
Springfield-Branson airport sets passenger record
Springfield-Branson National Airport set a new record for passengers in 2024, with 1.4 million total passengers boarding flights, up 10.4% from the year before and up 68% from 10 years ago. Growth is expected to continue in the new year and with it comes growing pains: Four improvement projects begin at the airline terminal this year, all of which will impact airport customers.
Upcoming projects include:
- Replacement of 16-year-old carpet in the airport, at an estimated cost of $4-5 million;
- Replacement of five of the airline terminal’s 10 jet bridges, expected to start in June. The 30-plus-year-old bridges will be replaced one at a time, with the $7.6 million project expected to be complete by the end of the year;
- Expansion of the airline terminal apron, the paved area outside the terminal, to ease congestion and prepare for future terminal expansion. The $8.8 million projects is funded in part by a $6.4 million grant secured by former Sen. Roy Blunt;
- Expansion of terminal parking lot, adding about 300 parking spaces at a cost between $3 million and $4 million. The expansion is expected to begin in early summer and wrap up by the end of the year.
For project updates, visit the airport’s website at www.flyspringfield.com or follow the airport social media accounts on Facebook, Bluesky, Threads, Instagram and X, all using the handle “flysgf.”
Springfield planner hired by Ozark
The City of Ozark announced Randall Whitman has been appointed as the city’s new community development director.
For the past 19 years, Whitman has worked for the City of Springfield as a principal planner in the Planning and Development Department. He coordinated the development of Springfield’s annual capital improvements program, neighborhood conservation and planning activities, and comprehensive planning efforts, which included the development and implementation of the city’s comprehensive plan, Forward SGF.
In Ozark, Whitman moves into the position following Cameron Smith’s promotion from communitydevelopment development director to assistant city administrator. He began his duties Jan. 21.
Former CU official to lead utility alliance
The Missouri Public Utility Alliance announced the appointment of Steven A. Stodden as its new President and Chief Executive Officer. Stodden will succeed John Twitty, who has led MPUA for five years.
Stodden joined MPUA team in October 2023 as the Director – Electric Transmission & Distribution and later was promoted to Chief Energy Officer in June 2024. While at MPUA, Stodden has led initiatives that are critical to the association’s growth and resilience. This includes developing the Integrated Resource Plan for the Missouri Electric Commission’s power pools, as well as overseeing the $180 million Marshall Energy Center project.
Prior to the MPUA, Stodden served 26 years at City of Utilities, including as Vice President – Chief Natural Gas / Water Operations Officer. During that time, he led several operating areas including electric supply, power system control, power marketing, system planning, natural gas and water operations, fleet, facilities, and transit. Stodden expanded the renewable energy portfolio while reducing costs and realigned the workforce to meet future demands.
AT&T hiring event Thursday in Springfield
AT&T is hosting a hiring event from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 6 at its call center at 600 E. St. Louis St. in Springfield.
The company is looking to hire more than 100 new customer care employees for hybrid positions reporting to the call center that would work 1-2 days a week at home.
Applicants should go online to fill out an application and complete some testing ahead of the in-person event. They can do that, and find out more about the role at http://work.att.jobs/1a11.
SRC announces executive promotions
SRC Holdings Corp. announced two executive staff promotions effective Feb. 1, 2025.
Mike White, President of SRC Logistics, Inc., is being promoted to Director of Finance at SRC Holdings where he will work alongside SRC’s accounting team on administration of SRC’s Employee Stock Ownership Plan and collaborate with SRC’s subsidiaries on evaluating growth opportunities.
Mike’s SRC career began in 2012 in accounting roles at SRC Holdings and The Great Game of Business (GGOB). Mike transferred to SRC Logistics in 2014 and took on more challenging roles including director of operations before being named president in 2019 where he led the SRCL team through a significant growth phase including the launch of SRC Logistics-Illinois and multiple facility moves.
Charlotte Eckley, Vice President, is being promoted to President at SRC Logistics.
Charlotte has a successful history with SRC dating back to 1988 when she started in customer service and quickly took on supervisory roles. Charlotte held positions at numerous SRC subsidiaries in sales and human resources. During her career, she worked for an SRC customer where she implemented The Great Game of Business, SRC’s open-book management system, and lead operations and sales for multiple transportation companies. In 2017, she rejoined GGOB leading operations and transferred to SRC Logistics in 2022 where she oversaw many departments as Chief Operating Officer and Vice President.
Cantwell joins Carnahan Evans PC
Carnahan Evans PC announced it has hired Justin B. Cantwell as an associate attorney. Cantwell recently joined Carnahan Evans PC in the Transactional and Estate Planning Practice Groups and concentrates his practice of law in business, corporate, and estate planning by providing advice to clients on tax related issues and other considerations. Justin is a third-generation attorney practicing law in Southwest Missouri.
Prior to joining the firm, Justin practiced law in Southern California, where he assisted clients with business and real estate transactions, corporate formation and governance, and tax and estate planning. Mr. Cantwell is admitted to practice in Missouri, California, Arizona, and Texas. He obtained his LL.M. in Taxation from the University of San Diego School of Law in 2022 and earned his Juris Doctorate from the California Western School of Law in 2020. He received his Bachelor of Science from the University of Missouri in 2004.
Branson Bank promotes Yeary
Branson Bank announced the promotion of Karla Yeary to Community Bank Officer.
Yeary’s career at Branson Bank began in 2007 as a loan processor and she transitioned to the role of lender in 2018. Over the years, she has cultivated a deep expertise in consumer and agricultural loans, fostering strong relationships with friends and neighbors in Eastern Taney County, Branson Bank said in a release. Her hands-on approach and dedication to personalized service make her a tremendous asset to the organization and community.
Yeary is a lifelong resident of Taney County having graduated from Forsyth High School. She is active in the Forsyth Chamber of Commerce and enjoys showing appreciation for area schools. Karla and her husband, Gerald, have two adult sons, a daughter-in-law, and one grandchild.
Kent Hyde recognized for conflict resolution
Hyde, Love & Overby, LLP announced Kent O. Hyde has been inducted into the National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals.
Hyde is senior partner and focuses his practice on personal injury, medical malpractice defense and insurance claims. He is an experienced trial lawyer, having more than 150 jury trials on a range of issues. Hyde is also a highly skilled mediator having mediated more than 250 civil disputes in the past five years. He is also a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and a Fellow of the International Academy of Trial Lawyers.
The National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals is a professional association whose membership consists of ADR professionals distinguished by their hands-on experience in the field of civil and commercial conflict resolution. Membership is by invitation only and all Academy members have been thoroughly reviewed and found to meet stringent practice criteria. Members are amongst the most in-demand neutrals in their respective states, as selected by their peers and approved by local litigators.
Springfield Marine announced promotions, new hire
Springfield Marine announced the promotion of Danny Sweeney from Director of Sales & Marketing to Vice President of Sales & Marketing. With 15 years of dedicated service to Springfield Marine, he led the company’s growth initiatives that are responsible for Springfield Marine becoming the leading supplier for seating and seating hardware to the marine industry as well as table hardware for both the marine and RV industries.
The company also announced it has hired Wes Melton as Director of Accounting. Melton comes to Springfield with over 30 years of experience and will lead the finance & accounting teams.
Additionally, Ray Holcomb has been promoted to Quality Assurance Manager, replacing Mark Garcia who is retiring. Holcomb has been with Springfield for the past year as Quality Assurance Supervisor and has many years of experiencein the quality control field.
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