COMO Business TImes | The Celebration Issue | December 2025

Claus

Do you ever wonder “Why am I even with this bank?”

It’s too easy to accept a mediocre experience when banking is just a part of life. Before, it seemed like I had to jump through every hoop for my bank. I wanted a bank that would actually work for me. Look, switching banks is a big decision. I never made the e ort before, because I assumed I’d just get the same thing. After switching to The Bank of Missouri, I’ll never wonder if my bank can do more.

The bank of not settling. The Bank of Missouri. Switch

Contributors

December 2025

Stephi Smith

Stephi Smith is a full-time reporter covering local government for the Jefferson City News Tribune. She graduated from the University of Missouri’s School of Journalism in 2023 and chose to stay in mid-Missouri after moving to Columbia from the Seattle area in 2017. Her favorite day of the year is municipal election day, and in the last two years, her favorite stories for the News Tribune have included one on a city government health insurance debacle and profiles about seniors living in Jefferson City.

In her free time, she likes to visit Yellow Dog Bookshop with her boyfriend, Jamison, and play fetch with her dog, Sneakers, at Albert-Oakland Park.

IN THIS ISSUE OF COMO

Limited-Edition Ornaments Tell COMO’s History

PG 10

Marcus Wilkins

Marcus Wilkins is a journalist and marketing writer with 21 years of experience in newspapers, magazines, digital media, and public communication. A University of Missouri alumnus, he’s passionate about telling stories that highlight people whose work changes lives and strengthens communities.

His writing has appeared in numerous publications across the Show-Me State, including 17 years (and counting) as a contributor to MIZZOU alumni magazine. He currently serves as a public information officer for the Missouri Department of Corrections, where he shares stories about transformative programs and people finding new paths. Marcus lives in Columbia with his wife, Katie Burnham Wilkins, and their fiveyear-old daughter, Harper.

IN THIS ISSUE OF COMO

Good As Gold

PG 34

PUBLISHING

David Nivens, Publisher david@comocompanies.com

Chris Harrison, Associate Publisher chris@comocompanies.com

EDITORIAL

Jodie Jackson Jr, Editor jodie@comocompanies.com

Kelsey Winkeljohn, Associate Editor kelsey@comocompanies.com

Karen Pasley, Contributing Copyeditor

DESIGN

Jordan Watts, Senior Designer jordan@comocompanies.com

MARKETING

Charles Bruce, Director of Client Relations charles@comocompanies.com

Kerrie Bloss, Account Executive kerrie@comocompanies.com

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Jodie Jackson Jr, Matt Moore, Sarah Jane Photography

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Charlie Bolten, J. Scott Christianson, Santa Claus, Ashli Eaves, Je Hickam, Jodie Jackson Jr, Brian Neuner, Steve Spellman, Kelsey Winkeljohn

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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.

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

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A FEW YEARS AGO, I won a radio talk show contest with my answer to “What is the most embarrassing Christmas gift you’ve ever received?” It’s still a contest-winning answer. But first … I was the youngest of four siblings, and I’m not sure whether my brother and two sisters were ever Santa believers, but we were all Jesus believers, with some imaginary yet powerful Santa stories mixed in. Our family Christmas pageants on Christmas Eve usually featured the Jolly Old Elf, but it was no secret that the man behind the red and white façade was Jolly Old Dad. Christmas morning was the big reveal, of course, but we eagerly anticipated the Christmas Eve pageant, which happened every Christmas Eve, at least up until I was about 12 or 13, before mom and dad divorced. It involved singing Christmas carols together, someone reading the story of the Nativity from Luke 2, a hastily prepared skit or two, and then opening one gift. One would be sufficient because a bevy of brightly wrapped gifts remained for morning.

We all received multiple presents, which began appearing under the tinsel icicleadorned tree a few days before Christmas. Seeing the names on the gifts intensified the anxious expectation, which was sometimes tempered by reality.

For instance, on my thirteenth Christmas, one gift with the tag “To: Jodie” had all the appearance of being a Six Million Dollar Man action figure. Instead, it was “Your First Grooming Kit,” which consisted of a can of Right Guard deodorant, a comb, and maybe a razor. It was a gift that officially declared, “You are now too old for action figures.” According to my youngest sister’s reaction to said gift, it also declared, “You stink.” Message received.

One year, instead of putting names on the gifts, the gift tags had numbers. What a bummer. I knew they couldn’t all be mine, but maybe just the biggest ones? This was a year or two before the Right Guard message, and I’d already spied one wrapped

box that just had to be the Evel Knievel action figure and his wind-up motorcycle that I’d asked for.

I think Dad was the keeper of the master list, and when it came to that number, he called my name. I knew I’d have to feign surprise because I knew what it was. Well, I thought I knew what it was. It was, however … a training bra. Dad immediately shouted, “Kathy! No, Kathy!” as I sat there holding my sister’s pedagogical undergarment.

But I should have started the story with Christmas 1973, my tenth on the planet. Of all my Christmases, that’s when I received the most magnificent, life-changing gift of all: a microscope. Suddenly, the young scientist in me had even more worlds to explore and knowledge to discover. Soon I was cultivating paramecia, breeding hydras and amoebas, and poking my fingers for fresh blood cells.

My future was set. After my Major League Baseball career, I’d be a scientist — a biologist, entomologist, or herpetologist. And if that path got blocked, I’d be a writer. At age 10, I knew the truth, and the truth had, indeed, set me free.

By the time another five years rolled around, the something-ologist trajectory lost its luster (translation: I hated math), so it was clear that I would be a writer after my pro baseball days were over.

In hindsight, I won’t say my ballplaying career never started. It has just been on perpetual hold for a few decades.

Thank goodness my brother gave me a manual typewriter for Christmas 1978.

JODIE JACKSON JR EDITOR jodie@comocompanies.com

How does someone get off the naughty list? We asked the Jolly Old Elf, aka Columbia College campus safety officer Jeff Hickam, a few questions.

Photo by Sarah Jane Photography

My microscope from Christmas 1973.

CBT’s Advisory Board

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.

Shawn

Brooke

Drew

WE BUILD

Closer Look

RE form PILATES STUDIO

According to its owners, REform Pilates Studio is expected to open its doors to the Columbia community at the end of November 2025.

Located just across from e Kitchen Grill & Games, REform is a boutique Reformer Pilates studio owned by the families of Rilee Okere and Emmy Tsymbal — two midMissourians passionate about making the life-changing bene ts of Pilates more accessible.

“We’re most known for o ering an elevated Pilates experience that’s both re ned and accessible,” say Okere and Tsymbal. “Our studio blends a high-end, thoughtfully designed environment with approachable, e ective classes that meet you exactly where you are — whether you’re brand new to Pilates or a seasoned mover.”

Okere and Tsymbal, once neighbors, became business partners after realizing how di cult it was to nd Reformer classes for beginners in Columbia.

“We opened REform Pilates to make high-quality Reformer Pilates more accessible,” they say. “After experiencing the mental and physical bene ts ourselves, we wanted to create a space that encourages others to move, connect, and feel their best.”

REform o ers three types of classes: Foundations (for beginners), Elevate (for intermediates), and Empower (for advanced students). ey also provide a cardio class, which features a jump board for an added endurance boost, as well as one-on-one private sessions.

Address: 3617 Discovery Parkway, Suite 101

Website: reformpilatescomo.com

Instagram: @reformpilatescomo

SKYLINE FOOD TRUCK AND CATERING

Skyline Food Truck and Catering, a vendor of CoMo Cooks Shared Kitchen, opened in June 2025 under owner Jonathan Schyler Bryan. With more than twenty years in the gourmet food industry and a formal culinary education from L’Ecole Culinaire in St. Louis, Bryan brings both extensive experience and a passion for creativity to his culinary ventures.

“We bring catering options to businesses, holiday events, personal parties, as well as food truck services to public and private events around Columbia and surrounding areas,” says Bryan. “We also o er private dinners with customizable menus and services.”

Skyline Food Truck is recognized for its versatility. e truck itself serves a creative twist on smash burgers, while the catering side showcases gourmet dishes inspired by a wide range of cuisines. At a recent private event, Bryan prepared marinated herb-basted KC strip steak, shrimp ceviche, Asian cucumber salad, and dulce de leche crème brûlée — a lineup that perfectly re ects the imagination and attention to detail behind Skyline’s o erings.

“I wanted to be able to expand on my own creativity with making dishes,” says Bryan. “I did not want to be tied down to one type of cuisine. I wanted to bring high-quality food with my own mix of avors and style to Columbia.”

Email: skylinefoodtruckandcatering@gmail.com

Instagram: @skyline_foodtruck_and_catering

Facebook: Skyline FoodTruck and Catering CBT

The Quiet Middle of Investing: Why Most Wins Aren’t Exciting

BY ASHLI EAVES, CHSNC, FINANCIAL ADVISOR AT ALIGNED WEALTH GROUP

SOME YEARS, INVESTING FEELS EXCITING — markets swing, headlines blare, and everyone suddenly seems to have an opinion. But most years? It’s just steady contributions, quiet growth, and not much drama. In a world that rewards instant results, that can feel … well, boring.

e truth is, the real progress of investing doesn’t happen at the start when you’re choosing funds or at the end when you’re taking withdrawals. It happens in the uneventful middle: the years in between, when patience, consistency, and discipline quietly do their work. Much like gardening or exercise, progress isn’t measured in daily results but in the steady compounding that happens over time when you simply keep showing up.

Investing rewards patience, not constant activity. ose middle years — when you’re contributing regularly, reviewing your allocations periodically, and letting compounding work in the background — may feel unremarkable, but they’re often where long-term progress is made. Vanguard research shows that more than 90 percent of long-term portfolio performance comes from asset allocation and staying invested, not from market timing. It’s the age-old saying brought to life: It’s time in the market, not timing the market, that matters most.

Of course, that’s easier said than done. Humans are wired to seek visible progress. When things feel quiet, we assume we’re missing something. FOMO creeps in — even in our nancial lives. In today’s culture, we’re encouraged to constantly shift, optimize, and reinvent. Every market headline or social media post about someone’s “next big move” whispers that we should be doing more.

