Troxell Insurance hires Kyle Dyson as new COO
Troxell Insurance has named Kyle Dyson as the new chief operating officer, effective July 18. Since 1887, this is only the second time in the company’s history that a non-stakeholder will run the day-to-day operations of the agency, which is owned locally by six individuals and employs more 100 team members. In March, the agency…
Sonny and Parker Adams launch HuntCo Land Management
Sonny Adams, owner of Adams Pest Control, has launched a new business with his son, Parker Adams, at the helm. HuntCo Land Management is headquartered at 1550 Recreation Dr., the same location as the family’s pest control business, but has a very different focus. “We’re outdoors people; my kids have grown up in the outdoors,”…
Frank and Linda Vala donate $1 million to SIU School of Medicine
Local business owners and philanthropists Frank and Linda Vala have established an endowed chair to support research and training in urology at SIU School of Medicine. Memorial Health matched the Valas’ $1 million personal donation through the Springfield Memorial Foundation to create The Frank and Linda Vala Endowed Chair of Urology. The inaugural honoree is…
Dr. Sameer Vohra to lead Illinois Department of Public Health
Governor JB Pritzker has appointed Dr. Sameer Vohra, a pediatrician and health care policy expert, to lead the Illinois Department of Public Health beginning Aug 1. Vohra, the founding chair of the Southern Illinois University School of Medicine’s Department of Population Science and Policy, follows Dr. Ngozi Ezike, who stepped down in March after leading…
Building Permits – July 4 – July 10, 2022
Springfield Art Association of Edwards Place obtained a commercial remodel permit for 700 N. Fourth St. and the project is valued at $40,000. Donald D. Dellert Trust and Marilyn Dellert obtained a commercial roofing permit for 1627 S. MacArthur Blvd. Griffitts Exterior Home Designs, Inc. is the contractor and the project is valued at $13,766.
Family is at the center of Dan Deweese Painting and Wood Finishing
By Pamela Savage In January of 1978, Rich Deweese founded R.L. Deweese Painting and Decorating. Deweese did not have any experience as a painter, and he had no intention of becoming a painter. However, he was searching for a career opportunity, and that’s where the story gets interesting. Deweese’s wife, Susan, was attending a women’s…
Q&A with Ruby Davis
By David Blanchette Ruby Davis was born in Mississippi, where she worked chopping cotton before leaving home at age 15 to get married. Two years later, her mother and sister were killed in a car accident, and her father died the following year. Those experiences of loss inspired her to work with other grieving families.…
Lynn Saputo starts position with the Illinois Sheriffs Association
Lynn Saputo is the membership marketing coordinator for the Illinois Sheriffs Association as of July 1. Prior to that, she spent 12 years with Springfield Park District, first as the general manager for Erin’s Pavilion and then as the director of recreation and marketing. “I was looking to scale back, retire a little if you…
Keefer’s will close at the end of July unless a new buyer takes over
Angie Keefner-Grieser, owner of Keefner’s, said the restaurant will close at the end of this month if she hasn’t identified a buyer by then. “I’ve come to the conclusion that I can’t financially keep Keefner’s open,” she said. “The last two-and-a-half years have been very difficult, with the last year being the worst of all.”…
Surf Springfield launches to provide electric surfboard rentals
Surfing is not an activity typically associated with the Midwest, but Matt Scherer is hoping to change that. On July 5, he officially launched Surf Springfield, a business that provides training and rentals for electric, hydro-foil surfboards. “It’s kind of similar to hydroplaning in your car; you lift up and travel over the water,” Scherer…
$58.1 Million in construction projects planned at Illinois State Fairgrounds
Excavators, bulldozers and graters have converged on the Illinois State Fairgrounds as the Illinois Department of Agriculture kicks off a $58.1 million capital investment addressing years of deferred maintenance on the historic state fairgrounds. The Capital Development Board will oversee construction ranging from road projects and new roofs to structural repairs on prominent buildings. “For…
Jason Jones named a partner with Eck, Schafer, & Punke, LLP
Jason Jones has been named a partner with Eck, Schafer and Punke, LLP. He joined the firm in November 2020 as a senior manager. Jones has more than 25 years’ experience in public accounting and the private sector providing audit, accounting and tax services across various industries, ranging from privately-held corporations to governmental and nonprofit…
Community Child Care Connection relocates to West Lawrence Avenue
Community Child Care Connection (CCCC) has relocated to 2801 West Lawrence Ave. A ribbon cutting, in conjunction with the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce, will be held on Wednesday, July 27, at 12: 30 p.m. “We are very excited about our new office space,” said CCCC executive director Erica Romines. She added, “With expanded services…
Building Permits – June 27 – July 3, 2022
Kimberly Higgerson-Crifasi obtained a commercial remodel permit for 2141 N. 16th St. The contractor is not known and the project is valued at $80,000. HMN Properties, LLC obtained a commercial remodel permit for 6287 e. Washington St. Evans Construction Co. is the contractor and the project is valued at $1,000,000. Monroe Street Christian Church obtained…
Mas Sabores opening July 2 on North Grand
Mas Sabores, a Mexican bakery, taqueria and ice cream shop, will have a soft opening Saturday, July 2, at 425 North Grand Avenue. Alejandro “Alex” and Gabriela “Gabby” Rico are the owners of the business, which means “more flavors.” The couple currently operate a similar business, Sabores, at 323 N. Main St. in Chatham, but…
2022 Forty Under 40 Profiles
2022 Forty Under 40 Profiles
The science of cool
How can you get your stakeholders to perceive your organization as both unconventional and socially desirable? Join Innovate Springfield for a discussion about the “science of cool,” featuring Dr. Troy Campbell. He will share his experience working with such innovative brands as Nike, Apple, Intel, P&G, Swift and Disney to help you position your products…
Building Permits – June 20 – June 26, 2022
Edward J. Mahoney III and Susan M. Mahoney Trust obtained a commercial accessory structure permit for 1930 s. MacArthur Blvd. Coach House Garages is the contractor and the project is valued at $48,500. Memorial Medical Center obtained a commercial building permit for foundation work at 420 W. Miller St. The contractor is O’Shea Builders and…
Raising Cane’s, Casa Real revise opening dates
Raising Cane’s, a fast-food restaurant specializing in chicken fingers, will be opening in Springfield sooner than originally planned. In March, Jason Zwerin, vice president of company restaurants, confirmed to SBJ that Raising Cane’s was coming to Springfield as part of the company’s aggressive expansion plans. “We’re very excited to be planting such strong roots in…
Building Permits – June 13 – June 19, 2022
Java Dog, LLC obtained a commercial building permit for 300 Chatham Road. Joyner Construction Services, Inc. is the contractor and the project is valued at $350,000. TTMM Properties, LLC Series Athens obtained a commercial permit for a parking lot at 4600 Rising Moon Road. The owner is the contractor and the project is valued at…
Better With Bubbli to open in new west-side retail center
Better With Bubbli, a women’s boutique with the motto, “Life is better with a glass of champagne and a new outfit,” is preparing to open in a new location. The business will occupy a space in the retail strip center currently under construction on Stadium Drive in front of the AMC Showplace 12 theater. Owner…
