WHAT’S INSIDE

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS 6

THANK YOU TO OUR TOP INVESTORS 8

JOPLIN BUSINESS WOMEN ARE
THINKING BOLD 12

FREEMAN HEALTH SYSTEM 16

CHRISTINE’S VINEYARD 20

CHAOS BREWING COMPANY 24

MEMBER SEARCH 29

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS

MARCH 2025 - MAY 2025

Angel Care Home Health

Home Health Care

2431 East 32nd Street, Suite B

Joplin, MO 64804

417.726.4666
angelscarehealth.com/mo/joplin

Sandra Molina, Director of Recruiting & Advertising

Sponsor: Michelle Steverson, JACC

Atypical Family Therapy & Disability Support Services

Mental Health

6097 Dutch Elm Drive

Joplin, MO 64804

417.696.5015

atypicalfamilytherapy.org

Dora Reed, Co-Creator

Sponsor: Michelle Steverson, JACC

Capital Technologies LLC

Fiber Optic Services & Products/Security

956 East Fountain Road

Webb City, MO 64870

417.660.5310

Robert Lodestein, Owner

Sponsor: Lauren Hall, JACC

College Skyline Center

Counseling/Mental Health

1230 North Duquesne Road

Joplin, MO 64801

417.782.1443
collegeskyline.com

Wess Baugh, Co-Owner

Sponsor: Michelle Steverson, JACC

EMM Advertising

Marketing / Advertising

611 South Main Street, Floor 3

Joplin, MO 64801

417.621.8442
emmadvertising.com

Payton Layne, Owner, CEO

Sponsor: Lauren Hall, JACC

Epic Drives

Sports Car Rental

6031 North Main Street Road

Webb City, MO 64870

417.310.9687
drivejomo.com

Josh Negron, Founder, Managing Member

Sponsor: Lauren Hall, JACC

Family Residential Home Care.