We’ve all had that moment — glancing at an account statement and wondering if

we should be doing something. e markets are quiet, headlines are loud, and it feels like action must equal progress. But often, that quiet is where compounding is doing its best work.

Behavioral economist Richard aler noted in his book Misbehaving that investors who check their portfolios less frequently often experience better outcomes over time. e reason? ey’re less likely to react emotionally to short-term uctuations. As author and nancial behavior expert Nick Murray reminds us, “Unless our goals have changed, there’s rarely a reason for our portfolios to.”

Consistency isn’t neglect; it’s discipline. e tortoise didn’t win because he was fast — he won because he kept going.

at’s the heart of successful investing: small, steady habits. Continue regular contributions. Revisit your plan with your accountability partner or advisor to make sure your investments still align with your

goals. But resist the urge to overreact emotionally. Warren Bu ett once said, “ e stock market is a device for transferring money from the impatient to the patient.” Benjamin Graham expressed that idea decades earlier, writing, “ e investor’s chief problem — and even his worst enemy — is likely to be himself.”

e result of this kind of consistency isn’t thrilling day-to-day change — it’s quiet con dence. It’s knowing that your plan, built around your goals and risk tolerance, can stay on course even when markets feel uncertain. “Boring” can be a beautiful word when it comes to investing.

In a season de ned by hustle and noise, I encourage you to embrace the quiet middle of investing. at’s where the real growth takes root. CBT

Briefly in the News

DECEMBER 2025

NONPROFIT

‘Legacy of Love’ Gala Raises a Record $128,000

Central Missouri Foster Care & Adoption Association’s (CMFCAA) Legacy of Love Gala set a new fundraising record on October 24, raising about $128,000 to strengthen services for foster, adoptive, and kinship families across mid-Missouri. ere were roughly 200 guests at the event at the Capitol Plaza Hotel in Je erson City for dinner, live and silent auctions, fundraising games, and live music by BootCut. CEO Jill Quaid thanked attendees for sustaining CMFCAA’s mission despite tightening funding. “ ank you for helping us heal hearts all these years,” Quaid said. Board President Dr. Joy Sweeney presented Damon Upchurch as CMFCAA’s 2025 Volunteer of the Year, honoring his 180 hours of service. e association also presented its inaugural Legacy Award in memory of Dave Bruno, CMFCAA’s late chief clinical o cer. Funds raised will support CMFCAA’s twenty-fourcounty service area through programs such as emergency resources, respite care, youth transition services, caregiver support, and legal/ guardianship assistance.

INCLUSION

BCFR Honors 2025 Business Champions

Boone County Family Resources (BCFR) has presented its inaugural

Business Champion Awards, recognizing Range Free and CoMo Rocks for their commitment to creating inclusive workplaces for individuals with developmental disabilities. e awards were presented at BCFR’s October board meeting in conjunction with National Disability Employment Awareness Month. Range Free and CoMo Rocks stood out among the nominees for their inclusive hiring practices, supportive workplace culture, and dedication to empowering employees of all abilities, according to a news release. e statement added that both businesses have become models of what disability-inclusive employment can look like in Boone County.

FOOD & DRINK

Logboat Brewing Earns

Three Bronze Medals at Missouri Beer Cup

Logboat Brewing Co. of Columbia held its own in the rst-ever Missouri Beer Cup, sponsored by the Missouri Craft Brewers Guild. Missouri breweries submitted 181 beers across thirty-six categories, all evaluated by a panel of certi ed judges to determine the

best beers in Missouri. Logboat was the bronze medalist in the MunichStyle Helles or Dortmunder category with its Helles. Logboat also took the bronze medal for Porters with its Dark Matter and the bronze medal for West Coast-Style India Pale Ale with its Snapper. e awards were presented on Monday, November 10, during the Missouri Craft Brewers Guild’s Annual Conference at Boulevard Brewing Company in Kansas City.

NONPROFIT

Columbia Chamber of Commerce Awards

Nonprofit of the Year

Welcome Home was recognized as the Columbia Chamber of Commerce Nonpro t of the Year at the Chamber’s quarterly membership breakfast on

Wednesday, November 12, at e Crossing. Representatives of each nominated organization addressed the breakfast crowd. e speakers were Adonica Coleman, left, executive director of Day Dreams Foundation; John Scalise, president and CEO of Job Point; Michele Snodderley, executive director of True North of Columbia; Megan Sievers, executive director of Welcome Home; and Joy Sweeney, executive director of Woodhaven.

EDUCATION

Patrick Joins CIS as Advancement Director

Local marketing and fundraising professional Fran Patrick joined Columbia Independent School on October 1 as its director of advancement. Patrick will be responsible for overseeing all fundraising activities for the school, including the Pride Fund annual campaign, capital campaigns, and special events. She will also nurture relationships with parents, donors, volunteers, alumni, and the wider Columbia community. Patrick earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Greenwich. She has more than a decade of experience in marketing, communications, fundraising, and organizational leadership in the Columbia area. Columbia Independent School serves more than 470 students, age 3 through 12th grade. CBT

This year, skip the stress and ship your in-laws to luxury. Our Presidential Suite features city views, top-tier amenities, and enough distance to restore your holiday spirit.

Missouri Women's Business Center Confers 2025 Women Who Own It Awards

From left to right: Lynn Gastineau, Entrepreneur of the Year, Callaway County; Kaitlyn Camp, Entrepreneur of the Year, Audrain County; Kim A. Brady, Entrepreneur of the Year, Cooper County; Dr. Kennedy Juul, D.C., Entrepreneur of the Year, Moniteau County; Kiersten O'Dell, Entrepreneur of the Year, Howard County; Andii Kreek Irwin, Entrepreneur of the Year, Cole County; Denise Coots, Entrepreneur of the Year, Osage County; Kasey Hammock, Entrepreneur of the Year, Boone County.

THE MISSOURI WOMEN’S BUSINESS CENTER honored eight accomplished female entrepreneurs at the seventh annual Women Who Own It Awards on ursday, November 6, at the Kimball Ballroom at Stephens College. e event highlighted the importance of female entrepreneurship and the positive impact women-owned businesses can have in communities.

“ ese remarkable women have exempli ed talent, leadership, and a commitment to their local communities, demonstrating that hard work and dedication truly pay o ,” said Erica Schmidt, director of development and communication at Central Missouri Community Action (CMCA). e Missouri Women’s Business Center is a program of CMCA.

Entrepreneur of the Year awards were presented to:

• AUDRAIN COUNTY

Kaitlyn Camp, Kaitlyn’s Cleaning Services

• BOONE COUNTY

Kasey Hammock, Partner for Better

• CALLAWAY COUNTY

Lynn Gastineau, Gastineau Log Homes

• COLE COUNTY

Andii Kreek Irwin, Little Leaf Essentials: Plant Shop & More

• COOPER COUNTY

Kim A. Brady, Kim A. Brady Realtor, Inc.

• HOWARD COUNTY

Kiersten O’Dell, Market Street Floral

• MONITEAU COUNTY

Dr. Kennedy Juul, D.C., Juul Spine & Sport Chiropractic

• OSAGE COUNTY

Denise Coots, Freestyle Fitness and Nutrition

A news release from CMCA said all of these woman entrepreneurs are majority business owners who have been in business for a minimum of one year and have been nominated by community members and selected by the MWBC “for their signi cant contributions to their communities through diverse ventures spanning various industries, including baking, ne dining, architecture, education, farming, social media, and business consulting.”

e evening event featured dinner and drinks and gave the 225 attendees the opportunity to hear stories from the awardees about their entrepreneurial journeys and community involvement.

“ e event is a celebration of success and a platform for aspiring female entrepreneurs to nd inspiration in the achievements of empowering women in the area,” Schmidt said.

Funds raised at the event help o set the cost of services for MWBC clients.

e MWBC provides small business development assistance with a focus on women, minorities, and low- to moderate-income entrepreneurs throughout mid-Missouri. at aim is accomplished through coaching, relevant programming, training sessions, events, and continued support and resources to help entrepreneurs set and reach their business goals. CBT

The AI Productivity Paradox

Why the hype doesn’t match the results — yet.

BY J. SCOTT CHRISTIANSON

THE PAST FEW YEARS have been lled with predictions of extraordinary productivity gains businesses will receive by investing in generative AI (GenAI). We’ve heard that GenAI will produce “10x programmers” and “fully automated” marketing departments or that it would have reached human-level intelligence by now. But when you ask businesses that have made those investments about the reality of GenAI adoption, many paint a picture of frustration and mixed results.

Many organizations have deployed GenAI tools like ChatGPT and Copilot only to discover that employees use them to quickly generate output while severely sacri cing quality. A report from BetterUp Labs coined the term “workslop” to describe this ood of AI-generated presentations, documents, and code snippets that look polished but lack substance. In its survey of 1,150 U.S. employees, 40 percent of respondents said they had received workslop from their colleagues in the last month and estimated that about 15 percent of the content they receive ts this description.

Cleaning up and correcting each incident takes nearly two hours on average — adding up to millions in lost productivity for a large rm. Even worse, recipients of workslop report feeling annoyed, confused, or o ended, and many said they become less willing to work with the sender.

In my experience, workslop stems from deploying AI without training or clear expectations. Organizations should be setting a higher bar for AI-generated work. Research shows that when they do so, the results are impressive. A 2023 study involving hundreds of consultants found that using ChatGPT-4 enabled study participants to nish 12 percent more tasks,

complete them 25 percent faster, and produce work that was 40 percent higher quality than that of colleagues without access to AI. Additional training improved results even more. Importantly, AI acted as a “skill leveler” — consultants who started with lower scores saw the largest performance boost, around 43 percent.

Studies like this reveal what’s possible, but results vary even with proper training and guidance. Ethan Mollick, a professor at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School, describes AI deployment as a “jagged frontier.” AI excels at some tasks but struggles with others, and the boundary of its capabilities is uneven and shifts rapidly. Expecting untrained employees to navigate this jagged landscape without guidance is unrealistic.

deep job knowledge are best positioned to spot opportunities. Leaders should encourage them to share discoveries through internal forums or regular demos. is spreads good practices quickly.

So how can businesses capture AI’s bene ts without succumbing to workslop?

