table of
contents

President’s Message 06

New Members 08

Top Investors 09

Sesquicentennial 12

106th Annual Banquet 18

Small Business of the Year:
Powershades 20

Large Business of the Year:
SNC Squared 24

Nonprofit of the Year:
Joplin Sports Authority 28

Why Choose Joplin? 35

MEMBER LISTINGS 42

Chamber Spotlight

Volume 1 | Number 1

Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce

320 East 4th Street

Joplin, MO 64801

417.624.4150 | joplincc.com

This is a Town Square Publications,
formerly MetroMedia (since 1997),
publication created and produced for the
Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce.

Copyright © 2023 Town Square Publications

P.O. Box 280, Arlington Heights, IL 60006

(847) 427-4905 | marketing@tspubs.com

www.TownSquarePublications.com

Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information in this publication. The Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce and Town Square assume no responsibility for misinformation. Please contact the Chamber with any additions or corrections. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission of the Chamber and Town Square is prohibited.

Chairman, CEO and Publisher | Douglas K. Ray

President and Chief Operating Officer | Scott Stone

Vice President / Director | Scott Ray

Managing Director | David Small

Director of Production | Ryan Moore

Sales | Tammie Eason

Editor | Chris Reardon

Design Project Manager | Sandy King

ON THE COVER:

Pictured at the Cornell Arts & Entertainment Complex are the honorees from the 106th Annual Chamber Banquet (clockwise from the top): Jared Bruggeman of the Joplin Sports Authority, Ryan Chacon and Jason Turner of PowerShades and John Motazedi of SNC Squared and Network Doctor Company.

Photo:

Drew Kimble, 12EightyOne Photography.

President’s Message

I’m excited to welcome you to the first edition of our digital magazine, Chamber Spotlight. With this fresh and innovative publication, we can champion our members, bring attention to community initiatives, and shine a light on all the great things that our members are doing in and around Joplin. With the Chamber Spotlight, we are leaning into a more modern platform to tell Joplin’s story. Thank you for taking the time to explore this new feature. Our members, the Chamber, and the Joplin community have so many stories to share, and I hope you will take a few minutes once a quarter to learn more about the extraordinary people and businesses who are making this area a fantastic place to pursue their passions.

Lastly, I want to take this opportunity to emphasize the Chamber’s mission of supporting business and economic strength. As a chamber of commerce, we want all of our members and our community to achieve long-term, sustainable growth. The Chamber team works diligently day-in and day-out to create an environment in which our entrepreneurs, mom-and-pop businesses, and corporations all feel like they belong and have the capacity to grow. We will continue to earn the trust and confidence of our existing and future members. Thank you for your past, present, and continuous support. We look forward to serving you, our members, now and in the future.

