Who WE Are

Brandon Ayers

Brandon Ayers is vice president and director of retail banking at OMB Bank in Springfield, Mo. and has nearly 15 years of experience in the banking industry. His notable career has been marked by a succession of pivotal roles, showcasing his commitment to customer service and expertise in retail banking.

His banking career began at Sun Security Bank, where he started as a teller. Following the acquisition of Sun Security by Great Southern Bank, Brandon transitioned to the latter, taking on increasingly challenging roles such as personal banker, assistant branch manager and eventually branch manager. His most recent role as retail banking regional manager for Great Southern helped solidify his reputation as a skilled and accomplished leader in the field. As the director of retail banking at OMB, Brandon continues to uphold a standard of excellence and professionalism, driving innovation and success for the $1.4 billion community bank.

Earning a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration and a Master of Business Administration degree from Southwest Baptist University, Brandon has honed a comprehensive understanding of the intricacies of financial services and the importance of making banking accessible to customers of all means.

In addition to his service with the Springfield Sports Commission, Brandon actively contributes to the community as the current board treasurer for the North Springfield Betterment Association. His dedication to the community reflects his commitment to fostering positive change and growth in the local area.

Erin Boster

Erin Boster is the President and Owner of Collegiate Awards.

PREVIOUS POSITIONS & YEARS OF SERVICE:
Director of Operations / Owner, Carrollton Specialty Products 2001 – 2012
Casualty Claims Specialist, State Farm Insurance 1999 – 2001
Property Claims Representative, State Farm Insurance 1998 – 1999
Inside Sales Representative, Positronic Industries 1996 – 1997

Devin Buehler

Devin Buehler is the Director of Operations for Mercy Springfield Orthopedics and Sports Medicine. Devin grew up on a dairy farm in Mt. Vernon, MO. She played volleyball in undergrad at Drury University; and graduated with her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from SBU in 2014. Devin is married; and enjoys being active and outdoors!

Teri Cantwell

Teri Cantwell is the Senior Vice President of Human Resources at Central Bank.

PREVIOUS POSITIONS & YEARS OF SERVICE:
Director of Human Resources Lenoir Woods/Lutheran Senior Services 2 years
Human Resources Officer Central Bank of Boone County 3.5 years
Assistant Human Resources Manager OCCI 2 years
Track and Field Coach University of Missouri-Columbia Volunteer then Assistant Coach 7 years
Head Assistant Track and Field Coach Oklahoma State University 2 years
Professional Track and Field Athlete for USA and Nike 5 years
Sports Information
2000 USA Olympian-Track and Field Shot put
1999 World Indoor Bronze Medalist-Track and Field-Shot put
Bronze Medalist Pam Am Games
2 Time USA Champion
2 Time NCAA Champion
8 Time All American Shot put and Discus
Former Collegiate Record Holder NCAA Division I Shot put.
Nebraska All Class State Champion 8 times Shot put and Discus
Sponsored by Nike and Powerbar
EDUCATION Southern Methodist University

Dallas, Texas
Major History
Minor Anthropology with Secondary Education
William Woods University
Fulton, Missouri
MBA with emphasis in Human Resources

ORGANIZATIONS & AFFILIATIONS
Great Circle Regional Board President 2021/2022, Board Member 2020, 2019, 2018
Harmony House Purple Party Chair 2022, Committee Member 2020, 2019
American Heart Association Go Red Chair
Springfield Area Human Resources Association member 2016-current
Women’s Intersport Network-WIN 2010-current
Olympians Association 2000-current
American Legion Auxiliary 1975-current
Columbia Chamber of Commerce Women’s Network
Human Resources Association of Central Missouri HRACMO 2010-2016
Society of Human Resources Management-SHRM

Jennifer Dalton

As Chief Operating Officer at the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce, I leverage over 20 years of experience to drive organizational success and community growth. I oversee financial integrity, human resources, and facility management, while leading initiatives like the Chamber’s Reach Campaign to enhance member engagement. I hold a Bachelor’s in Agricultural Business and an MBA in Finance from Missouri State University, and I’m a graduate of Leadership Springfield, honored as a Springfield Business Journal ’40 Under 40′ recipient. Beyond my professional role, I am active in the community as a Sustainer Director with the Junior League of Springfield and serve on various boards, including the Greenwood Parents Association.

