Rotary Club of Springfield Southeast

Jim Wilson

Ken Schwab introduced him on April 12. His co-sponsor is Jon Baker.

Jim moved back to Springfield in January 2017 from Houston, Texas. He is a principal at Ingress Investments, a private investment company focused on B2B services and technology, commercial real estate and hospitality and dining. He also is an owner of a software platform for building services companies that is being marketed in China and Canada, with other locations under consideration.

Jim and two partners recently formed JJJ Development, which has a building under contract with plans to open a bar and restaurant if the transaction is completed.

Prior to founding Ingress, Jim was a business lawyer for more than 20 years. His practice focused on corporate finance and securities, with an emphasis on mergers, acquisitions and public offerings. His international experience included Brazil, China, Egypt, Italy, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Mexico, Nicaragua, Spain, The Netherlands and the U.K.

Jim has been recognized as a “Texas Rising Star” as well as a “Texas Super Lawyer” by Texas Monthly. He has also been listed as a leader in international mergers and acquisitions by The Legal 500.

Jim has a bachelor's degree in accounting from Southwest Missouri State University (now MSU) and a law degree from University of Houston. He's been on the Board of Trustees of the MSU Foundation since 2012 and on its executive committee since last year. He's also on the Executive Advisory Board of the MSU College of Business since 2010, was on the Funding Task Force for the MSU Visioning Project in 2014 - '15, is on the planning committee for the annual MSU Volunteer Leadership Conference since 2016, a member of the Founders Club since 2011, and a member of the President’s Leadership Circle since 2012.

Jim was in Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity at SMSU and now is chairman of this chapter's Alumni Advisory Board and a member of the Executive Committee for its Alumni Association.

Jim has twin sons, one attending Wharton School of Business and the other attending Princeton University. Both sons have won Fencing National Championships. Jim’s wife is Ginger.

Brett Sheets

Jim Towery introduced Brett on March 29. His co-sponsor is President Lori Barnes Miller.

Brett and Jim have been business partners for 20 years as co-owners of Steelman Transportation and Group One, which they sold in July 2017 but continue to manage. Brett is president of the two companies.

Brett grew up in trucking, as his father was an independent contractor for more than 45 years. Brett began his transportation career as a truck mechanic in 1984 and was then a dump truck driver for an asphalt company. He then took an entry level mechanic’s job with a truck dealership in Kansas City and worked his way up to a Journeyman 1 Mechanic. He then became a sales representative and then a sales manager in a 12-year career with that company.

Brett in 1998 became co-owner and vice-president of Steelman Transportation, overseeing sales and the Oversize Division, among other duties.

Brett has served on an advisory board for the Missouri Department of Transportation for improving State Oversize Permit Regulations. He has also worked closely with local DOT officers and the State Highway Patrol as an advisor on key issues. He's also been involved in the Springfield Area Motor Carriers Club, Missouri Trucking Associations, Truckload Carriers Association, and Machinery Haulers Association.

Brett joined Springfield North Rotary club in 2005 and had 11 years of perfect attendance. He is a past president of that club. He has also been a board member for more than 10 years and a three-year chairman of the board for Rock'n Ribs Barbecue Festival.

For 16 months in recent years, Brett let his hair grow to more than 12 inches so he could donate it to Locks of Love for wigs for cancer patients.

Brett has been married to Lorri for 27 years. They live in Pleasant Hope with two Boston terriers. Brett is an instrument rated pilot who enjoys flying and taking trips in his RV.

Josh Hartman

David Pomerenke introduced Josh on March 1. His co-sponsor is Bob Hammerschmidt.

Josh moved to Springfield from Chicago in 1979. He attended Immaculate Conception Elementary and graduated from Springfield Catholic High School in 1981.

Josh attended University of Notre Dame, where he earned a BA in Communications and Philosophy. He then attended the American Conservatory Theater’s Master of Fine Arts program, where he learned with multiple artists who have gone on to win Tony, Emmy and Oscar awards.

Josh worked at Merrill Lynch’s Office of General Counsel as a document editor and at Andersen Consulting as a change management consultant. He then worked at Springfield Remanufacturing as he worked on his MBA; he says he learned open book management and how to use an impact wrench at SRC. Josh has been in wealth management since 2007 and now works at Commerce Trust.

Josh has volunteered for several local organizations, including Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Ozarks, Notre Dame Club of the Ozarks, Community Foundation of the Ozarks, and Springfield’s Police and Fire Retirement System board. Josh was selected for Leadership Springfield Class 21 and SBJ’s 40 under 40. He also volunteers time at his church and children’s schools.

Josh is married to Dawna (Baker) Hartman, a former MSU golfer and a former head coach for women’s golf at Drury University. They have two children, Kate, 6, and Charlie, 4.

Ashley Walden

Bill Squires introduced her on Jan. 25. Her co-sponsor is Bob Hammerschmidt.

