constantly trying to enhancing each other’s lives and also really care about client success.

IF YOU WEREN’T DOING THIS FOR A LIVING, YOU WOULD: If money didn’t matter then I’d likely be a teacher. I love mentoring and educating others, but I wish teachers got paid more to make a better living.

THE NEXT CHALLENGE FACING YOUR INDUSTRY: It’s a challenge, but an opportunity at the same time. ChatGPT and AI functionality is changing how we communicate, scale marketing, and create content. Many people are running to it and will likely make the mistake of using AI too much to save on costs. However, there will always be a need to make content unique and engage others from some level of human involvement.

YOUR NEXT PROFESSIONAL GOAL: I potentially might write an updated version of my book Top of Mind or tackle another book project.

BIGGEST LESSON LEARNED IN BUSINESS: Surround yourself with great people. If you do this, things seem to work themselves out and life is good.

HOW YOU WANT TO IMPACT THE COLUMBIA COMMUNITY: I love bringing entrepreneurs and leaders together. I feel like if we bring good people together as a group and make e orts to make things better then we can make a bigger di erence. ere are a ton of amazing entrepreneurs like Sarah Hill, Willy/Jabbok Schlacks, Joseph Gaboury, Jack Miller, Kerry Goyette, and many other amazing people that I see helping others out that I’ve known for a while. Bringing people like that together and keeping things top of mind will allow people to do more in this community. I feel like we have a lot of great people in Columbia that want to do good, but a lot of times they aren’t doing it together; I feel like the biggest di erence I can make is by connecting these people and helping them nd resources for di culties they encounter.

GREATEST STRENGTH: I try to be as helpful as I can to people, which has allowed me to form a lot of solid relationships.

GREATEST WEAKNESS: I talk so, so much. My wife can vouch for this.

WHAT YOU DO FOR FUN: We like going to Jose Jalapenos with family/friends or Flyover with my wife. I also hang out at our o ce campus in Copperstone Park with the team.

FAMILY: Lindsay (wife), ree kids (Adelyn, Caroline, and Teddy), Baxter (dog), Violet (rabbit), and Winston (bearded dragon).

FAVORITE PLACE IN COLUMBIA: Copperstone area as I believe we have some of the best neighbors in that community.

ACCOMPLISHMENT YOU ARE MOST PROUD OF: I love it when the people around me get recognized; when I see them evolve in their careers. Loved it when the president of Relevance, Misty Larkins, was 20 Under 40 or when one of our employees is able to buy their dream house or we are able to host their wedding shower at our property. I love investing in people and seeing them reach a higher potential. Being a good Dad is honestly my #1, but I just didn’t want to do an easy answer.

MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW THAT: I had to take a lie detector as a 14-yearold because my high school teacher thought I stole beer from her house. When I passed it, she said she thought I was smart enough to pass a lie detector test, however, I did just get a C- on her classroom test so not sure why she thought so highly of my intellectual abilities. CBT

"I really just love the people I get to work with. They help me become a better version of myself, and we have a lot of fun at work.”

Each year, we honor a new class of 20 professionals who are taking strides in their fields and in our community. We are excited to introduce you to the class of 2023!

ANTHONY PLOGGER

ARIN LIBERMAN

AURORA MEYER

JERRELL MORTON

ROBERT SOBULE

CJ VAUGHAN

CLINTON SINCLAIR

DAVID BOYD

ENOLA-RIANN WHITE

HANNAH HENZE

JARED KLARFELD

REVEE WHITE

JOSH BLACKMAN

KASEY HAMMOCK

MISTY PHILLIPS

BRANDON TUCKER

BRIAN BURKS

MECKENZIE HAYES

KAYLA JACKSON-WILLIAMS

STEPHANIE GOANS

BY KIM AMBRA | PHOTOS BY ANTHONY JINSON

Anthony Plogger

Anthony has the best of both worlds with his two professions. Nclusion Plus allows him to be creative and organized, and to always think outside the box, while Columbia College allows him to hone his educator skills. Anthony’s list of professional and personal achievements is one to be proud of from raising money for several charities over the years to working with over 30,000 international students from 2017-2022 with Mizzou Academy.

He is not stopping there. Looking ahead to goals for 2023, he says, “I would like to do more outreach with our collegial queer communities to promote activism and LGBTQIA+ education in our town. We have many queer college students who do not know that they have a place in this community. I would love to show queer college students that Columbia is an accepting place and that they can make it their home just like I did 12 years ago."

Friend and colleague Brandon Banks knows how deserving Anthony is of this recognition.

“ is person went from knowing nothing about business to stepping up and becoming an entrepreneur that now is indispensable to the LGBTQIA+ community. He is responsible for interacting with over 150 entertainers to book them for opportunities at over 100 events per year across Missouri," Brandon says. "Plus, he has coordinated educational panels for college campuses, serves as a board member for e Center Project, and dedicates tons of time coordinating Nclusion Plus's fundraising events for non-pro ts in our area.”

Anthony knows that it takes a village and a dedicated support system to get where he is today.

“I have several teachers who made a large impact on my life but the one person who has been my rock would be my Nana," he adds. "If I am having a bad day, if I need someone to be a sounding board, she is the one I call. She has been there for me my entire life.”

When asked about what principles guide him through life, Anthony responded, “ is was the toughest question because I feel that I have so many guiding values in my life. I would say the two most important to

me are continuous learning and adaptability. ese are two values that have stuck with me as an educator. I am grateful that I have learned to balance the two and they live harmoniously within me as guiding values.”

Age: 30

PET PEEVE: When people post an entire concert on their Snapchat story and the clicking to get out of the video never ends.

Co-founder and Director of Club Content, Nclusion Plus and Online Program Coordinator, Columbia College

Age: 39

Arin Liberman

Executive Director, Ragtag Film Society

A typical day as an executive director in an arts nonpro t is all about swapping hats.

“We touch so many di erent facets of the work,” Arin says. “I think one misconception people sometimes have is about

how far out we are planning the festival — it’s constant. ere are seasonal shifts in focus, but we are truly planning events all year-round.”

It comes easy for others to brag about Arin.

“Arin Liberman is an absolutely delightful human. She is a curator, mother, wife, and activist. When you interact with her, she has an inviting presence and an energetic spirit, which is refreshing if you get the opportunity to collaborate,” says Sunitha Bosecker. “Arin lives, defends, and celebrates the arts. Every community and organization needs a person who demonstrates humility, is open to challenging conversations, and advocates for diverse representation and human rights without hesitation.”

Barbie Banks carries the same sentiment, adding, “Arin Liberman is not a Missouri or Columbia native, but you would have no idea. She loves this community, wants to make it the best place to live, and works diligently to be the best COMO has to o er.”

It is clear that Arin is always looking for ways to make Columbia better. She adds, “I want to keep nurturing the things that make young people want to be here, stay here, or come back. A rich tapestry of arts and cultural o erings are game-changers, I see that here, have seen how vulnerable it can be, and I want to work to sustain that.”

Arin deeply values integrity, equity, self-awareness, and e ective communication. She explains, “I’ve also found the ‘putting on your own oxygen mask rst’ maxim a lesson that resurfaces constantly and is proven necessary again and again.”

If you know Arin, you know that even with all her personal and professional accomplishments, her greatest pride and joy is her daughter.

“Since becoming a parent, I for sure have found new motivation in being the best role model I can be for my daughter, as well as working to make the community she grows up in a better place to thrive.” she says.

PET PEEVE: I’m a big fan of the Oxford comma and it bugs me when it’s omitted.

Aur a Meyer

Who can relate to a whiteboard full of goals?