TRAVIS STEPHENS

President/Chief Executive Officer

Joplin Area Chamber
of Commerce

New Members

April-May 2023

Central Bank

Mortgage & Commercial Lending

2318 East 32nd Street, Suite C

Joplin, MO 64804
417.417.0126
www.centralbank.net

Mr. Jared Dickey, Joplin Area Mortgage Manager

Sponsor: Reggie Powers, JACC

Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks

Non-Profit Organizations/Civic Organization/Medical Center

1100 North College Avenue

Fayetteville, AR 72703
479.443.4301

www.va.gov

Mr. Scott Whittington, Chief Community & Public Relations Officer

Sponsor: Reggie Powers, JACC

GFI Digital

Copier and Printer Products & Supplies / Information Technology

1723 West Sunshine

Springfield, MO 65807
417.986.7500

www.gfidigital.com

Mr. Tony Roldan, Sales Manager

Sponsor: Reggie Powers, JACC

Joplin Floor Designs

Floor Coverings / Interior Designers-Planners-Decorators

2309 East 32nd Street, Suite 10

Joplin, MO 64804
417.659.8000

www.joplinfloordesigns.com

Mrs. Holly Hukill, Vice President

Sponsor: Reggie Powers, JACC

El Caballo De Oro Joplin

Restaurants/Mexican

1901 East 32nd Street

Joplin, MO 64804
417.355.2582

Mr. Juan Lopez, Owner

Sponsor: Reggie Powers, JACC

Stellar Financial, LLC

Financial Services

407 South Pennsylvania Avenue, Suite 101A

Joplin, MO 64801
702.265.0964

Mr. Aleksandar Ostojie, Owner

Sponsor: Doug Hunt and Reggie Powers, JACC

Freedom of Flight Museum

Museum

5501 Dennis Weaver Drive

Webb City, MO 64870
417.540.2657

freedomofflightmuseum.org

Mr. Darryl Coit, President

Sponsor: Reggie Powers, JACC

J. Southard Quality Transport

Equipment Transport

5886 East Zora

Joplin, MO 64801
417.206.0995

Mr. Justin Southard, Owner

Sponsor: Reggie Powers, JACC

Bennett Heavy & Specialized, LLC

Transportation Logistics

17275 Cimarron Road

Carthage, MO 64836
417.232.6004

www.bennettig.com

Mr. Billy Graham, Director of Operations

Sponsor: Reggie Powers, JACC

Dreyer & Tinney

Law Office

2230 East 32nd Street, Suite 202

Joplin, MO 64804

417.782.6822

www.dreyertinney.com

Mr. Keegan Tinney & Ms. Shelly Dreyer, Partners

Sponsor: Reggie Powers, JACC

My World ABA

Therapy Services

2531 East 32nd Street

Joplin, MO 64804

417.988.6253

www.myworldaba.com

Mr. Michael Mizer, Owner

Sponsor: Reggie Powers, JACC

Domino’s Pizza Store #1540

Pizza Restaurant

1714 South Range Line Road

Joplin, MO 64804

417.624.3460

Ms. Leah Adams, Store Manager

Sponsor: Reggie Powers, JACC

Academy Animal Hospital

Small Animal Veterinary Hospital

201 East 15th Street

Joplin, MO 64804

www.academyanimalhospital.com

417.781.8681

Dr. Michelle Cahill, Veterinarian

Sponsor: Reggie Powers, JACC

Fyzical Therapy & Balance Centers

Physical therapy/Employment Screenings/Rehabilitation Training

4830 East 32nd Street, Suite 3

Joplin, MO 64804

www.fyzical.com/joplin-mo
417.781.0082

Mr. Neil Yust, Owner/Physical Therapist

Sponsor: Reggie Powers, JACC

Road Ranger, LLC

Travel Center/Truck Stop/Convenience Store/Food & Beverage Store

2101 South Prigmor Avenue

Joplin, MO 64804

www.roadrangerusa.com

417.202.3584

Ms. KJ McCann, Digital Marketing & Loyalty Manger

Sponsor: Reggie Powers, JACC

SESQUICENTENNIAL

MARKS 150 YEARS OF GROWTH

by Jerry LaMartina

Joplin, Missouri was born of lead and zinc.

Mining for lead started in the area in 1870, according to Brad Belk, the community’s local historian. Zinc was later discovered, and its demand surpassed that of lead, subsequently driving the city’s expansion.

Joplin was later established in 1873 and named after the Reverend Harris Joplin, an early settler who founded the area’s first Methodist congregation, according to the city’s website.

Since then, the town’s population has grown to nearly 52,000, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s estimate for 2022, encompassing more than 38 square miles.

This year, Joplin is celebrating its 150th anniversary with events scheduled throughout the year. To mark its official birthday on March 23, a celebration was held at City Hall, complete with cookies and punch, presentations about Joplin’s history, and unveilings of new commemorative quilts made by Joplin’s quilting club.

Joplin has come a long way since that day in 1873, but its mining heritage still influences its scrappy character to this day, according to Belk.

“Through the years, we developed a tough façade, an exterior that could survive trials and tribulations,” he said. “Mining is a very, very tough job. We’re talking hard-rock miners earning every single penny.”

This mining history has given the city more than just a resilient spirit. It also set the stage for many of its defining features, including its transportation system, which Belk says is one of its most important modern-day aspects. Joplin has always been the central hub of the Tri-State Mining District, which comprises counties in southwest Missouri, southeast Kansas, and northeast Oklahoma. Before lead was discovered in the area, railroads had bypassed Joplin. But the discovery of minerals drew people and, later, major railroads to the area.

