Hirings and promotions at the chamber, health department and SRC Holdings

Chamber hires Arjes as SVP of economic development

The Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce announced the hiring of Jonas Arjes as its new senior vice president of economic development, effective October. Arjes brings a wealth of experience in business, regional collaboration and workforce development to this pivotal role.

Arjes, who currently serves as executive vice president and chief economic development officer for the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and as executive director of the Taney County Partnership, will guide the Chamber's efforts to foster a vibrant economy, build a robust workforce pipeline and work with stakeholders and partners throughout the 10-county region. He will oversee the Chamber’s economic development efforts, with a focus on business retention and expansion, business attraction, workforce development and positioning the region for competitive success.

Health Department names communication, outreach coordinator

Springfield-Greene County Health Department has named Anna Kremer as its new communication and outreach coordinator. Kremer joined the department as a health policy analyst in July 2023. In this role, Kremer developed communication about legislation and other health topics and educated the community, health leaders and policymakers about public health.

Kremer brings nine years of healthcare, public health policy and leadership experience to the Health Department. In her first year at SGCHD, she helped the new maternal-child health program, Family Connects, secure $1 million in funding from the state of Missouri. Kremer also managed the Health Department’s activities within the Healthy Living Alliance of the Ozarks, helping to foster community partnerships and identify health priorities. She previously served as a Senior Learning Designer at Cerner Corporation and holds a Master of Public Health from St. Louis University.

As Coordinator of Communication and Outreach, Kremer joins the administrative team at the Health Department. Her primary responsibilities include development and implementation of the department’s communication and outreach strategy, media relations, health promotion and health policy.

SRC announces executive promotions

SRC Holdings iannounced two executive staff promotions, effective Sept. 1. These changes align long-term growth opportunities in information technology and real estate development.

Ryan Stack was promoted to executive vice president, working with Dennis Sheppard, general counsel and CFO, and gaining EVP responsibility for SRC Development Group while continuing to provide strategic direction, leadership and support to the Information Technology teams.

For the past 25 years, Stack has gained broad experience serving in multiple roles, including general manager at SRC Heavy Duty, and developed teams across the SRC companies in sales, finance, supply chain and IT. He has most recently served on the advisory board for SRC Development Group since 2022 and as chief information officer at SRC Holdings since 2016. Stack also serves as a board member for Arvest Bank and holds a degree in finance, marketing, management and international business from Washington University in St. Louis.

Matt Whisman was promoted to vice president of information technology, reporting to Stack. Whisman will assume Stack’s current responsibilities.

Whisman joined SRC Holdings as the information security director in 2022, bringing 15 years of experience from Jack Henry & Associates. In his time at SRC, Matt has led the IT team in making strides in company security and operational productivity. Outside of work, Matt coaches youth sports and serves as a Big with Big Brothers Big Sisters.

Springfield author wins 2024 Missouri Literary Award

The Missouri Library Association announced Susan Croce Kelly, an award-winning author and former newspaper reporter known for her insightful contributions to Route 66 history and the Ozarks, is the 2024 Missouri Literary Award winner and will be speaking at the Missouri Library Association Conference on Sept. 25 in Kansas City. Kelly will discuss her book, "Newspaperwoman of the Ozarks: The Life & Times of Lucile Morris Upton" (University of Arkansas Press), a biography that delves into the life of a pioneering female journalist who shaped the Ozarks and beyond.

Kelly, a former newspaper reporter in Springfield and St. Louis, has also worked in Texas, Chicago, Belgium, and England and is the founder and former editor of Ozarks Magazine and is the managing editor of OzarksWatch , a magazine dedicated to the history and culture of the Ozarks, published by the Ozarks Studies Institute of Missouri State University.

Renegade Harley-Davidson acquired by Florida company

The Ed Morse Automotive Group announced its acquisition of Renegade Harley-Davidson in Springfield, which will become Teddy Morse’s Renegade Harley-Davidson. Ed Morse Automotive purchased the dealership located at 3980 W. Sunshine St. from H&H Automotive LLC.

This will be the company’s 10th dealership in Missouri, joining locations in Rolla, Lebanon, Saint Robert, California, and Moberly, and is the company's sixth Harley-Davidson dealership, bringing it to 57 dealership locations and over 2,800 employees nationwide.

New stores open at Battlefield Mall, Warby Parker coming this fall

Warby Parker 's fifth Missouri store is scheduled to open this fall at Battlefield Mall, according to an announcement from Simon, in a location along the East Lifestyles Shoppes.

The new location will offer affordable, holistic eye care, including eye exams, the brand’s full assortment of evergreen and seasonal optical and sun frames, Scout by Warby Parker and third-party contacts brands, accessories, and more.

Also coming soon is Forever Bonded , a unique jewelry experience that offers permanent and custom-made designer jewelry.

Other new stores that opened recently include Brow16 , a beauty salon near American Eagle specializing in eyebrow and lip threading; Kendra Scott , a jewelry boutique now located next to lululemon in the mall's Lifestyle section; and Miniso , a variety store chain that specializes in household and consumer goods including cosmetics, stationery, toys, kitchenware, and more, located between Claire’s and Lolli And Pops.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Hirings and promotions at the chamber, health department and SRC Holdings