The SOP focuses on Fort Leonard Wood and the four-county area that surrounds the installation, including Laclede, Phelps, Pulaski, and Texas counties. We work with regional communities, governments, organizations, Fort Leonard Wood, and state and federal enablers. We collaborate with existing organizations without duplicating their work.
We are a nonprofit organization that was founded in 2012, as a result of the Initial Integrated Strategic Sustainability Plan (ISSP). The plan created six long-term strategic goals; one of the goals called for full and effective community engagement. The SOP has put together a strategic plan with our own goals that allow us to focus on attaining the community engagement goal set forth by the ISSP. Our four primary goals are:
- Gain positive recognition for the region by achieving state and national recognition for the region as an excellent place for people to live, work, and play and for businesses to prosper.
- Strengthen the region by being a catalyst for positive change for citizens, businesses, and governments throughout the region to improve the quality of life, and grow a diverse, sustainable economy.
- Strengthen Fort Leonard Wood by ensuring that Fort Leonard Wood continues to be an enduring installation, with opportunities to grow with expanding or new missions.
- Ensure the viability of the SOP by improving SOP efficiency and operational effectiveness so it can successfully support the region and Fort Leonard Woodd.
Our vision is:
Regional communities, governments and organizations, FLW, state and federal enablers working together as stakeholders to make the region an ever-better place to live, work, and play, while enabling FLW mission success and advocating for mission sustainment and growth.
Our mission is:
Foster the region’s continuing commitment to national defense, and advocate for local and regional development initiatives, as well as FLW sustainment and growth. Coordinate and facilitate growth of a diverse, sustainable economy for the region, publicize regional consensus while respecting individual interests of the members, and function as the central point of contact for regional partners.
Staff listing:
Dorsey Newcomb, Executive Director
Ken Tauke, Deputy Director
Bob Chapman, Administration
Ron Selfors, Consultant
Erin Younkin, Communications Consultant
Executive Committee/Board Members:
Chair: Dr. George Lauritson, Mayor, City of St. Robert
Vice Chair: Steve Ehrhardt, Co-Owner, Ehrhardt Properties
Treasurer: Open
Past President: Dr. Brian Henry, Superintendent, Waynesville School District
Randy Becht, Pulaski County Growth Alliance
John Casey, County Commissioner, Texas County
Linda Conner, Executive Director, Lake of the Ozarks Council of Local Governments
Josh Deavors, Waynesville-St. Robert Chamber of Commerce
Joe Driskill, Missouri Military Advocate
Mike Dunbar, President, Security Bank of Pulaski County
Honorable Luge Hardman, Mayor, City of Waynesville
Bruce Harrill, City Administrator, City of Waynesville
Anita Ivey, City Administrator, City of St. Robert
Lori Laughlin, Director, Mercy Clinic, St. Robert
Rick Morris, Director of Operations. Ft. Wood Hotels
Johnny Murrell, Executive Director, South Central Ozarks Council of Governments
John Petersen, City of Rolla
Bonnie Prigge, Executive Director, Meramec Regional Planning Commission
Keith Pritchard, CEO, Security Bank of Pulaski County
Angie Rolufs, Member-at-Large
Harold Selby, City of St. James
Larry Sexton, Pulaski County
Ben Tipton, Phelps County Bank
Steve Tupper, Phelps for the Fort
Barry White, Phelps County Regional Medical Center
Matt Woessner, Investment Realty
Dalton Wright, President, Lebanon Publishing Company
Ex-Officio Members:
Kimberly Bittle, District Forest Ranger, Mark Twain National Forest
K. Lercher, Chief of FLW Commanding General's Initiatives Group