Chuck Hepola

Chuck Hepola was appointed Director of Athletics at Evangel University in January 2025 while continuing to serve as head coach of the Valor football program. A 2015 return to his alma mater marked the beginning of a remarkable turnaround for Evangel football.

Under Hepola’s leadership, the Valor quickly emerged as a championship-caliber program. During his first four seasons, Evangel captured a share of the Heart South Division title in 2017. That success earned Hepola Heart South Division Coach of the Year honors in both 2017 and 2018. Throughout that period, the Valor remained consistently ranked among the NAIA’s top 20 teams. The program continued its ascent by rising into the Top 10 of the national polls in 2018 and 2019. Evangel reached as high as No. 6 nationally during that span. The 2018 season proved especially notable as the Valor opened the year with a 7–0 record. That team recorded three victories over Top 25 opponents. Among those wins was a signature upset of eventual NAIA national runner-up Benedictine. In 2023, Evangel achieved another historic milestone by earning its first postseason berth since 2005. The Valor completed the regular season with an unblemished 11–0 record. It was the program’s first undefeated regular season since 2001. Hepola holds a 53–31 overall record at Evangel, ranking second in school history for head coaching wins. The 2023 season also featured a defining cultural moment, as more than 40 players were baptized, establishing a new annual team tradition. Defensively, the Valor have developed into one of the NAIA’s premier units under Hepola’s guidance. Evangel players have earned the conference Defensive Player of the Year award five times during his tenure. Individual excellence has followed, with multiple players earning All-American recognition, including four during the 2023 season alone. Beyond the field, Hepola emphasizes academic achievement, with 98 players named Daktronics NAIA Scholar-Athletes since 2016.

Rob Marsh

A visionary leader with 27 years of experience at Springfield-based Pyramid Foods, which operates Price Cutter Supermarkets, Rob is well-equipped to guide the Hall into a new era of success. He has a deep understanding of the Price Cutter Charity Championship, a major event on the Korn Ferry Tour, and will continue overseeing it in his new role.

A 1991 graduate of Kickapoo High School, Rob’s career at Price Cutter spans various positions, including Assistant Manager, District Manager, Director of Operations, and Vice President of Sales & Merchandising. He played a key role in the company’s involvement with the Price Cutter tournament, which has donated over $20.5 million to Ozarks charities. Rob’s leadership has earned him recognition, including being named to Supermarket News’ Supermarket Rising Leader list and Springfield Business Journal’s 40 Under 40. He was also honored with the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame’s President’s Award in 2021.

Chris Martin

Chris Martin became the General Manager of Allison Sports Town in late 2023. Chris comes to Allison Sports Town after serving as a Project Manager for two years at Toth and Associates. At Toth and Associates, Chris served as a Project Manager in Land Services working primarily with Umatilla Electric Cooperative in Oregon.

Chris has coached and worked in athletics for over 15 years, serving in several capacities including coaching and administration. Chris is married to Michelle Martin who works in the Springfield Public Schools Athletic Department, and they are the proud parents of six-year old Tate.

Kyle McClure

Kyle McClure is the Director Governmental Affairs/Public Policy for City Utilities of Springfield. He’s been a part of the CU team for twelve years working with federal and state policymakers. Prior to joining the utility, Kyle’s professional experience includes working ten years for Senator “Kit” Bond and Congressman Roy Blunt. He is a graduate of Drury University.