Residential Home Care

1115 Illinois Avenue, Suite 4

Joplin, MO 64801

417.726.5016

familyresidentialhomecare-wecare.com

Luckner Jean, In-Home Manager

Sponsor: Michelle Steverson, JACC

Firefly Supported Living and Employment Services

Disability Care/Employment Services

2000 South Maiden Lane

Joplin, MO 64804

417.624.3077
fireflyservices.org

Katie Long, Regional Director for Employment Services

Sponsor: Michelle Steverson, JACC

Four States Ads

Marketing / Advertising

218 South Main Street

Joplin, MO 64801

417.621.8442
fourstatesads.com

Payton Layne, Owner, CEO

Sponsor: Lauren Hall, JACC

Freeman Surgical Center LLC

Ambulatory Surgical Center

811 West 34th Street

Joplin, MO 64804

417.622.4262
freemansurgicalcenter.com

Sarah Fuller, Administrator

Sponsor: Lauren Hall, JACC

Graceland Portable Buildings

Portable Buildings/Storage Sheds

1716 West 7th Street

Joplin, MO 64801

405.519.7025

Daniel Duncan, Regional Sales Manager

Sponsor: Doug Hunt, JACC

Gershman Mortgage

Mortgage

205 North Main Street

Carl Junction, MO 64834

417.438.1144

gershman.com

Caleb Frakes, Loan Officer

Sponsor: Doug Hunt, JACC

Innovative Industries Incorporated

Shredding-Document / Recycling Services

421 West Centennial Avenue

Carthage, MO 64836

417.358.6891
innovativeindustries.org

Tom Furrh, Executive Director

Sponsor: Lauren Hall, JACC

Joplin Tarp Company

Automobile Accessories

3004 Silver Creek Drive

Joplin, MO 64804

417.622.3573

www.cheaptrucktarps.com

Travis Keller, Director of Business Development

Sponsor: Lauren Hall, JACC

Love’s Pest Professionals

Pest Control

P.O. Box 68

Saginaw, MO 64864

417.580.0505

lovespestpros.com

Jason Love, Owner

Sponsor: Doug Hunt, JACC

Mi312 LLC

Consultant

Washburn, MO 64772

812.620.4228

Adam Bell, Owner

Sponsor: Michelle Steverson, JACC

Rangeline Golf Center

Entertainment / Miniature Golf

2001 North Range Line Road

Joplin, MO 64801

417.624.0400

rangelinegolf.com

Kaleb Marti, Co-Owner

Sponsor: Lauren Hall, JACC

Rental Supply

Equipment Rental & Sales

1617 West 10th Street

Joplin, MO 64801

417.413.6441

rental-supply.com

Jenah Cooper, Territory Manager

Sponsor: Michelle Steverson, JACC

S&H Farm Supply

Agriculture Products / Lawn & Garden Tools

4060 Coyote Drive

Joplin, MO 64804

417.659.8334

SandHcountry.com

Aaron Jones, General Manager

Sponsor: Doug Hunt, JACC

Serotonin Centers Joplin

Medical Spa

1804 South Range Line Road Suites A & B

Joplin, MO 64804

417.807.3500
serotonincenters.com/joplin

Tonya Rither, General Manager

Sponsor: Michelle Steverson, JACC

Social BTB

Restaurant / Bar

1027 South Main Street, First Floor

Joplin, MO 64801

417.553.0862

socialbtb.com

Eric Weber, Manager

Sponsor: Lauren Hall, JACC

Southwest Extreme Athletics

Sports

614 South Pine Street

Carterville, MO 64835

417.437.7707

www.swxathletics.com

Stacy Johnson, Owner

Sponsor: Michelle Steverson, JACC

Starling Strategies, LLC

Professional Development/Consultants

2530 Grand Avenue

Joplin, MO 64804

417.291.8522
starlingstrategies.carrd.co

Susan Starling, Owner

Sponsor: Doug Hunt, JACC

SureGLOW Stove and Chimney

Fireplaces/Masonry Contractors/Chimney Sweep

808 Edison Road

Cassville, MO 65625

417.201.6525

sureglowstoveandchimney.com

Darrin Geisinger, Marketing Director

Sponsor: Doug Hunt, JACC

The Carnegie Library Joplin

Event Venue/ Business Offices

830 South Wall Avenue

Joplin, MO 64801

479.310.0209

Laurie Anderson, Owner

Sponsor: Michelle Steverson, JACC

The Essential Real Estate

Real Estate

526 South Main Street

Joplin, MO 64801

417.233.1287
theessentialre.com

Don Fifer, Managing Broker

Sponsor: Travis Stephens, JACC

The Short Rest

Lounge / Theatrical Lounge / Entertainment

532 South Joplin Avenue

Joplin, MO 64801
573.219.7238
Facebook
Jordan Watkins, Owner

Sponsor: Doug Hunt, JACC

The Smoking Crab and Seafood

Restaurant/Caterers

712 West 20th Street

Joplin, MO 64804

830.433.2015

Deandrae High-Walls, Owner

Sponsor: Doug Hunt, JACC

The Water Guys

Water Treatment

554 State Highway 76

Exeter, MO 65647

417.846.8061

waterguysllc.com

Brandon Shilling, General Manager

Sponsor: Michelle Steverson, JACC

Time to Travel by Liz with Vincent Vacations

Travel Agency

Joplin, MO 64801

417.621.1574
timetotravelbyliz.com

Liz Arnold-Enslow, Agent

Sponsor: Doug Hunt, JACC

Towner Strategy

Marketing Consulting Services

Carl Junction, MO 64834

417.438.5573

townerstrategy.com

Makala Towner, Owner

Sponsor: Doug Hunt, JACC

Viking Line, Inc.

Charter and Tour Services

6565 Gateway Drive

Joplin, MO 64804

417.825.6577

vikingtrailways.com

Greg Varner, General Manager

Sponsor: Michelle Steverson, JACC

The Chamber’s Board of Directors and staff are pleased to welcome our newest Chamber Members.
Please keep these and all Members in mind when looking for goods and services. Invite your clients or vendors to join the Chamber. 
Contact the Joplin Chamber team at 417.624.4150.

