26 · SBJ.NET MARCH 6-12, 2023 40 UNDER 40 40 Under 40 Alumni Spotlight 2000 John Everett Then: Chief financial officer, The Bank Now: CEO, Legacy Bank & Trust Co. John Everett, 53, has banking in his blood. However, banking wasn’t Everett’s first choice. He initially studied accounting, thinking he’d follow in the footsteps of his older brother – Tom Everett of Elliott, Robinson & Co. LLP – rather than his father – Eugene Everett, a co-founder of The Bank, where John worked 1997-2004. “I didn’t intend for it to be my career,” he says. “I started in a part-time role in college and fell in love with the relationship side of it. That’s so much of business.” Everett’s worked at only three banks in his career, and the current one is where he says he’ll retire. Of late, he and the Legacy team have engineered a creative growth strategy through the federal Community Development Financial Institution fund, New Markets Tax Credit program and Housing and Urban Development loans. “We’re always ready for something new,” he says. What’s your best advice to young professionals? Work hard. There are no short cuts to the top. It is a long road, and hustle and determination will always win in the end. —Eric Olson, Editorial Vice President 2010 Christopher Lazzaro Then: Development leader, Associated Electric Cooperative Inc. Now: Interim chief information officer, Associated Electric Cooperative Inc. Since November, Christopher Lazzaro has been seeing Associated Electric Cooperative from a new perspective: that of interim chief information officer. In 2022, AECI sent Lazzaro, 42, to a fiveweek intensive at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. “I was trying to plug into a larger ecosystem and understand what work is being done there, what ideas are being wrestled with there, what technology is being produced there,” he says. He adds he is excited about the concept of bridging places that have ideas and energy to build on, whether that is between academia and business or between startups and enterprises. Lazzaro’s experience coaching startups through the Efactory is an example of bridging in action. “I’m passionate about coaching people and organizations, with a focus on creating a culture where people can grow and thrive and feel a sense of ownership, mastery and empowerment,” he says. Best advice to young professionals? Never stop growing. Make it part of your brand early in your career, and keep it all the way through. —Karen Craigo, Reporter 2006 Sam M. Coryell Then: President, Coryell Enterprises Now: President, Coryell Collaborative Group In 2006, Sam M. Coryell was president of Coryell Enterprises, the construction division within Coryell Collaborative Group. In 2009, with the Great Recession in full swing, Coryell stepped up to preside over the entire organization. Coryell, 50, started working with social service agencies to help tenants stay in place, but meanwhile, banks were calling in notes. Coryell had to come up with $2 million within 90 days to avoid a foreclosure. An 11th-hour loan from The Bank of Bolivar saved his bacon. “I’d never been super involved in the operations department, but in 2009 I got real involved. Honestly, I was counting nickels and dimes,” he says. Coryell says that seasoning instilled lasting discipline, noting, “We were able to navigate the COVID years without a hiccup.” Those lessons may prove relevant again this year, Coryell says. Best advice to young professionals? You never know where help’s going to come from. Don’t ever discount a relationship. —Karen Craigo, Reporter 2012 Amanda Hedgpeth Then: Assistant vice president, CoxHealth Now: Chief operating officer, CoxHealth Less than a year after becoming president of Springfield hospitals at CoxHealth, Amanda Hedgpeth, 39, was promoted again at the end of 2022. Hedgpeth, who has worked with the health care system since 2005, is now its chief operating officer. She says her responsibilities extend to six hospitals in Springfield, Branson, Monett and Barton County. “It’s really been a pretty natural transition,” she says of the change in leadership roles, noting she oversees roughly 7,500 employees. “I’ve been at CoxHealth for over 17 years, so I already had really strong relationships with the leaders I’m continuing to work with.” Additionally, Hedgpeth serves on the board of directors for the Jordan Valley Innovation Center, which is a space for Missouri State University researchers, students and corporate partners to conduct research and development. What’s your best advice to young professionals? Focus on the role you’re in and excel at it. Sometimes people try to focus on what that next thing is they’re trying to achieve or that next position. —Mike Cullinan, Reporter 2018 Ben Agee Mandy Anthes Caleb Arthur Catherine Bass Black Amy Blansit Mary Bozarth Rob Buchanan Kristin Carter Chuck Dow Jill Finney Audrey Garard Ashley Harkness Laura Head Elliott Britton Jobe Tammy Kelley Brandon Kennedy Luke Kuschmeader Ryan Lacson Emily Laurie Heather Lewis Lindsey Lund Brett Magers Crystal Mapp Matt Miller Rob Mooney Rick Mouery Jean Nyberg Ryan Oldham Jeffrey Parkison Crystal Quade Rachel Riso Sarah Russell Hugo Sanchez Matthew Simpson Rachael Mhire Dr. Jacob Thomas Amy Townsend Clay Trautman Kevin Waterland Gary Wood 2019 Mark Acre Karen Braun Elizabeth Brooks Dustin Brown Lauren Brown Michael Buttacy Will Carter Casey Chasteen Dr. Sarah Cimino Justin Coyan Hector Cruz Charles Evans Laura Farmer Kaiti Greenwade Alex Haldiman Heather Hardinger Brandy Harris Cameron Jones Cameron LaBarr Nichole Lemmon Dr. Derek Magers Kaitlyn McConnell Jennifer Peterson Phil Rauch Amber Riddle Brian Riedy Lori Rook Travis Schnelle Millie Schuchmann Beth Schulte Megan Short Ryan Sivill James Stevens Summer Trottier Diana Tyndall Dr. Luke Van Kirk Andreea Westerhold Michael White Ryan Willbanks James Wilson 2020 Elizabeth Avery Josh Bade Jasmine Bailey Kirk Baumann Thomas Bieker Brandon Bowenschulte Katie Buford Derek Chaney Nicole Chilton Timothy Chitwood Danny Collins Cole Currier Andy Drennen Nate Dunville Katie Fulp Erica Gaynor Cassie Hanson Rachel Heinz Melinda Honey Joel Hornickel David Kelly Past Honorees
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