40 Under 40 raffle fights community hunger

For more than a decade, Springfield Business Journal has presented annual awards, starting off in 1999 with our inaugural class of 40 Under 40, recognizing up-and-comers younger than 40 for their professional and civic accomplishments. Now, we’re adding to that event with a charitable component.

Happy birthday, Mr. Hammons and farewell, Mr. Wessel

Interviewing businesspeople from all walks of business is just part of the grind that comes with my job, so it’s a good thing I enjoy it. There are, of course, the interview subjects who are unforgettable, but there are also interviews I wish I’d done but missed my chances during the last 12 years. This month, two businessmen – one in each category – are on my mind.

Rod Jetton talks candidly about charges

It’s old news, really. But in the context of awarding a sales and marketing honor, I had to ask Rod Jetton about allegations that he battered a woman during a sexual encounter in 2009 and how the process has affected his career – one that was in the public eye for eight years as a state representative and four years as House speaker.

Local SBA branch faces leader’s exit, reports growing loan volume

In less than two weeks, Walter Cowart will wrap up a 35-year career with the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Cowart joined the SBA in 1976 in Lubbock, Texas and served as manager of SBA’s Springfield branch office since 2008. He came to Springfield in 1981 from SBA’s Kansas City district office to help launch the local branch, where his last day is Aug. 26. As he prepares to leave, the branch reports an increase in loan volumes for financing backed by the SBA.

SBJ: An intern’s perspective

Editor’s Note: This piece was originally posted online at Ozarks News Journal, a student blog and podcast Web site under the direction of Missouri State University journalism professor Andrew Cline.

My experience as an editorial intern at Springfield Business Journal has improved my writing, and it has taught me how to better frame my thoughts.

Inside look at Hilton Garden Inn

Tim O’Reilly was calm as can be days away from opening a $10 million Hilton Garden Inn.

Be thankful for what’s on the Ozarks business scene horizon

Journalists are trained to ask questions – and lots of them – but we get plenty of questions, too.

Sbj.net’s paywall is up; now what?

Chances are you’ve either hit the sbj.net paywall, heard about it from colleagues or dodged it altogether as a paid subscriber with full access to Springfield Business Journal’s content and its multiple delivery methods.

Bistro Market has charm, but will it last?

If there’s one word I would use up-front to describe the Bistro Market downtown, it’s panache. The place is immediately eye-catching, and its many glass windows facing Walnut and South all but beg passersby to enter.

And enter, they have. Since the Price Cutter urban market opened Aug. 20, crowds have rushed the place, eager for a brand new experience.

SBJ List: Two employment firms close

For many of the lists published by Springfield Business Journal each year, the information stays somewhat consistent. Big players maintain their upper-level perches much of the time, but watching movement among industry players is, to me, one of the things that makes the lists worth reading.