Thank You To Our Top Investors

JOPLIN BUSINESS WOMEN ARE THINKING BOLD

By Jerry LaMartina

Professional women in Joplin and the four-state area are thinking BOLD. Coming this fall is the BOLD (Building Opportunities for Leadership Development) Women’s Summit 2025, an event designed to build connections, share business and life strategies, and inspire one another in their careers and lives.

The summit is being planned by the Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce and is scheduled for November 18 at James River Church, 1850 S. Maiden Lane in Joplin.

Lauren Hall, the Chamber’s director of member success, formed the BOLD Women’s Vision Casting Team in February and is overseeing the event. She polled women Chamber members and nonmembers whether they would come to a meeting to brainstorm content. She invited women in Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Kansas to participate. About 100 women said they would join the team.

The Joplin area does not offer much professional development for women, Hall said.

“So, I asked at the Chamber why we don’t have that,” she said. “Now a lot of women and men are stepping up to bridge the gap for collaboration – community over competition. The event promotes professional and personal development. If you’re not well personally, it’s hard to be well professionally. We also hope men attend.”

Three-Track Focus

The summit’s presentations comprise three tracks: (1) Leadership and Influence focuses on executives to advance their careers and build networks; (2) Voices of Change looks at women’s advancement and equity; and (3) Holistic Health for Women addresses the work-life balance. Combined, the three tracks offer nine breakout sessions whose topics are subject to change. The Chamber will update the event’s programming at https://app.glueup.com/event/bold-womens-summit-146620/.

Michelle “Mo” Holloman is one of the summit’s scheduled keynote speakers. Holloman is founder and CEO of Dallas-based Main Character Coach and Nice Girl Detox. She is an ADHD coach for women and will speak at the event about energy management.

“I like to tell my clients you can have all the time in the world,” she said. “But if you don’t have the energy to do what you need…or the meaningful work that you care about, or to show up in the relationships you care about – if you don’t have the energy or capacity to be present and to exist in ways that serve you, it doesn’t matter how much time you have,” she said.

Managing energy is important for everyone, not only women with ADHD, according to Holloman. Poor energy management often leads to burnout.

“So, my entire conversation is going to be all about how to help women really identify the drains in their life and the places they can reclaim their energy,” she said.

This will enable them to move beyond simply achieving as much as they can to enjoying their lives and using their energy for what they really want most, Holloman said.

Events such as BOLD enable women to “come together and share their stories,” she added. This helps them form a community, learn from one another, get inspired, and share what works for them.

“It’s a beautiful way to be able to not just give back, but receive,” Holloman said. “We really get in these stages of over-giving in a lot of ways, our lives being in service of everything and everybody, and at the end of the day we’re wondering, what about us? What about the fun things I want to do?”

Coming Together for a Common Cause

Makala Towner, a member of the event’s marketing committee and owner of Towner Strategies and Photography in Joplin, hopes the summit will “make a splash in the community and rally women from all walks of life and backgrounds to come together for a common purpose.

“My business is all about supporting other women in their personal and professional lives,” Towner said. “I’m excited and optimistic. Joplin really needs something like this.”

Misty Covvey wants the event “to influence the women here and the next generations to come.” Covvy is chairperson of the summit’s first impressions committee, a member of the logistics committee, and Vice President and private banking relationship manager for Guaranty Bank in Joplin.

She joined the team “because it’s for women to continue to focus on their professional development.

“In the Joplin region, I feel we don’t have as many opportunities to do that, so putting one together for the women in our community was important to me,” Covvey said.

The importance of creating a community for women in business is one of the summit’s recurring themes. Jaime Hund, chairperson of the event’s food and décor committee and resource development coordinator for Boys and Girls Club of Southwest Missouri in Joplin, sees the event as a way “to highlight our community, because there are a lot of things in Joplin that people don’t know about.