Jeremy Mhire

Jeremy Mhire is Owner of Proximal Strength | CrossFit Springfield, a gym and brand dedicated to empowering lives through the platforms of fitness and community. Mhire is also Founder/Director of The Heart of America Team Competition, the 2nd longest-running CrossFit competition in the world after the CrossFit Games. Jeremy qualified and competed 5X as an individual at the CrossFit Games Regionals and was at one point ranked amongst the Top 100 men in the world, leading to sponsorships with 1st Phorm and Lululemon. Mhire grew up in Springfield where he attended Kickapoo High School and then earned his bachelor’s degree in Sports Medicine & Athletic Training at Missouri State University. He has worked in the field of fitness, sports performance, and strength & conditioning for 20 years. In that time, he’s trained, developed, and poured into competitive athletes of all ages, levels, and sports. Collectively, his athletes have received full-ride athletic scholarships to Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, Northern lowa, Southern Illinois, Southeast Missouri State, Drury, Iona, Pitt State, Missouri Southern, Evangel, Lipscomb, and Central Methodist. Paramount to any accomplishments is Jeremy’s faith in God, followed by his desire to love, cherish, and honor Jenny, his wife of 20 years, his son, Vincent, and his daughter, Emille

Nyla Milleson

The architect of the Drury Lady Panthers basketball program that established itself as a national power in NCAA-II has returned to Drury University to lead its Athletics Department. Nyla Milleson, Drury’s first women’s basketball head coach, was named as the next Vice President and Director of Athletics by the university president, Dr. Tim Cloyd on Feb. 21, 2022.

She is the first woman to lead an athletics department at any of Springfield’s collegiate programs, including Drury, Missouri State, and Evangel.

Milleson was the first head coach for the Drury women’s basketball program when the team launched in the 2000-01 season. She built the team into a national power immediately as Drury won 20 games in its first year and reached the NCAA-II championship game in just their fourth season. In seven years as Drury’s head coach, Milleson posted a record of 185-36, her teams appeared in five NCAA-II tournaments, won three conference championships, two NCAA-II Regional championships, and the 2004 team was the national runner-up. She was named Coach of the Year in the Heartland Conference four times and won the same award in the Great Lakes Valley Conference twice.

Now in their 22nd year, the Drury women’s basketball program boasts the best all-time winning percentage in the nation with a record of 569-115 (.833); they’ve earned trips to 18 NCAA-II tournaments, won 10 conference championships, and have reached the D-II title game twice in their history. Since the opening of the O’Reilly Family Event Center in 2010, the Lady Panthers have ranked in the top 10 in NCAA-II women’s basketball attendance each year.

Following her stay at Drury, Milleson spent 14 years as a head coach at the Division I level. She led Missouri State to three straight 20-win seasons and guided the Lady Bears to a Missouri Valley Conference regular-season championship in 2012. Milleson became the head coach at George Mason in 2013-14 and, in five years, took a program that won just eight games in her first year to a team-record 24 wins and the club’s first national postseason appearance in 14 years.

Milleson stepped down at the end of the 2020-21 season to return to the Ozarks and, for the last year has served as the Director of Athletics for the Hollister R-V School District in Hollister, Missouri.

Milleson originally arrived in southwest Missouri in 1992 when she was named as the head coach of the girls’ basketball program at Glendale High School in Springfield. In seven years, she posted a record of 157-39 while guiding the Lady Falcons to two state semifinal appearances and the 1996 Class 4A state championships.

In 2016, Milleson was inducted into the Drury Athletics Hall of Fame, and she was inducted into the Springfield Area Sports Hall of Fame in 2018. Milleson and her husband Brent have two sons, Barrett and Caylor. A native of Goodland, Kansas, she has degrees in Psychology and Education from Kansas State University and a Master’s in Education Administration from Kansas State.

Aaron Owen

Aaron Owen is the General Manager of the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds and Event Center in Springfield, MO since June of 2012. The Fairgrounds produce or co-produced fifteen events and have one hundred and four event rentals and catering plus several off-site food events. The Ozark Empire Fairgrounds has a conventions department for pipe and drape, tables, chairs etc. as well as on-site camping.

Aaron spent thirty-three years working for Paul Mueller Company serving as President of Mueller Transport, Inc. for twelve years and seven years as President of Mueller field Operations, Inc. and four years as divisional President of Mueller Services with gross revenue responsibility of twenty five million to one hundred and forty million per year.