“Anyone who knows me will not be surprised to know I have a whole whiteboard full of goals. Since CPS operates on a school year calendar, my goals are also school year oriented,” Aurora says. “ is year I’m focusing on two major areas — data and updating my portfolio for my application to the PRSA College of Fellows, the highest honor in PR. Additionally, I am working on applying to the Public Relations Society’s College of Fellows.”

20 under 40 alum Jessica Schlosser says, “Let me tell you about Aurora Meyer. Aurora is brilliant in the way she navigates the complexities of communication and public relations issues. In addition to her work with Columbia Public Schools, she is my rst call when I have a PR issue I’m struggling to navigate. She has the unique ability to make any situation manageable. Aurora has demonstrated consistent personal and professional leadership and I anticipate her continued growth as a key leader in Columbia. She’s a spit re who gets stu done.”

Aurora credits curiosity and perseverance to getting her where she is today.

“My interest in journalism was always about learning why and solving community problems. at curiosity has served me well,” Aurora says. She also realizes she has been fortunate to have encouraging mentors along the way. “Todd Fuller set the standard for all future bosses from my rst to last day as his employee. He provided me with autonomy to excel at and ultimately outgrow my position, something I didn’t think existed after working in news for so long,” she adds. “Jacqueline Clark saw my business card in a vendor bowl at a conference and tracked me down. She’s been my career fairy godmother ever since. Her mentorship continues to inspire and encourage me. She isn’t afraid to disagree or o er an alternative perspective I may not be ready to hear.”

When Aurora and her husband sat down and made a list of everything they wanted

in a community — entrepreneurial spirit, good restaurants, symphony, college sports, supports public education — they quickly realized they were describing Columbia and it has been home ever since.

nothing,

attention to be kind.

Age: 39

PET PEEVE: People who aren’t aware of their surroundings. We’re all in this together and kindness costs

but you have to be paying

Communication Manager, Columbia Public Schools

Jerrell M ton

YouthBuild Director, Job Point

J

errell describes a day in his life as collateral beauty.

“My positions require me to wear multiple hats while maintaining my sense of purpose, direction, and commitment to serving opportunity youth in Columbia. I am blessed to work with a team which assists in creating a

safe space for students to challenge the edges of the known experiences while chasing the best version of self,” Jerrell says. “Some days, this is super clear for some students, while others need love without judgment to see their worth beyond the trauma of their past experiences. Behind the label of director, you

will nd doctor, investigator, reporter, educator, counselor, tailor, outreach, relative, and other occupations as the day creates smiles, tears, lessons learned, and memories.”

Jerrell gives a lot of credit to his family and mentor, Gary Taylor, for the support in getting him to where he is today. When asked about his mentor Jerrell says, “My predecessor, the late Gary Taylor — from my initial interview 11 years ago, my overly con dent self — made it clear that one day I would sit in his seat as the director of YouthBuild. He took me under his wing and demonstrated how to lead your team through love and the consistent practice of servant leadership. roughout our time together, several employment opportunities popped up with higher pay, better bene ts, etcetera. Yet his calm spirit would always speak the words 'be still, there are bigger plans for you here.'”

His brother and former 20 Under 40 award recipient, Darren Morton, realizes Jerrell's hard work and dedication to what he does.

“ e work he does here in COMO is unparalleled. For the last decade, Jerrell has been more than a leader in this program and in this community. He and his team have set the standard for how to connect, inspire and encourage students," Darren says. " ey have stood together as a family to provide resources, direction, and love. Jerrell knows his purpose and passion in life is to serve others. He also drives a four-hour commute each day to do so. is work ethic does not go unnoticed. Jerrell could undoubtedly make more money working elsewhere, yet he chooses to drive from Kansas City to Columbia every day. His mantra is that we are family, and he puts that into action every day.”

A self-proclaimed "momma’s boy," Jerrell says that he is extremely passionate about creating a safe space for opportunity youth and adults to discover their worth. is stems from the relationship that he had with his late mom.

“Big shout out to my mother who’s kept a watchful eye on me and my brothers beyond the clouds,” Jerrell says.

PET PEEVE: Politics and paperwork getting in the way of being able to spark change within our community.

Age: 39

Robert Sobule

Robert is responsible for developing the APP Psychiatry Fellowship Program with the University of Missouri School of Medicine’s Psychiatry Department, a professional accomplishment he is very proud of.

“In 2017, I was the rst PA hired in the department. Having achieved this, I wanted to see more training and education in psychiatry, as well as a desire to develop a program to increase the number of mental health providers in Missouri to meet the incredible need of so many struggling with mental illness," Robert says. "I was given the uniquely challenging opportunity to develop a program while at the same time going through it. Since then, the program has grown to include a specialty track for child and adolescent psychiatry. I have also partnered with the United States Coast Guard to train their PAs in psychiatry.”

Outside of the boundless love and support of his parents, Robert gives credit to one person for being the most vital part of his success and leadership: Dr. Muaid Ithman, vice chair of clinical operations and associate professor of clinical psychiatry; MU Department of Psychiatry, medical director for Psychiatric Interventional Services for MU Health Care; and Missouri Psychiatric Center associate medical director.

“Dr. Muaid Ithman decided to invest in me early on in my psychiatry training at MU. Never — outside of parents of course — has anyone spent so much time, put in so much e ort, and truly invested in me as Dr. Ithman did,” Robert continues. “He has challenged me, advocated for me when I faced resistance, encouraged me when I felt overwhelmed, and has always been there. I am eternally grateful for Dr. Ithman, and I hope he knows that whatever future accomplishments or challenges I overcome, he had a direct in uence on my success.”

e respect between mentor and mentee is mutual.

“Mr. Sobule is a bright individual who is driven and committed to serving his com-

munity. He exhibited clinical, leadership, and a strong commitment to the eld of psychiatry, Dr. Ithman says. "He is clearly a caring and competent health provider, as well as a community member who is committed

to serving his community and others to the best of his ability."

Call it cliché, but Robert believes that living by the “golden rule” really can make a di erence.

“ roughout my life, I have placed great emphasis on the principles of respect, empathy, humility, and hard work,” he says.

FUN FACT: I’m an avid (unhealthily obsessed) Denver Broncos fan(atic). I am way too emotionally (and financially) invested in this team.

Physician Assistant, Director of Advanced Practice Provider Psychiatry Fellowships, University of Missouri School of Medicine

Age: 31

CJ Vaughan

Missouri Licensed Salesperson, Columbia Real Estate LLC Head Track and Field Coach, Columbia Supreme

" No Days O , Till It Pays O ” — that is the motto CJ lives by.

“I live by that each and every day because nothing is given to you, nor will anyone make life easy for you. I like to think of myself as a walking testament of hard work

and dedication, and never let any obstacle stop you from achieving your dreams,” CJ says. e proof of that hard work is that CJ is a consistent multi-million-dollar salesperson in the central Missouri area.

“CJ is a model citizen and coach with-

ANNOYING HABIT: I bite my nails and I don't know why I can’t stop. I’ve observed every male in my family, and we all do it so it must be hereditary.

in the Columbia area," says friend and colleague Anthony Johnson. "He serves as the head coach of the Columbia Supreme track and eld team, head coach of the Supreme football team, and serves as a full-time realtor for the Columbia Real Estate team. All of his time is dedicated to his career and volunteer service to the many promising youths within the mid-Missouri area.”

But he isn’t stopping there. CJ continues to dream and has big goals for the future.

