Meet Biz 417's 2024 Biz 100

On the Radar in the Ozarks: Steve Prange

As the lead consultant with Crawford, Murphy & Tilly for the vision of the Lake Springfield Plan, Steve Prange guided the city through one of its boldest, most ambitious redevelopment projects. His innovative ‘eco island’ concept will repurpose the lake bottom’s accumulated silt into several small islands, all connected by boardwalks.

This approach improves water quality, creates new wildlife habitat and drastically enhances public access, reimagining Lake Springfield as a multi-use nature preserve. Prange anticipates the development will be completed in phases over the next 5 to 10 years.

Lake Springfield isn’t the only project Prange is involved in. He also played a key role in the ongoing Grant Avenue Parkway revitalization, personally creating the preliminary plans. Under construction now, the three-mile corridor will connect Wonders of Wildlife to downtown.

Prange is at the forefront of some large infrastructure projects, including widening I-44, expanding Springfield-Branson National Airport and re-evaluating passenger rail projects all over Missouri. “We’re [Crawford, Murphy & Tilly] happy to call Springfield home,” he says. “We like the Midwest work ethic, and we love our local partners.”—Taryn Shorr-McKee

On the Radar in the Ozarks: Beth Domann

What I do is a secret,” Beth Domann laughs, and by that, she means she is the executive director at Springfield Little Theatre, which is celebrating its 90th season this year. Domann oversees the theater, picks the seasons, hires the directors and produces the shows. She joined the theater in 1996 as the education director, was appointed artistic director in 2002 and became the executive director in 2004. Domann has shaped Springfield Little Theatre into what it is today. “I feel like my job is to fly at 30,000 feet and see the ripple effects, and try to see as far ahead as I possibly can—to be the linebacker and clear the way,” Domann says. “That’s really what I try to do—give people the opportunity.”

The theater gives people the opportunity to perform and be a part of the arts. Economically, the arts in Springfield have a huge impact on this community. “One of my favorite things is to see kids that come in, and even adults, and are maybe shy and help them find their voice and gain confidence,” Domann says. “The show must go on, and I love that. I could do that every day—watch people blossom.”­—Jordan Blomquist

On the Radar in the Ozarks: Darrel Wilson

President and Chief Executive Officer at Wilson Logistics Inc., Darrel Wilson bought his first truck in 1980. He then founded Wil-Trans in 1990, pairing with company partners Prime Inc. and the Advance Fleet to offer 100% power only trucks.

The company has now evolved to a 500-truck fleet with terminals in Dallas, Texas and Springfield. Wilson strives to help drivers on his team build careers and empowering them to succeed while supporting them like family. Outside of employee wellness, Wilson always keeps an eye out for new opportunities for growth and acquisitions.

Wilson Logistics Inc. has commercial plans in the works at its corporate campus in Strafford to be a trucking and logistics-related community that seeks to complement existing offerings in Strafford. In addition, this summer marked the opening of the Wilson Logistics Arena at Ozark Empire Fairgrounds.

The arena seats over 6,400 patrons and is designed for trade show events, concerts, sporting events, horse shows and more. The opening of the arena played a pivotal role in the addition of the Ozarks Lunkers Arena Football team.—Jo Jolliff

On the Radar in the Ozarks: Gary W. Schafer II

This year, FORVIS acquired Mazars USA to create the Forvis Mazars global network. The addition of the Mazars USA team members occurred in June 2024 and unlocks additional capabilities and services that Forvis Mazars can bring to their clients.

This acquisition follows a previous merger in 2022 when BKD became FORVIS, which made the local company a top 10 accounting firm in the U.S., according to Schafer. That organizational change allowed an opportunity to develop new and improved processes and tools. That, along with learnings from a substantial change, have been able to be leveraged throughout this most recent acquisition to set the stage for continued growth.

“With locations in 110 countries around the world, Forvis Mazars is now much better positioned to help our clients who have international needs,” Schafer explains. “And, it provides our talented team members with new opportunities.”

