Ozark Greenways’ new leader resigns

SBJ file

Ric Ashe is no longer executive director at Ozark Greenways.

Last edited 2:13 p.m., Feb. 11, 2025 [Editor's note: Ric Ashe's tenure has been clarified, and more information has been added.

Ozark Greenways Inc. is seeking its third leader in roughly eight months following the resignation of its new executive director.

A news release from the Ozark Greenways Board of Directors announced Ric Ashe’s resignation from the position after he started full time in the role Jan. 1. Ashe was hired in October to lead the trail advocacy nonprofit and began working with the organization at the beginning of November, according to Krista Shurtz, president of the Ozark Greenways board.

Shurtz said via email today that Ashe resigned Jan. 30 but has offered to assist as needed during the transition. She said Ashe’s relationship with the board “remains amicable.”

“The board is actively engaged in the search for a new executive director to lead Ozark Greenways,” officials said in the release. “In the interim, the board is committed to ensuring the organization remains focused on its mission without disruption.”

When reached by phone this morning, Ashe declined to comment and referred all questions to the Ozark Greenways board, as did John Montgomery, Frisco Highline Trail manager with the nonprofit.

Montgomery served as interim executive director when Mary Kromrey exited the four-employee organization in June. Kromrey, who had led the nonprofit as executive director for seven years, was hired as the Springfield office leader for engineering firm Own Inc., according to past Springfield Business Journal reporting.

Shurtz said no one will be tabbed during the leadership transition to serve as interim executive director at Ozark Greenways, which was formed in 1991.

Ashe, a contract lawyer and trial attorney, previously told SBJ he intended to wind down his law firm, Ashe Law LLC, to focus on his Ozark Greenways role. Ashe began his legal career in 2002 and opened Ashe Law in 2017, according to the firm’s website.

According to the release, Ashe was credited with playing a key role in advancing future development of the Chadwick Flyer Trail, a roughly 12-mile regional trail designed for cyclists, joggers and walkers that spans between Springfield and Ozark.

The trail is a collaborative effort between Ozark Greenways Inc., the city of Ozark and the Ozarks Transportation Organization. A cost study completed in 2024 for part of the greenway trail project pushed the total price tag estimate to over $30 million, according to past reporting. Ashe previously told SBJ the Chadwick Flyer Trail partially fueled his interest to become involved with Ozark Greenways.