“My professional goals consist of helping a minimum of 12 new families and individuals nd their forever home. I always set my sales dollar amount at $5 million in volume sold. My biggest goal I set for myself is to win the Columbia Real Estate 'Multi-Million Producer,'" he says. In addition to that goal, CJ also takes the time to invest in at least one non-salesperson in helping them get the resources needed to pass their Missouri salesperson exam to become a licensed salesperson in Missouri.

Apart from his day job, CJ dedicates countless hours to Columbia's kids.

"I dedicate my free time to the 75-plus active youth members we have representing the Columbia Supreme name and now over 500 city of Columbia youth athletes for the Columbia Youth Football League (CYFL) as the 2023 board president," he says. "I spent countless hours last year working hand and hand with our Supreme founder, Anthony Johnson, guring out how to implement youth mentoring services, nancial literacy courses, and di erent development strategies to help our kids become future leaders in the community.”

CJ stays motivated by an incredible support system that starts with his children. It is evident that his favorite role is being a father. CJ also credits many others who have helped him out along the way.

“I give all my credit to my right-hand man, my father Clarence Vaughan Jr., my amazing grandparents Clarence and Josephine Vaughan, and my life coach, my aunt Darsel Phauls. I couldn’t have asked for a better support system growing up,” CJ says.

Clinton Sinclair

One thing is abundantly clear when getting to know Clinton, and that is he has a lot to be proud of and is a much-needed member of our community. Apart from his full-time job with the Columbia Police Department, he found the time to earn his Juris Doctorate at the University of Missouri School of Law. He's also an avid supporter and resource for the LGBTQ+ community as well as a foster parent.

Clinton realizes that there are a lot of misconceptions about being a police o cer.

“ ere are so many misconceptions about my job. It is di cult that the public bad acts of some in my profession are imputed upon all in my profession. e overwhelming majority of those in law enforcement are good people trying to do good work," he says. "In fact, getting to know a police o cer outside of the uniform can lead to entirely di erent conclusions and experiences with that person. I want people to trust the uniform, but also understand the human wearing it.”

He's also got a lengthy list of accomplishments.

“I am proud of my service at the Columbia Police Department. Reaching the rank of lieutenant has been a long-time goal. I was proud to come out as the department’s rst openly gay male o cer at CPD and to establish the LGBTQ+ liaison role at the department to better connect with the LGBTQ+ community," Clinton says. "I am an adjunct instructor at the Law Enforcement Training Institute where I have taught constitutional law, crime scene processing, and crime prevention and community policing.”

Assistant Police Chief Jeremiah Hunter recognizes Clinton's work and dedication both in the eld and the community.

“Lt. Sinclair has been a passionate and model police o cer for years. He has served in a variety of positions throughout his career. He has also served as CPD's liaison to the LGBTQ + community for years," Jeremiah adds. "Lt. Sinclair volunteers his time for

community engagement through several organizations that include the Polar Bear Plunge and the Torch Run for Special Olympics Missouri, Habitat for Humanity, and the Central Missouri Food Bank — to name a few. He is fully engaged in our community and cares for each citizen he can help. Lt. Sinclair uses his position within the police department to reach out to the LGBQT + community to communicate our investigative processes and build trust and relationships within the di erent organizations they represent.”

Age: 36

FUN FACT: I have an irrational fear of walking on sidewalk grates, manhole covers, or really anything without something beneath it. I go out of my way to avoid them.

Police Lieutenant, City of Columbia Police Department and Attorney

Age: 38

David Boyd

President, QuesTec Mechanical

T here are a few guiding principles that David lives by:

• Love God with all my heart, mind, soul, and strength, and love others as Christ loves me.

• Always be learning and growing.

• Character matters more than reputation.

• Relationships matter more than being right.

• Gratitude will lead to happiness.

“ ese took a while to get put into words, but they are a conglomeration of all the amazing sources I have had in my life," David says. "Some of these come from my church, from leadership books I have read through

the years, from my dad’s leadership philosophy at work and life, and from di erent people who have poured into me over the years.”

It is evident that rst and foremost, David is a family man. Being a father of four, a husband, a son, and a brother are big motivators. When asked who he gives credit to for where he is today, the answer came easily.

“My parents and my wife. My dad has always challenged me and believed in me more than I believed in myself; my mom was always one who encouraged me and called out things in me and things I did that others did not notice," he says. "My wife has supported me and sacri ced to allow me to pursue growing QuesTec into what it is today; she does not inch to call me out when I need to grow and her words of a rmation fuel me to keep working my hardest.”

His brother, Matt Boyd, also recognizes David’s drive and determination.

“Over David's career at QuesTec his leadership, vision, and drive have helped push the company to be the largest mechanical contractor in central Missouri, growing the reach of projects performed to over 10 states," Matt explains. "Sitting at the head of QuesTec for the last three years his inuence has led to some of the best years in company history. Outside of work, he is active in Rotary, coaching soccer for Sporting Columbia rec league, Christian Fellowship Church and School, often taking a leadership role wherever he volunteers.”

David also gives a lot of credit to his mentor, John Harvey, founder of ASELSI International.

“When I was 15 years old my dad took me on a mission trip with Christian Fellowship Church to Guatemala. We served a missions group called ASELSI (Association of Equipping the Saints International),” he says. It was through ASELSI that David met John. “John mentored me in serving others, in leadership, in working with teams, in communications. John invited me into his home and shared his personal library of leadership books. is love of reading has completely impacted my leadership skills and equipped me to step into the role of president of Questec.”

PET PEEVE: Kids leaving the lights or TV on and people driving under the speed limit.

Enola-Riann White

Enola's heart beats nonpro ts, and the love of arts and theater runs through her veins.

“I am most proud of our commitment at Columbia Entertainment Company to produce or workshop all of August Wilson’s 10 plays in e American Century Cycle. His plays document the African American-Black experience through the 20th century. Since I joined the CEC play selection committee, I’ve worked hard to make sure the shows we do represent everyone in the community we serve,” Enola says.

Besides her love for theater, and being passionate about diversity, equity, and inclusion, Enola has set some professional goals for herself as well.

“I want to build my professional network and increase my emotional intelligence. I love learning new things so I’m looking forward to nding professional development opportunities that will help me understand people better so I can be a more e ective communicator," she says. "By doing that, I’ll be able to create and sustain more substantial relationships with those in my professional network.”

Enola calls herself a military kid and credits her parents for much of where she is today.

“I got to interact with di erent types of people from various backgrounds and cultures. My parents speci cally raised me with the mindset that learning with and from others is the best way to go through life," she explains. "I rmly believe this is why I chose to work in the elds of nonpro t and diversity, equity, and inclusion. My parents taught me that I am stronger because of the people around me. We all become our best selves when we realize the various strengths we bring to the table and nd ways to work together to achieve a common goal.”

ere are many people who sing Enola's praises.

“Enola is a rare balance of compassion and justice. She cares for her friends, em-

ployees, and coworkers, often anonymously – without seeking praise," says Matt Fetterly. "She spent over a decade recruiting students and performing diversity equity

and inclusion work for the University of Missouri before taking up a similar role at Columbia Independent School. As of 2022, she works with nonpro ts in Columbia and around the country to strengthen and balance communities.”

Enola says that her life mission is to treat others with respect and to make a meaningful impact by making someone happy, adding, “I believe that our actions speak volumes about our character.”

PET PEEVE: It’s something I see everywhere, but most commonly in an audition: over apologizing. Being nervous for an audition is natural, we’re human. Don’t apologize for it.

Age: 37

Senior Associate, New Chapter Coaching and Executive Director, Columbia Entertainment Company

Age: 32

Hannah Henze

Operations Supervisor, Ameren Callaway Energy Center; Hazardous Material Specialist, Missouri Task Force 1; and Instructor and Wellness Coach, Wilson’s Fitness

Working in a male-dominated industry, Hannah is all too familiar with overcoming diversity.

