The Sustainable Ozarks Partnership (SOP) focuses on the four county (Laclede, Phelps, Pulaski, and Texas) region directly surrounding Fort Leonard Wood. 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. Achieve 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. Be 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. Ensure that FLW continues to be an enduring installation, with opportunities to grow with expanding or new missions.
- Ensure the viability of the SOP. Improve SOP efficiency and operational effectiveness so it can successfully support the region and Fort Leonard Wood.
Our vision is:
Regional communities, citizens, governments and organizations, Fort Leonard Wood (FLW), and 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 FLW mission sustainment and growth.
Our mission is:
Coordinate and facilitate growth of a diverse, sustainable economy for the region and publicize regional consensus while respecting individual interests of the members, function as the central point of contact for regional partners, foster the region’s continuing commitment to national defense, and advocate for local and regional development initiatives, as well as Fort Leonard Wood sustainment and growth.
Staff listing:
Kent Thomas, Executive Director
Dorsey Newcomb, Technical Program Manager
Bob Chapman, Administration
Ron Selfors, Consultant
Erin Kaberline, Communications Consultant
Executive Committee/Board Members:
Chair: Dr. George Lauritson, Mayor, City of St. Robert
Vice Chair: Steve Ehrhardt, Co-Owner, Ehrhardt Properties
Treasurer: Bill Ransdall
Past President: Dr. Brian Henry, Superintendent, Waynesville School District
Randy Becht, Pulaski County Growth Alliance
John Buchanan, Staff Member, Energy Div., Missouri Department of Economic Development
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
Fred Stenger, County Commissioner, Texas 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