Biz 417 May/June 2025

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Biz 417 May/June 2025

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Culture

An Open Letter to the New Springfield City Leadership

Read recommendations for the future of Springfield, Missouri, guided by survey responses from the local business community.
Taylor Warwick
New on the Scene

Get to Know Taylor Warwick, COO of Mercy Springfield Communities

After years of leading health care expansions in Kansas City, Taylor Warwick embraces new opportunities as COO of Mercy Springfield Communities—and looks forward to diving into life in the Ozarks.
A&B Cycle team
Rooted Here

A Century of Cycling with A&B Cycle

For the past 100 years, A&B Cycle has been a mainstay in Springfield, Missouri. Its continuous commitment to serving its customers—from loyal cyclists to new riders—has solidified its spot providing 417-landers with a way to get outdoors.
College Station Theater
On the Rise

Keeping College Station Theater Local

With many changes over the past 15 years, Paul Tillman and his dad, Scott, have decided to keep the ownership and operation of College Station Theater local.
Better Block SGF and Springfield's Medical Mile
Vantage Point

Better Block SGF and Springfield's Medical Mile

A new placemaking effort is underway on Medical Mile, that 2.8-mile stretch between two giant health care systems on National Avenue in Springfield, Missouri. Better Block SGF is ready to tackle a very long challenge.

Networking in the Ozarks

Find out where to meet and network with other business leaders in Springfield and southwest Missouri.

FIND OUT MORE

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The Latest

417 Out and About team
Culture

417 Out and About

At a game night, a group of friends began talking about the challenge of retaining LGBTQ professionals in Springfield. From that...

mar 2023 | #417Culture
Advice & Whiskey with Crista Hogan
Leadership

Advice & Whiskey with Crista Hogan

After 21 years, Crista Hogan knows how to run the Springfield Metropolitan Bar. And yet she’s still innovating and tweaking things to get...

mar 2023 | Advice & Whiskey
2023
Andi Hilburn-Vaini, owner/operator of 28 McDonald's restaurants.
Women Who Mean Business

Andi Hilburn-Vaini is a Woman Who Means Business

Andi Hilburn-Vaini, one of the Biz 417 Women Who Mean Business for 2023, is the owner/operator of 28 McDonald's restaurants.

mar 2023 | Features, Leadership, People, Q&A
2023
Audrey Garard, owner of Grooms Office Environments.
Women Who Mean Business

Audrey Garard is a Woman Who Means Business

Audrey Garard, one of Biz 417's Women Who Mean Business for 2023, is the owner of Grooms Office Environments.

mar 2023 | Features, Leadership, People, Q&A
Boyd Elementary Gets a Second Life
Offices

Boyd Elementary Gets a Second Life

For 110 years, Springfield elementary students filled the halls of the former Boyd Elementary.

mar 2023 | Downtown Springfield
Francine Pratt's Look
Style

Francine Pratt's Look

Known for her chic, stylish and tailored approach to fashion, local businesswoman and entrepreneur Francine Pratt’s personal style has...

mar 2023 | Biz Style, Style
Get to Know David Argueta
Communication

Get to Know David Argueta

David Argueta’s passion for healthcare led him from growing up in Texas to taking on the role of president of Mercy Hospitals Springfield...

mar 2023 | Business Services, Leadership
2023
Joselyn Baldner, president/CEO of Central Bank.
Women Who Mean Business

Joselyn Baldner is a Woman Who Means Business

Joselyn Baldner, one of the Biz 417 Women Who Mean Business for 2023, is president/CEO of Central Bank.

mar 2023 | Features, Leadership, People, Q&A

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2021
Priscilla McKinney: CEO and Momma Bird of Little Bird Marketing
Women Who Mean Business

Priscilla McKinney is a Woman Who Means Business

As CEO and Momma Bird of Little Bird Marketing in Joplin, Priscilla McKinney has positioned herself as a leader in the market research,...

mar 2021 | Features, Leadership, Marketing, People
2021
Stephanie O'Connor: Vice President - Chief Information and People Officer of City Utilities
Women Who Mean Business

Stephanie O'Connor is a Woman Who Means Business

As Vice President - Chief Information and People Officer of City Utilities in Springfield, Stephanie O'Connor utilizes her unique skill set...

mar 2021 | Features, Leadership, People, Q&A
Dori Grinder in HBA office
Leadership

The New Face of Springfield's Home Builder’s Association

Dori Grinder has worked for 2 different chambers of commerce in the past 10 years­­. Now she’s on to her next role: serving as executive...

mar 2021 | Build, Leadership, Women in Business
Springfield Symphony Orchestra
Strategy

Why the Springfield Symphony Has Embraced Online Performances

After introducing a streaming option in 2020, Springfield Symphony Orchestra is keeping its online performances, even for life...

mar 2021 | Art, Music, Strategy
Online shopping stock photo
Corporate

Amazon is Coming to Southwest Missouri [Updated]

Amazon is building a distribution and warehouse facility in Republic.

feb 22 2021 | Companies
Downtown Springfield, MO skyline
Strategy

How Successful Would a Work Incentive Program be in Springfield?

Northwest Arkansas’ Life Works Here initiative is seeing great success so far in attracting people to the region with money and a mountain...

feb 18 2021 | Leadership, Strategy
Katie Jones, 2021 10FTN10 Honoree
10 for the Next 10

3 Reasons to Nominate Someone for 10 for the Next 10

We all have someone we admire professionally. Biz 417 wants to know about your career crush, so nominate them for our annual feature.

feb 11 2021 | 10 For the Next 10, Entrepreneur, Leadership, Strategy
Four Leadership Tips From Nicki Gamet
Women in Business

Four Leadership Tips From Nicki Gamet

Gamet took over as Mercy Lebanon’s hospital administrator mid-pandemic. These are her top tips for building a strong team—no matter the...

feb 08 2021 | Health, Leadership, Strategy, Women in Business
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The Latest Biz People Pics

See pictures from Good Morning Springfield
Biz People Pics

Good Morning Springfield April 2021

April 2021 Good Morning, Springfield! presented by Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce. April 1, 2021. Springfield Sign. Photos by Hannah...
See pictures from Good Morning Springfield.
Biz People Pics

Good Morning Springfield 2021

Good Morning, Springfield hosted at the Oasis Convention Center on February 4, 2021. Photos by Hannah Brown.
See pictures from PARK(ing) Day 2020
Biz People Pics

PARK(ing) Day 2020

This year, Better Block SGF partnered with Mudhouse coffee to transform a parallel parking space outside of the shop to demonstrate the...
See pictures from Biz 417's Ladies Who Launch 2020
Biz People Pics

Biz 417's Ladies Who Launch 2020

More than 300 career-minded women logged on to YouTube Live for a powerful afternoon of speakers and inspiration at Biz 417’s third annual...

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