For starters, leadership must set a clear vision for what an AI-powered workplace looks like. ey should explain how eciency gains will be used and how employees will be rewarded.

Businesses must provide recommended tools and identify where experimentation is encouraged — and where it’s o limits. Training shouldn’t just cover prompting tricks; it should give sta hands-on practice communicating their needs to AI and reassure them that using AI won’t cost them their jobs.

Employees need time to experiment and discover what’s possible. Most people learn AI through trial and error, and those with

Most importantly, AI adoption should be treated as an organizational learning challenge, not just a technical deployment. Companies that build feedback loops between leadership and employees will iterate faster and avoid the workslop tax.

In my next column, we’ll explore the emergence of AI agents — autonomous assistants that can carry out multistep tasks. e promise is that these agents will reduce the burden of prompting and let workers focus on issues that require higher-level judgment. For now, the lesson is clear: AI will only boost productivity if we invest as much in people and processes as we do in the technology itself. CBT

For related links and more information, visit cbt.profc.io.

J. Scott Christianson — aka “Prof C” — is the former director of Mizzou’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation.

Downtown Public Safety Has Reached the Boiling Point

BY STEVE SPELLMAN

IF A SERVICE PROVIDER continually comes up short of your expectations, that’s di cult.

When your business is su ering chronic negative e ects, but the supplier replies that the problems you bring to their attention aren’t really that bad, and/or their other customers aren’t complaining, that’s confounding.

After some obvious are-ups a ect your customers and employees and damage your facilities, the vendor then starts providing some additional attention, but it’s still not up to reasonable expectations. When you get more desperate and seek relief from another provider, your primary contractor gets all upset and blames everybody else.

Finally, when you start to lose hope, it takes the CEO of the biggest employer in town going public with the same observations to hopefully lead to a remedy.

Such is the case with public safety in Columbia these days, especially downtown after hours.

A CALL TO ACTION

Anybody with eyes to see and ears to hear realizes we have increasing big city issues. Violent crime, rambunctious parties oozing into the street, uncontrolled vagrancy, and property destruction have become far too commonplace.

Out of the blue this fall, up steps University of Missouri System President Mun Choi with a refreshing breakthrough dose of reality. Choi says these are issues that the Mizzou community is struggling with, too. It’s not a just few cranks noticing, and not just on Facebook. e head of our agship university says he him-

self observes these unavoidable issues, as do his customers (students and their parents), employees, and other stakeholders. In declaring that “this a ects my business,” he is absolutely spot on.

Choi, in a publicly available PowerPoint (https://comochamber.com/update-frommun-choi), calls on “all of us” not to point ngers, but instead to “collaborate on nding solutions.” In conclusion, he emphasizes, “I am very concerned if we take no collective action.” ank you, sir.

He also invited community leaders to hit the streets with him, to come see the situation for themselves on a Saturday latenight downtown walk-along.

ALL HANDS ON DECK

In the meantime, the public has become more attentive to how downtown is patrolled. While it’s common knowledge that the Columbia Police Department has been chronically understa ed for years and years, it sounds like sta ng levels recently are a little less underwater.

After too many high-pro le shootings, a contingency plan kicked in, resulting in a combined “cavalry” of any and all local area law enforcement. It’s become “all hands on deck” on the downtown beat, with Boone County Sheri deputies, the University of Missouri Police Department,

and even Missouri State Highway Patrol cruisers helping to keep the peace. is response should not be seen as stepping on anybody’s toes. In fact, the sheri has legitimate jurisdiction in the entire county, including within COMO’s city limits. e MUPD has a vested interest in public safety in an area near its campus that many students frequent. Seeing the highway patrol on the scene was a surprise, but our state government has a duty to maintain law and order.

STRATEGIC PLAN UPDATE

Many businesses are familiar with the concept of cost accounting, whereby a department that uses resources pays for those services. Perhaps the Downtown Community Improvement District (CID) refocusing tax revenues collected from downtown commerce toward more security is a step in the right direction.

I hope downtown continues to improve, but eventually, if City Hall is unable or unwilling to maintain public safety at an acceptable level, then we either need to bring in outside help or transfer the responsibility to someone who is. Perhaps it’s past time to seriously consider shifting area public safety resources from CPD to the Boone County Sheri ’s O ce to achieve better results. CBT

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

Company] lockup and was able to quickly sell our shares for a robust return before the market pulled the value down to, arguably, the right number. Most other pre-public investors were stuck watching the stock plummet. Canopy Biosciences is also a highlight. I conceived of the company, recruited the management team, wrote the rst check, and am proud to have seen it grow to a multinational business with over 100 employees before being acquired by Bruker after just three years. In addition to investing, I created and managed innovation space (e.g., the BioGenerator Labs), led talent initiatives, and conceived of many other strategies to help build companies.

Hometown: Kirkwood, MO

President, CEO, and Board Director; Missouri Innovation Center (MIC)

Job description: In the innovation and startup space, if you need a job description as CEO, you’re not the right person for the job. I haven’t had a job description since I left the corporate world decades ago. My job is to deliver the board’s objectives.

Describe your professional journey and some highlights: I worked nights and weekends in a molecular biology lab within CAFNR, which led to an internship at Monsanto and then a job o er before I had a degree. Early in my career, I moved to biopharma and ultimately spent a decade in big company R&D. I was recruited to an early-stage investment group in St. Louis and spent the next 15 years building a robust portfolio of technology-based companies.

Among many examples, I am proud of my role with Con uence Life Sciences, my rst investment in 2010, which later surpassed a $1B market cap; CoverCress, where I served as board chair before it was acquired by Bayer; and Benson Hill, where I dodged the SPAC [Special Purpose Acquisition

Years lived in Columbia: 0.083 years. I was a nontraditional student at Mizzou, working in various jobs, including the Add Sheet and others, before eventually nding a passion for science. My professional career has all been in St. Louis. I came back to Columbia for the MIC role and am excited about the next chapter of Mizzou-based innovations.

Other connections to Columbia: My wife, Natalie, balances her farm roots in Saline County with later life in Columbia. We met on Ninth Street over 32 years ago. Our kids deeply identify with the family farm and think of mid-Missouri as home. Mizzou is de ning in both my personal and professional lives. Very simply, there is no way that I would be where I am today without my Mizzou experience.

Favorite quote or motto: Friends and colleagues know that I love movie quotes. Instead of naming one quote, here are a few favorite sources of material: Caddyshack, Meet the Parents, Animal House, e Godfather, and ere’s Something About Mary. From the TV side, Friends transcends generations; I can trade quotes with my three kids.

Favorite volunteer/community activity: I have a passion for historic preservation, possess a deep appreciation for craftsmanship, and support organizations in this space.

I also believe deeply in the power of both faith and team sports as vehicles to bring people together and yield improved outcomes for young people, and if I am giving time and money, I focus on organizations that are making a real impact.

MIC’s building, the MU Life Science Business Incubator at Monsanto Place, is an amazing facility. What are a few of the success stories that have come out of there? Promising health tech company Paytient got its start at MIC, launching initial operations at the center, and MIC’s Accelerator Fund was one of the company’s rst investors.

From the Mizzou ag school, Elemental Enzymes started at MIC before scaling in St. Louis. e company, still led by the three Mizzou founders, has over 100 employees and raised a sizable growth round from Paine Schwartz, a premier private equity group in the sector.

ABK Biomedical has a sizable presence at MIC, which leverages its relationship with the MU Research Reactor (MURR) immediately next door. e company recently raised a $35M Series D from top biotech venture funds and is driving forward in clinical trials. MIC’s partnership with MURR will be important to our growth strategy; Columbia is a leader in this sector. We’re excited about the next generation of companies that are just getting started at MIC.

What are some R&D narratives that might not be accurate, and what are some things the public might not know or understand about the work that goes on at MIC? Companies at MIC are developing new drugs for human diseases, energy-e cient solutions for various industries, novel medical devices, ways to make farming more pro table, and many other science-driven innovations. ese companies have many di erent business and operating models, and people often con ate product development cycles with investment timelines. Some tech companies

PYSK

Charlie Bolten

can get to sales quickly compared to most biopharma or agtech startups, but they are exit-based according to conventional nancial performance metrics. By contrast, many deep tech startups are valued and acquired based on perceived potential. Investors will enjoy returns long before a product is commercialized. is is a challenging concept for folks who are trained to evaluate a business or asset based primarily on nancials. Historically, MIC has supported a wide range of technology-based companies.

A Columbia businessperson or leader you admire and why: I’m new to town but have been very impressed with the engagement and strength of many MIC board members.

If you weren’t doing this for a living, you would be … I’m often presented with opportunities to deploy capital or run businesses, but in a di erent world, I can’t imagine anything more satisfying than being a farmer.

What makes MIC and the University of Missouri such fertile ground for emerging startups and new ventures? Mizzou’s research engine is at ~$500M and growing every year. We are the state’s agship university

in every way. When this massive innovation engine is combined with the small-town hustle that has led to so many great new Columbia companies over the last decade, there is something special here.

It seems that we all have competing priorities these days. How do you prioritize your priorities? I’m kind of known for my sayings, all of which I picked up from someone else over the years. One of them is, “When in doubt, focus.” I remind myself of that every day. Near term, a major focus is relationship building on campus.

What are some of the biggest challenges facing MIC today? MIC needs to meet more people who want help launching a startup in deep tech. I’ve been doing this for a long time across many di erent companies in biopharma, agtech, medical devices, research tools, etc., and I’m very eager to help anyone who is interested in Columbia. MIC can lower the barrier to entry and make it easy for you to get started.

Biggest lesson learned in your working life: Hire the very best people you can and provide opportunity for them to shine.

“When

in doubt, focus.”

Greatest strength: I know what I don’t know, and I ask a lot of questions.

Greatest challenge: Every day, I must be intentional about pulling back to think about the big picture, and I carve out dedicated time for this. at can be as simple as taking a walk to get away from the immediate tasks and think strategically.

What you do for fun: My mind is always grinding on a business challenge, and so I nd relaxation and satisfaction in working with my hands. For me, a nice vacation is building a deck or putting in new hardwood oors.