“I’m thrilled to have been the rst woman to ever obtain a reactor operator license through the NRC at MURR in more than 50

years of operation," Hannah says. " en I went above and beyond to obtain a senior reactor operator license with the NRC. Working in a male-dominated eld has its challenges, but I’m hopeful that my efforts to work in the eld help to encourage

ANNOYING HABIT: One habit that I have that tends to cause people distress is to plan things almost completely but leave out some transportation considerations and then we’re left winging it. I fly by the seat of my pants.

other women to go into nuclear science. It’s incredibly fascinating, and provides many challenges and great accomplishments.”

Hannah says that her guiding principles are altruistic in nature.

“I want to help all living beings and my values are based on the concept of causing the least amount of harm. is helps me be conscious of my existence in life; I try to always be kind, and help when I can,” she says. “My values translate into my work life as well as my home life which can easily be observed by my involvement in emergency management, becoming an EMT, and volunteering to foster cats and kittens.”

Hannah’s hard work ethic and dedication do not go unnoticed by those around her.

“Words cannot describe this woman. In her professional life, she is a glass-breaking, barrier shattering force to be reckoned with. She is the kind of person you inspire to be," says Bryan Hackett. "A woman of her character is the strongest force on earth, and she moves mountains to be the best version of herself for those around her.”

When talking about her mentors, Hannah thinks back to the fth grade.

“One of the rst mentors I can remember is my fth grade science teacher, Mrs. McMahill. She really shaped my view of science and provided visual learning opportunities that were fun and captivating. Her science class alone is a huge reason that I decided to pursue studies in science as a thirst for information in my mind was opened that craved knowledge,” says Hannah. Hannah credits her family and close friends for their support in getting her to where she is today, but also looks within.

“Additionally, I give myself some credit for being a tough, stubborn Missouri girl that will not back down from a challenge," she adds.

Jared Klarfeld

Jared has seen every line-level position in his 12-plus years in the hospitality and hotel industry.

“I have been a valet, front desk agent, housekeeper, and every management position in between. I was fortunate enough to be promoted to the position of assistant general manager of e Broadway when I was 24 years old, where I directly oversaw all areas of operation, human resources, and accounting while directly overseeing a team of 150 employees,” Jared says. “It had always been my goal to be a general manager before I was 30 and I was able to accomplish this at the age of 28. After about a year in these positions, I was contacted by e Broadway and asked about my interest in returning to take on the role as regional director of sales. While I was limited in my sales experience, I was excited for the opportunity to have been considered and eager to directly oversee not one but two hotels in a city that I was so passionate about.”

Jared says that two life principles he has adopted over his career are that “everything happens for a reason," and to always consider that every moment is a “de ning moment.” Jared says, “ ese have allowed me to remain exible and understanding, and continue to provide memorable moments to all my guests. Some things in life are just out of one’s control, but no matter what is thrown my way I must think tactfully and consider all perspectives. It is my job as a leader at my properties to take care of my employees, guests, and the hotels.”

Jared's friend and general manager, Aric Jarvis, says “He has been in his new role a little over a year and has grown the hotel's rev-par by 27 percent over last year. His sales e orts continue to break company records. Jared is highly respected by his colleagues, and he is always thinking about others before himself. He is a true asset to any company and has propelled his hotels to heights that some didn't think were possible.”

e respect is mutual as Jared credits Aric as one of his greatest mentors, calling Aric "my greatest mentor and closest friend."

"Aric has been a part of my hospitality

career since the opening of e Broadway. He has guided me and provided both professional and personal advice at every turn," Jared says. "He continues to mentor me and help develop me to not just be the best director of sales, but the best leader and co-worker to my colleagues.”

FUN FACT: I have always wanted to open and operate my own classic donut shop or food truck in Columbia.

Age: 30

Regional Director of Sales, Chesterfield Hotels Inc, The Broadway –A DoubleTree by Hilton and Hampton Inn & Suites – Columbia

Revee White

Director of Marketing and Communications, Missouri Employers Mutual

Age: 38

“Every year we promoted work zone safety in April. e topic was too important to be relegated to one week, and we knew we needed a way to get people’s attention. A contractor had created Barrel Bob and used him at a couple work zones in the past and we had heard positive feedback and decided to take it statewide,” Misty continues. “We set up a Barrel Bob Facebook page and created an advertising campaign that established Barrel Bob’s fun and sarcastic personality. Today Barrel Bob has nearly 10,000 Facebook fans and created a urry of media activity in 2016 when he was ‘barrel-napped.’ Who knew an eight-foot-tall, orange barrel would go viral like it has? Barrel Bob continues to have a positive impact on Missouri work zone safety and I’m always excited to see him alongside the road.”

Friend, colleague, and mentor Laura Gerding says Revee is "a force."

"She leads many long-term initiatives and her work touches nearly every department. From automation to customer journeys to agent engagement, she does all of this and she never, ever rattles while doing it," Laura adds. "She is the de nition of class but isn’t afraid to laugh at herself or to stand up for a project she believes in. In short, Revee is who we all want to be when we grow up.”

R

evee leads MEM’s in-house marketing and communication department, managing a team of 11 professionals in all aspects of marketing communication.

“People don’t often realize the many hats a MarComm professional wears. We’re a little like the Wizard of Oz behind the curtain making things happen. I had one co-work-

er ask if our department 'just makes things pretty.' I’m glad they can’t see what’s behind that curtain, but we do much more than just make things pretty — although we’re pretty good at that, too,” Revee says.

Revee was part of the marketing team that launched the wildly successful Barrel Bob marketing campaign.

Revee is especially passionate about women in the workforce, explaining. “We have to stick together. We’re stretched thin in every part of our life. Let’s lift each other up and help one another succeed.”

Revee helps manage MEM’s corporate impact/community involvement program, and is also the board chair for SEED Success, a Columbia nonpro t focused on educating and preparing children and families on saving for post-secondary education.

FUN FACT: I’m a HUGE reader. This year I read 163 books. It’s my stress relief and happy place.

J h Blackman

Josh has never taken any opportunity for granted.

“From food service as a young man to IT, sales, to ministry, each job opportunity has shaped me into a better colleague and community member. I have had the privilege of exploring a wide range of career opportunities over the years," Josh says. "My experience in banking has helped me create an eclectic toolbox of skills, ranging from leadership, sales, and developing administrative systems to team building, marketing, and community involvement. e thing I am most proud of though is being able to help people and businesses in our community every day.”

Outside of banking, Josh has a sincere interest in local nonpro t organizations and currently serves on the City of Refuge and Young Life boards of directors.

“I love being able to use my time and my experience to help great organizations in our city thrive. In 2022, I completed the Chamber of Commerce Leadership class," he says. "Over the course of several months, I got to know many leaders in our community, experience di erent sectors of business and build relationships with my classmates.”

When asked what he would do to make Columbia a better place, Josh says, “Encourage more people to spend their time, talents, and treasures at some of the amazing nonpro ts we have in Columbia. As the needs in our community are met, our community will thrive.”

Friend and coworker, Geo Karr, says, “Josh is a friend more than a coworker. He has spent his career helping others, both in the nancial space ( e Bank of Missouri) as well as the religious space ( e Crossing). I believe Josh is the perfect candidate for this award because he is a giver. He gives his time being a connector, shares his wisdom as a mentor, and provides his home as a space for youth small groups. He never expects anything in return.”

