Advisory Boards

Joe Easter

Attorney, Easter Law Firm, LLC

Breech Advisory Board Chair

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• Joe Easter attended Drury University, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration in 2000. He was active as a member of the Kappa Alpha Order while on campus and continues to do so today. He went on to attend University of Arkansas at Little Rock, William H. Bowen School of Law, where he graduated in 2005 with a Juris Doctorate degree. Immediately upon graduation, he passed the bar exam and started practicing law in Springfield. In 2006, Joe returned to Drury and furthered his education, graduating in 2008 with a Master’s degree in Business Administration. That same year, he opened his own law practice, Easter Law Firm, LLC, and he has practiced in the areas of personal injury and workers’ compensation for the last decade. He also participates in numerous community service projects and assists many charitable organizations in his free time.

Tamara de Wild

Assoc. General Counsel/Director Legal Service, O’Reilly

Breech Advisory Board Vice-Chair and Chair of Strategic Planning Committee

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• Tamara de Wild is Associate General Counsel and Director of Legal Services for O'Reilly Automotive, Inc. d/b/a O'Reilly Auto Parts and its subsidiaries and affiliated entities.  O'Reilly Auto Parts (ORLY) is a retailer of aftermarket automotive parts, tools, supplies, equipment, and accessories based in Springfield, Missouri.

  At O'Reilly, Ms. de Wild counsels Human Resources and management on labor and employment related issues including those regarding discrimination and harassment on the basis of race/national origin, color, age, sex, religion, age, disability, and other protected statuses;  Americans with Disabilities Act; Family Medical Leave Act; wage and hour issues; equal pay issues; severance matters; non-compete and non-solicitation agreements; and other employment related matters; works with Human Resources and operations teams in investigating and responding to complaints and charges filed with the Equal Employment Opportunities Commission and state agencies; manages and coordinates the defense of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation lawsuits; wage and hour lawsuits; and other employment related litigation with outside counsel;  and works with Human Resources and other departments in developing, implementing, and updating policies, procedures, and practices.  She assists and advises HR and other departments related to work authorization/I-9 compliance and immigration-related issues as they relate to hiring and employment practices. Tamara also works with Human Resources and various operations teams in developing resources to educate team members and frequently provides training to supervisory and management groups within the company.

  She also is involved in developing strategy regarding union avoidance and labor relations, responding to grievances and unfair labor practice charges, and negotiating collective bargaining agreements. Ms. de Wild was in private practice for 13 years prior to joining O'Reilly in December 2008, most recently at Lathrop & Gage in Springfield, Missouri.  Ms. de Wild received her A.B. with Honors in business administration from Drury University in 1992 and her J.D. from Wake Forest University School of Law in 1995.

Richard Bachus

President, SMC Packaging Group

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• Rich graduated from Drury College in 1981. He received a major in business and economics while getting a minor in communications. Rich played on the Drury Men's Tennis Team for four years and was also a member of The Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. After graduating, Rich married his wife Jana and they moved to Indiana where he worked as a Packaging Supervisor for Frito Lay. In 1983, they moved back to Springfield where Rich began working at SMC. His early roles were plant scheduler, purchasing, safety and logistics. Rich later went into sales serving a sales territory in the Joplin area. In 1991, Rich was appointed Sales Manager and then President of SMC in 1998. Today, the SMC Packaging Group employs in excess of 350 people and has 4 locations. Those are located in Springfield, Kansas City, Conway, AR and Tulsa, OK.

  Rich and Jana have three children, two sons-in-law and two grandkids. Rich has served on several boards in the past and is currently on the Advisory Board at Great Circle as well as the Drury University Breech Advisory Board.

Jane M. Bennett

Partner; Bennett Capital Partners, LLC

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• Jane Bennett, Operating Partner, of Bennett Capital Partners, - Private Equity and Investment Firm; has been an active member of the Breech Advisory Board since 2005.

  Jane previously for 20 years, (1990 through 2010) was Co-Owner of THE MAIMAN COMPANY,  a Premier National Manufacturer of Architectural Wood Doors. The Maiman Company was voted "2001's Manufacturer of the Year" by The Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce;  and "1997's Innovator of the Year" by The National Woodworking Machining Industry Association (WMIA);  and, "1997's  Small Business of the Year" by The Southern Governor's Association, (13 Southern States)     After Bennett's sale of The Maiman Company to an International Publicly Held Company,  Jane and her family formed Bennett Capital Partners. 

