Springfield Business Journal_2019-03-18

SPRINGFIELD BUSINESS JOURNAL · 41 MARCH 18-24, 2019 2005 JOSEPH PASSANISE, 50 Then: Partner, Law Offices of Dee Wampler PC Now: Managing Partner, Law Offices of Dee Wampler and Joseph Passanise PC Since 2005, Joseph Passanise has con- tinuously propelled his career forward, and he has the accolades and winning cases as proof. In 2013, the American Board of Criminal Lawyers inducted Passanise as a fellow. He remains one of only four Mis- souri lawyers in the exclusive organization. Passanise credits much of the success to his mentor and business partner, Dee Wampler. During his time working with Wampler, he has helped expand the busi- ness. In 2005, the practice employed 2007 SUMMER MASSEY, 50 Then: Vice President, Bank of America Now: Senior Vice President, Arvest Bank Not too much has changed for Summer Massey since being named a 40 Under 40 honoree a dozen years ago. She still works in the same industry, though for a different employer. “I moved over to Arvest Bank as senior vice president. I’m still in the same indus- try, still in the same role,” she says. She’s worked for Arvest since December 2012 and has served on the senior leader- ship team in the local market. “It’s been good. I’ve been here a little 2009 ALINA LEHNERT, 43 Then: Assistant Professor of Organizational Leadership and Associate Director of Leadership and Strengths Development, Evangel University Now: Owner, Lehnert Leadership Group LLC; Member, Springfield Public Schools Board of Education Leadership Springfield was a game- changer for Alina Lehnert. When she was a 40 Under 40 honoree, she had recently graduated from the program, and she’s since put that training to work. “Leadership Springfield changed the tra- jectory of my life,” she says. Ten years later, she’s running for 2006 MATTHEW ENNIS, 34 Then: Independent development consultant Now: President/CEO, 1in6 Matthew Ennis’ passion for transform- ing lives hasn’t changed, and his career path reflects that. Since 2006, he’s held leadership positions at The Rainbow Net- work, vice president of development and marketing; Reachmodo, founding presi- dent; and Freedom’s Rest Family Violence Center, CEO. In December 2018 at a New York City fundraiser, it was announced Ennis would serve as president and CEO of 1in6. The Los Angeles-based national nonprofit supports male-identifying survivors of sexual abuse and assault. 1in6 plans to open an office in 2008 MARTY MARSH, 47 Then: Principal, Jarrett Middle School; Assistant to the Director, Bass Pro Shops Tournament of Champions Now: District Assistant Director of Athletics and Activities, Springfield Public Schools; Tournament Coordinator, Tournament of Champions While working at Jarrett and planning the Bass Pro Tournament of Champions, Marty Marsh knows how extracurricular activi- ties impact students. Now, as the district assistant director of athletics and activities for SPS, Marsh doesn’t work a typical nine- to-five desk job. He might attend a morning swim meet, hit the office in the afternoon and go to a basketball game at night. 2010 JEFF HOUGHTON, 40 Then: Field representative, Community Blood Center of the Ozarks; Actor, The Skinny Improv Now: Host, “The Mystery Hour” After spending a year in Los Angeles to pursue an acting career in 2010-11, Jeff Houghton returned to the Queen City to help make late-night talk show “The Mys- tery Hour.” It now airs on 10 television sta- tions in eight states. “I call it the ‘reverse Brad Pitt’ – moved from LA to Springfield to get on TV,” he says, noting the show was boosted by its 2015 viral video “Instagram Husband.” It currently has over 6.8 million views on around five people; today it’s 14. Wampler has continued to take on major felony cases in both federal and state courts. Between cases and extracurricular du- ties, Passanise says he enjoys spending time with his daughter and son. He’s even earned the title of coach for his son’s soc- cer team. “I would tell my 2005 self to slow down,” Passanise says. “It goes by quickly, so enjoy the ride.” —Tessa Cooper, Contributing Writer over six years,” she says. Since her 2007 honor, Massey has served as chairwoman of the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce’s legislative policy and government relations committees. She currently is a member of Missouri State University’s Finance and General Business Advisory Board. —Kyle Boaz, Reporter re-election on the Springfield Public Schools board. In 2018, she received Leadership Spring- field’s Kenworthy Award, the highest hon- or the group bestows, for nearly a decade of service, including board work. In 2014, she started her leadership de- velopment business Lehnert Leadership Group, and she continues to serve as an ad- junct faculty member at Evangel. —Geoff Pickle, Web Producer Springfield’s Hammons Tower. Ennis says he’s grateful to have deep roots in Springfield, where he and his wife are raising a 2-year-old son. “Working in the nonprofit sector has af- forded me the blessing of giving back to my community, passionately working for causes that move me and providing a sense of purpose in my work,” he says. At the age of 21, Ennis was the youngest in the 2006 Class of 40 Under 40. —Sony Hocklander, Contributing Writer Marsh coordinates the district’s middle and high school athletic programs and oversees such tasks as arranging student transportation to games and developing programs. He still helps coordinate the Bass Pro tournament, which 25,700 people attended in 2018. “Watching students get the satisfaction of participating in events and activities is truly my favorite part,” Marsh says. —Tessa Cooper, Contributing Writer YouTube. “I think I’d be very pleasantly surprised if I talked to my 2010 self that we’ve been managing to pull it off all these years,” he says of the show that has filmed more than 160 episodes over eight seasons. Houghton also takes on many corpo- rate and nonprofit hosting gigs around the country when not filming his show at the Gillioz Theatre. —Mike Cullinan, Reporter 40 UNDER 40 YEARBOOK