Josh realizes it takes a village and gives a lot of praise to a few mentors he has had

during his journey to get to where he is today, but gives most of the credit to his wife.

“My wife, Kelsey, is truly my better half. She is loving and fair. She has always graciously pushed me to be a better version of myself and grow in helping those around me. I would not be where I am today without her love and support,” he says.

Most people have to put a lot of time and consideration into what their guiding life principles are, however, Josh's answer comes quickly and easily: “My life is guided by my faith in Christ. Decisions in both my personal life and career are in uenced by doing right by those around me and seeing them ourish. Banking has allowed me to balance my faith and work hand-in-hand. I am able to help people as a business partner and friend.”

Age: 37

PET PEEVE: A reply-all email when a reply to sender would have sufficed.

Commercial Loan Officer, The Bank of Missouri

Age: 28

pers, working on my dissertation proposal, or running statistical code.”

Kasey acknowledges that none of her accomplishments were possible on her own. She says they all took people supporting her, her dreams, and her often wild and ambitious ideas.

“It’s probably cheesy, but my parents deserve so much credit. I’ve always been multi-passionate, creative, and taken life in gulps rather than sips — a kind way of saying I was a wild child," she says. " ey’ve always supported that re and drive and have been there for me every step of the way.”

Kasey adds, “Also, I have to credit the team and board at First Chance for Children for challenging me, supporting me, and being all-around incredible humans as I learned to be their leader. And of course, my friends, family, and colleagues who have edited more pages than they can probably count, stayed up late nights with me when I was burning the midnight oil, encouraged me when I thought I couldn’t continue, celebrated my successes, and most importantly have been there every single step of the way. It’s my community who has made me who I am.”

Kasey Hammock

Founder and Co-Conspirator, Partner for Better

K

asey starts each day with a cup of co ee, and from there it’s o to the races.

“At Partner for Better, I have the privilege of working alongside our nonpro t community, helping them solve some of our most pressing community issues," she says."I get to break down barriers that

have made communities most vulnerable, here in Columbia and across the US., in addition to my typical day of volunteering with a community partner, writing a major grant proposal, or brainstorming a solution to complex issues facing an executive director. You might also nd me teaching a class of social work students, grading pa-

Friend and mentor, Chuck Bowman, says, “Kasey is a giver. She is passionate about helping people in our community. In the past year, she has started her own company to pursue her passion for helping others, Partners for Better. rough her extensive knowledge of nonpro ts, she has worked with over 40 nonpro ts, helping them secure over one million dollars in funds that will help them improve their programs and continue to help those in need. Her extensive grant writing knowledge and training will help these organizations for years to come.”

In addition to this 20 Under 40 accomplishment, Kasey has also been awarded the 2017 Harry S. Truman Award of Public Service and was one of the 2022 Top 10 Mizzou Entrepreneurs.

FUN FACT: I’m a trained ceramicist and have a studio (covered in cobwebs currently) in my garage.

Misty Phillips

Cancer is the second leading cause of death, and Misty is more than doing her part to ght the ght.

“As the Missouri Comprehensive Cancer program manager, I am responsible for working with partners across the state on cancer prevention, early detection and treatment, and survivorship. To accomplish this massive task, I focus on implementing evidence-based interventions that lessen the burden of cancer,” Misty says. “A misconception about what I might do is that I do not focus only on one cancer. Comprehensive Cancer is about focusing on the highest needs and burdens related to all cancers and partnering together with others to make improvements across the state. It is a big job and couldn’t be accomplished alone.”

Misty recently worked with partners across Missouri to implement the rst-ever state employee cancer screening event, which saw over 240 individuals attend the rst screening event. In addition to that, Misty has a plethora of community involvement. She continues to aim higher and sets goals for herself.

“My professional goals for 2023 include starting my doctorate in healthcare administration degree in January of 2023. In addition to my education and if accepted, I plan to participate in the Leadership Academy o ered through the State of Missouri for emerging leaders," she adds. "I look forward to taking additional leadership training, cancer-related training, participating in conferences, and being involved in Women’s Network and Chamber of Commerce events.”

Friend and Women’s Network chair, Liz Townsend Bird, says, “Misty’s engagement with Women’s Network was impactful. She was a dependable and energetic leader both as a general member of the organization at large, but also as a co-chair of the mentoring program committee. When Misty changed jobs, she was no longer able to participate in the Women’s Network, and she was sorely missed. She truly believes in

life-long learning and investing in herself, which makes her even more valuable to her community and professional network.”

Misty has always been intrinsically motivated but says that she is also motivated

by seeing the fruits of her labor when it truly makes a positive impact on the lives of others.

“My life principles or guiding values include always doing the right thing — integrity — no matter what or how hard it gets; being kind and helping others along the way; using my skills to be of service; and being passionate about the work I am doing; and lastly to be happy by focusing on self-care, gratitude, quality time with others, and partaking in hobbies,” Misty says.

ANNOYING HABIT: I like to keep my inbox totally cleared. Yes, I am one of those people.

Age: 39

Missouri Comprehensive Cancer Control Program Manager, Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services

Age: 32

Brandon Tucker

COO and Managing Partner, Miller’s Professional Imaging and Partner, Broadway Brewery

Do the most good. at is a simple philosophy that Brandon tries to live by. Managing two brands and nearly 500 employees, with a passion project thrown in the mix, is a good motto for Brandon to have.

“At work, that means looking out for our customers and employees. I want to make sure our customers have the best possible experience. As a manager, that means providing a safe, comfortable environment for our team to work in. I’m continuous-

ly striving to create a culture where our employees feel valued. At home as a husband and parent, that means putting my marriage rst and being there for my kids, Claire and Will,” Brandon says.

Many of our local businesses felt the hard e ects of COVID and Brandon was no exception to that rule.

“Since joining Miller’s in 2017, we’ve seen our Mpix revenue grow by more than 60 percent. However, this growth came during a period of unprecedented challenges,” he says. “Our Columbia location was shut down for 39 days during the peak of the COVID crisis. As a leader, I was faced with some of the most di cult decisions of my life. Fortunately, we were able to use this time to restructure our production space in both locations, streamline our workforce, and set up our company for long-term success. I’m proud of how our team rose to the occasion.”

According to Mitch Hill, Brandon has more than risen to the occasion.

“Since joining as COO, Brandon has played an integral role in helping the Miller’s family of brands achieve record revenue growth and he’s currently overseeing a major building expansion that will bring new jobs to Mid-Missouri. In 2019, Brandon had an opportunity to pursue his longtime passions for business and craft beer when he joined Broadway Brewery as co-owner. Since coming on board, Brandon launched the canning and statewide distribution of the brewery’s line of craft brews and recently spearheaded the opening of Broadway Brewery’s new taproom in Downtown Columbia, Broadway on 9th,” Mitch says.

Brandon credits a few people as mentors who have helped him along the way, including CEO Richard Miller.

“He is tough, fair, thoughtful, decisive, humble, and generous. He has really helped me hone my skills as a leader,” Brandon adds. “And Cody Fox (CEO of Backyard Discovery) was a big in uence early in my career. He was a willing coach, entrusted me with a lot of responsibility, and helped me build my technical nance skills.”

PET PEEVE: Anyone looking at their phone excessively while we watch something together.

Brian Burks

Ahometown guy, working for a hometown company, is the perfect description of Brian.

Giving credit to his dad and the hard work ethic he taught, family is clearly everything to Brian. When asked what motivates him, the answer came easily, “My Family. My wife Hillary, son Sawyer (4) and daughter Harper (1) ey make working hard and long days’ worth it. Nothing is better than the reaction I get from Sawyer when I walk into the house. No matter how my day went, it is instantly better when they run toward me happy that I am home. I look forward to teaching them what it means to work hard, enjoy life and be a good person.”