  She is an active member of The Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce having previously served a 3 year commitment, on the Board of Directors.  
  Jane was also involved and served three simultaneously, 2 year commitments each; as member of the East Partnership Industrial Center's Board of Trustees.   
  Jane Bennett was one of the first key participants in the Breech MBA Mentor Program, being a mentor for three years. Also, Jane is an honorary member of the Delta Mu Delta Honor Society.

  Jane has been passionately involved in sponsoring and supporting the Breech School of Business's Study Abroad Program for many years. With Jane's assistance, former Dean, Robin Sronce, was able to establish the Breech Study Abroad Endowment Scholarship. The Breech Study Abroad Endowment Scholarship is given to Breech students who have a G.P.A. of 3.5 or above and is participating in a Drury-led study abroad trip with a duration of at least 21 days.  Because of the Scholarship, numerous students were able to participate in the life changing study abroad program.

Erin (Stout) Boster

President and co-owner, Collegiate Awards

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• Erin (Stout) Boster is the President and co-owner of Collegiate Awards in Springfield, MO.  She received a degree from Drury University in 1996, with majors in Business Administration and Spanish, and a minor in Economics.  While at Drury, she served as President of Delta Delta Delta.

  Erin operates Collegiate Awards with her brothers, Brad Stout & Craig Stout, and father, Tom Stout (all Drury alumni), and her husband, Frank Boster.  She has had an active role in the community, serving with the Boone County Council on Aging, Columbia and Springfield area Tri Delta Alumni Chapters, The Crossing Church, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society / Gateway Chapter and Christian Fellowship School Advisory Board.  Erin joined the Breech Advisory Board in 2016.

  Erin and Frank reside in Springfield, and have two sons - Thomas and Sam.

Matt Brown

Chief Operating Officer, McAfee & Taft Law Firm

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• Matt Bown is the Chief Operating Officer of McAfee & Taft law firm, the largest law firm in Oklahoma.  He received his degree in Accounting and Business Administration from Drury University in 1986.  He is a Certified Public Accountant.

  Prior to joining McAfee & Taft, Matt was a Senior Manger for KPMG, LLP in Oklahoma City from 1986 to 1995.  From 1995 to 2014, Matt worked for the Dean McGee Eye Institute in Oklahoma City. He served as the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer as well as a member of the Board of Trustees. 

  Matt is active in the community having served as President of the Oklahoma City All Sports Association, as well as on the Boards of Leadership Oklahoma City, the Rotary Club of Oklahoma City, and the Committee of 100. Matt joined the Breech Advisory Board in 2016.

  Matt and his wife, Jill, reside in Oklahoma City, and have two adult daughters.

Per-Ola Brinck

Insurance Agent, Brinck Insurance Group LLC

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• Per-Ola Brinck has been a member of the Breech Advisory Board since 2003. He owns his own insurance agency Brinck Insurance Group LLC. Brinck graduated from Drury in 1983 with a degree in business administration. While at Drury, Brinck also was a member of the swimming team for four years. He is a member of the Missouri Association of Insurance Agents, Springfield Contractors Association, and Collegiate Swimming Officials of America (CSCAA).

Rob Dickerson

Account Executive/Independent Contractor, Barker Phillips Jackson

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• Rob Dickerson is a commercial insurance agent with Barker, Phillips, Jackson. Dickerson graduated from Drury in 1990 with a degree in Business Administration and a minor in Economics. He then went on to Southern Methodist University to earn his Masters in Business Administration in August of 1991.  Prior to his current business activities, he was a large Papa Murphy's franchisee and owner/officer for Laker Fishing. Dickerson was an adjunct faculty member at Drury and a member of the Business Advisory Board for Drury SIFE. Dickerson joined the Breech Advisory Board in 2008.

John Everett

President & CEO, Legacy Bank and Trust

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• John Everett is President and CEO of Legacy Bank and Trust Company. He began his banking career in 1991 while attending Drury University. He graduated from Drury in 1994 with a degree in Business Administration. He was one of the founding employees of The Bank in 1997 where he served as CFO. He was hired as CFO in 2004 by Legacy Bank and Trust and was later promoted to President and CEO.

  In addition to serving on the Breech Advisory committee, John has served on the Drury Alumni Association since 2013. John currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Community Foundation of Rogersville as well as the Missouri Bankers Association. He served on the Board of Directors for the Rogersville Chamber of Commerce from 2010-2014 while filling the term as President of the chamber for 2 years.

Leaster Gibson Jr.

