Springfield Business Journal_2020-11-02

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He has brought the school through a healthy realignment of its mission and pri- orities, and he has faithfully steered SBU through many challenges related to the CO- VID-19 pandemic, successfully addressing the health, safety and fiscal headwinds fac- ing the school this year. “We pray for wisdom for SBU’s leaders in the days ahead, and we trust the Lord is already preparing the heart and mind of a new president to continue the positive steps SBU has taken under Dr. Turner’s leader- ship.” The ongoing conflicts between SBU and MBC spurred a St. Louis attorney to file a complaint against the university with The Higher Learning Commission, a Chicago- based college accrediting organization. The commission announced Aug. 24 that it found the complaint from SBU graduate Russell Jackson credible enough to begin a review. Steve Kauffman, HLC spokesperson, said the nonprofit doesn’t comment publicly on complaints filed. “We continue to be in contact with the institution as part of our ongoing relation- ship,” he said via email. “HLC reviews all complaints received in accordance with its policies and procedures. In the interim Brad Johnson, SBU’s vice president of in- stitutional advancement, is slated to succeed Turner as acting president. The SBU board is developing a search process for a perma- nent successor, according to the release. Marsch said Johnson is not granting me- dia interviews before he assumes his new role, out of respect for Turner.  “We asked Dr. Turner to stay through Nov. 20 to facilitate a smooth transition and are thankful for Dr. Johnson’s willingness to step into the acting role,” said Palmer, SBU board chair, in the release. “We are confident his familiar face and vast experience in Bap- tist higher education will serve the univer- sity well at this time.” Turner became SBU’s president in 2018, succeeding C. Pat Taylor, who retired after a 22-year run making him the university’s longest-serving president. Prior to SBU, Turner was president of Black River Technical College in Pocahon- tas, Arkansas. Amid the coronavirus pandemic this summer, Turner led an expense-reduction plan that called on $3.2 million in cuts dur- ing the next two academic years. That rep- resents about 5% of the university’s overall budget. Cuts included the elimination of 24 positions, with 14 to be removed through at- trition and 10 from workforce reduction, ac- cording to past SBJ reporting. Web Editor Geoff Pickle contributed. SBU: Brad Johnson assumes new role Continued from page 7 Phoenix to relocate HQ by SBJ Staff · sbj@sbj.net Phoenix Home Care and Hospice is planning an early 2021 relocation to a new corporate headquarters. Co-founder and CEO Phil Melugin said the health and hospice company is target- ing a February move-in date at 1839 E. In- dependence St. He said Phoenix signed a lease for 18,000 square feet being vacated by Wyndham Destinations, as well as the contiguous 10,000 square feet, in the James River Towne Cen- ter in south Springfield. Melugin said Phoenix has outgrown its space at 3033 S. Kansas Expressway, its home since the company was found- ed in 2011. With more than 3,600 employees company- wide, Phoenix produced 2019 revenue of $87.1 million, ac- cording to Springfield Busi- ness Journal reporting. That’s up from 3,500 employees and $80.9 million in revenue a year earlier, according to past reporting. Offi- cials say the new location will consolidate staff from three separate buildings. In addition to its 125 corporate employ- ees, Melugin said Phoenix plans to add six to 10 hires to work in recruitment, opera- tions and marketing. He said the new space will allow room for more patients. “We care for over 3,000 individuals in southwest Missouri,” Melugin said. The Independence Street headquarters is slated to house a conference meeting space that also could be used for commu- nity events, as well as a physical therapy clinic. “We intend to provide organization- al and individual personal and profes- sional development to entities outside of our Phoenix employee base,” he said of the conference space. Melugin said the physical therapy clinic is new to the Springfield market for Phoe- nix, which also has established a similar concept in Wichita, Kansas. Lease terms with James Riv- er Towne Center owner Jerry Jones were undisclosed. A building permit on file with the city lists a declared valuation of $665,000 for the infill work. Pennock Development LLC owns the soon-to-be vacated Kansas Expressway building, and prop- erty manager Nancy Herchenroeder of Bill Beall Co. did not respond for comment be- fore press time. Melugin suspects the space will be leased to multiple tenants. “Hopefully they will get them filled soon,” Melugin said. “But it will be a process.” Phil Melugin : Relocation will enable six to 10 additional jobs.