Springfield Business Journal_2021-06-07

24 · SBJ.NET JUNE 7-13, 2021 Ozark chamber. Greg W illiams started May 3 as the chamber’s new president and CEO. He replaced Anna Evans, who exited as the organization’s executive director in March. Pauls served as interim director since Evans’ exit. Williams said when he started Pauls was upfront with him about her law school plans. He said she would stay on board until next month to help train her successor. “She’ll provide some tremendous training, guidance and counsel leading through mid-July, which we not only need but greatly appreciate,” he said. As the search for a new vice president of marketing and events commenced last month, Williams also began interviews for a manager of operations and member relations. Roughly 12 applied for the part-time role that will manage the office but also recruit new chamber members, he said. Williams said Pauls’ position, which is full-time, had about 25 applicants. He expects to make hiring decisions for both jobs by no later than June 11. Staying involved Pauls said her experience juggling the job at the chamber and business owner- ship will serve her well in Illinois. She’ll continue to be involved in all big deci- sions at Zenith, including personnel, she said. “I’ve been working a full-time job for the past almost three years,” she said. “Even though I’ve been local, I haven’t been able to give the gym my physical time to be there working on the floor. From my perspective, it’s going to be very similar to what I do now, which is over- seeing and answering questions, that sort of thing.” The pandemic led to usage limitations at the gym, which also closed for nearly two months last year. That contributed to revenue decreasing about 20% in 2020, she said, declining to disclose figures. She said the total was around what the owners expected, which was helped by roughly $10,000 in Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act grant funding through Greene County. The business also received funding from both rounds of the Paycheck Protec- tion Program, totaling around $60,000, she said. “Overall, we’ve been very fortunate,” she said, noting membership has held steady at around 500 since early last year. Despite the roughly six-hour drive be- tween Zenith and Champaign, Pauls said her husband will visit the gym at least monthly and stay for several days at a time. She said her husband handles prod- uct ordering and marketing for its online gear shop and updates the website. The gym employs nine and contracts with five others for yoga classes. “We’ll travel back and forth as much as we possibly can,” Pauls said, noting the couple are selling their house and moving to an apartment in Champaign. However, the Ozark native doesn’t in- tend on the Illinois move being a perma- nent one. “When I graduate law school, I’m not planning on moving away,” she said. “I’m hopefully planning on moving back home to the Springfield area.” Pauls said she’s unsure what area of law she wants to pursue. She’s just excited about her big professional shift. “What I’ve done at the chamber, it has been a really fun and rewarding job,” she said. “And, of course, I love owning a busi- ness and that’s not going to change at all. I just feel like life is short, so you’ve got to do as many things as you can.” NEWS Zenith: Ozark chamber officials expect to fill open roles by mid-June Continued from page 7 20% Annual revenue decline for Zenith Climbing Center in 2020