Managing Member, Foster Gibson Investments LLC

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• Leaster Gibson Jr. returned to Drury and received his degree in Business Administration with a minor in Psychology in 2008. In 1994, he began working with his family, Foster Hospitality Group, managing Elder Care properties. Over the next 15 years, he helped develop single family residential properties as well as commercial properties including Residential Care Centers and Hotels throughout the Midwest region. In addition, Leaster co-managed a family owned real estate company from 2001 – 2011. Since 2012, Leaster has worked as managing member of Foster Gibson Investments. His duties include portfolio management, risk management, venture capital and day trading.

  Leaster is a returning member of the Breech Advisory Board. He also serves on the Arc of the Ozarks Foundation Board and several other community project based committees.

Amanda Kastler

Partner, Elliot, Robinson & Company

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• Amanda Kastler became a partner with Elliott, Robinson & Company on January 1, 2014 after ten years with the firm. She grew up in Camdenton, MO where both of her parents were educators in the public school system. She started her college career at Central Methodist College (now Central Methodist University) on a volleyball and academic scholarship. After one year in Fayette, MO, she transferred to Drury University in Springfield, where she earned a degree in Accounting with minors in Criminology, Business Administration, and Global Studies. Upon graduation in December 2003, she started with Elliott, Robinson & Company, LLP as a junior accountant. Amanda’s professional attributes and skills led her to auditing. She started preparing small non-profit audits and has continued to develop the knowledge and skills necessary to prepare and review audits of non-profit organization, for profit businesses, and government-funded organization and businesses. Early in her academic studies, Amanda developed an interest forensic accounting. In October 2007, she earned the Certified Fraud Examiner designation. She uses this credential to provide both preventative and detective services to businesses and organizations in Springfield and surrounding communities. These services include: conducting an analysis of an organization’s internal controls with recommendations for improvement, testing an organization’s internal controls to determine if employees are following established policies, and determining the occurrence and cost of fraud within an organization. The Springfield Business Journal honored Amanda in the 2014 Most Influential Women class and 2016 40 Under 40 class recognizing her leadership, influence and civic involvement.

Sandy Meyers

Director - Risk Management, City Utilities

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• As the Director - Risk Management, Sandy is responsible for corporate property and casualty insurance programs, enterprise risk management, and financial technology at City Utilities of Springfield, Missouri. During her 21 years at the Utility, she has had the opportunity to work in several specialties including financial reporting, budgeting, project management, IT and physical security, and risk management.  
  
  Prior to joining CU, Sandy was a CPA at a local public accounting firm.  She graduated from Drury University with a B.A. in Accounting and Business Administration and later returned to Drury to earn her MBA.  She holds various certifications in the fields of accounting, IT Security, project management, insurance and risk management.  Sandy is an active member of the local Risk and Insurance Management Society (RIMS) and serves on the Loss Control Task Force for AEGIS, a utility mutual insurance company.

Chris Myer

Vice President of Marketing, Myer Hotels

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• Chris Myer is the Vice President of Marketing for Myer Hotels, which includes the Best Western Music Capital Inn, Best Western Center Pointe Inn, Comfort Inn & Suites, Comfort Inn at Thousand Hills, Quality Inn West, Holiday Inn Express Green Mtn. Drive and iBranson Ticket Services in Branson, Missouri.  He is also a founder and President of Tripium, LLC, a web based travel company specializing in dynamic reservation technologies and publisher of  The Flavor of Branson Dining Guide, The Dish, and The Taste of Branson; Branson's largest publications dedicated 100% to dining and Bransonrestaurants.com 

  Chris has spent time serving the industry in which he represents.  He is a National Delegate on the Choice Hotel Owners Council and serves as the Regional Director for Region 13.  He recently chaired the Comfort Inn and Marketing Committee for the Choice Hotels Owners Council. Chris is also the chair of the Best Western Missouri Marketing Co-op and the Missouri Choice Hotels Marketing Co-op.   Chris is a past board member and president of both the Branson/Lakes Area Lodging Assoc. and the Missouri Hotel and Lodging Association.

  He recently served on the Branson/ Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce/CVB Board of Directors & Marketing Advisory Council. Myer also served as the Chairman of the Table Rock Lake Chamber of Commerce in 2011 and finished serving on that board in 2013. Chris serves on the Country Bluff Property Owners Association and is also a past President.

  Chris attended Drury College in Springfield, MO and graduated with a double major of Business Administration and Public Relations.  He was awarded the “Outstanding Senior Man” award at Drury.  

  Chris and his wife Sonja have three sons; Montana, Gatlin and Houston.  In his spare time, Chris likes to attend kids sporting events, concerts and likes to wakeboard and snow ski.   He worships at First Baptist Church of Branson. Chris has lived in Branson for over 23 years.  