As the largest center in the Tri-State Mining District, Joplin offered the most amenities, such as restaurants, entertainment venues, and hospitals.

These factors further drove the city’s growth and created its reputation as a transportation center. Joplin serves as a major regional transportation hub. Its location at the juncture of Interstates 44 and 49 allows robust trucking and distribution sectors to deliver goods to all lower 48 states within 48 hours. Along the way, Joplin became a leading food manufacturer in the nation, home to such companies as Ajinomoto Foods, Coca-Cola, and Heartland Pet Food.

Joplin also draws a healthy number of visitors each year. The city hosts the Joplin Memorial Run each May, a half-marathon, 5K, and children’s run that attracts runners from all over the United States.

One-hundred-fifty years ago, Joplin was little more than a log cabin that was just large enough for church services, surrounded by a small settlement. Today it is home to a thriving business community, a renowned and growing secondary education community, a health care sector that employs 15 percent of the city’s population, and a healthy and enjoyable lifestyle for its residents.

The city’s 150th anniversary marks “a success story,” Joplin Mayor Doug Lawson said. Joplin is growing, attracting more young people to stay and move here, and drawing in new businesses.

“It’s becoming an even better city where people want to live,” he said.

For a full calendar of events, visit celebratejoplin.com/calendar.

CELEBRATING THE YEAR AND HONORING STARS

106TH ANNUAL BANQUET

by Marc Sheforgen

Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce members gathered on the evening of Thursday, April 27 to celebrate ongoing successes, honor their award-winning members, and look forward to a bright future.

The 106th Annual Chamber Banquet, held at Missouri Southern State University’s Leggett & Platt Athletic Center, included introductory comments from Paula Baker, president and CEO of Freeman Health System, as well as new Chamber president Travis Stephens, outgoing Chamber board chair Betsy Kissel, and incoming chair Matt Stewart.

Kissel reminded the audience that their five-star-rated Chamber ranked among the top two percent nationally. Stephens lauded the Chamber’s staff and business community for running a model organization.

“The thing that struck me as I did my research and started digging in is that Joplin, as a community, has a history of coming together as a people, setting goals, and making things happen,” he said. “That’s the kind of community I want to be a part of…I am inspired by what you have done already, and I am excited about what we are going to do in the future. Get ready. It’s been a great year. It’s only going to go up from here.”

Recognitions included the Chamber’s Young Professional of the Year in Michael Sanders of Freeman Health System. The Golden Apple Awards, which recognize excellent local teachers, went to Nicole Thorn from Jefferson Elementary School, Tracy Horton from Soaring Heights Elementary School, Laurel Cook from South Middle School, and Ashley Trotnic from Joplin High School. PowerShades won the Business of the Year for companies in the one-to-50-employee category, while the 51+-employee winner was SNC Squared, a Network Doctor Company. Joplin Sports Authority won the Nonprofit category.

The Chamber presented its Outstanding Citizen of the Year award to retiring Joplin Police Chief Sloan Rowland.

“It’s quite an honor to be recognized by the members of the Chamber and your peers,” Rowland said. “I’ve got a great bunch of people who work for me and around me and who have supported me. So, any credit due is due to those people also.”

The Banquet was made possible by Presenting Sponsor Freeman Health System, Gold Sponsor Downstream Casino Resort, Silver and Centerpiece Sponsor SNC Squared, a Network Doctor Company, and Venue Sponsor Missouri Southern State University.

Small Business of the Year:
PowerShades

Providing Automated Shades for Homes and Businesses Nationwide

by Marc Sheforgen

Ryan Chacon and Jason Turner, both electrical engineers and Joplin natives, had an idea several years ago: Maybe they could use their expertise in automation and apply them to window coverings. Their vision was to introduce an innovative system that would bring simple, reliable, energy-efficient shading to homes and businesses. Since 2017, their business, PowerShades, has been doing just that.