Between a new set of tools and capabilities and a remodeled Springfield office coming soon to more than 600 Southern Missouri team members serving clients nationally, growth for Forvis Mazars isn’t slowing down.—Peyson Mecke

On the Radar in the Ozarks: Young Jun

Young Jun is new to the Biz 100 list this year, but she’s definitely not new to the restaurant industry in Springfield. She and her husband John Jung have owned Haruno Sushi Bar & Grill for 25 years, and its success has opened up opportunities for the couple to create other dining ventures like Kai After Dark (which they recently sold to a longtime manager) and Karai Ramen & Handroll.

But after a quarter century running successful restaurants—each one adding its own personality to the dining scene—Jun recognized there was still an opportunity to give diners a different kind of Japanese dining experience.

She and Jung opened Ariake Sushi & Robata in June 2023, offering a full omakase sushi experience, A5 wagyu beef, robatayaki dishes and shareable small plates that have raised the bar for fine dining in Springfield.

Prior to making her mark on the restaurant industry in 417-land, Jun got a degree in fine art from Ewha University in South Korea and worked for a few years as an interior designer for LG. She has put that design experience to work in her restaurants, creating chic spaces that evoke an upscale atmosphere and sophisticated mood that are both in sync with the quality of the restaurants’ food.—Katie Pollock Estes

On the Radar in the Ozarks: Phil Melugin

Serving more than 8,000 patients and providing careers to nearly 4,000 healthcare professionals, Phoenix Home Healthcare & Hospice is delivering on improving the quality of life of the people they serve. Phil Melugin and his wife, Kim, started Phoenix in Springfield, and have grown the organization to communities across Missouri, Kansas and Illinois.

While recruitment can be challenging for healthcare, Phoenix hired more than 1,000 caregivers, nearly 400 nurses and nearly 80 therapists and social workers in 2023 to fulfill the increasing demand for care—about 60,000 total hours per week—in clients’ homes. “In today’s fast-paced business world, it is essential to focus on outcomes,” says Melugin. “Management by objectives allows for a clear and measurable way to track success and drive results. By prioritizing what is produced over how it was produced, we can streamline operations, increase efficiency, and ultimately achieve greater success.”

Phoenix actively lobbies state legislatures for better reimbursement rates, and their in-home care model helps reduce the cost of healthcare to their patients by lowering the number of hospital admissions and doctor’s visits, as well as postponing or eliminating the need to move into skilled or assisted living facilities.—Peyson Mecke

On the Radar in the Ozarks: Sally Hargis

Ozarks Coca-Cola, family-owned and operated in 417-land since 1920, added a new canning line in 2024—the first in its history. Completed this spring, the canning line was part one of a two-phase expansion that resulted in approximately 40 new jobs. “If we can produce locally what we sell locally, we cut down on transportation and other costs,” Hargis explains. “That’s more money we can put into local production.”

Phase two of the project is a new corporate office complex on the same site as the canning line. The building, expected to be ready in early 2025, will serve double-duty as a showplace, highlighting the company’s rich history in the Ozarks. Expect lots of antique Coca-Cola memorabilia, including a 1915 GMC truck originally built for WWI. “It’ll be an even more fun place to work,” Hargis says. “Everyone who joins our team is so proud of the brand.”

Looking ahead, Hargis is focused on a large-scale warehouse automation project set for completion in August 2025. The technology, which will assist in loading orders, will make jobs less physically demanding, “more foolproof” and safer. “We’re excited about warehouse automation, for the opportunities it will bring our employees,” she shares.—Taryn Shorr-McKee

On the Radar in the Ozarks: John Presley

For John Presley, growing up learning the piano was beyond school recitals — he was on-stage talent for his family’s Branson show, Presleys’ Country Jubilee, starting at age 10 and performing more than 200 shows each year. Learning to hone a skill and dedication to a craft helped inspire him to see where his talent and passion met and ultimately led to him starting local production company VALIDATE in 2016.

Since its start, VALIDATE has supported area businesses and brands as a local creative partner, where previously TV and commercial production was primarily sourced outside of the area, according to Presley.