Bruce Nasby

President, NGO Global and Global Advisory Assoc.

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• Bruce has been a speaker at World Economic Forum Regional Summits in Russia and Kazakhstan. He was a guest on NBC’s Today Show, and has been a panelist or participant at the UBS Philanthropy Forum in Geneva, Switzerland, the Forbes CEO Forum in Singapore, the Forbes CEO Middle East Forum in Doha, Qatar, Clinton Global Initiative in Hong Kong, the annual Milken Global Conference in Los Angeles and the World Innovation Summit for Education in Doha, Qatar.  He has traveled to over 40 countries on international business and traveled extensively throughout Asia, Brazil and much of the Middle East.

  As Executive Vice President for Enactus (formerly known as SIFE) from 1998 through 2013, Bruce was responsible for launching and building the organization’s international operation in 27 countries and helped to triple the number of universities engaged worldwide to over 1,600.  He also raised funds from the corporate and government sectors for the Enactus World Headquarters and their affiliated countries and coordinated the benefits and relationships for several significant partners including KPMG, Unilever, AIG, Goldman Sachs, Coca-Cola and HSBC. For his leadership worldwide, he was awarded in 2013, the Global Champion of Enactus, the highest award given by the organization. He served on numerous Enactus boards including those located in Australia, Canada, China and United Kingdom and as the interim President for Enactus Brazil during a leadership transition in 2011 and 2012. 

  Bruce served for fifteen years as CEO of various Junior Achievement area offices in the United States including JA’s largest operation in Los Angeles, California. During his tenure with JA, he served as the organization’s National Program Director at their headquarters in Stamford, Connecticut.  He has also been the President of the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association, one of the world’s largest zoological institutions. Several capital campaigns were successfully completed during his tenure as President and the revenue and attendance records achieved during his four years with the association continue to stand today as the highest in the zoo’s 40+ year history. 

  Bruce is a graduate from the University of Arizona and served in the United States Navy where he received numerous medals and awards including the Navy Achievement Medal.

Ardyth Neill

President, Heifer Foundation

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• Ardyth Neill is President of Heifer Foundation, an international philanthropic foundation established for the primary purpose of building an endowment to generate ongoing support for the work of Heifer International; educating the public on planned charitable giving; and to serve as fiduciary for its donors.
  Ardyth came to Heifer Foundation in 2001 after serving as Director of Accounting for more than four years with Heifer International. She served as CFO and Vice President of Asset Management for Heifer Foundation from 2001-2012. She started her non-profit work as a Comptroller with the Greater Ozarks Chapter, Blood and Tissue Region of the American Red Cross after beginning her professional career as an Accountant for Dillon’s Springfield Division. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration with minors in accounting and economics from Drury University.

  Ardyth is currently a member of the Rotary Club 99 of Little Rock and serves on the board for the Rotary Club 99 Foundation. She is also a member of the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA), Society for Human Resource Management, Central Arkansas Human Resources Association, the Rachel Donaldson Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and The Order of Daughters of the King. Additionally, she is Heifer Foundation’s representative for the Mission Investors’ Exchange, a member of the Forbes Nonprofit Council, Partnership of Philanthropic Planning (formerly NCPG) and the Arkansas chapter of the organization (Arkansas Charitable Gift Planning Council). She is an active member of St. Michael’s Episcopal Church where she has previously served as treasurer and a member of the Outreach, Finance and Audit Committees.

  Ardyth is married to Jerry Neill and lives in Maumelle, AR.

Juli Pascoe

Director, BKD

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• As a member of BKD National Health Care Group, Juli has more than 12 years of experience providing an array of audit and consulting services to long-term care organizations, continuing care retirement communities and assisted living facilities.  She also serves on the executive committee of the practice’s nursing facilities industry team.

  Her experience includes serving as an engagement executive on long-term-care audit and review engagements and audits in accordance with Government Auditing Standards and Single Audit requirements.  In addition, she assists long-term care providers with strategic planning, preparation of operating budgets, Medicare and Medicaid cost report preparation and review and development of strategies to enhance reimbursement and improve operating efficiencies and profitability.  Juli also is responsible for overseeing the preparation of monthly financial statements and other accounting outsourcing services provided to long-term care providers.

  Juli serves as the leader of the Southwest Missouri practice unit’s Employee Engagement Council.  The Employee Engagement Council is responsible for gathering information, evaluating and developing improvements to firm policies and programs to promote employee engagement and performance excellence in all areas of the firm.  The Council provides insight on long-term strategies for improving employee performance and morale.

