OTC to honor Jim Anderson with Excellence in Business Award

Ozarks Technical Community College will honor Jim Anderson, the president of the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce, with the 2014 Excellence in Business Award on Friday, April 25. The award ceremony will be held from 7:30-9 a.m. at the White River Conference Center, 600 West Sunshine Street in Springfield.

“Jim is most deserving of this award because his passion is growing the economy of southwest Missouri,” said Dr. Hal Higdon, chancellor of Ozarks Technical Community College. “Most years, Jim is the interviewer at the Excellence in Business event. This year, we’ll turn the tables and find out more about Jims motivation and inspiration.”

The event will include “A Conversation with Jim Anderson,” led by Cliff Davis, vice chancellor for advancement, student affairs and workforce development at OTC. Reservations are $25; call (417) 447-2651 to reserve your seat. Past recipients of the award include John Q. Hammons, members of the O’Reilly family, SRC’s Jack Stack, Great Southern’s Bill Turner, real estate icon Carol Jones, business owner and attorney Sam Hamra, restaurateur Paul Sundy, and Jack and Peter Herschend of Herschend Family Entertainment.

Anderson has spent most of his career in economic development. Since 1988, he’s been the president of the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce. Before that, he headed up the Jefferson City Chamber for nine years. Anderson began his career in education as a teacher and administrator in Jefferson City Public Schools. Under Andersons leadership, the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce earned Chamber of the Year honors from its professional organization.

Besides his role as chamber president, Anderson is also active in the Springfield community having served as chairman of the United Way of the Ozarks and president of the Urban Districts Alliance. He is a member of the Springfield Rotary Club and of First and Calvary Presbyterian Church.

Recipients of the Excellence in Business Award are selected based on the following criteria: leader of an Ozarks regional business, entrepreneurial success, innovative business growth, ability to overcome challenges with integrity, supporter of educational development, customer-driven quality, and community achievement.

The 2014 event is presented in cooperation with the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce.