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Andrea Sitzes is hired as the first executive director of the Christian County Business Development Corp.
Photo provided by Christian County Business Development Corp.
Andrea Sitzes is hired as the first executive director of the Christian County Business Development Corp.

Ozark chamber director resigns

Posted online

After three years as the Ozark Chamber of Commerce’s director, Andrea Sitzes accepted a position as the first executive director of the Christian County Business Development Corp., also called Show Me Christian County. She’s scheduled to start April 1.

“I am humbled and honored to lead Christian County into the next era of growth,” Sitzes said in a news release. “Show Me Christian County is about fostering an attitude of collaboration and alignment to ensure that our area is a top competitor in innovation, business attraction, retention, and expansion and workforce development.”

CCBDC was founded in 2017 to unite the business community countywide, according to the release, by providing support for existing employers, small businesses and startups. It also works to attract new businesses to the county.

“By developing Christian County’s business community, we hope to contribute to community betterment and social welfare,” the release reads.

Ozark Chamber board Chairwoman Jane Paul said an executive committee will meet Monday and organize a search committee to find a new director. With five weeks until Sitzes’ resignation becomes effective March 1, Paul said the hiring process should be complete by then. Sitzes plans to assist in hiring her successor.

When former Ozark Chamber Director Dori Grinder moved to a position with the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce, Paul said it took about six weeks to hire Sitzes as her replacement on Dec. 14, 2015. Paul served as interim director during the four-week gap.

Paul also said the board is glad Sitzes will continue to work in Christian County.

“She has brought our chamber to a new level,” Paul said. “She’s hard to replace, but she’ll still be involved with the county.”

The Ozark Chamber ranked third on SBJ’s recent list of the area’s largest chamber of commerce with 465 members.

On the board of directors for CCBDC, Ozark Chamber Marketing and Events Manager Anna Evans also serves, and Paul said the chamber is happy to “have a seat at the table.”

“We will be involved in that direction, which is the way we have been involved since the beginning and initiation of that organization,” Paul said. “As far as the economic development part, we had a part in that with our mission, and we will continue to do that through the chamber and also having a liaison on the board.”

Prior to working at the Ozark Chamber, Sitzes was sales manager for John Q. Hammons Hotel & Resorts’ Chateau on the Lake Resort Spa & Convention Center for four years, according to Springfield Business Journal reporting.

Sitzes could not be reached for comment by deadline.

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