  She is a member of the American Institute of CPAs and Missouri Society of CPAs. 

  Juli is a 2004 summa cum laude graduate of Drury University, Springfield, with a B.A. degree in accounting and business administration.

Bryan D. Reaves

Chief Financial Officer, Superior Consulting, LLC

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• Bryan Reaves is the Chief Financial Officer and Director of Compliance Services for Superior Consulting, LLC, a regional boutique consulting firm based in Springfield, Missouri and specializing in providing audit and consulting services to the banking industry. Bryan has worked in banking his entire career, beginning in 2003 with Mid-Missouri Bank. He is also the Chief Technology Officer of Excubia Solutions, LLC, an affiliated software development startup founded in 2013.

  Bryan graduated from Drury in 2007 with a degree in Accounting. He proceeded to obtain his MBA from Drury, graduating in 2008. Bryan is a licensed CPA in Missouri and also holds the following certifications or professional designations: Certified Information Technology Professional (AICPA), Certified Fraud Examiner (ACFE), Certified Regulatory Compliance Manager (ABA), Certified Information Systems Security Professional (ISC2), Certified Information Systems Auditor (ISACA), Certified Information Security Manager (ISACA), Security+ (CompTIA), and Network+ (CompTIA).

  Bryan joined the Breech Advisory Board in 2016. During his time as a student at Drury, Bryan also had the pleasure to serve on the Breech Student Advisory Board. He also participates in many other charitable organizations and community service projects.

Board Information

• Mission

• The mission of the Breech School Advisory Board (BAB) is to advise, promote and proactively support the interests of Drury University and the Breech School of Business Administration to improve the visibility and enhance the reputation of the Breech School of Business Administration in the regional, national, and international business community. The Board helps the School achieve its mission of providing quality undergraduate and graduate programming, resulting in graduates who possess the skills and abilities needed to excel as ethical professionals in the global business community.

• Board Member Responsibilities

• Awareness

  The BAB will function as an advocacy group for Drury University and the Breech School of Business Administration.  The BAB members will actively promote the School and its programs to their respective company, industry, and business communities.

  Planning

  The BAB will advise the Dean, faculty and university administration on the strategic direction of the Breech School of Business Administration. The BAB members will provide feedback on missions, goals, programs, and strategic direction.

  Communication

  The BAB will enhance the communication of the Breech School with the business community through the professional exchange of ideas related to current and future business and academic issues. This includes keeping the School informed on current and emerging educational research needs and opportunities among the various constituencies.  The BAB members should provide feedback on how the School’s curricula, programs, and other offerings are meeting the needs of these constituents.

  Programs

  The BAB will provide advice and feedback to the School about the perceived effectiveness of Breech School of Business programs.  This includes suggesting, recommending, and reviewing additional programming opportunities.

  Students

  The BAB will provide advice, guidance, and assistance in placing Breech graduates in career positions and internship opportunities. The BAB members will assist in actively recruiting students for the School.  The BAB members will be resources to the business community, providing business and professional community contacts to share expertise in classrooms and at other networking events.

  Development

  The BAB will work with the Dean and other members of the University faculty and administration to promote the school, build its reputation and prestige and acquire the resources necessary to support the mission and objectives of the Breech School of Business Administration. Board members will make an annual personal and/or corporate contribution to the School of Business. The suggested minimum contribution is $1,200 annually, with the greatest need being the Breech Fund. 

Student Advisory Board

Taylor Davidson, Chair

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• Year: Super Senior

  Major: Accounting

Xiaoran Li

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• Year: Super Senior

  Major: Finance & Accounting

Nicholas Andrews

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• Year: Senior

  Major: Accounting

Cameron Maes

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• Year: Super Senior

  Major: Finance

Michael Boone

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• Year: Junior

  Major: Finance

Claire McCune

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• Year: Sophomore

  Major: Management

Steven Charleville

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• Year: Senior

  Major: Management & Marketing

Madeline Nelson

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• Year: Super Senior

  Major: Accounting

Brooke Dinan

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• Year: Junior

  Major: Finance

Mallory Pinson

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• Year: Senior

  Major: Economics

Carlie Fangman

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• Year: Senior

  Major: Accounting & Finance

Allison Schiltz

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• Year: Senior

  Major: Marketing

Jessica Knowles

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• Year: Senior

  Major: Accounting

Cosette Spencer

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• Year: Junior

  Major: Marketing & Strategic Communication