2020 has been a difficult year, mostly due to the pandemic, but with it also being an election year, the divisive spirit seems more alive than in the past. This can lead people to lose hope in leaders and feel uncertain about the future. The Network had the opportunity to see two of our state leaders display quite the opposite at our October edition of Access to the Issues.

We tout that YPs have access to key leaders in Springfield, and one of the main ways that’s displayed is through mentor relationships. Members of The Network’s Leadership Council have the opportunity to be paired with a member of the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce Board as a mentor for one year.

The Network is always looking for opportunities to connect Springfield young professionals to other YPs, as well as to key leaders in the community. One way to maintain that access is through our quarterly CEO Series – The Network chair interviews a local CEO, who shares about their background, lessons they have learned and more.

In March, the City of Springfield hired Tim Rosenbury for the new position of Director of Quality of Place Initiatives. Not many communities have a role like this, so when we found out about it, we knew we needed to hear from him.

The Network had the opportunity to hear from Clay Goddard, director of the Springfield-Greene County Health Department, and to say members learned a lot would be an understatement.

The Network held its second live virtual event on May 21 and it was another huge success! The event was supposed to be an on-field happy hour at Hammons Field, but in lieu of that, we took the opportunity to learn from Springfield Cardinals General Manager Dan Reiter. Dan is known for his contagious positivity and optimism, and when COVID-19 hit, while many had a hard time finding the potential silver lining, Dan didn’t.

Young professionals in Springfield have access to key leaders, and social distancing shouldn’t change that. So in an effort to provide some much-needed normalcy for its members, The Network released its first-ever virtual installment of the CEO Series on April 28.

Gibson, who took over as general manager and CEO of City Utilities in late December following the retirement of Scott Miller, has been with CU his entire professional career – nearly 30 years, starting with an internship in 1990 while a student at what is now Missouri University of Science and Technology.

On January 9, nearly 100 YPs gathered at the Chamber to hear from 2020 Network Chair Ryan Sivill and Board Chairman Robin Robeson about everything from their own professional histories to the best advice they’ve received and why they’re excited about the future for Springfield.

John Griesemer and Christina Angle face unique challenges and advantages as CEO and CFO, respectively, of Erlen Group.

They’re both members of the third generation of the Griesemer family to run what started as the Joseph J. Griesemer Quarry in 1946. It has since grown into a group of multiple distinct companies with Springfield Underground at its … ahem, core.