PowerShades, the Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce’s 2023 Small Business of the Year, manufactures motorized window coverings at their headquarters in Joplin. The roller shades are then sold and installed in homes and businesses by a network of about 1,500 retailers throughout the United States and Canada.

Filling a Need

“We saw a need,” Chacon explained. “There are many companies that produce roller shades and even motorized shades. But to integrate and automate them was very difficult. So, we have patented technology that substantially simplifies automating your shades.”

The end result is both simplicity and luxury. The user is able to program their window coverings to open and close on a set schedule or even based on where the sun is in the sky. The systems can be operated remotely, meaning that a homeowner can open or close their shades even when they are far away. And while PowerShades also manufactures manual shade systems, their motorized products are their specialty and differentiate their company from their competitors.

Their motorized products operate on a Power over Ethernet (PoE) standard that allows ethernet connectivity while also providing power. This method is traditionally used for technology such as cameras or IP phones, but PowerShades’ patented technology allows PoE to supply enough power to lift a heavy shade for short durations.

“Previous to this, we had never seen roller shades being powered over ethernet,” Chacon said. “The benefit of PoE is that it’s a low-voltage technology that does not require a licensed electrician for installation. It also allows the power and automation to be delivered over a single ethernet cable.”

An Emerging Market

Because PoE significantly reduces energy consumption, and because an automated roller shade system can more efficiently maintain a room’s temperature, PowerShades’ systems have the additional benefit of being environmentally friendly. Hotel Marcel in New Haven, Connecticut, is the first U.S. hotel aiming to reach net-zero carbon emissions. They contracted with PowerShades for all their window coverings to help achieve that standard.

And other hotels are interested in following suit. Chacon said while about 70 percent of PowerShades’ current business comes from residential work, the company projects about 60 percent of their jobs will soon be commercial.

PowerShades is also expanding into the residential vehicle industry, though most of those applications include manual shades.

Chacon credits an incredible group of local staff for PowerShades’ rapid growth and ongoing success.

“We have an outstanding group of people who work for us,” Chacon said. “They are very gifted and talented, and we’re proud to have them.”

To learn more about PowerShades, visit
www.powershades.com.

Large Business of the Year:

SNC Squared, A Network DOCTOR Company

Providing Critical Cybersecurity,
Network Solutions for Businesses Local and National

by Marc Sheforgen

The internet is an integral part of almost every business these days. But for the unprotected, disaster is only a click away. Cybercriminals are developing increasingly sophisticated means of stealing critical information and a single breach can shutter a business. But a Joplin company is coming to the rescue of companies nationwide.

SNC Squared, an IT service company, was founded in 2006 by John Motazedi in his Joplin basement. Now the company provides solutions for more than 300 companies in 30 different states. Their efforts to help businesses combat online scammers have earned them the Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce’s 2023 Large Business of the Year award.

Recently, Joplin’s SNC Squared joined forces with Network Doctor of New York. The merger means a more expansive reach for solutions that include IT staffing, user management, website design, video conferencing, data storage and backup, firewalls, penetration testing, and software implementation.

“[This includes] everything from just, ‘I’m gonna patch and update your machine and make sure it has an antivirus on it,’ to the really, really high-end stuff of hacking at the doors and hiring ethical hackers to see if they can get in or if it’s securely protected,” Motazedi said.

It’s that matter of cybersecurity, he said, that should be a priority for every business, big or small. In fact, he said, the small businesses that may think they are anonymous are most at risk.

“They’re so small that they don’t think anyone would want them,” Motazedi explained. “But they’re also so small that they don’t have a budget. The bad guys say, ‘Hey, this is the low-hanging fruit. I’d rather go after a whole bunch of companies under 50 employees. They don’t have a lot of money, but they are also much easier to get into.’ “

Cybersecurity has become big business as new threats emerge daily. Motazedi said security comprised about 10 percent of his business as recently as four years ago. Today, it’s up to 40 percent and growing. And there is a lot at stake.

“Many businesses that are the victims of a cyberattack lose their data and don’t have good backup,” he said. “Then, what happens if you have no cash flow, no checks coming in, you can’t bill, and you don’t even have a customer list? You potentially have the fact of, within a few months, either being delinquent with your bills or you might just go bankrupt because you can’t collect on debt.”

