CEO Roundtable w. Fred Parry

Columbia voters will head to the polls in August to cast ballots on Proposition 1, a proposed one percent sales/use tax that would be dedicated to public safety. Columbia officials say it’s needed to stabilize the city’s police and firefighter’s retirement fund. City manager De’Carlon Seewood has told 939 the Eagle that if voters approve Proposition 1, $38-million would be generated annually and t...

The Columbia Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) director is in her 15th year in that position. CVB director Amy Schneider joined host Fred Parry in-studio Saturday on 939 the Eagle's "CEO Roundtable." They tackled sports tourism, the importance of Gans Creek's cross country course from a national perspective and talk of a conference center. She says tourism in Columbia means jobs and sales tax r...

The president of Columbia-based Boone Health hopes to see a decision on a strategic partner by the end of the calendar year. Boone Health president and chief executive officer Brady Dubois joined host Fred Parry in-studio Saturday on 939 the Eagle’s “CEO Roundtable”." They tackled the strategic partner issue, Missouri Heart Center's closure, the Glasgow clinic, the Nifong Plaza campus and numerous...

Missouri Department of Economic Development (DED) director Michelle Hataway describes Allegiant’s new Florida service at Columbia Regional Airport (COU) as a gamechanger for COU and for the mid-Missouri region. COU is the nation’s fastest-growing airport, according to aviation firm Mead and Hunt. Airport manager Michael Parks joined host Fred Parry in-studio Saturday morning on 939 the Eagle’s “CE...

The president of the nation's second-oldest women's college is celebrating her first anniversary at historic Stephens College in Columbia. Dr. Shannon Lundeen joined host Fred Parry in-studio for the hour on 939 the Eagle's "CEO Roundtable." Dr. Lundeen tells listeners that deferred maintenance is the biggest challenge she's facing:

The Boone County Fire Protection District is known nationwide as a world-class organization. Missouri Task Force One (MOTF-1) is part of it and is one of 28 urban search and rescue team across the nation. Boone County Fire Protection District Chief Doug Westhoff and assistant chief Gale Blomenkamp appeared in-studio this weekend on 939 the Eagle's "CEO Roundtable". The district was formed in 1970...

All of you have seen Coil Construction signs throughout Columbia, but few of you have probably noticed the COR Development signs near them. COR Development is a three-year-old company that is involved in numerous projects in Columbia/Boone County, including Logboat Brewing's planned taproom at Nifong and State Farm Parkway, ABK Biomedical in Ashland and the former OTSCON facility on North Rangelin...

Earlier this month, the UM Board of Curators approved a three-year contract extension for Mizzou athletic director Laird Veatch. UM System President Dr. Mun Choi says this reinforces the university’s commitment to Veatch’s leadership and long-term vision. President Choi says the momentum of Mizzou Athletics is undeniable, thanks to Mr. Veatch’s leadership. Construction crews are expected to finish...

The Columbia Board of Realtors says single-family home prices increased in March and remain on an upward trajectory. While we don’t have April numbers yet, the median price for a single-family home in Boone County increased three percent in March to $345,000, while the average price was up four percent to about $385,000. The median price in Columbia in March was up four percent to $350,000. Arise...

Columbia and Boone County have seen some big economic wins in recent years. They include Schneider Electric’s $73-million expansion at their plant on Route B, EquipmentShare building its $100-million new headquarters near Columbia's I-70 Lake of the Woods exit and a $92-million improvement project from Kraft-Heinz at their hot dog plant on Columbia’s Waco road. Columbia REDI president Paul Eisenst...

Columbia-based Socket has recapitalized their company and brought in new majority owners to raise money. Socket president Carson Coffman emphasizes that the original shareholders are still owners and are active in the company. The new majority owners are Charlotte-based Pamlico Capital and Oak Hill Capital. Mr. Coffman and Socket Fiber executive chairman Jim Gleason joined host Fred Parry Saturday...

Orant Charities of Africa aims to make sustainable impacts in Malawi by supporting women and communities in programs ranging from health care to water and sanitation to education to the environment. Orant Charities says clean water is scarce in Malawi and they work to bring water to villages there. Orant Charities of Africa founder Michael Tenny, chairman Tom Brennan and board member Lynda Baumgar...