“There are so many women in business environments who need some empowerment,” Hund said. “With (the summit’s) diverse tracks – how to manage finances and when we’re overwhelmed, for example – we’re helping them gather tools to be better women in our community and be inspired.”

Joplin has needed an event like BOLD “for a very long time,” Hall said. “I travel to go to similar conferences. This puts it in our own backyard.”

To learn more about or register for the BOLD Women’s Summit 2025, visit bit.ly/4euO4B5. Cost is $100 for chamber members and nonmembers.

Joplin has needed an event like BOLD “for a very long time. I travel to go to similar conferences. This puts it in our own backyard.”

– Lauren Hall, JACC Director
of Member Success

FREEMAN HEALTH SYSTEM CELEBRATING A CENTURY OF CARE

By Marc Sheforgen

In 1925, a 75-bed hospital opened inside the Joplin home of John W. Freeman, staffed by just five physicians and 19 nurses. One hundred years later, that modest institution has grown into Freeman Health System, a nationally recognized, locally owned nonprofit with more than 5,000 employees across 30 locations and a reputation for medical excellence throughout the four state region.

The year 2025 marks a double milestone for the Freeman Health System: a centennial celebration under the banner “A Century of Service, A Legacy of Caring” and the beginning of a new chapter under President and CEO Matthew Fry, who assumed leadership in April.

“Our centennial is both a celebration and a rededication,” Fry said. “We started as a small, local hospital, and today, we stand as a leading regional health system, continually expanding our services, embracing new technologies, and setting new standards for patient care.”

A New Era of Leadership

Fry’s arrival comes at a pivotal moment for Freeman. With a background leading multi-hospital markets and a doctorate in health care administration, Fry brings fresh energy and strategic focus to the organization.

“These initial months have been filled with insightful discussions, thoughtful analysis, and a renewed sense of purpose as we look forward,” he said.

Guided by a newly launched strategic plan, Fry and his team have identified five pillars to shape Freeman’s direction: Excellence in Care, People First, Strategic Growth, Community Well-Being, and Operational Integrity.

“The vision for the System is not just a statement; it’s a roadmap that will guide our decisions, inspire our actions and unite us in a shared purpose,” Fry said. “We are energized by the possibilities that lie ahead.”

A Legacy of Progress

A rededication ceremony in June marked the centennial and was attended by more than 150 guests, including descendants of the founder, local leaders, and longtime team members. Dr. Lance Beshore, chairman of the Freeman Health board of directors, called the occasion “a truly monumental milestone” for the region.

“As we look around this gathering, it’s impossible not to feel the presence of all those who came before us – the visionary founders who, a century ago, embarked on a journey driven by a simple yet powerful ideal: to provide compassionate and advanced health care to southwest Missouri and beyond,” Beshore said.

The spirit of innovation continues today. In Neosho, Missouri, a new $3.6 million rehabilitation center is nearing completion, which will offer physical, occupational, and speech therapy in a state-of-the-art environment. In Fort Scott, Kansas, Freeman is bringing hospital care back to a community that has gone without since 2018. In addition, earlier this year, Freeman Heart & Vascular Institute marked its 250th Watchman procedure – a minimally invasive heart implant that helps reduce stroke risk for patients with atrial fibrillation.

Anchored in Community

Freeman’s nonprofit mission – to improve the health of the communities it serves through contemporary, innovative, quality health care solutions – remains its foundation.

“We are deeply committed to improving the overall health and well-being of the communities we serve,” Fry said. “We actively engage in initiatives that promote wellness, prevent illness, and address health disparities.”

That commitment is visible in places such as Ozark Center, the area’s largest behavioral health provider and part of Freeman Health since 1996. Now in its 60th year, Ozark Center serves more than 15,000 patients annually, offering everything from walk-in clinics and substance abuse treatment to housing and a groundbreaking co-responder program with local police.

“We’re there to help guide people through difficult times and trauma,” said Ozark Chief Administrative Officer Vicky Mieseler. “That’s really our mission.”