Aaron owns and operates a large purebred Simmental and Angus cow calf beef cattle operation with his family. Aaron was on the American Simmental National Board, one year as their publication Chairmen and One year as their Chairmen. Aaron Is currently serving on the American Simmental Foundation Board, Sports Commission Board, Cattle Baron Executive Board and Missouri Simmental Board.

Brent Parker

Brent Parker, a veteran of the hospitality industry with over 35 years of experience, grew up in Southwest Missouri and graduated from Missouri State University in 1992. He spent 25 years at Marriott International, honing his expertise in hotel management and operations. After his tenure with Marriott, he moved into a leadership role with John Q. Hammons Hotels/Atrium Hospitality, where he has been contributing for the past 10 years.

Jason Pyrah

Jason Pyrah is a Licensed Athletic Trainer and the Sports Medicine Manager at CoxHealth. Jason is an Olympic athlete, running the 1500 meter in both the 1996 and 2000 Olympics. Jason is now active as a MSHSAA track and field official, officiating both Cross Country and Track and Field.

Josh Scott

Joshua Scott is the District Athletic Director for Springfield Public Schools. He is currently serving his 11th year in Athletic Administration and 18th overall in public education. Josh has been active in both the Missouri Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association and earned his Certified Master Athletic Administration in 2014. 2019 marked the end of his term as President for the MIAAA and he currently serves as Secretary for the Board of Directors for the NIAAA. Josh was the MIAAA AD of the Year in 2017, NFHS Citation Winner in 2018 and NIAAA State Award of Merit recipient in 2019. Josh is married to Keely, a Glendale Falcon high school teacher and father to Gabriel.

Jill Simmons

Jill Simmons is an experienced Service Administrator with a strong background in government administration, specializing in community recreation services. With over a decade at the Springfield-Greene County Park Board, she has developed and managed a variety of programs focused on aquatics, family centers, health and wellness, community athletics, and tennis. In her role, Jill engages in business planning and implements initiatives that enhance community involvement and recreational opportunities for residents.

Prior to her tenure at the Springfield-Greene County Park Board, Jill served as the Assistant Director of Branson Parks and Recreation and held leadership positions as the Director of Parks and Recreation in Millersville, TN, and Willard, MO.

Jill holds a Master of Science (M.S.) in Parks and Recreation from Middle Tennessee State University and is passionate about fostering healthy communities through recreational programming and dedicated service.

Stacie Wells

Stacie Wells is the CEO of Lighthouse Christian Chargers, a nonprofit homeschool athletic program serving more than 1,100 athletes, and former General Manager of the Ozarks Lunkers, a professional arena football team in The Arena League. She brings over 25 years of experience in sports leadership and 13 years in sports facility management, having helped open and operate multi-million dollar complexes across the country. Stacie also consults with cities and organizations on youth sports strategy, sponsorship, and operations, and is passionate about using sports to build character, strengthen families, and fuel community and economic development.

Ben Whitlock

Ben was raised in Springfield, Missouri, where he attended Greenwood Laboratory School before pursuing his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration at the University of Arkansas. He is currently a Commercial Loan Officer at Great Southern Bank, leveraging his financial expertise to support local businesses.

Ben’s passion for sports has been a lifelong influence, having played soccer, tennis, and golf throughout his youth. His dedication to sports continues today through his involvement on the Springfield Sports Commission Board, Lake Country Soccer’s Board, and Ducks Unlimited’s Springfield Chapter. Outside of work, Ben enjoys spending time with his wife, Claire, and their two children, William and Annie. His hobbies include hunting, fishing, and spending time at Table Rock Lake.

Danielle Ziverk

A Springfield, Missouri native, Danielle Ziverk, brings nearly a decade of experience in the hospitality industry, with a passion for creating exceptional guest experiences and fostering strong community connections. Currently serving on the Board of Directors for the Springfield Hotel Lodging Association, Danielle plays an active role in shaping the future of local hospitality.

With a Bachelor of Science in Entertainment Management from Missouri State University, Danielle combines industry knowledge with a creative, service-driven approach. Outside of work, she enjoys staying active and involved in the world of sports.