Hackers often do damage through phishing attacks, whereby they try to lure a user into unknowingly giving up sensitive information like passwords or account numbers. Attacks often come in the form of texts or emails. Motazedi said that if the user clicks on a corrupt link or replies to a scam, they could give the cybercriminal an opportunity to cause catastrophic loss.

Another best practice is to always verify information verbally, rather than replying to a suspicious email or text message.

“If it’s anything unusual, pick up the phone and call the person,” he said. “Don’t just reply to the email. And if anything looks suspicious at all, contact your IT department or contact us. Our entire objective is preventing this, which is substantially easier than going in and trying to fix the problem after an attack has happened.”

Nationwide Coverage

SNC Squared employs about 20 people in Joplin. But together with Network Doctor, they have 130 employees overall, including 85 technicians.

Motazedi said having such an expansive presence allows for every area to have fast response times, as there is always a technician nearby.

“In each area, it’s local people doing local work,” he said.

The large national footprint also means enhanced preparedness as the company can share information about emerging threats in specific areas.

“We typically see an attack happen first on the East or West Coast,” Motazedi said. “We can actually learn about that attack. Then I can then deploy the counterattack to everyone across the country, even though it’s only affecting, for example, one county in New Jersey.”

That makes SNC Squared a network solutions company near and far.

To learn more about SNC Squared and Network Doctor, visit www.networkdr.com.

Nonprofit of the Year:
Joplin Sports Authority

Bringing Far-Reaching Economic Benefits to the Community

by Marc Sheforgen

Jared Bruggeman remembers well the considerable time and expense it cost his family to provide first-rate sports opportunities for his athletic kids by the continuous travel and all of the driving, hotels, meals, and more that came with those competitions.

It’s with that frame of reference that Bruggeman now manages the Joplin Sports Authority. It’s his job as executive director to keep the money he remembers spending elsewhere here in Joplin while also attracting non-residents to the experience of the community.

“Fundamentally, our job is to bring sporting events to town, which serves a dual purpose,” he explained. “One is to create an economic impact in the community. People come to Joplin for the events, and they spend their time and money here by staying in local hotels, eating at local restaurants, and shopping at local stores. The other side of this is that we keep our residents from traveling to events in other areas, so we keep local dollars flowing in our economy.” 

For each event that the Sports Authority brings to Joplin, they use a model to measure the economic impact on the community. Bruggeman said the events they hosted last year generated $9.8 million in economic impact for Joplin. To recognize that significance, the Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce has named the Joplin Sports Authority its 2023 Nonprofit of the Year.

“That’s jobs,” Bruggeman said, referring to the revenue generated by the sporting events that are brought to town. “Not just in the hotels and the restaurants, but the owners of those restaurants may then spend that money to build a house. It’s a long-lasting impact. Obviously, the taxes come in, and that helps the city. But it also helps the quality of life for our citizens. So we touch a lot of aspects. Everything ties together.”

Local Athletes Benefit From Elevated Competition

Beyond the far-reaching economic benefits of hosting sporting events in Joplin, local participants in basketball, softball, baseball, golf, track and field, cheer, dance, CrossFit, disc golf, and many more sports get the opportunity to compete against traveling athletes who, in some cases, come from very long distances.

A collegiate national championship golf tournament brought athletes from around the country to Joplin. A 2,700-athlete track meet drew competitors from five surrounding states. An upcoming CrossFit competition is expected to draw 600 athletes from 38 states and nine countries.

“We’re really engaged in any type of sporting event,” Bruggeman said. “You name it, we look into it. The sky’s the limit as long as we have facilities.”

Attracting so many top-level athletes to Joplin creates real opportunity, especially for local participants and their families who might not be able to afford to travel for sports. An example is a recently scheduled junior golf tournament.