Who makes up your family: I’ve been married for 29 years, and we have three young-adult children. Our youngest, Joseph, is a sophomore at Mizzou. Our daughter, Olivia, is nishing up undergrad in Fayetteville of all places, but everyone makes mistakes. Our oldest son, Grant, is o the family payroll and works in a technical role for Boeing.

Most people don’t know that you: After bouncing around various majors, I discovered my love for science through a hobby with aquarium sh. I was measuring redox potential at work and had no idea what that meant, and so I took a chemistry class and was hooked. is goes back a long time, but there may be people in Columbia who still remember a blonde-haired kid who took care of their reef or cichlid tank. Maybe I should add, most people don’t know I once had blonde hair. CBT

INSIDE MID AMERICA BANK’S COLUMBIA BRANCH

By Brad Roling broling@midambk.com

At Mid America Bank, we know that supporting a community extends beyond handling your finances. We also value celebrating the people, culture, and creativity that make a place feel like home. That’s why I’d like to introduce Holly Nunn, Senior Vice President and Chief Operations Officer, whose leadership and passion for community art helped shape our newest branch in Columbia.

Holly brings 23 years of banking experience and a results-driven approach to operations, strategy, and team leadership.

Beyond her professional career, she has a deep commitment to the arts and community engagement. She served for eight years on the board of Capital Arts, a nonprofit community gallery in Jefferson City, beginning as secretary and then serving as president for seven years.

During her tenure, Holly helped the organization grow through new programs and fundraisers.

Her experience with Capital Arts strengthened her appreciation for how art can build community and create shared experiences — a perspective she brought to the Columbia location.

When planning for the new branch, Holly and her team deliberated on how the space could do more than provide exceptional banking services.

“We wanted to highlight some of the most important landmarks in Columbia — Jesse Hall, The Tiger Hotel, The Columns, and Rock Bridge,” she says. “The goal was to create a branch that felt connected to the community, celebrating Columbia’s history, culture, and growth.”

BRAD ROLING Market President – Columbia

Brad Roling is the Columbia Market President for Mid America Bank. Brad has more than 10 years of banking experience that he uses to help businesses in and around Columbia thrive. When he is not helping your business with its financial needs, Brad is serving the community in a variety of capacities. He is proud to serve on the Ronald McDonald House Mid-Missouri Board of Directors as Treasurer, the Columbia Chamber Foundation Board as Treasurer, Heart of Missouri United Way Board of Directors, Executive Board for Scouting America, Great Rivers Council, and Beta Theta Pi Advisory Board. Brad is a proud Mizzou grad and loves cheering on the Tigers!

573-998-8900 | midambk.com 4601 Stellar Drive, Columbia MO

Holly knew from the beginning that the artwork for the branch needed a local perspective to capture the essence they were after. Through her ties to the Jefferson City art community and her connection with Capital Arts, she was introduced to members of the Columbia Art League, where she met Robert Friedman — a longtime Columbia resident and retired educator.

“I’ve considered myself a resident of Columbia since my junior year at UMC,” Robert says. “I raised a family here and am currently retired from teaching. I felt a longstanding connection to the places represented in the art commissioned by Mid America Bank. I tried to create scenes that are clearly from an observer’s point of view rather than an

elevated perspective that is more illustrative. In doing so I hope the observer feels their feet in that place.”

Robert’s approach gives the branch a sense of warmth and familiarity, helping visitors feel grounded and connected to the city’s landmarks. While his artwork adds an aesthetic decoration, it also offers a sense of belonging. Each piece invites members to recognize familiar scenes, sparking memories and conversations that bring Columbia’s story to life within the bank’s walls.

The integration of local art also reflects Mid America Bank’s broader vision of creating spaces that feel personal and community-driven — not simply transactional. The Columbia branch stands as a reflection of Mid America Bank’s commitment to both excellence in service and connection to community.

TURNING METRICS INTO MEANINGFUL MARKETING DECISIONS

By Charles Bruce III charles@comocompanies.com

Marketing without data is like driving with your eyes closed. You may be moving, but you have no idea where you’re going or how to get there efficiently.

This is where analytics comes into play. Marketing provides valuable insights, and when used effectively, these insights can help you make smarter, faster, and more impactful marketing decisions.

Know What You’re Measuring — and Why One of the most common mistakes businesses make is tracking every available metric without understanding what actually matters. Not all data is equally useful. Before diving into numbers, ask yourself:

• What is the goal of this campaign?

• What does success look like?

• Which metrics directly reflect progress toward that goal?

For example, if your goal is to increase online sales, don’t just look at page views or social likes. Focus on conversion rates, abandoned cart rates, and customer lifetime value. If your goal is brand awareness, impressions, reach, and engagement will matter more.

Look Past the Vanity Metrics

It’s easy to get excited about thousands of followers, likes, or page views. But these “vanity metrics” don’t always reflect real business value. A post that gets 50 likes but leads to 10 new inquiries is more valuable than one that gets 500 likes but results in zero action. Engagement, click-through rates, and time on site can indicate whether people are interested in what you have to offer.

Use Analytics to Understand Your Audience

Data isn’t just about what you are doing, but what your audience is doing. Who are

CHARLES BRUCE III Director of Client Relations

Charles Bruce is the Director of Client Relations for COMO Companies, which owns COMO Marketing, COMO Magazine, and COMO Business Times. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and his MBA from the University of Dubuque. When Charles isn’t being the life of the party, he can be found climbing a large mountain. In December 2023 he climbed the Imja Tse mountain in Nepal.

573-577-1965 | comomarketing.co

they? What content do they engage with? When are they most active? Where are they coming from?

Use tools like Google Analytics, Meta Insights, and email campaign platforms to gather demographic, behavioral, and interest data. These insights help you:

• Tailor your content to the right audience

• Post at optimal times

• Choose the right platforms to invest in

When you understand your audience, your messaging becomes more relevant and your results become more consistent.

Test, Learn, and Repeat

Analytics should drive experimentation. If you’re not A/B testing subject lines, ad creative, landing pages, or social media formats, you’re missing a huge opportunity. By testing variations and measuring the results, you learn what works and what doesn’t. Then, you apply those insights to future campaigns for continuous improvement.

Connect the Dots Between Channels

One of the most powerful aspects of analytics is the ability to track customer

journeys across multiple touchpoints. A user might click a Facebook ad, visit your website, sign up for your email list, and make a purchase a week later. If you only look at each channel separately, you miss the bigger picture.

Use tools that offer integrated reporting, like Google Analytics 4 or a customer relationship management (CRM) platform, to see how different channels contribute to your overall goals. This helps you allocate your budget more effectively and understand how each piece of your marketing puzzle fits together.

Turn Insights into Action

All the data in the world won’t help if you don’t use it. Schedule regular time to review your metrics, pull out key takeaways, and make specific decisions based on what you find. Ask questions like:

• What should we stop doing?

• What should we double down on?

• What needs to be tested next?

Use your findings to adjust budgets, rewrite messaging, change visuals, or refine your audience targeting.

Remember: numbers don’t lie — but they do require interpretation. Master your analytics, and you’ll master your marketing.

HOW CYBERCRIMINALS USE AI TO POWER THEIR ATTACKS

By Bruce Gibbs

In today’s fast-moving business world, staying secure means staying ahead so you can focus on building, innovating, and thriving with confidence. Hackers are now using artificial intelligence (AI) to create more advanced and deceptive attacks designed to steal data, disrupt operations, and damage reputations.

How Hackers Use AI

Deepfakes

Hackers can create highly realistic fake videos or audio that impersonate someone you trust, such as a boss, colleague, or vendor. These are used to trick employees into transferring money, sharing sensitive information, or clicking malicious links. Spot it: Watch for unnatural facial movements, robotic speech, or slight timing errors, and verify requests through a separate channel.

AI-Powered Password Cracking

AI can test millions of password combinations in seconds, targeting weak or common passwords. Protect accounts: Use long, unique passwords, enable multifactor authentication, and consider a password manager.

AI-Assisted Hacking

AI automatically scans networks for vulnerabilities and creates malware to exploit them. Stay ahead: Keep software updated, apply patches promptly, and monitor for unusual activity.

Supply Chain Attacks

AI can insert malware into legitimate software or vendor updates, affecting multiple businesses. Protect yourself: Download software only from verified sources, confirm vendor updates, and audit systems regularly.

BRUCE GIBBS

Founder & President

croofe@gfidigital.com (media contact) marketing@gfidigital.com (general) (877) 434-0012

Strengthen Your Cybersecurity with GFI Digital Secure

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a layered defense, helping businesses detect, respond to, and prevent threats proactively.

With GFI Digital Secure, your systems, devices, and data are protected around the clock, giving you peace of mind and confidence against AI-powered cyber threats.

THE POSITIVE IMPACTS OF INFLATION AND TARIFFS IN COMMERCIAL CONSTRUCTION

By Vaughn Prost info@prostbuilders.com

The big increase in construction pricing came when inflation was high and needed to be controlled, which in turn affected construction budgets. Since then, manufacturers and importers have kept tariff price increases much lower than predicted or expected. Inflation has helped push builders to use more efficient technologies to reduce material waste and labor, as well as to buy from domestic suppliers when imported items become too costly. For owners and clients, inflation encourages them to utilize energy-efficient upgrades, choose renovating instead of building new, and to seek solutions for higher material costs with their builder.

Meanwhile, tariffs incentivize builders to become more agile, relying on forecasting costs, anticipating price changes, and adjusting timelines and schedules for projects. It also strengthens local economies and supply chains, which reduces our dependence on foreign suppliers and stimulates more investment in the U.S. to make domestic manufacturers and suppliers more competitive than an importer.

