Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri – The Sustainable Ozarks Partnership (SOP) held its 2025 Annual Meeting on Wednesday, August 13 at the Ark Community and Sports in Waynesville, Mo.
Nearly 200 business, governmental and civic leaders from the four-county region (Pulaski, Phelps, Laclede, and Texas) were in attendance at the 13th Annual SOP Meeting this year. Those participating heard from federal, state, and military leaders about how stakeholders’ collective resolve has resulted in many successes that will ensure a strong future for FLW, servicemen and women, military families, retirees, veterans and our communities.
Attendees were welcomed by outgoing SOP Chairman, State Representative Bill Hardwick. Leonard Wood Institute (LWI) Board President Mike Dunbar then recognized each of the 41 SOP Sustaining Members for their outstanding support in keeping the regional momentum going in support of FLW, service members, and their families.
This year’s featured speakers included Governor Mike Kehoe; U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (recorded message); U.S. Senator Eric Schmitt (recorded message); U.S. Representative Mark Alford, MO 4th Congressional District; BG Bradley Leonard, Deputy Commanding General, MSCoE and FLW; MG Charles Hausman, Missouri Adjutant General; Mr. David Leinberger, Chief of Army Partnerships; Mr. Harry Roberts, Missouri Military Advocate; Mr. Mike Dubois, Kit Bond Strategies; Mr. Vagn Hansen, Benchmark Planning and Ms. Sarah Dyott, PGAV Consulting.
“This year’s theme “Navigating Change: Opportunities and Challenges” acknowledged our collective need to embrace the changing national landscape while taking advantage of emerging opportunities and tackling various challenges that come before us,” said SOP Executive Director Dorsey Newcomb. “We are proud to continue pursuing our vision of 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.”
As part of his organizational update Newcomb highlighted four major takeaways from the meeting for stakeholders and supporters to consider.
- The changing national defense landscape and the Army’s Transformation / Optimization impacts on FLW, our state and our communities are yet to be fully realized
- The Army continues to value FLW’s unique and diverse training mission as evidenced by the continued strategic investments being made that will further augment the installation’s capacity
- Our elected leaders at the federal, state and local level along with our communities and stakeholders remain unified in our efforts to defend, sustain and grow FLW’s mission while improving quality of life in the region that will make FLW the best place to live, work and play
- Through SOP the region must continue to anticipate and adapt to change while proactively identifying opportunities that are mutually beneficial for the DOD, Missouri and our communities
During the business meeting portion of the agenda Newcomb announced that in in accordance with SOP by-laws Mayor Sean Wilson was selected to serve as the new SOP Chairman and Steve Ehrhardt and Brennon Willard would continue their service as SOP Vice Chairman and Treasurer respectively.