Beyond family, there are mentors who become family, and Brian is visibly emotional when talking about his mentor.

Brian explains, “Justin Gay had a huge impact on my life, he was my boss for nine years. He was both a mentor and a close friend. He shaped me into the professional that I am and challenged me daily to be a better manager, and to have the foresight to be a step ahead of anything that is going to come up. When he passed last February, it left a huge hole in not only my life but Emery Sapp & Sons and the community.”

Moving through the ranks quickly at Emery Sapp & Sons, it is notable that Brian has become somewhat of a mentor himself.

“One thing that sets Brian apart from most leaders is his ability to hear both sides and do what is in the best interest of both parties, his determination and big heart have proven to drive his career and success as a businessman in the Columbia community,” says friend and colleague, Sara Snodderley. “Brian continues to be an emerging leader at Emery Sapp & Sons as well as in his community where he was born, raised, and strives to mentor new leaders and guide them in sharing life experiences. Emery Sapp is fortunate to have such an outstanding leader within our company.”

Brian’s community involvement cannot go unnoticed. e list includes: Job Point, board of directors; Columbia Area Career Center, Civil Engineering/Architecture/ CAD Advisory Committee; CPS, Project

Lead the Way; board of advisors, Columbia Golf Foundation; volunteer, American Cancer Society; Real Men Wear Pink of Mid Missouri; American Heart Association; Go Red for Women, executive leadership team.

ANNOYING HABIT: I am a perfectionist, maybe even slightly OCD. If I mess up halfway through a task, I will completely start over until it is correct.

Age: 33

Vice President, Emery Sapp & Sons, Inc.

Meckenzie Hayes

FUN FACT: I’m an unapologetic Reba McEntire fan. Ask me anything…

helping their fellow team members in need during times of crisis.”

Meckenzie has many goals for the future, which include continuing to work to improve the practices and systems that negatively contribute to rst responder trauma.

“I also hope to continue shedding a trauma-informed light on existing areas of work throughout the department. A key area of focus for me in 2023 will be to address the issue of suicide within our department," she said. "Suicide rates of individuals working in a corrections setting are higher than other rst responder professions, and much higher than the general population. With the help of a team, I hope to implement some evidence-based strategies to help combat this serious issue that impacts the corrections industry.”

Age: 35

VanDee Miller says Meckenzie strives to be authentic, kind, passionate, and hardworking, "and she would love to expand the footprint of the trauma team and advocate for the employees she serves."

VanDee adds, "Meckenzie looks for ways to decrease the stigma on mental health in a culture full of hard expectations. She is dedicated to the sta she serves and is constantly looking at ways to better the services Corrections can o er to its employees.”

Meckenzie gives a lot of credit to her faith.

Manager of Trauma-Informed Employee Care, Missouri Department of Corrections

N ot only is Meckenzie's job really cool, but it is also much-needed in the community and throughout the U.S.

“I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker overseeing a very small team. We assist corrections personnel who have endured occupational trauma during the course of their duties inside Missouri’s prisons and

eld probation and parole o ces,” Meckenzie says. “In addition to overseeing the direct support o ered to the department’s approximately 9,000 employees, I also coordinate the department’s peer support program, a group of over 300 specially trained corrections team members who have lived experience and a dedication to

“Opportunities for me have presented themselves in interesting ways at just the right times, and that doesn’t happen by just sheer happenstance. If I’d have done things my way and on my own time, I certainly wouldn’t be where I am,” she says, adding that it has been interesting and reassuring to see the values of her faith align so closely with the values of her eld of work and study.

Meckenzie has a few favorite quotes that she abides by: “To succeed in life you need three things: a wishbone, a backbone, and a funny bone.” ( at's a Reba McEntire quote.) “ ere comes a point where we need to stop just pulling people out of the river. We need to go upstream and nd out why they're falling in.” (Desmond Tutu).

Kayla Jackson-Williams

At 32 years old, Kayla was elected as the rst black judge in Boone County. Her accomplishments don’t stop there.

“I am on the board of Powerhouse Community Development, an adjunct professor at the University of Missouri School of Law, a member of the Central Missouri chapter of Jack and Jill, Inc., and a mock trial coach for the Black Law Student Association,” Kayla says.

In addition to her supportive family, Kayla has had a few mentors that stand out along the way.

“I have had a number of mentors throughout my life and each of them has played a di erent role; however, two of them stick out. Professor S. David Mitchell, University of Missouri School of Law, taught me the signi cance of the power in my voice,” Kayla says. “And Dean Bob Bailey instilled the importance of showing others that you care and truly acting from your heart. Both of these men consistently remind me of the importance of having a strong circle of friends who will not only support you but uplift you in times of struggle. ey also let me know that it’s OK to not always be OK.”

Kayla says she lives her life by one simple principle, and that is to be a good human every single day.

"I feel that by being a good human, I am living by the golden rule, which is do unto others as you would have them to do unto you. is is a rule that we learn as early as kindergarten, and it is a rule that I live my life by every day,” she says.

ere are many who would say that Kayla succeeds more than that principle.

“I had the pleasure of interning at the Boone County Public Defender's O ce where unbeknownst to me, Kayla was the intern coordinator," says Julius King. "While interning with Kayla, I saw her passion for her work and her desire to truly make changes in the lives of the individuals who she represented. Despite the tax-

ing nature of the work, I never saw her give up, and I found it astonishing that despite the fact that she was a single mom of a toddler, she always had the time and energy to pour into other people and things, including me. Kayla's desire to truly see people at their best, and her ability to always nd

the best in people and situations, is truly admirable.”

Kayla stays busy and motivated by her six-year-old daughter, Mackenzie, adding, "She is the reason that I push myself so hard, and she is the reason that I will continue to achieve great things.”

Age: 33

PET PEEVE:

Associate Circuit Court Judge, Division X, Thirteenth Judicial Circuit

Age: 39

Stephanie Goans

Financial

S

Advisor, Edward Jones

tephanie says the best days are when she tells a client they can retire.

“I help people and businesses build wealth in the most tax-e cient way, protect it, and transfer it. I get to have deep, meaningful conversations with individuals, families, and business owners. I help educate and empower people to make

decisions now instead of waiting when it's too late," Stephanie says. "I love nding out what's most important to them, coming up with or improving their strategy, and making sure they stay on track,” says Stephanie.

Stephanie is passionate and invested in several local organizations. She recently ended her term as president of the largest

FUN FACT: I love the smell of celery!

BNI chapter in Columbia-Show Me Referrals and is an active participant in Columbia’s Walk to End Alzheimer's.

Stephanie has had some amazing role models to look up to. When asked who she credits for helping her get to where she is today, Stephanie explains, “My parents, especially my mom. She came over to the states not knowing any English and learned it watching soaps.”

Stephanie continues, “Jeremy Patty played a big role when I rst started in this career. His whole family took me under their wing, accepted me for who I was, and guided me on to a stronger path. Jeremy showed me it wasn't about money but about really helping our community become nancially sound.”

“Stephanie is the most caring, passionate, hardworking, thoughtful, sel ess individual. She always gives 100 percent to everything she does. Stephanie has been an advisor for Edward Jones for more than four years and has hit multiple personal goals and regional goals in a short period of time," says friend and colleague Kayla Baisch. "She is committed to helping others and has educated many Mizzou students on nances. She is not only driven in her community and at work but also at home. Her family is the driving force of why she does what she does.”

Stephanie has a few guiding principles that have contributed in forming who she is today.