During Covid, supply chains were disrupted due to our reliance on

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.

foreign products-but tariffs on aluminum, construction machinery, and imported steel have caused a renewed interest in investing in U.S. manufacturing. Domestic steel producers have ramped up their output to meet increasing local demand, and the reduction in dependence on foreign goods will create a more resilient construction supply chain if future disruptions or global pandemics occur again. Government infrastructure funding can often offset inflation and tariff pressure when they provide public project initiatives-which in turn can sustain employment and demand for more manufacturing in the U.S. Suppliers can be more competitive when imported materials cost more than their domestic materials, and this can lead to more local job creation and projects. By changing around materials and equipment you can control any price increases and that is exactly what Prost Builders does to assist owners and clients on their projects. We’ve been building communities in Central Missouri since 1949, and our vast construction

(573) 635-0211 | prostbuilders.com 3305 Crawford Street Columbia, MO 65203

knowledge will benefit you in your goal to grow and expand your business. Call us for more information on how we can meet your specific construction needs for your project at (573) 635-0211, estimating@prostbuilders.com.

Celebrating MILESTONES & ANNIVERSARIES

Columbia businesses and institutions celebrate another year.

BY JODIE JACKSON JR

BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES occupy sentimental and historic meaning in our lives. While we typically associate those milestones with people, the places around us and the impact they have on our lives are also signi cant.

Columbia has an enviable entrepreneurial ecosystem that fosters, challenges, and sometimes funds startups that sometimes drift away like the sands of time. But there are also stories and examples of profound success, such as EquipmentShare, CARFAX, Paytient, StorageMart, and others, including multinational and even multibillion dollar companies.

Business success is not a recent story, however. Columbia is full of businesses and institutions that have both de ned and stood the test of time. is recap of business and institution milestones and anniversary dates will certainly be incomplete. COMO Business Times readers are encouraged to send information about other long-standing and iconic businesses to the editor at jodie@comocompanies.com.

205 YEARS

Columbia Cemetery

You might be surprised to learn that the city’s oldest business is a nal resting place: Columbia Cemetery. In use since 1820, when six lots were set aside for common burying ground, the cemetery was already “in business” before the city was incorporated.

175 YEARS

Columbia College

Coming in 2026, the 175th anniversary of Columbia College. If you’re keeping score on the rest of Columbia’s institutions of higher education, Stephens College is 192 years old, Mizzou is 186, and Moberly Area Community College, which has a signi cant presence in Columbia, will be 99 in 2026.

160 YEARS

Hawthorn Bank

Although Hawthorn Bank opened its rst branch in Columbia in 2006, the bank itself was founded in 1865. Columbia’s other long-standing banks are Boone County National Bank/ Central Bank, 168 years old in 2025, and Commerce Bank, 165 years old in 2025.

Missouri Press Association

e MPA will mark its 160th year in 2027. In a nutshell, MPA has been working to ensure that Missourians’ rights to free speech and a free press remain rmly rooted as a fundamental tenet of our democracy.

150 YEARS

Columbia Insurance

Formerly known as Columbia Insurance Group, Columbia Insurance traces its mid-Missouri roots back to the year 1874, when Ulysses S. Grant was president. e locally grown business turned 150 in 2024.

LaCrosse Lumber

Turned 150 in 2023. LaCrosse Lumber opened its original Columbia retail yard on October 17, 1937.

140 YEARS

Parker-Millard Funeral Service & Crematory

Originally opened by Moss P. Parker as Parker Furniture and Undertaking Company in the spring of 1886, Parker-Millard Funeral Service & Crematory is the oldest funeral home in Columbia. It will turn 140 years old in 2026. A recent merger changed the business name and created McKagueMillard LLC.

Booches

Established in 1884, Booches is the oldest pool hall in Columbia. e restaurant and bar add to its allure, which emphasizes simplicity. Booches burgers have been praised by USA Today and Sports Illustrated. e iconic eatery was inducted into the Boone County Hall of Fame in 2016.

120 YEARS

Columbia Chamber of Commerce

Founded in 1905, the Columbia Chamber of Commerce has been a member-supported entity throughout its existence. e Chamber’s mission is to support and promote a healthy economic climate for Columbia through business and professional activities.

100 YEARS

KFRU

KFRU has been around since January 1925, when it was founded in Bristow, Oklahoma. It was moved to Columbia by Stephens College in the fall of 1925 and has been broadcasting ever since, though it has been at di erent locations and with various owners. KFRU is so noteworthy that it was

inducted into the Boone County Hall of Fame as a “History Maker” in 2019.

Columbia Welding & Machine Turned 100 in 2024.

Hickman High School

Turns 100 in 2027. e school is named after David Henry Hickman, a Missouri legislator who donated part of his estate for the new school.

Witt Print Shop Turns 100 in 2026.

90 YEARS

Columbia Farmers Market Turned 90 in 2025.

75 YEARS

Prost Builders Inc.

Prost Builders Inc. turned 75 in 2024. e family-owned construction rm has erected numerous educational, recreational, and business buildings in Columbia and throughout Missouri. e Prost team has also made its mark by completing renovations and restorations of a plethora of historic buildings, including at the State Capitol in Je erson City, Jesse Hall on the Mizzou campus, and the Mark Twain boyhood home in Hannibal.

70 YEARS

Mugs Up Drive-in

Raise a glass for Mugs Up, which celebrated its 70th anniversary in July 2025. It has been a family-owned business for decades.

60 YEARS

Woodhaven

Woodhaven, once a campus and now a network of homes for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, celebrated its 60th anniversary in November 2024.

Columbia Orthopaedic Group

Columbia Orthopaedic Group (COG) started in December 1965 in a little white house on Broadway Blvd. in downtown Columbia. e three founding partners quickly gained patients from across the mid-Missouri area, and by 1969, COG doubled in size.

The Mizzou Golden Girls

Read more about the Golden Girls in this issue of COMO Magazine

Dryer’s Shoe Store

Twenty-year-old R. Newton Riley opened Dryer’s Shoe Store in Columbia in 1956. e downtown store is still in its original location.

Clovers Natural Market

Clovers held a “Cloverstock” block party in October to celebrate 60 years.

Columbia Art League

Celebrated its 60th year in 2025.

55 YEARS

The Missouri Symphony MOSY will celebrate its 55th anniversary with an "Emerald City" gala in April 2026.

50 YEARS

Impact Support Services

Impact Support Services (formerly Alternative Community Training, or ACT) marked 50 years of service in September.

Coil Construction

ese days it seems impossible to drive through Columbia and not see a Coil Construction banner announcing the locally grown, family-owned construction business is on another job. e company turned 50 in 2025.

Shelter Gardens

Some still describe Shelter Gardens as a “hidden gem.” But there’s no hiding the fact that this botanic wonder has

been giving Columbia ample pops of color for a half-century.

Shakespeare’s Pizza

It was two years ago when Shakespeare’s rung in its 50th anniversary with a “Big Bash” that took over a portion of downtown next to the MU campus.

Missouri IFTSA

e University of Missouri chapter of the Institute of Food Technologists Student Association (IFTSA) marked 50 years in 2024. According to a news release, IFTSA is “a mission-driven organization that supports student members and chapters, and aims to develop the future leaders in the science of food.”

40 YEARS

Columbia Mall

e local mall celebrated its 40th anniversary in October 2025 with an event featuring discounts, giveaways, and activities.

Star Heating and Air Conditioning

Celebrated its 40th year in 2025.

The A-Frame and Wine Garden e popular destination near Rocheport, just a short drive west of Columbia o Route BB, turned 40 in 2025.

35 YEARS

Peace Nook

Celebrated 35 years in August 2025.

30 YEARS

USS Columbia

e city of Columbia recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the commissioning of the USS Columbia.

Flat Branch Pub

e downtown brewery and pub marked its 30th anniversary in April 2024 with a party featuring 1994 prices and live music.

25 YEARS

Ragtag Cinema

Watch for the annual True/False Film Fest on March 5-8 at multiple venues — including Ragtag — throughout downtown. e international documentary lm fest has been around since 2004.

Maude Vintage

e local clothier celebrated its 25th anniversary in November 2025 with a celebration including DJs, refreshments, and discounts.

20 YEARS

Heart of Missouri CASA

e local CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) celebrated its 20th anniversary in June 2025 with a public fundraiser called "Voices of Columbia." e organization also launched a "Building a Brighter Future" fundraising campaign for a new facility to support its expansion.

The Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment e ompson Center will relocate to a brand-new building in 2026.

10 YEARS

Children’s Grove

e Children’s Grove marked its 10th anniversary in April 2024. e space is a symbol of love, hope, and commitment to support the safety and nurturing of our youth, according to the city’s website. e Children’s Grove is located in the northeast area of Stephens Lake Park across from Hindman Discovery Garden. CBT

Santa Claus

Jeff Hickam is Santa Claus — and campus safety offi cer — at Columbia College.

PHOTOS BY SARAH JANE PHOTOGRAPHY

Help us get to know Jeff Hickam. How long have you been with Columbia College, and how did that journey begin? I am working on 16 years here at Columbia College. I started in housekeeping but wanted to get into campus safety, and there was an opening within six months.

Tell us about your role as campus safety officer. My role is to make sure that students, faculty, sta , alumni, and guests feel welcome and secure when they are on our campus. I like helping people. I am more than happy to point people in the right direction or safely escort students at night. at’s what I’m here for. My theory in life is, if I can make somebody happy today, I’m good. I’ve had a good day.

We understand that you also have a dual role as Santa. When did you realize that was your persona, and how long have you been Columbia College’s “resident Santa”? I don’t remember exactly how long I’ve been Santa at Columbia College. About 10 years, I think. Probably another 10 years before that at various places. I started out going house to house to family Christmases, and then got into businesses and schools, and it kind of went from there.

What time does Jeff Hickam/Santa begin his day? What is your gettingready-for-work morning routine, and when does your workday begin? I get up between 9 and 10 a.m., get a cup of co ee and a snack — either peanut butter and honey on toast or a big stack of pancakes with homemade elderberry syrup. en I will go out and check on the reindeer (who I sometimes refer to as my chickens) to make sure they are

fed and watered. At about 1 p.m., I get ready for work and get to work from 4 p.m. to midnight.

Tell us about your career aspirations. What did you want to be when you were growing up, and when did you find your career path? Man, that was a long time ago. I already knew what my career was going to be, as my father passed down the family business at the North Pole. Otherwise, the rst aspiration I had was going into the military when I was 18 right after high school. I served in the Navy from 1978 to 1982. I have always tried to base my life on doing what I can to help people, even if it’s just giving them a smile. at’s what I hope to do every day here on campus.

