Ozark chamber CEO resigns after less than a year on the job

Ozark Area Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Greg Williams has exited the organization after less than a year on the job.

Williams resigned, according to a news release the chamber issued yesterday. Jane Paul, a longtime chamber member and former board leader, was named interim president, effective Feb. 1.

The reason for Williams' exit was not detailed in the release. Reached this morning, Casey Owens, secretary of the Ozark chamber board, reiterated that Williams resigned Feb. 1. A letter of resignation was unavailable, Owens added.

“We wish Mr. Williams the utmost success in his next venture," said Griffin Bobbett, chair of the Ozark chamber board, in the release. "The Ozark chamber board of directors is thankful for Jane’s willingness to step in as interim president."

The chamber board is forming a selection committee to start an immediate search for the organization's next president and CEO, the release said.

Paul, who is the former owner of Sound of Freedom USA, previously led the chamber as interim president in 2015. She was on the chamber board 2014-20, and she chaired the community awards banquet 2015-19, according to the release.

“I feel a very strong affinity to the Ozark chamber and the way it supports the community,” Paul said in the release. “I love Ozark and am excited to be serving in this role again.”

Williams started at the Ozark chamber in May 2021, bringing more than 20 years of economic development experience with him to the position, according to past Springfield Business Journal reporting. His career includes a previous economic development position at the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce.

Attempts to reach Williams were unsuccessful by deadline.