Aug. 29, 2025

Foundation begins fiscal year 2026 with $549 million in assets

The Community Foundation of the Ozarks recently named five new members to its Board of Directors and elected officers for 2025–26. 

The new members’ first three-year term began July 1. They are:

  • Dr. Josh Cotter is an educator and director of Southern Missouri Technical Institute in West Plains. He recently completed his final term as board chair for the Community Foundation of West Plains Inc.
  • Barb Houser leads the nonprofit practice of KPM CPAs in Springfield. She serves on the CFO board as the new chair of the Audit/Operations Committee.
  • Travis Liles is a director with Forvis Mazars Private Client in Springfield. Travis began his career with the CFO and returns to serve on the board.
  • Dr. Judith Martínez-García is an associate professor of languages, cultures and religion at Missouri State University in Springfield.
  • Louise Secker is a real estate professional in Joplin. She also chairs the board of the Joplin Regional Community Foundation. 

A collection of five portraits, from left to right: Josh Cotter, Barb Houser, Travis Liles, Judith Martínez-García and Louise Secker.

From left to right: Dr. Josh Cotter, Barb Houser, Travis Liles, Dr. Judith Martínez-García and Louise Secker

The FY26 Executive Committee comprises: 

  • Chair: Roy Hardy Jr., Ozark (Associated Electric Cooperative)
  • Vice chair: Jimmy Liles, Nixa (City of Nixa)
  • Treasurer: Greg Hoffman, Nevada (retired financial professional)
  • Secretary: Gary Garwitz, Springfield (retired partner at BKD, now Forvis Mazars)
  • At-large: Sarah Honeycutt, Cabool (accountant)
  • Investment Advisory Board chair: Kari Creighton, Springfield (financial professional)
  • Audit/Operations Committee chair: Barb Houser, Springfield (KPM nonprofit practice)
  • Chair emeritus: Anne E. McGregor, Branson (The Neighbor Company)

A group of people are seated around a board room table. The CFO's Board of Directors met for the first time in its new headquarters on Aug. 20, 2025.

The CFO’s Board of Directors held its first meeting in the foundation’s new headquarters on Aug. 20.

The CFO ended its 2025 fiscal year with $549 million in assets under management, boosted by $64.9 million in gifts and 12.2% growth for funds invested in its Diversified Growth Pool. The CFO issued $53.8 million in grants, scholarships and charitable distributions to improve quality of life across the region and support the charitable goals of donors. These preliminary figures will be finalized in its FY25 annual report, to be published in December. 

The CFO recently opened the initial grant programs for 2025–26, supported by a record $5.4 million grantmaking budget. It also recently moved its headquarters to 300 South Jefferson in downtown Springfield. For more information, visit cfozarks.org.

Support our mission by becoming a donor today.

Donate Now