Great ideas start with great questions.

We choose to start by asking our customers and associates what they consider important. Then we get to work – designing banking to fit their needs and finding the most impactful ways to support our communities.

In the end, it comes down to understanding what really matters.

Proud to support another 90 great ideas.

Ideas have never been more vital than now. As business leaders, we have a unique opportunity to learn from others and apply new concepts and strategies. Combine the brilliance of nine local leaders, and you get tons of experience and hard-fought lessons distilled for our readers. Check out the ideas, and then listen to the stories on podcast. Ideas are golden, but learning the purpose behind them is priceless. I hope you enjoy these stories as much as I loved learning from our featured speakers.

—Jennifer Jackson Publisher, SBJ

Prepare to think, learn and be inspired. 90 Ideas in 90 Minutes has become a passion project for me. It is an annual undertaking that has allowed me to reach out to nine people of differing backgrounds, ages and accomplishments that I have personally admired and to ask for a glimpse of their psyche. What are the guiding principles that have led them to their current selves? What do they value at their core? What are their rules and proudest accomplishments? We hope you enjoy this event where our nine presenters will bring their ideas to life.

—Jennifer Jackson, Publisher, SBJ

Paula Adams joined Penmac Staffing in 1995 and worked in nearly every department before becoming president in 2006. Adams manages all corporate and branch operations. She serves on the board of directors for nine organizations, including Kiwanis, United Way and the Young Presidents’ Organization. Through her work, Adams has influenced thousands of job seekers and supported local businesses.

Rob Blevins is executive director of the Discovery Center of Springfield Inc., which serves three countries, over 30 U.S. states and over 30 Missouri counties. In the last year, the center has won the $1 million Yass Prize in education from the Center for Education Reform and Forbes, the Community Service Award from the Association of Science Technology Centers and the Grittiest Nonprofit Award.

Tyler Bussell is vice president of Bussell Building Inc. He has an extensive background in construction, growing up around his father’s home building company, often going to work with him as a child. He’s now responsible for the day-to-day operations of all Bussell companies.

Tim Clegg is co-founder and CEO of Hurts Donut Co., started with wife Kas in 2013. They’ve built it to an Entrepreneur Magazine Top 500 Franchise with over 20 locations in 11 states. He served in the U.S. military before a medical discharge in 2015 following a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. Today, Hurts Donut generates over $22 million in annual revenue.

Beth Domann was first seen on the Landers Theatre stage in 1978 in a Springfield Little Theatre production of “Alice in Wonderland.” Since then, she has been an actress, stand-up comic and director and served as emcee for local charitable and corporate events. As SLT’s executive director, she oversees all production and show selection for the annual series by community volunteers.

Shallina Goodnight is a 16-year executive leader for CoxHealth at Home, formerly Oxford HealthCare. Overseeing a staff of 300 and 11 business lines over 58 counties in Missouri, she was responsible for innovating and launching technologies to provide home care solutions while also driving growth through service line acquisitions across the market.

Bill Hennessey is vice president of mission for Mercy Springfield Communities, where he’s worked for 33 years. He led marketing and strategy for 20 years and now, with two master’s degrees in health care administration, he leads Mercy Springfield’s mission, ethics and pastoral care programs and oversees its auxiliary, hospitality house, day care center and coworker events.

Nyla Milleson is the architect of the Drury University Lady Panthers basketball program that established itself as a national power in NCAA Division II. In seven years as Drury’s coach, her teams appeared in five NCAA Division II tournaments and finished national runner-up in 2004. After stints coaching at Missouri State and George Mason universities, she’s returned to Drury as athletics director.

Lisa Rau has served Silver Dollar City Attractions as director of publicity and public relations for more than three decades. She has represented the famed, internationally awarded theme park for more than half its existence, and previously worked as an award-winning news reporter. During her career, she’s won a Mid-America Emmy and several Addy and Associated Press awards.