SPRINGFIELD BUSINESS JOURNAL · 11 APRIL 8-14, 2024 MEN OF THE YEAR 2024 TABLE OF CONTENTS Congratulations to the 20 men selected as recipients of Springfield Business Journal’s Men of the Year class of 2024! This accolade recognizes their leadership and impact within our community, underscoring their varied contributions across many fields including banking, education, health care, insurance, investments and the nonprofit sector. Despite my personal acquaintance with only a handful of them, it is clear their shared traits and values likely overshadow their differences, contributing to their nomination and ultimate selection as Men of the Year. I am sure they all have an incredible passion for the work they do in our community. While there are few different definitions of passion, the one I prefer is “a strong or extravagant fondness, enthusiasm or desire for anything.” You could ask each one of them and they would obviously have a great passion for their family and friends. They would undoubtedly have a passion for their work and the difference they make for their clients, customers and co-workers. The passion they show on a daily basis is certainly one of the reasons they were nominated. I would suspect another thing they all have in common is their desire to be leaders and agents of change in our community. Each person has their own leadership style and leadership journey. Most, if not all, had an amazing mentor early in their business career, or even earlier during their high school or college years. Each one of these men lead in a variety of diverse ways, but all are driven to have influence in their various areas of vocation. One of my favorite quotes on leadership comes from Ralph Waldo Emerson: “Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” These 20 gentlemen likely adhere to this statement. Lastly, I would guess each of these men has a level of empathy for those in their circles of life. When I think of empathy, I think of this quote from Maya Angelou: “I have learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” In a world craving genuine connections, it is vitally important that we focus on how we interact with those around us and to always show grace because we never know what people are dealing with in their day-to-day lives. These men exemplify what it means to drive positive change, not only through their professional accomplishments but in the way they live their lives, fostering a community where everyone is encouraged to thrive. Their example is a beacon for all, illustrating the profound effect of leadership imbued with passion, innovation and empathy. Once again, congratulations to the SBJ Men of the Year 2024 for their remarkable achievements and for setting a standard of excellence and compassion in our community. Anthony Roberts is executive director of Community Blood Center of the Ozarks and a 2023 Men of the Year honoree. He can be reached at robertsa@cbco.org. Who influenced the person you are today? It’s a question someone asked me recently and the inquiry is still bouncing around in my head. Teachers, family members, bosses, old and new friends, acquaintances – if we’re smart, we learn a little something about the world and our place in it from everyone we come across. I got a glimpse, and you will too after reading these profiles, into the people who have helped shape the individuals in this year’s class of Men of the Year. Through their short-answer Q&As, they answered questions about their families, dream dinner party guests and the words they live their lives by, among others. Compiling these answers from the honorees is my favorite part of the issue. The way we work, the approach we take to projects, the reasons why we give back and the drive that keeps us going – all of this is influenced by the people who are or have been in our lives. A round of applause to the honorees and the people who helped them become the standout employees and giving community members they are today. And thanks to the judges who selected the 2024 class. —Christine Temple, Executive Editor Here’s the Men of the Year selection process from start to finish: 1. Nominations are submitted from across the community. 2. Nominees are notified and given questionnaires to fill out for judges’ consideration. 3. SBJ selects an independent panel of judges to evaluate each submitted questionnaire, along with a resume and letter of recommendation. 4. Judges individually score each applicant based on their professional accomplishments, leadership/influence and civic engagement. 5. Judges are asked to recuse themselves from scoring any nominee who would be considered a conflict of interest. 6. SBJ tallies all judges’ scores to determine the top 20, with no two honorees from the same organization. 7. SBJ announces the honorees and reveals the year’s judges. Christine Temple Anthony Roberts EDITOR’S NOTE THE JUDGING PROCESS PASSION, LEADERSHIP, EMPATHY CONNECT THE HONOREES 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 Meet the Judges the Year honoree. • Ursula Gorman, human resources manager for Barker-Phillips-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. Wes Buchholz . . . . . . . .12 Dr. Robert L. Carolla . . . . . 12 TimDygon. . . . . . . . .13 Duan Gavel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 EricGerke . . . . . . . . .14 Jarad Giddens . . . . . . . .15 RyanGoeden . . . . . . . . 16 RyanHurn. . . . . . . . .16 JeffKennedy . . . . . . . . 17 Johnny T. McNeil . . . . . . 18 Austin Miller . . . . . . . . 18 Matthew D. Morris . . . . . .19 Tyler Padgitt . . . . . . . . 20 Cristian Rath . . . . . . . . 20 ScottRose. . . . . . . . .21 SamRost.........22 Michael Smith . . . . . . . 22 Matthew B. Suarez . . . . . 23 AdamToth. . . . . . . . .24 Christopher Upton . . . . . 24 Past Honorees . . . . . . . 25 SUPPORTING SPONSORS PRESENTED BY Gorman Schaumburg Carpenter Holt
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