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

BIZ DIRECTORIES

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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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Biz Events

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Shaking Hands Shutterstock Image
Strategy

Getting the Best Out of Your Employee Referral Program

Celeste Cramer, system director of recruitment and retention for CoxHealth, and Nikki Hampton, senior talent management consultant for...

mar 2020 | Business Services, Jobs, Recruitment, Strategy
Kurt Hellweg, former Chairman of the Board for ADF/IDF
Corporate

How Bill Darr Built ADF/IDF From the Ground Up

A $50,000 loan turned American Dehydrated Foods/Internation Dehydrated Foods into a $900 million company.

mar 2020 | Companies, Entrepreneur, Food, Pets
Askinosie Chocolate using eco friendly packaging
Strategy

How Do I Lessen the Carbon Footprint of My Business?

Business owners are looking for ways they can reduce their carbon footprints. But solutions are not always quick or easy. We talked with...

mar 2020 | Companies, Strategy
Hopapops product photo by Brandon Alms
Small to Mid-Sized

How Hopapops Got Its Start

After founding Red Monkey Foods, Jeff Brinkhoff decided to move on to his next big thing: developing a nutritional snack he calls Hopapops.

mar 2020 | Companies, Entrepreneur, Food, People
Egg production at Vital Farms
Strategy

Incubating Success with Vital Farms

Less than three years after opening its Springfield facility in October 2017, Vital Farms is undergoing a major expansion. The new 64,000...

mar 2020 | Companies, Strategy
2020
Jena Holtberg-Benge General Manager John Deere Reman
Women Who Mean Business

Jena Holtberg-Benge is a Woman Who Means Business

Jena Holtberg-Benge never says no to the chance to hop on a plane and start a new project. It’s led her as far away as China and India, and...

mar 2020 | Features, Leadership, People, Q&A
Kim Hamm and Kristen Bright Springfield MO
Leadership

Making Mentorship Work for Both Parties

How Kim Hamm and Kristen Bright formed a uniquely symbiotic mentor/mentee relationship at BKD CPAs & Advisors.

mar 2020 | Leadership, Strategy, Women in Business
Gary Gibson photo by Brad Zweerink
Strategy

Meet Gary Gibson, The New General Manager of Springfield's City Utilities

Gary Gibson has worked for City Utilities for 28 years, and has worked his way up to management and supervisory positions. Now, in the...

mar 2020 | Companies, People, Strategy

The Latest Biz People Pics

See pictures from Access to The Issues 2019
Biz People Pics

Access to The Issues 2019

The Network's Access to the Issues series on July 17, 2019 at Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce. Photos by Brad Zweerink.
See pictures from Chamber of Commerce's Public Policy 2019
Biz People Pics

Chamber of Commerce's Public Policy 2019

The Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce's Public Policy Speaker Series on July 12, 2019 at Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce. Photos by...
Rotary Centennial Celebration & District Leadership Installation 2019
Biz People Pics

Rotary Centennial Celebration 2019

Rotary Centennial Celebration & District Leadership Installation 2019, on July 28, 2019, at Hickory Hills Country Club
Biz B-School: The Great Game for Small Business presented by OTC Center for Workforce Development
Biz People Pics

Biz B-School: The Great Game for Small Business presented by OTC Center for Workforce Development

Biz 417's B-School Breakfast Series: The Great Game for Small Business presented by OTC Center for Workforce Development. June 13, 2019....

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20 Best Places to Work in Springfield, Missouri

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Most Recent People Stories

An Open Letter to the New Springfield City Leadership

Better Block SGF and Springfield's Medical Mile

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