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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Affordable Family Storage facility
Family-Owned

How Two Brothers are Benefitting From the Demise of Big Box Stores

As they fill empty big-box properties with secure, climate-controlled self-storage units, Trent and Travis Overhue have found a strong...

jan 2020 | Companies, Strategy
Zachary Starnes and Jason Bauer of CoxHealth in Springfield MO
Leadership

How Zachary Starnes and Jason Bauer Bonded Through Mentorship at CoxHealth

When Zarchary Starnes signed up for the CoxHealth Young Professionals (CYP) mentorship program, he wasn't sure what to expect. Luckily, he...

jan 2020 | Leadership, People
Branson Mayor Edd Akers
Leadership

Mayor Edd Akers on Becoming Mayor of Branson, MO

Born and raised in the Ozark Mountains, Edd Akers became the mayor of Branson, Missouri at 77 years old. Biz 417 spoke to the mayor about...

jan 2020 | Branson, Leadership, People
Kutak Rock reception
Offices

Meet the New Tenants in John Q. Hammons' Old Offices

Renovating the top two floors of the John Q. Hammons building to become the offices of Kutak Rock was no small feat. Take a look at how...

jan 2020 | Companies, Decor, Workspaces
Building construction site with a crane
Strategy

Southwest Missouri Legislative Priorities for 2020

The City of Springfield and other community groups outline top legislative priorities for 2020.

jan 2020 | Legal, Strategy
Sandwich and tots from Lucky Tiger in Springfield MO
Small Businesses

Springfield's Interconnected Restaurant Scene

Dig into the origins of some of Springfield, Missouri’s newest restaurants. Their interconnected roots run deeper than meets the eye.

jan 2020 | Companies, Food, Leadership, People
Dr. Tom Prater talking with Jeff Houghton in Springfield MO
Leadership

Tom Prater on the Future of Springfield and How to Get Involved

Tom Prater is the team chair for the Forward SGF comprehensive plan, tasked with creating a blueprint for the next 20 years for the city....

jan 2020 | Leadership, Wedding Advice
Lexington Convention Center
Strategy

Why Not Here? How Placemaking Efforts Could Spark Growth in Springfield

There's no doubt southwest Missouri is a great place to live, work and play. But what would our corner look like with some community assets...

jan 2020 | Build, Design, Features, Leadership

The Latest Biz People Pics

See pictures from Randy Bacon's The Art of Being ME, 2022
Biz People Pics

Randy Bacon's The Art of Being ME, 2022

Randy Bacon's The Art of Being ME, presented by Burrell Health, April 21, 2022. Burrell Administrative Campus
See pictures from the Annual Springfield Chamber of Commerce Meeting, 2022
Biz People Pics

Annual Springfield Chamber of Commerce Meeting, 2022

Annual Chamber Meeting, presented by Springfield Chamber of Commerce, March 22, 2022. Oasis Hotel & Convention Center.
See pictures from Think Summit 2022
Biz People Pics

Think Summit 2022

Think Summit 2022 presented by People Centric Consulting Group, February 4, 2022. Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts.
See pictures from Biz 100 Party 2021
Biz People Pics

Biz 417's Biz 100 Party 2021

On November 10, attendees raised a glass to the most powerful and influential business leaders in 417-land at Biz 417's Biz 100 Party...

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