Boone County Presiding Commissioner Kip Kendrick is bullish on Boone County, from the hundreds of millions of dollars being spent on I-70 improvements to the Midway interchange growth to company expansions. Commissioner Kendrick joined host Fred Parry in-studio for the hour on 939 the Eagle's "CEO Roundtable":

UM System President Dr. Mun Choi and the UM Board of Curators say Mizzou's $250-million Memorial Stadium football project will elevate the fan experience. President Choi joined host Fred Parry in-studio Saturday morning on 939 the Eagle's "CEO Roundtable" program. They discussed Memorial Stadium, the north end zone project and numerous other topics. "When you see the north end zone from the road o...

Columbia College’s new president says his main priority has been listening and learning, since he started on March 1. Dr. Toby Arquette joined Fred Parry in-studio for the hour Saturday morning on 939 the Eagle's "CEO Roundtable." Dr. Arquette has started the process of working with faculty, staff, students and the board to co-create the next chapter for Columbia College, which is celebrating its...

While Columbia/Boone County is seeing cranes and construction equipment across town, there is still a lot of poverty. Love Columbia says one in five Columbia residents are living in poverty and struggle to make ends meet. Housing costs are a challenge for many as well. Jane Williams, who co-founded Love Columbia 18 years ago, joined Fred Parry in-studio for the hour on 939 the Eagle's "CEO Roundta...

A growing company that crafts premium meat snacks has opened a 300,000 square foot production plant in mid-Missouri’s Mexico. Western Smokehouse Partners’ plant is located in the former Soft Surroundings in Mexico. Western Smokehouse Partners chief executive officer Matt Bormann, a Mizzou graduate, joined host Fred Parry in-studio for the hour Saturday on 939 the Eagle’s “CEO Roundtable.” Mr. Borm...

MU Health Care is the second-largest employer in Columbia/Boone County, according to 2025 statistics from Columbia Regional Economic Development Incorporated (REDI). MU Health Care chief executive officer Ric Ransom and chief medical officer Ambulatory care Dr. Laura Morris joined Fred Parry in-studio for the hour Saturday on 939 the Eagle’s “CEO Roundtable”. Mr. Ransom says MU Health Care has abo...

This weekend’s edition of 939 the Eagle’s “CEO Roundtable” features the 19-year-old owner of a Columbia start-up company called Great Shine Exteriors. Kellan Mugisha’s company cleans windows and gutters, provides power washing and installs Christmas lights. Mugisha joined host Fred Parry in-studio for the program. Parry praises Kellan’s work ethic and the quality of his work. Kellan Mugisha was bo...

Columbia-based Sara Fougere Catering has earned three straight first-place “Best of Columbia” awards from the readers of Zimmer’s “Inside Columbia” magazine. Sara grew up on a cattle farm in western Missouri’s rural Richmond and earned her degree in food science from the University of Missouri’s College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR). Sara Fougere joined host Fred Parry in-stud...

939 the Eagle's Mike Murphy is also the publisher of Comobuz.com. He launched Comobuz three years ago. Mike joined 939 the Eagle's Fred Parry in-studio Saturday morning on the "CEO Roundtable" program and they tackled numerous topics, including a proposed one percent sales and use tax in Columbia for public safety, the transmission line issue and the recently-approved pedestrian safety ordinance....

Columbia’s first female police chief has focused on recruitment and retention as chief. CPD was more than 40 officers short when Jill Schlude was sworn-in as police chief in December 2023. They currently have about 14 vacancies. Chief Schlude joined host Fred Parry in-studio for the hour Saturday morning on 939 the Eagle’s “CEO Roundtable”. One of main issues Fred and the chief discussed was viole...

Boone County’s sheriff is proud of the brand-new $20-million sheriff’s office regional training center. Last weekend’s grand opening celebration drew several hundred people. The 50,000 square feet facility includes a 160-seat training room, a 100-yard indoor gun range, classrooms and a driving simulator. It will also provide classes and specialized training for current and prospective officers and...

“Missouri Independent” deputy editor Rudi Keller is the dean of the Missouri Capitol Press Corps in Jefferson City. The 65-year-old Keller joined host Fred Parry for the hour Saturday morning on 939 the Eagle’s “CEO Roundtable” program. They spoke in-detail about Missouri’s budget, the Chiefs, friction between Republicans and Democrats in the Missouri Senate and about news media coverage of state...

The retired Landmark Bank chairman who has studied economic trends in Columbia/Boone County for 38 years says the decision by Central Bank to go public is a smart move. Former Landmark Bank chairman Jeff MacLellan joined host Fred Parry in-studio for the hour Saturday morning on 939 the Eagle’s “CEO Roundtable” program. “What they’ve done is they now have access to capital markets. And for a bank...