“Everyone has their own approach to networking, but I’ve found the most success by giving my time,” says Presley. “Look for organizations or people in need and serve with your art. Connections and new opportunities will naturally come from that.”

The company was most recently behind the creative for Silver Dollar City’s revamped attraction, Fire in the Hole. As the team looks forward to 2025 and beyond, they’re focused on creating commercials, brand films and music for companies in the tourism and hospitality space.—Peyson Mecke

On the Radar in the Ozarks: Winter Kinne

After nearly two decades with Community Foundation of the Ozarks (CFO), Winter Kinne stepped into the role of President/CEO in early 2024. She succeeded longtime leader Brian Fogle, becoming only the fourth CEO in the organization’s 51-year history. “Our board put a lot of work into an extensive search; I am humbled and excited by the opportunity,” Kinne says.

The CEO’s first priority? Listening. “I don’t assume I know everything just because I’ve been with the organization for nearly two decades,” she explains. One of her major goals is to spend more time with CFO’s 55 affiliate community foundations, particularly in central and southern Missouri. The organization serves a staggering 62 counties in Missouri.

Another priority: hiring additional staff to support tremendous recent growth. CFO purchased the former Missouri State University Meyer Alumni Center in February, ending a two-year search for “somewhere impactful for both the community and organization.” After remodeling, the building will be the Springfield-based staff’s “forever home,” something Kinne believes is key. “It’s been very cool to dream about what it will mean for the CFO and our mission moving forward,” she says.—Taryn Shorr-McKee

On the Radar in the Ozarks: Cathy Stepp

Cathy Stepp has worn many hats over the years. For 18 years, she and her husband ran a small home-building business in Wisconsin, starting from their tuck-under garage. “I come from the regulated side of the community, so I know what it’s like to have rules that are local,” Stepp says. She then moved to the public sector, running for the state senate in her Wisconsin district and served four years as a state senator before becoming a cabinet secretary under Governor Scott Walker. She later joined the Trump administration as the regional administrator for the U.S. EPA in Chicago.

Now, Stepp has gone from larger stage positions to local government as the City Administrator in Branson. Her previous roles provided her with a deep understanding of how different branches of government operate and allowed her to see things from a broader perspective. “Here, I have a lot more hands-on ability to see a problem, solve the problem immediately and keep moving,” she says. Moving to Branson and finding a job that fits has been a long time coming, but Stepp finally feels at home. “This has been, by far, the most fun and rewarding job I’ve ever had,” she says. “It’s as if I’ve been here forever.”—Jordan Blomquist

On the Radar in the Ozarks: Christina Angle and John Griesemer

With cousins Christina Angle and John Griesemer in two key leadership positions, the homegrown Erlen Group saw major advancements in all facets of its business in 2024. Cold storage logistics company Cold Zone at Springfield Underground broke ground on its first-ever surface facility in June—a 170,000-square-foot building in Partnership Industrial Center West. The $57 million investment, slated for completion in August 2025, allows Cold Zone to offer greater temperature flexibility and accommodate growing demand. Chief Financial Officer and Vice President of Group Services Angle explains, “We are growing to meet both the success of the Springfield region and the national trends for more cold storage [toward fresher, healthier foods].”

Looking ahead, Erlen Group has several other big projects in the pipeline. The company plans to expand its Umlaut Industrial Transloading operations thanks to a grant from MoDOT’s Freight Enhancement Program, as well as start developing 600 acres above Springfield Underground for industrial use. In addition, its aggregates division continues to deliver quality crushed stone to be used as foundations in construction projects all over the Ozarks. “It’s an exciting time!” Angle says, pointing to growth across the company’s multiple pillars as key areas for continued expansion.—Taryn Shorr-McKee

On the Radar in the Ozarks: Rick Huffman

As Chief Executive Officer, Rick Huffman has led HCW Development in their mission to assess the needs and wishes of the development of communities. Locally, Huffman led the development of the Branson Landing in 2003, including the convention center and the famous gathering area around the Branson Landing water and fire show fountain. “I wanted to make sure that we had the wow factor of the Landing,” Huffman says. “Branson always lacked a downtown gathering area so we wanted to create an area where not only can the citizens have their events, but tourists too.”