Looking Ahead

From its earliest days as a community hospital, to its current role as the region’s largest employer, Freeman Health System’s focus has never changed.

“To our founders, whose vision laid the groundwork; to every colleague and volunteer, past and present; to our board members, our generous donors, and our invaluable community partners; and most importantly, to the millions of patients and families who have entrusted us with their care – my deepest appreciation goes out to each and every one of you,” Fry said. “You are the heartbeat of Freeman Health System.”

To learn more about Freeman Health System, visit www.freemanhealth.com.

“We are deeply committed to improving the overall health and well-being of the communities we serve.”

FROM EMPTY VATS TO FULL GLASSES: POURING NEW LIFE INTO CHRISTINE’S VINEYARD

By Marc Sheforgen

When Janette and Ben Cade first stumbled onto the listing for Christine’s Vineyard in early 2022, they did not just see a piece of land and a business for sale – they saw the wild glimmer of a life they had never imagined.

“We really didn’t know anything about wine or ever think about owning a winery,” Janette admitted. “But Ben was ready for a career change. We saw the place was for sale and we started to dream.”

Dreaming was the easy part. The hard part was building a business from the bones of a nearly shuttered vineyard and navigating a wine industry they knew nothing about.

Today, Christine’s Vineyard is not only open – it is thriving. Located just outside Joplin, a short drive leads to a serene, tree-lined retreat where guests enjoy beverages by a peaceful pond, listen to live music under string lights, and linger into the evening as kids fish nearby.

Yet the path from outsiders to owners was anything but smooth.

Turning “No” into a Vineyard

The Cades were not just buying a business; they were buying into a complete lifestyle shift. They sold their home and moved into a house on the vineyard property. From there, the work began.

“The equipment was there, but we had to learn how to use it all,” Ben said.

More daunting than learning how to run a winery was the struggle just to acquire it.

“We were told no nine different times by nine different banks, but we just kept pushing,” Janette said. “We stayed very persistent.”

Still, nothing quite prepared them for the moment the first guests arrived.

“When I saw the first customers come in, I went into the kitchen and told Ben, ‘I can’t do this,’” Janette recalled.

Yet she did. They both did and now they are celebrating three years in business.

The Art of Adaptation

Christine’s Vineyard was originally founded in 2018 by Greg and Christine Edmund. When the Cades took over, the vineyard had been in decline.

It now has about 2.5 acres of producing vines, primarily Norton and Concord grapes. They make one of their current wines solely from Norton, while others are blends using Concord grapes sourced from elsewhere. They have also planted 200 new Concord vines for future harvests.

However, wine is just part of the experience and, surprisingly, not always the main draw.

“People love the feel and environment of a winery,” Ben said. “But when they get here, some of them still prefer Busch Light and wine slushes. People aren’t necessarily coming for wine. They’re coming for the environment.”

That realization changed the way the Cades approached the business.

“You have to learn what the people want,” Janette said.

Today, guests can enjoy local wines, sweet and dry varieties, slushes, beers, cocktails, and a casual food menu.

The Downtown Chapter: Vino Noir

In December 2024, the Cades expanded their hospitality vision with the opening of Vino Noir, a wine and cocktail bar located in the heart of downtown Joplin.

“The bar is beautiful,” Janette said. “That was something that caught my eye when the opportunity came available. I thought, ‘OK, we can do a wine bar.’”

Guests can order at the bar and settle in for a relaxed evening of wine flights, local pours, signature cocktails, and small bites.

They also host wine education classes at Vino Noir. These evenings are casual, interactive, and approachable, even for beginners.

“We’re not your typical wine snobs,” Ben said. “We enjoy it and have fun with it.”

Building Together

The Cades are candid about the emotional toll and effort it takes to make their operation work.

“It does take a special kind of marriage,” Janette said. “We have to learn to communicate. Our love and our relationship comes first, and then the business.”

Ben echoed that sentiment, especially in light of their recent expansion.

