Springfield Business Journal_2019-03-18

Let the Experts at Gold Mountain Communications Solve Your Problems and Save You Money. Call Hank or Ian for Free Consultation 417-851-GOLD(4653) www.goldmtn.com Hank Seevers, President Ian McGuire, Senior VP Congratulations 40 Under 40! Thanks for making our community stronger! 42 · SBJ.NET MARCH 18-24, 2019 2011 ERIC BURLISON, 42 Then: District 133, Missouri House of Representatives; Business Analyst, CoxHealth Now: District 20, Missouri Senate; Process Architect, Cerner Corp. Eric Burlison has changed legislative chambers at the Missouri Capitol since be- ing a 40 Under 40 honoree. He was elected as a state senator in November 2018, and now represents roughly five times the 2012 DAN REITER, 38 Then: Manager of corporate partnerships, Springfield Cardinals Now: Vice president and general manager, Springfield Cardinals In Dan Reiter’s professional life, he has grown up with the Springfield Cardinals. He was there during the first season in 2005, as a senior account executive, and 2013 ELIJAH HAAHR, 36 Then: 134th District, Missouri House of Representatives; Attorney, Aaron Sachs & Associates PC Now: Speaker, Missouri House; Of Counsel, Kutak Rock LLP It took just six years for Rep. Elijah Haahr, R-Springfield, to rise from one of the 10 youngest members in the Missouri House to speaker. And he made history do- ing so, as one of the youngest ever and the 2014 KARI HAMRA, 36 Then: Internal communications manager in corporate services, O’Reilly Automotive Inc. Now: Communications manager in corporate services, O’Reilly Automotive; and co- founder, SelectSitter Kari Hamra knows a thing or two about balancing a successful side hustle with a full-time job. In 2014, she worked in the communications department at O’Reilly Automotive and as a part-time freelance 2015 MARY KROMREY, 40 Then: Executive director of Y School Age Services, Ozarks Regional YMCA Now: Executive director, Ozark Greenways Inc. Long a lover of the outdoors, Mary Kromrey gets to focus on it personally and professionally, with her executive director role of Ozark Greenways. She came to the organization, which number of constituents that he did as a rep- resentative. Burlison has found another way to en- gage with the communities he serves. “I plan on doing a YouTube series this summer where I will showcase some of has climbed the ladder to manager of cor- porate partnerships in 2012 and all the way to the top job as general manager in 2017. “One of the things I’ve told people along first from Springfield in the role. “A lot of that is providence,” he says. “Those opportunities are not lost on me.” His session as speaker also marks the 100th General Assembly. “From the opening day of session this graphic designer. While Hamra still manages the com- munication around the O’Reilly brand, she also does freelance graphic design, serves on The Victim Center’s board and has add- ed a second son to the mix. To make time owns and manages the Frisco Highline Trail, in early 2016, taking over the leader- ship role in November 2017 after the retire- ment of Terry Whaley. the great restaurants that people living in Springfield should want to try out and busi- nesses that are hidden gems,” he says of the personal project he’s scheduled to begin in June. “What’s been great is to represent some of the fantastic communities around Springfield and get to know small-business owners in those communities.” Burlison works in the private sector as a process architect for Cerner, saying he does investment strategy, stock research and trading. —Kyle Boaz, Reporter the way is you don’t understand the hot seat until you’re in the hot seat,” he says. “I love the challenges that being the general man- ager brings, but it’s definitely given me a newfound respect for every business owner and company president.” More important to Reiter is his wife, Heather, and their two children, Andy and Tyson, who both were born after his selec- tion as a 40 Under 40 honoree. “I’m more proud of that than anything you could put on a resume,” he says. —Geoff Pickle, Web Producer year … we got to put the Springfield stamp on everything,” he says. He says the House has worked on legisla- tion surrounding workforce development, infrastructure, criminal justice reform, rev- enue challenges and abortion. “When I am done with office, I can al- ways say, while I was there I got to do something big,” he says. When his term expires next year, he says he’ll return to practicing law at Kutak Rock. But he’s not ruling anything out. —Christine Temple, Features Editor for date nights, Hamra relies on help from babysitters. So in late 2017, she launched SelectSitter alongside her husband, John, and friends Adam and Sarah Howey. The app connects parents and guardians with babysitters, and each sitter has public endorsements. So far, the app’s had 909 downloads. “We are a free app and are just working hard to make the community aware of this convenient service we offer for busy par- ents,” Hamra says. —Tessa Cooper, Contributing Writer “It’s really cool,” she says of her job. “I love visiting and talking with people. I go to oodles and oodles of meetings and then I get to meet with donors and investors, pub- lic landowners and private landowners.” Part of her current and future work is building out a portion of Springfield’s comprehensive plan with the trail system, which involves working closely with city and county officials, along with private contractors. —Mike Cullinan, Reporter