When it’s time for lunch, what is your go-to meal or dining spot? Who are you sharing the lunch experience with? ere are so many. If I’m going out and eating, it’s gotta be Chinese if it’s OK with Mrs. Claus. She doesn’t like Chinese as much as Mr. Claus does. I like the China Garden. If we’re eating at home, I’ve got a smoker and will make barbecue ribs. Or Mrs. Claus will make a mean spaghetti.

We know Santa loves milk and cookies, so what kind of cookie is tops on your list? And what other food does Santa love the most? Peanut butter and chocolate chip are my two favorite cookies, but I also am madly in love with brownies.

OK, so that beard is amazing. How much work goes into making it Santa-ready and presentable for kids and students? Tell us about that. e beard is a year-round thing almost. I let it get long and then trim it up, hoping it will be fuller. I’m always using product to keep it manageable and in tip-top shape.

Tell us about some of the most positive experiences you’ve had as a campus safety officer. Interacting with the students. ere are several students who will wave and yell “Santa!” when they see me across campus. I

like helping our students nd their lost items, like a phone or their keys, because it gives them a big relief. It’s not a bother; that’s what I’m here for. I look at the kids as family.

Now … tell us about some of the best experiences you’ve had as Santa. Having a kid just run up and want a hug or reach out for my hand — you can see the excitement in their face. It’s an expression you can’t fully describe but you can see. ey’re happy, and if they’re happy, I’m happy.

How do you handle it when there’s a cranky or crying kid who might not be a big fan of Santa? I try to distract them. I’ve got a set of bells I will jingle to help them stop thinking about this scary guy (me), because mom really wants a picture. Or I ask them if they have a brother or sister or someone else with them who could come help them feel better.

We know that kids can say the darndest things. What are some of the kids’ Christmas wishes that really stand out to you? Anything especially funny or emotionally moving? ere was a little girl in New Franklin who wanted to have her mom home for Christmas because she had to work. e girl said, “Mom doesn’t even need to get me a present; I just want her there.” at reinforced to me the importance of spending time with family whenever possible. On a lighter note, if a child from a farming family asks for a tractor, I say that I have a red one I could give, but I’m not sure about green. ey respond: “Nooo! at’s not what I want! I want a green one.” And I say, “We will see about that.” ey will have to be extra, extra good.

We ask everyone this question: What are the primary distractions that you face as a campus safety officer, and how do you handle competing priorities? Competing priorities are based on needs. If somebody fell down a ight of steps at the same time somebody else wants help getting into their dorm room, we have to prioritize in real time.

ere is training I keep in the back of my mind to manage multiple situations at once. We always have two members of our team patrolling at all times, so teamwork and trust are very important.

What, if anything, has surprised you through the years about your role as Santa? What have you learned? Getting recognized throughout the year even without the suit. Sometimes I’ll be in Walmart, and I can tell a kid is looking at me, and it seems they are thinking, “ at looks like Santa.” I have learned that being Santa is a responsibility, and one that extends well beyond just December.

If you could tell your younger self what you wish you had known or knew to look out for, what would that be? Live life to the fullest because it goes by faster than you think. One minute you’re carefree in college, and the next you are home with kids and working 40 or 50 hours a week. And then you turn around twice, and those kids are out of the house, and you are empty nesters.

What are you currently reading (or bingewatching)? I am watching Landman. It’s about a guy who runs an oil rig company in Texas. I like Billy Bob ornton, and I just like the context of the show because I can imagine that a lot of it is probably realer than people realize.

What do you do to unwind in the evening, and what time does your head hit the pillow? My shift on campus ends at midnight, and I get home by 1 a.m., but Santa’s workshop is open 24/7. When I get back home, I usually turn on the TV, have a glass of hot cocoa and a cookie, then call it a night around 2:30 a.m. All these late nights help make Christmas Eve a breeze.

Other than campus safety and reining in reindeer, what other interests do Jeff and Santa have? I took a couple of ceramics classes at Columbia College with faculty member Bo Bedilion. ere was a student who got me into it, and I liked it, and now I do pottery at home. I also like to sh, hunt, and ride my motorcycle.

We saved the best for last. How do you manage to visit every home in the world on Christmas Eve? Because of the di erent time zones. When it’s dark in Missouri, it’s light in Sweden. I follow the moon around the globe. CBT

From Club Kid to Corporate Leader

The journey of Matt Moore.

BY BRIAN NEUNER

IN THE SOFT GLOW of a crisp fall Friday morning in mid-Missouri, Matt Moore sits in a familiar place, the terminal of Columbia Regional Airport. e retired Shelter Insurance chief executive o cer waits patiently to board the rst departing ight of the day. His morning begins in Columbia, but by noon he’ll be at the Southeastern Conference (SEC) headquarters in Birmingham, Alabama.

ere, Moore plays a critical role in several SEC football games that weekend. As a member of the SEC O ciating Organization, his assignment is that of a collaborative replay o cial. He is one of the decision-makers who determine whether a call on the eld is upheld or overturned during an o cial review.

It’s an unlikely journey for someone who grew up in a fatherless home in Little Rock, Arkansas. at journey took him from modest beginnings to the helm of one of the nation’s most respected insurance companies and, ultimately, to a role in college football o ciating.

THE CLUB KID

Moore was in fth grade when his parents separated, leaving his mother to raise him on her own. “My mom raised me, and I had a good childhood,” he recalled. “But for the most part, my father wasn’t involved.”

Matt Moore intervenes to prevent a dust-up during a Florida vs. Florida State clash.

Before his father left, he purchased Moore a membership to the local Boys Club. e club became a refuge, a place where kids like Moore could play sports, build friendships, and nd belonging. at introduction would shape his future.

“I was a Club kid,” Moore said. “It was where I found my voice. We played everything we could. It gave us purpose and a sense of family.”

e Boys Club lled the void left by his absent father. Sports became both his escape and his passion. Baseball, in particular, would become the sport that opened doors. Moore’s American Legion Baseball coach, Earl McCurdy, recognized his potential early on.

“Matt, I believe you have the talent to play at the college level,” McCurdy told him. Standing six-foot-two and throwing left-handed, Moore had the kind of skill that couldn’t be taught.

“You never know when someone will help change your life,” Moore said. “Coach McCurdy saw something in me that I didn’t see in myself. I ended up playing college baseball because of him.” at opportunity altered the course of his life. Moore went on to play four years at the University of Arkansas–Little Rock, building relationships that would quietly in uence his future career path.

THE UNOFFICIAL OFFICIAL

Like many college athletes, Moore picked up o ciating to stay connected to sports and earn a little extra money. During those years, he o ciated local basketball and football games. It was a side gig that would later evolve into something far more meaningful.

His connection to the local Boys Club remained strong. After graduation, he returned there as the athletic director, unknowingly continuing a thread that would tie together much of his success.

In 1979, Moore entered graduate school at Northeast Louisiana University, serving as a graduate assistant baseball coach. It was also where he met Rhonda, the woman who would become his wife of 44 years. He was pursuing a master’s degree while she studied occupational therapy.

After graduation, the couple moved to southern Louisiana for Rhonda’s clinical

training, rst in Baton Rouge, then New Orleans. For Matt, that move brought another unexpected opportunity.

“I got a coaching job in a little town called Reserve, Louisiana,” he said with a grin. “I was the head baseball coach, head basketball coach, assistant football coach, bus driver, groundskeeper, and I washed the uniforms.”

By 1983, Matt and Rhonda were ready to return to Little Rock, where he began exploring new career options. While working for a sporting goods company, fate intervened once again.

“A man named Carl Owen had an opening on his high school football o ciating crew,” Moore recalled. “He asked me to join, and I did. A few weeks later, he told me about another opening, this time as a claims adjuster for Shelter Insurance.”

Owen, a branch claims supervisor for Shelter, became a key mentor. Soon, Moore was balancing two careers, one in insurance and another in o ciating.

“I always wanted to work major college football games,” Moore said. “Starting my career at Shelter gave me the exibility and support to pursue that dream.”

Over time, Moore moved from high school to collegiate o ciating, working games in the former Arkansas Intercollegiate Conference, the Gulf South

Conference, and Big West Conference. His reputation for diligence and fairness grew, earning him the respect of peers and conference o cials alike.

INSURED FOR LIFE

ose who know Matt Moore describe his career rise as inevitable. He was too focused, too thoughtful, and too disciplined not to succeed. Each promotion at Shelter signaled that leadership had bigger plans for him.

Meanwhile, his o ciating career was also on an upward climb. As Moore’s network expanded, John Gaston, an o cial who was moving from the Southwest Conference to the SEC, played a major role in Moore taking the next step.

“He got my foot in the door at the SEC,” Moore explained. “He had a voice, and Bobby Gaston listened to him.”

Bobby Gaston, who was responsible for hiring SEC o cials, invited Moore in 1994 to serve as an alternate o cial. He accepted and spent the next ve years on the conference’s supplemental list. In 1999, Moore was upgraded to a full-time SEC o cial.

MOORE’S MOVE TO MISSOURI

In 2000, at age 44, Moore was promoted to regional claims director and

Matt and Rhonda Moore take a sunny break with their family.

transferred to Shelter Insurance’s corporate headquarters in Columbia. Moore was allowed to continue o ciating even while serving in an executive role, a testament to the company’s trust in him and his ability to balance both worlds. But that dual commitment wasn’t without challenges.

“ e only thing I made clear,” Moore said, “was that I couldn’t o ciate a game involving the University of Missouri.”

At the time, Mizzou was still a member of the Big 12 Conference, but occasional non-conference matchups could create potential con icts. at concern grew more complicated in 2012 when Missouri and Texas A&M left the Big 12 to join the SEC, a change that brought Moore’s professional and o ciating paths even closer together.

Most people would never have realized the potential con ict, but his Columbia neighbors certainly took notice.

Drew Smith, now community bank president at First State Community Bank, remembered the moment vividly. One Saturday afternoon, while watching an SEC football game, his wife, Tory, called out from the living room: “ at guy is our neighbor!”

“What do you mean?” Drew asked.

She pointed to the television, where an o cial in a white hat was explaining a penalty to the crowd. “ at’s the same man I saw mowing his lawn this summer,” she said.