“Hard intentional work, putting others rst, treat others the way they want to be treated. It seems so simple but be a good human being. It's morbid but I think about what people would say at my funeral and I hope it's a life worth celebrating,” she says. CBT

TAPPING INTO

Success

Logboat Brewing Company prepares to reopen its renovated taproom.

BY JODIE JACKSON JR

Logboat Brewing Company’s nineyear adventure of creating unique beers and providing a memorable gathering place for families and friends has led to a 12,000-square-foot expansion and renovation that will be “an entirely new experience” for visitors, the brewery’s ownership group says.

e brewery’s taproom recently had a limited opening to preview the renovations and to respond to Logboat fans who have yearned via social media for the brewery to reopen.

“It felt good to be open again” even on a limited basis, said Tyson Hunt, one of the brewery’s three co-founders. “I think by the middle of June we’ll be in a real good spot” to be fully open.

e brewery shut down its taproom on Jan. 1, anticipating a temporary closure to accommodate construction to expand the production area, while also renovating the retail space. Hunt and his partners, Judson Ball and Andrew Sharp, also keyed in on customer requests and made sure to provide more seating as well as improvements to the outdoor park area that has helped set Logboat apart from other local breweries.

“We de nitely knew at some point we’d have to shut down the tasting room just because of the renovations we’re doing,” Tyson added. “We’re a little behind schedule” as the result of supply chain issues and weather delays. “All in all, I think we’re maybe a month behind. But considering how crazy things have been the past few years, we’re pretty happy with that.”

Comments on Logboat’s Facebook page indicate that the public is just as eager as the brewery partners for the business to be fully open again.

A sampling of those comments includes: “Hurry up, already.” “We can’t wait.” “ is town is a snore without Logboat in my life.” And an especially emphatic alert: “I’M THIRSTY.”

Tyson said the wait is almost over.

“ e next couple of months we’ll still be an active construction site,” he said. “We ask for a little bit of grace and patience as we work through the next phases” of the taproom update. Logboat patrons can keep watch on social media and the brewery’s website for updates.

“Piece by piece, we’ve enhanced the overall retail experience for folks,” Tyson

said. e project added more parking with security cameras, sidewalks and crosswalks, and landscaping. Tyson reiterated that the additions were among amenities customers have asked for.

“It’s been a lot of good feedback from folks,” he says. “Hopefully they enjoy what we’ve done.”

Logboat opened in May 2014 and almost immediately realized the need for a larger space.

“We thought we’d have a ton of room to expand and make more beer,” Tyson added. “ en sales were booming, and we were chock full of tanks and out of room to add any more capacity.” Growing the brewery’s footprint in Missouri also became a challenge because of capacity issues.

e team bought some additional property and then navigated zoning requirements to come up with an expansion plan.

“We’re thrilled to be able to grow right where it all started and be a downtown brewery for Columbia,” he said. “We just keep trying to push the envelope and make better and better beverages. It’s been a wild nine years.”

“Columbia as a whole has been an awesome place to do business. The resources available to any entrepreneur in this community are pretty incredible."

- Tyson Hunt, co-founder, Logboat Brewing Company

During that time, the business partners learned more about their industry and listened to customer feedback. As a result, the open air but unshaded grass park area adjacent to the brewery has been transformed into a covered outdoor area and the renovations added outdoor bathrooms. A shipping container was converted into a bar, making it possible to visit Logboat and get a beer without going inside. Infrared heaters for the outdoor space will make that amenity more comfortable in the cooler months.

e upstairs area in the brewery was previously open but has been in lled to create a space with more seating and that’s suitable for private events — which was another longstanding customer request. e brewery added an elevator to provide better accessibility.

Logboat’s website had already set the bar high for the establishment by saying that “beer is meant to be enjoyed with friends and family in a social setting,” adding, “we brew the beers we like to drink. We constantly try to innovate and push ourselves to brew new, unique, and interesting beers to keep things fresh and exciting.”

Logboat has stayed in the public eye by hosting pop a shot pop up events at Waves

Cider Company, the business group’s cidery at 604 Nebraska Avenue.

“ ings have been cruising along there, so we’ve been busy,” Tyson said.

Logboat Brewing Company won the Columbia Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year award in 2016 and has collaborated with a number of charities through the years, including Missouri River Relief and the Alzheimer’s Association. In an interview with Vox magazine, Tyson o ered nuggets of wisdom for would-be entrepreneurs, suggesting, “Just do it.”

“At some point, you can only read so many books, talk to so many people, and gather so much information,” he said. “Just go for it.”

Tyson echoed some of those sentiments to COMO Business Times, noting that Columbia’s business ecosystem, especially for entrepreneurs, is full of opportunities. e Logboat team is willing to share tips for success, but he added, “We’re still learning every day as well.”

Logboat also continues to experiment and has come up with a new pilot system for making “smaller batches of fun projects” for retail partners and customers.

e team also plans to grow Logboat’s barrel-age series and sour beer production.

“Hopefully we can return to focus on some of these other projects that we’ve put on hold for a minute,” Tyson said.

Logboat beverages are currently distributed through about 66 of Missouri’s 114 counties.

“We’re going to survey the market down around Spring eld and Branson … and kind of ll in the rest of the counties with more distribution,” he said. “ is expansion certainly gives us that opportunity.”

Andrew also points out that there’s still a lot of opportunity to grow within Logboat’s current footprint.

“ ere’s still a ton of opportunity where we are in St. Louis and Kansas City,” he added. “We have great, great partners, and I think our goals are aligned to be able to grow signi cantly in the next few years.”

For regular taproom customers, the retail space enhancements will be what the public experiences “ rst and foremost,” Tyson said. And that experience will resume soon.

“ e next few months are kind of that mad dash to the nish,” he added. “It’s a fun process to watch it unfold every day. We’re just excited to showcase it. It's been an incredible nine-year journey.” CBT

20 UNDER 40 THROUGH THE YEARS

20 Under 40 has a deep legacy of highlighting change-makers and influencers in our community. While our records are incomplete due to a variety of factors, including archiving methods changing, we do know that the first class was selected in 2001. It was known then as 40 Under 40 and was held every other year. Over time, it became 20 Under 40 and has been celebrated yearly.

The current format of 20 Under 40 began in January 2014 and has stayed consistent in celebrating the unique people that make our community thrive. Honorees have included not just entrepreneurs and businesspeople, but also teachers, artists, police officers, firefighters, politicians, and religious leaders.

Each 20 Under 40 class is interviewed, photographed, and featured in the magazine with the goal of learning who they are beyond their LinkedIn profile. The celebration culminates in a black tie gala in their honor. Videos featuring past classes can be found on the COMO Business Times website.

You can be a part of forming future classes by nominating someone deserving. Nominations for the Class of 2024 open in November.

