Blair Gann
Assistant Vice President, Commercial Lending, at Central Bank of the Ozarks
Blair Gann
Photo by Katy St. ClairBlair Gann is Assistant Vice President, Commercial Lending, at Central Bank of the Ozarks.
Purchase Photo
Marshfield is the home of the longest running Fourth of July celebration west of the Mississippi River.
It’s a point of pride for the community, but it’s also something that Blair Gann just knows.
“My family is a fourth-generation farm family in Webster County, and the Saddle Club here, my great-grandpa was one of the founding members,” she says. “Marshfield is more than my home, it’s my family’s history, and it’s where I’m trying to leave a legacy.”
Gann was raised in Marshfield, where she began her professional life as an agriculture teacher. Now, she’s Assistant Vice President of Commercial Lending with Central Bank of the Ozarks, working to build connections and capital in Webster County’s economy. To do that, she develops relationships with local business owners and encourages leaders to not just live, but work, grow and build businesses in Webster County.
“Blair’s ability to harness the strengths of both innovation and tradition cultivates a dynamic environment, where local businesses thrive and residents flourish,” says Monica Stewart, President/CEO of Monica’s Media, who nominated Gann. “Her commitment to staying ahead of the curve, while remaining deeply invested in the community, makes her an invaluable asset to our community’s continued success.”
As a leader, Gann serves on the board of The Webster County Fair, Marshfield Area Community Foundation and the Missouri University Extension Webster County. Plus, she started a nonprofit, the Webster County Market Animal Show and Sale, which cultivates skills and scholarships for local students.
After watching many Webster County young professionals leave for opportunities nearby, she helped launch Leadership Marshfield, a dynamic professional development experience designed to help young people engage, invest and, hopefully, plant deep roots in Marshfield.
The future of Webster County depends on local talent choosing to not just stay but invest and build on a tradition of success for a brighter future, she says.
“I’m a big believer in no one is coming to save us in our community,” she says. “If there’s a cow out of her pasture and you are the only one around, you have to figure out how to fix the problem yourself. We can help ourselves now, invest and innovate now, and 10 years or a generation from now, we will reap the benefits.”
Nailed It, Failed It with Blair Gann
“Helping to launch Leadership Marshfield with Missy Montgomery was a time when I nailed it. There was such a need for high-quality local professional and leadership development, and I was proud when we secured the funding through local partners, and MU Extension Webster County gave us the avenue to launch the experience. It was a great program that benefitted my career and my community, while helping a ton of people at the same time. That’s work I really love to do.” #NailedIt
“Once, I was asked to sell a horse for someone else. I hadn’t ridden the horse that much, and someone was coming to try it out, and my husband got bucked off the horse immediately upon the buyer’s arrival. That was a life lesson. If you’re going to sell something for someone else, you’ve got to check it out yourself. He was fine, but that was a lesson learned, and a lesson that I carry with me in business.” #FailedIt
For the Record
Favorite podcast
The Fallon Taylor Podcast.
As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Agricultural lawyer.
Your hometown
Marshfield.
Your coffee order
Sugar-free vanilla latte at Rise Coffee.
Favorite way to unwind in the Ozarks?
Riding horses and team roping.
Meaningful mentors
Jon and Lindsey Cartwright.