Sure enough, the man on the screen was their neighbor, Matt Moore.

“I’ll never forget it,” Drew recalled with a grin. “He said, ‘Holdin’ on the o ense!’ with that Arkansas drawl, dropping the ‘g.’ I just laughed.”

When Moore returned home after the season, the two quickly struck up a friendship. Both shared a love of sports and golf, and before long, Drew found himself learning from his new neighbor. After a lifetime of seeking guidance from mentors, Moore had become one himself.

A FULL-CIRCLE JOURNEY

Moore’s relocation to mid-Missouri wasn’t just a professional milestone. It became a blessing for the Columbia community. His arrival brought renewed energy, resources, and leadership to the Boys & Girls Club of Columbia, an organization much like the one that had shaped his own youth in Little Rock.

His impact began with a donation and a heartfelt letter describing his past as a proud “Club kid.” He made it clear he wanted to give back.

“When I came to Columbia, I took a look at the current facility, and it was awful,” Moore recalled. “I had something to compare it to, and it was so small compared to the clubs I was involved with in Arkansas.”

Determined to make a di erence, Moore teamed up with fellow civic leader and close friend Joe Miller. Together, they set out to revitalize the local chapter. Soon

after, they brought Drew Smith into the leadership team to help drive the e ort forward. Founded in 1997, Columbia’s Boys & Girls Club was still relatively small, but by 2017, thanks to a community-wide campaign, it had doubled in size.

e expansion ushered in a new era of engagement. e upgraded facility featured a gymnasium, culinary kitchen, music recording studio, and teen center, spaces designed to inspire and empower.

“We owe it to each other to help,” Moore said. “Sometimes it’s just a word of encouragement. I like to think of it as giving a hand up, not a handout.”

Current Shelter Insurance President and CEO Rockne Corbin praised Moore’s generosity: “Matt has such a big heart with a unique and caring quality. He gives so much back to the community.”

For Moore, the project carried deep personal meaning. “Kids growing up without a dad have a special place in my heart,” he said, his eyes welling up. “When my father left, it was probably the most devastating thing I ever experienced.”

Smith, who witnessed the entire campaign, re ected on Moore’s leadership: “Matt’s leadership was on full display. We all worked together, but Matt and Joe, along with Executive Director Valorie Livingston, were charting the course. Matt’s determination, paired with his personal story, helped everyone understand why success mattered. His passion was inspirational.”

Left: Matt Moore and Drew Smith, with their wives. Right: Moore and Smith on the links.

Moore’s move to Missouri allowed him not only to excel professionally at Shelter, but also to give back to an institution that once gave him direction. In many ways, life had come full circle, but his story was far from nished.

ONE MAN, TWO TEAMS

For years, Moore balanced two demanding worlds: corporate leadership and college football o ciating. He served as both a side judge and referee in the SEC until 2014. His nal game as a “white hat” referee during the regular season was a Georgia Tech–Georgia rivalry matchup in Athens.

e growing demands of his full-time role made it clear it was time to hang up his whistle. His nal o ciating assignment came at the 2014 Russell Athletic Bowl, featuring Oklahoma versus Clemson.

Moore joined the Shelter board of directors on January 1, 2016, and became president and chief operating o cer on January 1, 2018. He became CEO in the fall of 2019, reaching the pinnacle of his professional career.

“He had the perfect temperament to lead through incredibly challenging

times,” Corbin said, referencing the COVID-19 pandemic. “He made sure every employee felt included. Matt led weekly company-wide calls, openly sharing, ‘Here’s what we know and what we don’t know.’ at transparency helped steady everyone during an uncertain period.”

“I know what it’s like to be part of a team, and to lead one,” Moore explained. “It’s all about communication. It’s no di erent from an o ciating crew. We have to support one another, and if we do our job well, no one even notices we were there.”

When he assumed the CEO role, Moore made one very important phone call. “ e rst person I called was Earl McCurdy,” he said. “I just wanted him to know how much it meant to me that he believed in me.”

Although he had retired from on- eld o ciating, Moore stayed connected to the SEC, and upon his retirement from Shelter, he jumped back in as a collaborative replay o cial, a position he continues to hold.

“It’s called a part-time job,” Moore laughed, “but we work year-round to stay current on rule changes, watching video, and new technology. I’m constantly learning something new.”

Over the years, Moore has been part of many memorable moments, from o ciating Texas A&M’s rst SEC game to calling matchups featuring legendary coaches like Nick Saban, Steve Spurrier, and Lou Holtz. But his proudest achievement came in early 2025, when he was assigned to the collaborative replay crew for the College Football National Championship between Notre Dame and Ohio State.

“We were all so proud of him,” said Smith. “Everyone knew it was the highest honor. It was exciting and nerve-wracking at the same time.”

Ohio State went on to win the national title, and true to form, few people outside his immediate circle knew Moore had even been part of the game. at anonymity, he’d say, was the ultimate sign of a job well done.

Today, the 69-year-old Moore continues his legacy of leadership and service. He’s currently partnering with local leader Gary ompson to develop a new $9 million United Community Builders Center in one of Columbia’s underserved neighborhoods.

Additionally, he serves on the executive board of the James and Annelle Whitt Entrepreneurial Development Foundation. Its mission is to empower minority and women-owned businesses to grow, thrive, and lead.

“I’ve been blessed to have great people around me,” Moore re ected. “I try to get along with everyone, and I just want to keep doing more.”

Moore is proud of his two kids — Matt Jr. and his wife, Megan, of Warrenton, Missouri, and Mallory Smith and her husband, Tom, of North Little Rock, Arkansas — along with ve grandchildren. He and Rhonda love spending time with all of them.

“When I retired, we decided to stay put, as Columbia is home to us,” he said. “We have been here 25 years, and we are committed to doing our part to helping it thrive.”

From “Club kid” to corporate leader, from the baseball diamond to the SEC replay booth, Matt Moore’s story is one of perseverance, mentorship, and unwavering commitment to family, to work, to sports, and to helping others along the way. CBT

Civic servants Matt Moore, left, and Joe Miller, are good friends minding the good of the community.

Street Talk

BY JODIE JACKSON JR

Is Your Property Tax Payment Check in the Mail? OH GOODY. It’s end-of-the-year property tax time. Boone County taxpayers should have received their 2025 property tax statements, licenses, and special assessments by December 1. (Spoiler alert: If you did NOT receive an assessment/tax bill, you don’t get a free pass this year. Contact the collector’s o ce and open your checkbook.) Taxes are assessed as of January 1 each year, and the tax statements are due upon receipt. e last day to pay without penalties and fees is December 31, 2025. Of course, there are also a variety of non-checkbook ways to pay. Call the collector’s o ce at 573-886-4285 for more information.

Staying, New Owner

Several weeks after announcing Nourish Café & Market would close by November 1 if a new owner didn’t take over, an October 27 Facebook post announced that a buyer was conrmed — and the business will continue to operate. e cafe at 1201 E. Broadway serves food and drinks free of gluten, soy, corn, re ned sugar, preservatives, and “in ammatory” oils, according to its website.

Bluestem Missouri Crafts owners Paula McFarling and Sandy Litecky have sold the business to Julie and Steve McBee, said Cortny Wells, a sales associate at the store. e Columbia Missourian reported that, e ective January 1, the current owners will turn the business over to the McBees. Bluestem Missouri Crafts is located at 13 S. Ninth St.

A New Name to Bark At

Digs Dog Care is the new name for Woof’s Play and Stay, according to a news release. e business changed ownership over a year ago and recently rebranded. e dog care center o ers day care, grooming, and training services. e center is located at 205 E Nifong Blvd., Suite 130.

South COMO Food and Drink

Old Plank Tavern, a new food and drink location, will open in fall 2025, according to a Facebook post. e tavern seeks to blend trendy food and drink in an old-timey setting. e tavern will be located at 1641 W. Route K.

Additions to The District

A Facebook post from e District announced that three new businesses are coming to the downtown business area.

Birdie’s Deli, which will serve sandwiches, salads, and catering options, plans to open in winter 2026, according to a Facebook post. e deli will be located at 1020 E. Broadway, where Seoul Taco used to be.

Clementine’s Naughty & Nice Creamery, which was founded in St. Louis, o ers small-batch ice cream avors, including alcoholic-infused and nondairy options, according to its website. While there’s no o cial opening date yet, Clementine’s has begun hiring and will be located next to Wingin Out at 914 E. Broadway.

Sweets-N- ings will be located at 814 E. Walnut St., according to its website.

Anniversary and Expansion

Valhalla’s Gate will expand with more retail space, a miniature painting area, and a dedicated role-playing room. A Facebook post, on the heels of the business’s twenty- fth anniversary event, said the new space will open in February at the store’s location at 2525 Bernadette Drive.

Hotel Opening, Hotel Coming

e new Tru by Hilton is expected to open on February 19, 2026, in south Columbia at 4401 Ponderosa Street. A news release noted that the hotel will provide pet-friendly rooms, a 24-hour tness center, and free breakfast. Hilton is currently accepting reservations for dates following the opening.

In another development, Bryan Properties, a Missouri property management company, recently hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for a new Hilton development of a Home2 Suites hotel at 3100 Keene Court. CBT

Street Talk is a monthly overview of “word on the street” business and community news. Street Talk is sponsored by e Bank of Missouri.

Chamber board chairman Mat Gass describes the organization's transition at the November 12 quarterly membership breakfast. The Chamber is searching for a new president/CEO.

New Business Licenses

Issued October 2025

Mindful Movement

Wellness Center

4603 John Garry Drive, Columbia

Maldonado’s Siding & Roofing LLC

1501 Vandiver Drive, Columbia

Metro Infectious Disease Consultants

2910 Trimble Road, Columbia

Tune LLC

2100 E. Broadway, Columbia

Weston Painting Company LLC

2512 Mallard Court, Columbia

Trader Joe’s East Inc.

