Aug. 20, 2026
All-time grants and distributions top $750 million
The Community Foundation of the Ozarks recently named seven new directors to its Board of Directors and named its Executive Committee for 2026–27.
These new directors began their first three-year term on July 1:
- Dr. David Barbe, of Mountain Grove, is a retired physician and longtime chair of the Mountain Grove Area Community Foundation. He is also a past board chair of the American Medical Association.
- Trenny Garrett, of Osage Beach, is executive vice president for Central Trust at Lake of the Ozarks. She’s long been involved with the Community Foundation of the Lake and is a member of the CFO’s Professional Advisors Council.
- Jim Grebing, of Kennett, is executive director of the Bootheel Regional Planning Commission and helped establish the Bootheel Regional Community Foundation.
- Dustin Kallmeyer, of Hermann, is a business owner and has served on the board of the Community Foundation of the Hermann Area.
- Shannon McMurtrey, of Springfield, is an information technology professional and professor at Drury University. He chairs the CFO’s Information Security committee.
- Amy Wescott, of Branson, is a community volunteer and former staff with Philanthropy Missouri, a statewide association for private and community foundations.
- Gabrielle White, of Springfield, is an estate attorney with McKay & White and a member of the PAC.
The CFO’s new directors are, from left to right: Dr. David Barbe, Mountain Grove; Trenny Garrett, Osage Beach; Jim Grebing, Kennett; Dustin Kallmeyer, Hermann; Shannon McMurtrey, Springfield; Amy Wescott, Branson; and Gabrielle White, Springfield.
The FY27 Executive Committee comprises:
- Chair: Jimmy Liles, Nixa (City of Nixa)
- Vice chair: Brad Erwin, Springfield (Paragon Architecture)
- Treasurer: Greg Hoffman, Nevada (retired financial professional)
- Secretary: Lynne Meyerkord, Springfield (APO)
- Investment Advisory Board chair: Gary Garwitz, Springfield (retired financial professional)
- Audit/Operations Committee chair: Barb Houser, Springfield (KPM nonprofit practice)
- At-Large: Travis Liles, Springfield (Forvis Mazars Private Client)
- Chair emeritus: Roy Hardy Jr., Ozark (Associated Electric Cooperative)
The CFO ended its 2026 fiscal year with $635 million in assets under management, driven by $84 million in gifts and 19% growth for funds invested in its Diversified Growth Pool. With $64 million in grants, scholarships and charitable distributions during FY26, the CFO crossed the $750 million milestone for cumulative grantmaking since its founding in 1973. These preliminary figures will be finalized in its FY26 annual report, to be published in December.
In June, the CFO announced its first-ever capital campaign, “Creating a Front Door for Philanthropy,” to support first-floor and exterior renovations of 300 South Jefferson in Downtown Springfield. The CFO Board of Directors also approved a new five-year strategic plan to expand regional impact, enhance its network of affiliate foundations, optimize operations, leverage 300 South Jefferson as a strategic asset and build its reputation as a leader in philanthropy.
