Committees & Task Forces
The Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce is about one thing: Your business. That's why your participation with the Chamber is so crucial - we are focused on your needs. Your input and leadership in the process is needed so we can serve you better, and so the community, ultimately, prospers.
Explore the list of committees and task forces below, or give us a call and let us help you find the opportunity that best fits your needs and interests.
Vice Chair:
Carl Kicklighter,
Gold Mechanical
Manufacturing Leadership Council
Purpose: To bring together senior level business leaders to promote career opportunities and address issues impacting the manufacturing sector across the region.
Staff Contact: Ben Vickers
Chariman: Mark McNay, SMC Packaging Group
Vice Chairman: Michael Eaton, Missouri Association of Manufacturers
Service Center Industry Council
Purpose: to bring together senior level business leaders in the back office and call center sectors to discuss current challenges, best practices, and industry trends.
Staff Contact: Ben Vickers
Chairman: Tabatha Morrow, Chase Card Services
Vice Chairman: Dale Anderson, T-Mobile
Transportation Committee (membership by appointment)
Purpose: To serve as a catalyst for communication and action to improve the Springfield area transportation system.
Staff Contact: Ben Vickers
Chairman: Steve Prange, Crawford, Murphy & Tilly
Vice-Chairman: Justin Orf, CJW Transportation Consultants
Vice Chair:
Stephanie O'Connor,
City Utilities
The Network for Springfield's Young Professionals
(additional investment required)
Purpose: To attract, retain and engage young professionals, age 21-39, in the community and the Chamber of Commerce through professional development and networking opportunities.
Staff Contact: Alexandria Dool
Chairman: Megan Buchbinder, Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau
Vice-Chairman: Callie Carroll, OMB Bank
Vice Chair:
Linda Daugherty,
Academy of Hair Design & BeVelle Barber
Ambassadors (membership by appointment)
Purpose: To serve as official hosts and goodwill representatives with the goal of developing positive awareness of the Chamber by conducting ribbon cutting and ground breaking ceremonies.
Staff Contact: Olivia Flax
Co-Chair: Wade Shelton, APO Community Health Center
Co-Chair: Stephanie Matthews, Simmons Bank
Event Chair: Ruth Daniels, Sixty5 Self Storage
Reach Committee
Purpose: To promote sponsorship and marketing opportunities to all Chamber members through direct outreach.
Staff Contact: Jennifer Dalton
Chairman: Chris Jarratt, Revel Advertising
Red Carpet Committee
Purpose: To personally contact Chamber members, encouraging them to participate in Chamber activities and committee service.
Staff Contact: Nikki Rorabaugh
Chairman: Vance Lewis, APAC - Central, Inc.
Small Business Council
Purpose: To provide small business owners and managers with networking and educational opportunities.
Staff Contact: Emily Brown
Chairman: Angie Way, Gold Mechanical
Vice Chairman: Brad Coy, Impact Recruiting Partners
Champions (membership by appointment)
Purpose: To grow membership by engaging business leaders and demonstrating the value of Chamber membership
Staff Contact: Nikki Rorabaugh
Chairman: Andrea Brady, Great Southern Bank
Non-Profit CEO Roundtable
Purpose: To provide a dedicated space for non-profit leaders to engage in relevant, member-driven programming tailored to the current needs of the non-profit community.
Staff Contact: Olivia Flax
Chairman: Laura Farmer, Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of SW Missouri
2024 Vice Chair:
Elizabeth Wente,
SRC Holdings Corp.
Growth & Development Advisory Council (membership by appointment)
Purpose: To ensure representative voices from the private sector development community are regularly meeting with top leadership from regulatory entities in order to create an exceptional reputation for developing and building in our community
Staff Contact: Lauren Shantz
Chairman: John Griesemer, Erlen Group
Vice-Chairman: Jared Davis, OWN, Inc.
Legislative Policy Committee (membership by appointment)
Purpose: To assist the Board of Directors in establishing policy positions on state and federal issues.
Staff Contact: Lauren Shantz
Chairman: Greg Pearman, MacAnany, Van Cleave & Philips
Local Issues Task Force (membership by appointment)
Purpose: To assist the Board of Directors in establishing policy positions on local issues.
Staff Contact: Lauren Shantz
Chairman: Krystal Russell, Spectrum Accounting
Voter Education Task Force (membership by appointment)
Purpose: To assist with the Chamber’s education process about candidates for the Springfield R-12 Board of Education and Springfield City Council.
Staff Contact: Tori Mercado
Chairman: Sarah Hough, Bass Pro Shops
Vice Chairman: David Hall, Missouri State University
Past Chairman's Advisory Council
Purpose: To serve as needed in an advisory capacity to the Chamber.
Staff Contact: Matt Morrow
Chairman: John Oke-Thomas, Oke-Thomas + Associates
Springfield Non-Partisan Recruitment Committee (membership by appointment)
Purpose: To recruit pro-business candidates for Springfield City Council and Springfield Public Schools Board of Education.
Staff Contact: Tori Mercado
Chairman: Logan Aguirre, 417 Magazine
Voice of Business Committee (membership by appointment)
Staff Contact: Tori Mercado
Chairman: Megan Herzog, Springfield Contractors Association