Huffman has extended his work outside of the region with a variety of projects across the country. “Branson is still home to us even though we office in Phoenix and I go back and forth,” he says. “The company’s grown to a thousand employees now and we’re excited for the future.” This year Huffman has been working on the opening of  Caesars Republic in Scottsdale, Arizona, apartment units in Phoenix and Tucson, an A.C. Marriott in Kansas City, restaurants and a retail center in Overland Park, Kansas, a warehouse project in Branson and plenty more on the horizon.—Jo Jolliff

On the Radar in the Ozarks: Kirk Elmquist

Kirk Elmquist launched his business career right after graduating college in 1990. He moved to St. Louis, where he met his wife—they’ve been married for 30 years and have two children. Elmquist relocated to Springfield, where he worked with John Q. Hammons, the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame and the Price Cutter Charity Championship. He then helped launch the Double–A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals. “That was such an absolute joy to help start an organization in our community that is still thriving today,” Elmquist says.

After pursuing other business ventures, Elmquist is now the Executive Director of the Branson/Lakes Area Tourism Community Enhancement District. “Branson has a lot of moving parts,” Elmquist says. “My role is to make sure we get all seasons flowing for the very best opportunity for tourism to enhance each month.”

One of his team’s accomplishments has been the marketing partnership designating Branson as the official vacation destination of the Super Bowl Champion Kansas City Chiefs. “That’s been a really exciting opportunity, to be affiliated with the number one brand in the NFL, and then to see how it’s blended into all kinds of society,” he says. “Just to be a part of that has been one of the more joyful things I’ve gotten to do in my career.”—Jordan Blomquist

On the Radar in the Ozarks: Brad Thomas

Recently announcing the largest-ever park expansion, Silver Dollar City will develop 1,200 acres of land, adjacent to the current park. With Brad Thomas, president of Silver Dollar City Attractions at the helm, the construction project is just one part of the 10-year strategic plan. Calling the plans “exciting and bold,” Thomas says the new developments will continue to strengthen the Silver Dollar City brand with the addition of a 262-room resort. “Visitors will have even more reasons to come to Missouri’s beautiful Ozark Mountains,” Thomas says, smiling.

Under his leadership, the theme park saw a banner year, largely due to the spring grand opening of the second generation of Fire in the Hole, its iconic indoor roller coaster. The ride was the nation’s longest-running indoor coaster, hosting tens of millions of riders in its 51-year history. “The new ride helped drive record attendance at the park this year, drawing guests from all 50 states, as well as international visitors,” Thomas, who has a 30-plus-year history with the company himself, shares.

The reimagined Fire in the Hole also won two prestigious global awards from Amusement Today in 2024: Best New Theme Park Family Attraction and Best New Attraction Installation.—Taryn Shorr-McKee

On the Radar in the Ozarks: Pamela Yancey

You may recognize her from last year’s Biz 100 list, but this year, Pamela Yancey has pivoted into a new role, leading the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) and Taney County Partnership as the organizations’ President and CEO.

From finance to community leadership, Yancey has taken the past year to learn more about the wide range of initiatives these organizations focus on to continue making Branson not only a visitor’s destination, but a place to live and work. She embodies a listening and trust-focused approach to leading her teams to ensure the decisions made are best for associates, the organization and the community.

“The best advice I can offer is to find organizations that align with your passions and get involved,” says Yancey. “Be strategic and intentional with your time—seek out opportunities where you can make a meaningful impact. Show up consistently, build relationships with community leaders, and don’t underestimate the power of personal connections.”

So far in 2024, Branson has hosted its first Chiefs rally at Branson Landing, drawing in more than 8,000 fans, secured more than $6.2M in funding for the Highway 76 Revitalization Project and conducted a study geared toward attracting sports tourism.—Peyson Mecke