“Now that we’ve doubled our workload with a second location, we’re kind of re-learning and starting over,” he said. “But we thrive on that adventure. It’s been great for our relationship.”

With roots in the soil and ties to downtown, the Cades have transformed Christine’s into more than just a vineyard. They have made it a place where memories are made.

“It’s very rewarding for us to see families enjoy the space,” Janette said. “That’s what it’s all about.”

To learn more about Christine’s Vineyard and Vino Noir Wine & Cocktail Bar, visit www.christinesvineyard.com.

“We’re not your typical wine snobs. We enjoy it and have fun with it.”

CHAOS BREWING ANCHORS JOPLIN BEER SCENE

By Marc Sheforgen

When Dale Clark Jr. and Daniel Crawford started making beer in 2017, it was only a hobby. Until it wasn’t.

“We were just home brewing in our garages,” Clark said. “But we started to take our beer to a number of local events and we were happy with the way it was being received. So we had the idea to make it a real thing – a business instead of a hobby.”

That idea became Chaos Brewing Company, Joplin’s first craft brewery, co-owned by Clark, Crawford, and fellow home brewer Frank Ikerd, and located at 112 S. Main Street. After a soft opening during the summer of 2020, Chaos has since evolved into a staple of Joplin’s growing craft beer scene, a community gathering space, and a home for everything from comedy nights and trivia to paint-and-sips and disc golf leagues.

The brewery’s physical location – a converted downtown space at the south end of Main Street – puts it within walking distance of Joplin’s nightlife core while still offering a more laid-back vibe.

“We’ve been pretty well embraced by the community,” Clark said. “We’re a fairly hot spot for a Third Thursday.”

They have partnered with the Joplin Humane Society for adoption events, hosted live music and drag shows, and offer a rentable event space complete with its own private bar.

“We’ve had everything in there from private concerts to weddings,” Clark said. “We’ve done expos for a local tattoo shop, we’ve hosted educational events. It’s a pretty versatile space.”

A Rotating Menu of Brews

Chaos operates a seven-barrel brewing system and rotates 10 to 14 house-made beers on tap at any given time, occasionally featuring guest brews or seltzers to round out the selection. While the three owners have different tastes – Clark leans toward high-ABV stouts, Crawford favors traditional styles, and Ikerd lands somewhere in between – that diversity is part of what defines the brewery’s output.

“We’ve brewed probably 40 to 50 different styles of beer,” Clark said. “We kind of do a little bit of everything.”

One standout is Gekkenhuis – “Everyone just calls it the Gek,” Clark said – a Belgian farmhouse-style ale that changes with each batch.

“Gekkenhuis actually means ‘madhouse’ in Dutch,” Clark explained. “Every time we brew it, we add a different fruit to it. It’s a little different every time.”

With 21 total taps and a mindset that encourages experimentation, Chaos thrives on variety. Not just in its beer, but in its atmosphere.

The Chaos Community

Chaos Brewing has always aimed to be more than just a place to grab a beer. From its earliest days, the goal was to create a setting where people could gather, relax, and find something unexpected – whether that is a local comedy night, a disc golf putting league, or just a pint on the patio.

“We have everything from comedy shows to drag shows to karaoke and live music. It’s truly a place that’s welcoming to all,” Clark said. “It’s a place to come and hang out. We have cornhole or disc golf. We’re pet-friendly. We’re family-friendly.”

Trivia Night is a weekly staple, with regulars packing the taproom to compete for bragging rights. Community partnerships remain a key part of the brewery’s identity, as well.

Getting this far certainly was not simple. The Chaos Brewing partners signed their lease in September 2019 and then endured through the pandemic, adjusting the business model, staying nimble, and building momentum through flexibility and community ties.

“We’ve been heavy in the community since day one,” Clark said. “And this community, it responds.”

Visit Chaos Brewing Company at 112 S. Main Street in Joplin and learn more at www.chaosbrewing.beer.

“We’ve brewed probably 40 to 50 different styles of beer. We kind of do a little bit of everything.”