MARCH 4-10, 2024 8 · SBJ.NET NEWS SBJ announces 2024 class of Men of the Year by SBJ Staff · sbj@sbj.net An independent panel of judges has chosen the 14th annual class of Springfield Business Journal’s Men of the Year. The award recognizes the professional, philanthropic and civic contributions of 20 businessmen throughout the Springfield region. The 2024 Men of the Year honorees, in alphabetical order, are: Wes Buchholz, Council of Churches of the Ozarks Inc.; Dr. Robert L. Carolla, retired; Tim Dygon, The Arc of the Ozarks; Duan Gavel, City Utilities of Springfield and All Things Diverse SGF LLC; Eric Gerke, Guaranty Bank; Jarad Giddens, Meridian Title Co. and city of Nixa; Ryan Goeden, New Life Church; Ryan Hurn, New York Life Insurance Co.; Jeff Kennedy, Nixon & Lindstrom Insurance; Johnny T. McNeil, Community Partnership of the Ozarks Inc.; Austin Miller, Wise Built Custom Homes; Matthew D. Morris, Missouri State University; Tyler Padgitt, The Courageous Church; Cristian Rath, Abacus CPAs LLC; Scott Rose, Murney Associates, Realtors; Sam Rost, city of Marshfield; Michael Smith, Next Level Solutions; Matthew B. Suarez, Central Trust Co.; Adam Toth, Toth and Associates Inc.; and Christopher Upton, Abilities First. The Men of the Year event is planned for April 18. Find more information at SBJ.net/MOTY. For this year’s event, SBJ is partnering with nonprofit Abilities First to help raise funds for its programs serving Greene County individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. • Now hiring scan or visit bit.ly/TOTHcareers 1550 E Republic Road Springfield, MO 65804 (417) 888-0645 AN EXCITING PLACE TO WORK! According to a recent independent survey. 98% EMPLOYEE SATISFACTION SCORE Electrical | Structural | Civil Land Surveying | GIS The 2024 Men of the Year honorees were chosen by an independent panel of judges. Judges are asked to recuse themselves from scoring questionnaires if they have a conflict of interest. [Editor’s note: A fifth judge did not complete scoring in time for publication.] The judges are: • Patrick Carpenter, president of GRITT Business Coaching LLC and a 2023 Men of the Year honoree. • Ursula Gorman, human resources manager for BarkerPhillips-Jackson Inc. and a 2022 Top HR Professional in the Dynamic Dozen Awards. • Nicole Holt, deputy superintendent of academics for Springfield Public Schools and a 2023 Most Influential Women honoree. • David Schaumburg, assistant director of aviation for the Springfield-Branson National Airport and a 2023 40 Under 40 honoree. Meet the Judges Gorman Schaumburg Carpenter Holt by Geoff Pickle · gpickle@sbj.net The Macy’s store in Springfield will not be shuttering as part of a nationwide store-closure plan announced by the retailer in late February. The 2825 S. Glenstone Ave., Ste. 100, store at Battlefield Mall is remaining open, according to a statement provided to Springfield Business Journal by Macy’s corporate communications. New York-based Macy’s Inc. (NYSE: M) on Feb. 27 announced it would shutter “approximately 150 underproductive locations through 2026,” leaving it with 350 stores remaining. “Our new strategy is designed to return Macy’s Inc. to profitable growth and enhance the customer experience. This allows us to focus our investments and resources on Macy’s go-forward locations,” the statement sent to SBJ reads. “We look forward to continuing to serve our customers at Macy’s Battlefield Mall.” The store closure initiative, part of a plan called A Bold New Chapter, includes 50 locations that are slated to shutter by the end of the company’s fiscal year. Macy’s additionally operates Missouri locations in the Kansas City and St. Louis areas, according to its website. • Springfield Macy’s store spared amid closure plans SBJ FILE The Macy’s store at Battlefield Mall is staying open, according to a company statement.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy