20 · SBJ.NET MARCH 6-12, 2023 40 UNDER 40 Melissa Rea has formed deep community relationships over the past six years at Care to Learn. As the director of chapter services, she’s a supportive point person for school staff working on the front lines to help Missouri students with unmet physical needs. She also manages the operation of the Care to Learn Closet program at Springfield Public Schools, which is an initiative that provides an on-site closet full of clothing staples and hygiene products for students. “We say all the time at Care to Learn that ‘the simple things are the big things to these kids,’” she says. Rea, 39, paved the way for the Care to Learn Clothing Closet program expansion to 43 schools statewide from 14 just in Springfield. Between August and December 2022, students made more than 3,200 visits to Care to Learn closets for clothes. Your first job? At 15 years old as a waitress/busser/dishwasher at Charlies Waffle and Pancake House in Clever. Your most treasured possession? My beloved Taylor guitar. After 20 years of playing borrowed guitars, I finally bought my own in 2020. Favorite hobby or creative outlet? Playing music with my friends. I play guitar, bass and sing, and have performed in several local bands over the years. Favorite food item to order in the Springfield area? Portobello ravioli from Bambino’s. —Tessa Cooper, Contributing Writer MELISSA REA Care to Learn JESSICA REED Synergy Recovery Center LLC For Jessica Reed, professional leadership is all about attitude and leading by example. As the residential supervisor at Synergy Recovery Center, which operates a 30-day inpatient treatment center in Rogersville for women battling addiction and mental health issues, Reed, 38, says her role is to provide hope and encouragement to clients. A Synergy employee since 2015, Reed says she knows all about clients living in addiction. She did so herself for 13 years before getting sober, and noted recovery is the gift that keeps on giving. Inspired after sending her only child off to college last year, Reed says she started volunteering with Court Appointed Special Advocates of Southwest Missouri, a nonprofit which advocates for children in foster care. Your proudest moment? When I hit 10 years in recovery this past November! One day at a time! We not only recover but we thrive! Favorite hobby or creative outlet? Longest: Yoga for the past 10 years. Newest: I have been learning how to play the ukulele with my husband. He is much better than me, but I am getting there. Favorite food item to order in the Springfield area? Key Lime Pie Concrete from Andy’s! When the season hits, I can eat like four a week! It is a problem! But life is short, and they are so good that it will not be a problem I will be addressing anytime soon – or ever. —Mike Cullinan, Reporter A career in the aviation industry reached a new altitude in 2021 for David J. Schaumburg. The Springfield-Branson National Airport’s assistant director of aviation says he achieved his long-term goal to become an accredited airport executive. Schaumburg, 39, says the recognition from the American Association of Airport Executives is the pinnacle of designations in his industry. He’s worked at the Springfield airport since 2017, preceded by jobs at the Denton Enterprise Airport in Texas and Kansas City International Airport. Schaumburg is active with Rotary Club of Springfield Sunrise. He also is a graduate of Leadership Springfield Signature Class 35. What about your job would shock people? I’m not the guy in the tower telling pilots where to land or the guy on the ground with the orange wands. Also, I don’t get free flights. What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard. What is your best celebrity meeting/ sighting story? I was at the Hotel del Coronado in San Diego. I saw a familiar face. I realized it was Will “Anchorman” Ferrell. Although the moment almost passed me by, I still yelled, “You stay classy, San Diego!” and I don’t regret it. What is your favorite food item or drink to order in the Springfield area? Turkey burger from Lindberg’s and old fashioned from the Hepburn beneath Dapper Barber. —Mike Cullinan, Reporter DAVID J. SCHAUMBURG Springfield-Branson National Airport Aaron Schekorra started the role as public health information specialist in August 2020 as the first member of the newly formed COVID-19 Outreach Team for the Springfield-Greene County Health Department. The work directly impacted the community by creating and distributing the first guides for businesses to prevent and respond to the pandemic, as well as overseeing the COVID-19 Call Center and increasing vaccination opportunities. “I could not be prouder of this work since I know that everything we did, we did to save lives,” he says. In 2021, he was named public health information administrator to lead the communications team. Schekorra, 31, dedicates both his professional and personal life to public service, by also volunteering with multiple organizations and serving as the board president for PFLAG Springfield. What did you learn the hard way? I can’t do it all. Slowing down over the last year has made me more effective at the things that matter and a lot happier. Your most treasured possession? When I was in college, I saw a video and it inspired me to make a bucket list that included 500plus things I wanted to do, see or accomplish. A few times a year, I will open it up, mark off the things I’ve completed, add a new goal and pick a few more things that I want to cross off that year. Favorite hobby or creative outlet? I brew my own mead and I’ve even won a couple of awards for it. —Nicole Chilton, Contributing Writer AARON SCHEKORRA Springfield-Greene County Health Department HEATHER MOSLEY
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