Ashley was born and raised in Springfield. She attended Glendale High School, where she played soccer, was a peer mediator, created artwork for the school’s art magazine, and received accolades in journalism and art.

She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration at Drury University, where she was active in Students in Free Enterprise and won the SIFE World Cup in 2003. Ashley was also an Executive Committee member for two years in Pi Beta Phi fraternity.

Ashley served three years as Director of Operations for United Way of the Ozarks. She became Executive Director of Springfield Ballet in early 2017 after former Springfield Southeast Rotary member Evan Bennett left that position for a job in another city.

Ashley enjoys volunteering for several organizations including Springfield Ballet Guild, Pi Beta Phi Alumnae Advisory Board, Sporting Springfield Soccer Club, Girl Scouts, Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce, and Springfield Regional Arts Council. She also was in Class 33 of Leadership Springfield. She made her acting debut as the Maid in Springfield Ballet’s The Nutcracker in December 2016.

Ashley and her husband, Amos, have three daughters and two pets. They spend their weekends at soccer fields, a ballet studio, at home watching a movie or celebrating events with family and friends.

Meredith Bosso

Nikki Holden introduced her on Jan. 18. Her cosponsor is Chelsey Bode.

Meredith is a native of Springfield who attended Glendale High School and Missouri State University. She earned a Master’s degree in accounting in 2009.

Meredith is a CPA and has been with KPM since 2015. She specializes in taxes as well as trusts and estates.

Meredith is a former member of Rotaract, where she spent seven years in various committee and board positions, including secretary and treasurer. She is on the board of Junior League of Springfield and Ozarks Counseling Center. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with friends and family and playing with her dogs. She also enjoys traveling and cooking.

Ken Williams

President Lori Barnes Miller introduced Ken on Jan. 11. His co-sponsor is David Reid.

Ken is a financial consultant who is celebrating his 24th year of helping clients manage their accumulated wealth and meet financial goals. Ken is a branch manager and vice president of Investments at Stifel, Nicolaus & Company. He manages its branches in Springfield, Joplin, and Rolla. He moved from Joplin to Springfield in April 2017 to serve in his expanded role with the company.

Ken's experience with Rotary began in 1994 as a member of Rotary Club of Odessa and continued with Daybreak Rotary Club of Joplin. In Joplin Daybreak, he served in many capacities, including president in 2011-'12 as Joplin started its recovery from the devastating tornado in May 2011. During that time, he helped build two Rotary Habitat for Humanity homes and Rotary Miracle Field of Joplin. He also has been fortunate to be able to attend two Rotary International conventions in New Orleans and Bangkok.

In addition to Rotary, Ken serves the community as a board member and past president of the Children's Center of Southwest Missouri.

In his spare time, Ken enjoys spending time with his son, Connor, 20, and daughter, Anna, 17. Ken is also a runner and tries to run three or more half-marathons each year.

Judy Bilyeu

Bill Squires introduced Judy on Dec. 21. Her co-sponsor is Jason Brown.

Judy is is a prior 10-year member of Springfield Southeast Rotary Club who received our club's Lend-a-Hand Award in 2010. She is corporate marketing director for Metro Appliances and More, an employee-owned company with nine stores in four states. She's worked there since 2003.

Judy's hometown is Sikeston. She studied public relations and marketing at Southwest Missouri State University (now MSU).

Judy also hosts "Dishing it Up with Judy Bilyeu," a cooking show featuring local chefs that airs on Medicacom cable channel 22. She was honored in 2008 by Springfield Business Journal as one of the Most Influential Women of Springfield.

Judy has a special place in her heart for homeless people. She's serving her sixth year on the Board of Directors of The Kitchen, Inc. She's also a volunteer at The Gathering Friends, an organization that helps homeless people who may not qualify for resources offered through The Kitchen. She previously served as president and board member for several years for the Regional Girls Shelter, which is now known as Ashley House.

Judy is a member of Springfield Design Association and serves on the church council of The Venues Church.

Judy has a son and a daughter, both married, and recently became a grandmother for the fourth time.

Tammy Young

Brent Baldwin introduced her on Nov. 2. Her co-sponsor is Gary Leonard.

Tammy was born and raised in Wayne, Neb. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Business with a concentration in Accounting from Wayne State College in 1994.

She and her husband chose Springfield as their home because it's between Nebraska and Atlanta, where he grew up.

Tammy is a CPA and partner at RMMC (Roberts, McKenzie, Mangan & Cummings). She has more than 20 years of experience, mostly in public accounting, but also several years as the controller of a large company. She specializes in taxation, controller/CFO outsourcing, and computer consulting for small to medium sized companies.

Tammy has a passion for civic involvement. Her volunteer service includes the American Red Cross, United Way, Relay for Life, The Summit Preparatory School, Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce, Girl Scouts of the Missouri Heartland, and the Republic Athletic Booster Club. Her professional affiliations include the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Missouri Society of Certified Public Accountants.