“We received confirmation that we’re going to host an American Junior Golf Association tournament here,” Bruggeman said. “That is the top 72 players in the country, high school and under. Some of their alums are people like Tiger Woods, [Phil] Mickelson and [Jordan] Spieth. That caliber of individuals is going to be here in Joplin playing against local talent because some local golfers get admitted into the tournament. It’s an opportunity for our talent to not have to travel and to play against that national caliber and get that experience.”

Joplin Proving
It’s Worthy of
the Best

When Bruggeman thinks of the big-time events he’s seen in other communities, his constant refrain is: “Why can’t we do that here?”

The Sports Authority is proving that Joplin can in fact host world-class events. And the revenue that’s generated justifies their continued efforts. Bruggeman said community buy-in is important to optimize those efforts.

“If the athletes, coaches, and administrators involved feel that it really went well, they want to come here again. A big part of that is our community has been very accepting. Anything that can help drive the economy in a positive way and show how great Joplin can be, it helps everybody.”

To learn more about the Joplin Sports Authority, visit
www.joplinsports.org.

Why Choose Joplin?

Joplin, Missouri, is a thriving community with so much to offer residents and businesses of all sizes and from all walks of life. The city is a transportation hub that sits at the intersection of Interstates 44 and 49, serving as a vital artery of commerce.

Joplin has a heritage of innovation and entrepreneurship, drawing new tech startups and e-commerce companies that create a diverse job market. The region is also an emerging educational center that attracts students from throughout the United States and around the world.

Additionally, Joplin is affordable, with low costs of living and housing. Residents enjoy an active lifestyle, with an array of parks and recreational facilities and celebrate arts and culture alongside a thriving culinary scene.

All combined, Joplin is the ideal place to live, work, and play. Whatever your passion or purpose, it can happen here.

So the question is not, why should I choose Joplin. The question is, why shouldn’t I?

1

Joplin is a regional transportation hub

• Positioned at the intersection of Interstates 44 and 49.

• Joplin Regional Airport offers direct flights to Chicago and Denver.

• The 48 in 48 – Trucking companies and distribution centers can deliver goods to all lower 48 states within 48 hours.

• Joplin supports 336 percent more trucking jobs than the national average.

• Home to the Joplin Crossroads Industrial Park with 200 acres for commercial and industrial use, including 80 acres of certified site availability.

2

Joplin fosters entrepreneurship

• Entrepreneurial support from the Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce, the City of Joplin,
and the Downtown Joplin Alliance, including the creation of an innovation district.

• Joseph Newman Innovation Center.

• Advanced Training & Technology Center.

• The Missouri Small Business Development Center hosted by Missouri Southern State University.

• Educational workshops, seminars, mentorships, and networking opportunities such as 1 Million Cups Joplin.

3

Joplin is an emerging educational center

• The Joplin-area colleges and universities draw students across the nation and abroad while the city’s pre-K–12 programs provide top-notch education.

• Missouri Southern State University offers 140+ academic programs.

• Crowder College collaborates with local business to provide in-demand skills training.

• Ozark Christian College is a national leading Bible college.

• Kansas City University - Joplin has state-of-the-art facilities and technology.

• KCU - Joplin College of Dental Medicine will open in 2023.

• There are options to graduate high school with an associate degree.

• Progressive extracurricular activities offer extra learning opportunities.

• Home to array of technical and trade schools.

4

Joplin is affordable

• The cost of living is 21 percent below the national average.

• Housing costs are less than half the national average (bestplaces.com).

• Rent is 20 percent below the national average (247WallSt.com).

• Offers one of the lowest residential property tax rates in the Midwest.

• Five-star rating for affordability from bestplaces.com.

5

Joplin offers active lifestyle, arts and culture

• More than 930 acres of park land offers championship golf courses, tennis and pickleball courts.

• An expansive and growing trail system for hiking and biking.

• Nearby lakes and state parks offer boating and fishing.

• Art galleries and downtown art walks.

• An array of venues with diverse performance styles, from classical music
to Grammy-winning house concerts.

• Located in downtown Joplin, the Harry M. Cornell Arts & Entertainment Complex is a 3,700-square-foot building and the new home for Connect2Culture and Spiva Center for the Arts.

• A vibrant downtown with robust and delectable culinary and coffee scenes.