Trader Joe’s #808

201 N. Stadium Blvd., Columbia

Woody’s Auto, LLC

All Star Automotive East 10 W. Nifong Blvd., Columbia

Forever Framed Puzzles LLC

Heather Crane and Taneisha Boone 2405 Fleetwood Drive, Columbia

Juno Equity Group LLC

2001 Corona Road, Columbia

John Allen Farmers Insurance

2635 S. Providence, Columbia

Hissho Sushi

Lwin Family Co., LLC

1400 Forum Blvd., Columbia

NOVA Construction & Remodeling

1830 E. Forest Pointe Court, Columbia

Michael Sousa LLC

200 Old 63 S., Columbia

J. Craig & Associates, LLC

Finance and insurance

Jordan Craig 3600 Interstate 70 Drive, Columbia

Abelardo’s Mexican Fresh 1416 Hathman Place, Columbia

MT Baker Enterprises LLC

5205 Forest Glen Drive, Columbia

Dexter Management & Realty Corporation 910 N. College Ave., Columbia

Marvin Wesley LLC

Construction

101 S. Fifth St., Columbia

T-Mobile Financial LLC

2703 E. Broadway, Columbia

T-Mobile Financial LLC

Shelly Bundy

213 N. Stadium Blvd., Columbia

A Grade Plumbing LLC

2743 Alfalfa Drive, Columbia

Auto Boss LLC

2306 Oakland Gravel Road, Columbia

Tradelynx Customs LLC

Drafting and design

13905 N. Robinson Road, Hallsville

The Skin Sanctuary

2605 Mistywood Court, Columbia

Riverbend Outfitters, Inc.

33 E. Broadway, Columbia

EKC Behind The Chair LLC

1100 Club Village Drive, Columbia CBT

Issued by the city of Columbia’s Finance Department.

What’s Going Up?

Building permit report is top-heavy with single-family homes.

STORY AND PHOTOS BY JODIE JACKSON JR

SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES

accounted for more than 60 percent of the value of building permits issued by Boone County and the city of Columbia in October, and one-fourth of all permits were for home construction.

e city’s Building and Site Development o ce in October issued 114 building permits with a total valuation of $25.7 million. Boone County’s o ce of Resource Management issued ninety-six building permits with a valuation of $14.9 million. Together, the city and county issued 210 building permits with an aggregate valuation of $40.6 million.

Fifty-two of those permits were for single-family homes, with a combined value of $24.8 million, or an average of roughly $477,000.

e city building permit report included:

• Auxiliary dwelling unit: 1 permit, $127,758

• Commercial addition: 1 permit, $4.7 million

• Residential addition: 7 permits, $519,682

• Auxiliary dwelling unit (fees waived): 1 permit, $93,940

• Commercial alteration: 6 permits, $2.5 million

• Residential alteration: 12 permits, $455,946

• Commercial demo: 2 permits, zero valuation

• Commercial in ll: 4 permits, $1 million

• Commercial new: 1 permit, $20,000

• Deck only: 9 permits, $251,106

• Reroof: 33 permits, $797,617

• Residential demo: 1 permit, zero valuation

• Single family detached: 34 permits, $15.2 million

• Solar photovoltaic system (residential): 2 permits, $42,495

Among the notable or high-dollar projects receiving permits were:

Interior nishes of a shell space at 900 W. Nifong Blvd., Suite 5, for a rheumatology clinic in the lower level of the BOONE HEALTH NIFONG building. Reinhardt Construction LLC is the general contractor for the 2,600-square-foot, $350,000 project. e mechanical and plumbing contractor is United Mechanical Services LLC.

Renovation of the north elevator at MISSOURI UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, 204 S. Ninth St., involves extending the three-story elevator shaft to the fourth oor and renovation of the elevator cab and machinery. Little Dixie Construction Co. is the contractor.

ANDERSON HOMES is building a cabinet shop with the in ll of an existing pre-engineered metal building at 4701 Bollard Road. e property owner is Stephens Station Road Investments, LLC. Anderson Homes is the contractor. e $790,377 project entails 23,681 square feet.

SAIA MOTOR FREIGHT LINE LLC is renovating existing o ce space at 4400 Chateau Road. e permit lists a valuation of $1.25 million. e general contractor is ARANCO. e mechanical and plumbing contractor is QuesTec Mechanical Inc.

Suite 190 at 33 E. Broadway is undergoing nal renovation for the DIPASQUALE MOORE LAW FIRM. e permit valuation of $209,150 involves 1,606 square feet. Angela Smith is listed as the general contractor. e permit applicant was Amanda Hagedorn of Perspective Architecture + Design.

DISCOVERY OFFICE PARK

NORTH is completing tenant in ll of unoccupied space at 4215 Philips Farm Road, Suite 105. e permit listed a valuation of $106,280 for the 2,500-square-foot project.

A buildout of un nished tenant shell space for a new contractor business is located at 725 Scott Blvd., Suite 103 e project covers 1,750 square feet and has a valuation of $70,994. e builder is Nova Construction & Remodeling.

A demolition permit was issued for site improvements and removal of the former PHILLIPS 66 SPEEDY MART convenience store, gas pumps, and tanks at 1300 Fellows Place. e store was located east of Stadium Grill and Hampton Inn & Suites o Stadium Boulevard. e site owners are listed as Mike and Dirgesh Patel. e project contractor is All Squared Up.

Tarlton Corporation is the contractor for $4.7 million in improvements to the city’s WEST ASH STREET PUMP STATION.

Two construction projects are happening just half a mile apart along Keene Street.

Above, the surgical center at COLUMBIA ORTHOPAEDIC GROUP is adding a pain clinic at 1 Keene Street.

Below, dirtwork began in early November to prepare for a NEW HILTON HOTEL off Keene Court

Single-family home valuations ranged from $248,885 for a 1,682-squarefoot home in the Tuscany Ridge subdivision to $786,021 for a 6,356-square-foot home o Castle Stewart Court at Old Hawthorne North. e builders are Cache River Homes LLC (Tim Mackey) and File Construction, respectively.

e Boone County o ce of Resource Management in October issued 96 building permits that had a

cumulative valuation of $14,885,643. ose totals are similar to the October 2024 tally of 110 building permits and a total valuation of $13,997,447.

Permits included:

• Single-family residential: 18 permits, $9.6 million

• Single-family attached: 6 permits, $1.3 million

• Two-family buildings: 1 permit, $230,000

• Mobile home: 1 permit, $24,000

• Other nonresidential: 10 permits, $251,500

• Other structures: 13 permits, $764,648

• Residential additions/ alterations: 17 permits, $1.4 million

• Nonresidential additions/ alterations: 5 permits, $822,400

• Residential garages: 8 permits, $569,500

• Miscellaneous: 17 permits, $48,206.

Highlights included:

T-Vine Development is the builder for six townhouses, each valued at $215,000, o Glen Meadows Drive in north Columbia.

New home construction permits ranged from a high dollar amount of $1.5 MILLION for a home o West Canopy Drive built by Tompkins Homes to a $185,000 home being built by WCS Construction o East McHatton Road in Sturgeon. CBT

that both Witt Print Shop (2026) and radio station KFRU (2025) have been in business.

8

Number of Women Who Own It awards presented by the Missouri Women’s Business Center on November 6.

60%

Portion of October’s total building-permit valuation in Boone County and the city of Columbia generated by single-family homes.

$477 k

Average cost of a building permit issued for a single-family home in the month of October.

2,000 +

Approximate number of riders who enjoyed openair horse-carriage rides throughout The District in 2024 (up from roughly 500 the previous year).

$128,000

Amount raised at the Central Missouri Foster Care & Adoption Association’s Legacy of Love Gala — a new record — on October 24.

March 5-8

Dates that the twenty-third edition of True/False Film Fest takes over downtown Columbia in 2026.

BCAC Begins Campaign for No-Kill Shelter

BOONE COUNTY ANIMAL CARE (BCAC) has started a capital campaign to raise funds to purchase and operate a no-kill animal shelter for Boone County and the mid-Missouri region.

Jennifer Romesburg, BCAC executive director, said the campaign is a “historic initiative” that represents “a major step forward in animal welfare for the community.” She said the shelter will o er safe, compassionate, and lifesaving care for countless animals in need.

She also noted that the shelter would be the rst no-kill shelter in the area.

Founded on the belief that every animal deserves a chance at a healthy and loving life, BCAC has served the community through foster-based programs and volunteer support since 2012. Establishing a no-kill shelter would allow the organization to expand its ability to provide medical treatment, adoption services, and long-term care for vulnerable animals while strengthening community partnerships in animal rescue and advocacy.

“A dedicated no-kill shelter in our community is long overdue,” Romesburg said. “We are excited to take this next step in creating a safe haven for animals.”

She added that the campaign is about “more than a building,” noting, “It’s about saving lives and allowing mid-Missouri families to adopt healthy, loving pets or have a safe place for animals to land in people’s time of need.”

e capital campaign seeks to raise $3 million to purchase property, build and equip the shelter, and establish operational funding for long-term sustainability.

More space, more care, more lives saved. Scan the QR code to read more about BCAC’s plan.

CMHS and Love Columbia Earn WGL Foundation Grants

THE WILLIAM GUITAR LITTLE FOUNDATION (WGL Foundation) recently announced additional year-end grants totaling $843,100 to a pair of Central Missouri nonpro t organizations, Central Missouri Humane Society (CMHS) and Love Columbia. e foundation’s board of directors approved the grants, which the foundation calls “co-investments,” at its October 13 meeting. A news release that detailed the grant awards said the grants recognize that CMHS and Love Columbia are “working to address challenges through innovative, community-driven solutions.” e grants included:

• $147,900 to CMHS to match funds the nonpro t raised at its annual gala, Wine & Whiskers. e funds support CMHS’s capital campaign as a part of the foundation’s $2.5 million matching-gift challenge, issued in July.

• $695,130 to Love Columbia for a three-year commitment to advance its project, a program designed to empower people at all stages of life to nd pathways toward prosperity and upward mobility.

“We are calling these grants ‘co-investments’ because they represent our commitment to partner with organizations,” said Andrew Grabau, executive director of the WGL Foundation. “Our funding is just one piece of a larger investment. By connecting the dots, providing capacity support, and measuring the progress along the way, these co-investments raise expectations to go above and beyond.”

Think philanthropy is just writing checks? Scan the QR code to see how WGL is transforming lives. CBT