CLASS OF 2001

• Andrew Beverley

• Craig Brumfield

• Jim Cherrington

• Jill Cox

• Rob Dunscombe

• Ann M. Echelmeier

• Jeffrey T. Echelmeier

• Michael Flanagan

• Brian Forrest

• Anna Hargis

• Susan Hart

• Tim Hickman

• B.J. Hunter

• Paul Jackson

• Steve Knorr

• Dave Machens

• Sabrina McDonnell

• Elizabeth Mendenhall

• Mario Moccia

• Brian Neuner

• Ed Orr

• Mark Palmer

• Joe Priesmeyer

• Marci Reimler

• Suzanne Rothwell

• Bob Schaal

• Paige Scott

• Teri Smith

• Chris Stevens

• Lili Vianello

• Cindy Whaley

CLASS OF 2003

• Brian Ash

• Catherine Atkins

• Jodi Bales

• Kavin Bartolacci

• Tom Bradley

• Marnie Clark

• "Tiger" John Cleek

• Bill Costello

• Tom Deters

• Jana Dierker

• Paula Elias

• Kim England

• Ron Graves

• Bill Hervey

• Don Howser

• Renee Hulshof

• Marie Nau Hunter

• Michele Kennett

• Wendy Knorr

• Trish Koetting

• Marcia Machens

• Wes Milligan

• Candy Neuner

• Robin Nichols

• Mark Pfeiffer

• Karen Pruente

• Sarah Reeseman

• J. Michael Roach

• Scott Rubenstein

• Dan Ruether

• Aaron Sauer

• Zim Schwartze

• Trent Stober

• Greg Trachsel

• Marnie (Tutt) Clark

• Jeffery Wagner

• Wendy Wiederhold

• Greg Wolff

• Tonya Wolff

• Jason Van Eaton

CLASS OF

2005

• Gregory Baker

• Sonja Derboven

• Mendy Diel

• Heather DimittFletcher

• Sarah Dubbert

• Cindy Frazier

• Matt Garrett

• Deborah Graves

• Shatenita Horton

• Sahba Jalali

• John Keller

• Rose Lloyd

• Leigh Nutter

• Gena Patton

• Steve Powell

• Rob Quinn

• Michael Radzin

• Brian Smith

• Keri Tipton

• J. Alan Weber

CLASS OF 2007

• Larry Atterberry Jr.

• Shawn Barnes

• Michelle Baumstark

• J. Scott Christianson

• Shelly DeVore

• Kate Essing

• Steve Hollis

• Jocelyn Kilgore

• Bridgid (Miller) Kinney

• Jennifer Thoma

• Emily Thoroughman

CLASS OF 2009

• Jay Alexander

• Brent Beshore

• Jerry Dowell

• Cameron Dunafon

• Alex George

• Mike Grellner

• Michelle Kemp

• Todd McCubbin

• Mike Messer

• Jack Miller

• David Nivens

• David Tyson Smith

• David Townsend

• Lindsay Young Lopez

CLASS OF 2011

• Amanda BarnesTolson

• Kerrie Bloss

• Kate Boatright

• Susanne Bylund

• Anne Churchill

• Kellie Ann Coats

• Camren Cross

• John Fabsits

• Kris Farmer

• Mills Menser

• Erik Morse

• Mark Richardson

• Freddy Spencer

• Michele Spry

• Travis Tucker

• Tim Weiss

CLASS OF 2014

• Beau Aero

• Andrea Benna

• Jen Bukowsky

• Brian Cunningham

• Lily Dawson

• Emily Holdman

• Rachel Holman

• Katelyn Jones

• Matt Kitzi

• Kari Laudano

• Izzy Leatherman

• John Meyer

• Amanda Owens

• Monica Pitts

• Caleb Rowden

• Joel Sager

• Sean Siebert

• Peter Stiepleman

• Dale Wright

CLASS OF 2015

• Joshua Burrell

• Emily Clapp

• Aimee Davenport

• Nathan Fleischmann

• Nicole Galloway

• John Hall

• Danielle Harrison

• Eric Johnson

• Caleb Jones

• Kip Kendrick

• Leighanne Lamb

• Caroline Leemis

• Lydia Melton

• Eric Morrison

• Sidney Neate

• Elizabeth Palmieri

• Rachel Payton

• Candice Rotter

• Don Seitz

• Josh Tennison

CLASS OF 2016

• Sonya Addison

• Lyria Bartlett

• Barbara Buffaloe

• Caleb Colbert

• Jon Galloway

• Tyson Hunt

• Curt Kippenberger

• Madeleine LeMieux

• Matt McCormick

• Andrea Paul

• Kelsey Raymond

• Laura Roeder

• Chris Rosskopf

• Jabbok Schlacks

• William Schlacks

• Jonathan Sessions

• Drew Smith

• Steve Tuchschmidt II

• Michael Urban

• Stephanie Wilmsmeyer

• Jim Yankee

CLASS OF 2017

• Elias Abadi

• Brooke Berkey

• Ada Buckman

• J.D. Calvin

• David Coil

• Annie Doisy

• Ty-Ron Douglas

• Justin Dyer

• Alissa Gerke

• Amanda Jacobs

• Nathan Jones

• Kimberly Lodge

• Billy Polansky

• Joe Ritter

• Mark Stinson

• Gary Tegerdine

• Nathan Todd

• Brian Whorley

• Loreli Wilson

• Jessie Yankee

CLASS OF 2018

• Barbie Banks

• Jesse Bodine

• Kristen Brown

• Taylor Burks

• Cory Crosby

• Nickie Davis

• Jackie Floyd

• Jaime Freidrichs

• David Isaacks

• Scott Lenger

• Brianna Lennon

• Brian Millner

• Leigh Neier

• Cara Owings

• Nic Parks

• Amanda Quick

• Dan Riepe

• Jesse Walters

• Adam Weber

• Valerie Zumwalt

CLASS OF 2019

• Judson Ball

• Greg Brockmeier

• Jose Caldera

• Sara Cochran

• Randy Cole

• Josh Devine

• Gabe Garcia

• Chrystal Graves

• Danny Hammack

• Benjamin Hamrah

• Aric Jarvis

• Krista Kippenberger

• Jay Lindner

• Megan McConachie

• Mike Nolan

• Jaime Palmer

• Arminta Phelps

• Lara Pieper

• Jolyn Sattizahn

• Lee Sensintaffar

• Liz Tucker

CLASS OF 2020

• Mason Aid

• David Anderson

• Taylor Bacon

• Angie Bass

• Matt Boyd

• Heather Brown

• Stacey Cole

• Kyle Cook

• Secily Devese

• Sarah Dresser

• Laura Gerding

• Tommy Goran

• Dr. Bridget Gruender

• Galen Hassler

• Geoff Karr

• Cole Knudsen

• De’Vion Moore

• Sarah Moreau

• Camille Roland

• Megan Sievers

• Annette Triplett

CLASS OF 2021

• Michael Aslanidis

• Julia Chisholm

• Erica Dickson

• Aaron Emel

• Ashley Emel

• Jason Gruender

• Kelly Hill

• Kari Hopkins

• Chris Horn

• Jerrell Jackson

• Marcus Jones

• Sarah Klaassen

• Wendy Moore

• Garrett Pearson

• Trent Rash

• Josh Rein

• Joe Seymour

• Jeremy Spillman

• Megan Thomas

• Megan Walters

CLASS OF 2022

• Brandon Banks

• Michele Curry

• Jacob Garrett

• Amber Goodwin

• Stephen Graves

• Mark Hoehne

• Ming Hsieh

• Austin Ilsley

• Lauren Karr

• Misty Larkins

• Darren Morton

• Tyson Mutrux

• Kerri Roberts

• Amanda Ruyle

• Jessica Schlosser

• Garima Singh

• Corrina Smith

• Megan Steen

• T’Keyah Thomas

• Wende Wagner

CLASS OF 2023

• Josh Blackman

• Brian Burks

• David Boyd

• Stephanie Goans

• Kasey Hammock

• Hannah Henze

• Meckenzie Hayes

• Kayla JacksonWilliams

• Jared Klarfeld

• Arin Liberman

• Aurora Meyer

• Jerrell Morton

• Misty Phillips

• Anthony Plogger

• Clinton Sinclair

• Robert Sobule

• Brandon Tucker

• CJ Vaughn

• Revee White

• Enola-Riann White

If you have information to update this roster from past classes, please email kim@comobusinesstimes.com.