Our Board

Kerri Gates,   President

kgates@nhscheppers.com
573-636-4831 

Kerri Gates joined the Scheppers Distribution team in 2020 as an Office Manager. She previously enjoyed working at Jefferson City Parks and Recreation for 12 years as a Recreation Supervisor, programming youth sports and managing the daily operations at the Washington Park Ice Arena. She now serves as VP Administration for Scheppers, providing Human Resource Services. Kerri was introduced and became involved with JCWBA in 2021 and looks forward to serving the association as President in 2025. While not a Jefferson City native, Kerri has enjoyed starting a family and raising her two boys with her husband in this community. She adores the friendships and professional relationships she has developed since moving to the area. 

Deb Buschman,      Vice President - Management

jcproffice@hfc.hush.com
573-635-1872

Deb is a Practice Representative for Hollon Family Chiropractic.  She has been a Hollon Family employee for over six years.  When retiring from state government after more than 31 years of service she wanted to pursue a career at anything other than a desk job.  The many years of sitting behind a computer took a toll on her body.  Headaches were an everyday occurrence from looking at a computer, to lower back pain from sitting all day and then stomach pain from taking too many over the counter medications for pain.  When the opportunity came along to work in a doctor's office planning events, marketing and networking she stepped into the role of Practice Representative. Deb is also an Ambassador of the Jefferson City Chamber of Commerce and a past Chamber Champion.

Alexander Bennett, Vice President - Membership

abennett@hawthornbank.com
573-761-6201

Alex is currently an AVP, Banking Center Manager for Hawthorn Bank and has worked for both Hawthorn Bank and Central Bancompany for 10+ years. Working in multiple areas within the banking industry, he gained knowledge and experience in Retail Banking, Business Banking, Deposit Operations, Retail Operations, and more. Alex states the best part of his current role is his ability to help his customers find and use the tools to make finances easier for all. Born and raised in Jefferson City, Alex is a proud graduate of Jefferson City High School. After high school, he continued his education and graduated from Western Governors University with a Master's Degree in Business Administration. Alex has been a member of the Westside Business Association for 3+ years. 

Ronna Wilson, Treasurer

rwilson@legendsbk.com
573-636-4193

Ronna Wilson is currently employed as the Assistant Vice President of Legends Bank in Jefferson City. Ronna has been a member of the West Side Business Association since 2017.

Kayla Pipes, Secretary

kpipes@acrisure.com
573-298-6169

My name is Kayla Pipes and I am 39 years old. I have been with Acrisure for over a year and half. I am part of The Healing House and New Beginnings which is a Christ centered ministry for women who have experienced substance abuse and trauma. I’m learning our failures are building blocks to our success. I have a small cleaning business called OneWay Cleaning. I am a member of the House of Prayer Family Church and my relationship with Jesus Christ comes first and foremost in my life. This gives me the strength and perseverance needed to serve and give back to the community. I am eager to use my journey to give back what has so graciously been given to me.

Beth Cowgill, Board Member

bcowgill@confedmo.org
573.634.2322 ext. 104

Beth Cowgill is the Membership Manager at the Conservation Federation of Missouri. In her role, Beth oversees all aspects of membership operations, including recruitment and retention, and developing and executing strategies to engage members, volunteers, affiliates, and business partners. She works closely with conservation supporters to strengthen CFM’s grassroots network and enhance the value of membership across Missouri. In her spare time, Beth enjoys being outside any time of the year with her dog, whether that’s camping, hiking or kayaking in one of Missouri’s state parks. Beth is an Ambassador with the Jefferson City Chamber of Commerce and a 2024 Leadership Class graduate.

Cassie Galbreath, Board Member

CGalbreath@sullivanbank.com
573-658-1955

Cassie Galbreath is a Universal Banker with Sullivan Bank and has been in banking for almost a decade. She grew up in a small town in Mid-Missouri. After high school, Cassie attended William Woods University. Cassie's largest accomplishments are being both a wife to her husband and a mother to her son. She loves to travel with her family and enjoys watching her son play competitive baseball. Cassie has been a member of the Jefferson City West Side Business Association for 1+ years.

Cody Seidel, Board Member

cody_seidel@jefferson-bank.com
573-634-0800

Cody Seidel is a Commercial Lender at Jefferson Bank. He grew up in Jefferson City, graduating from Helias High School. After graduating from Missouri State with a degree in Math Education, he pursued a career in coaching men's college basketball, serving at Missouri State, Missouri Southern State University, and Pittsburg State. He moved back to Jefferson City in order to spend more time with family and serve his community. He also serves on the Jefferson City Young Professionals (YP) Board.

Haley Johannpeter, Board Member

HJohannpeter@hbrhc.com
573-644-6366

Haley Johannpeter has been employed with Heisinger Bluffs Senior Living since 2019. She has held several roles over the years, but is currently the Director of Marketing and Sales. Haley is also a Chamber Ambassador, a board member for the JC Young Professionals, and an active committee member for the JC Walk to End Alzheimer’s. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her daughter, traveling, and music entertainment. Originally from Russellville, Missouri, Haley has made Jefferson City her home and appreciates the small town feel with big city goals.

Jeff DeLong, Board Member

jeff@custompromobrand.com
(573) 659-8919

Jeff DeLong is the co-owner of Custom Promotional Brands. Jeff and his wife Stacey work with Companies, Groups and Organizations to help “Make them Stand Out”

Jeff believes relationships are the key to success in any business. We like to say in the office “friends doing business with friends”. You always want to give your friends the best advice, service and information possible.

Jeff & Stacey's Company, is very involved in their community and has been recognized by the Jefferson City Area Chamber of Commerce as The Best Small Business of the Year 2017!

Julie Allen, Board Member

julieallenfort@gmail.com
573-694-5838

Julie Allen is a CPA, PMP, Certified Government Manager, and has a Masters in Government Affairs from MU. She served over 30 years in government and consulting including as the Missouri Ethics Commission’s Executive Director, Missouri Elections Director, and Missouri Department of Revenue Acting Director.

Having grown up on a small farm outside of Linn, she and her husband moved back to the area when they began raising a family and they chose Jefferson City to live in. Julie serves the community through her services on boards such as the Westside Business District, Cole County Extension, and Osage County Historical Society, and other organizations. She advocates for affordable housing, workforce development, and other economic development as well as advocates for the JC Fire and Police departments.

Stephanie Lehmen, Board Member

stephaniel@cs-business.com
573-635-9295

Stephanie Lehmen is employed as Community Relations Coordinator for C&S Employment Solutions and serves as a member-at-large on the Jefferson City West Side Business Association Board as well as Scholarship Chair. She has over 25 years of marketing and community relations experience in Jefferson City. Stephanie is an active member of the Jefferson City Area Chamber of Commerce and serves on the boards for the Jefferson City East Side Business Association and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Jefferson City. She is also a member of the United Way of Central Missouri’s Board of Directors, Campaign Leadership Team and Women United. A lifelong resident of central Missouri, Stephanie resides in Jefferson City.

Susan Neill Dawdy, Board Member

susanneilldawdy@jcchamber.org
573-690-2720

Susan Neill Dawdy is the Director of Membership & Special Events for the Jefferson City Area Chamber of Commerce.  She has over 30 years of experience at the Chamber working with businesses and promoting the community she loves!  Susan knew that the chamber business was the career for her during college while doing an internship at the local chamber while earning her Public Relations & Marketing degree.   She is also a graduate of institute for organization management.  Susan says the best part of her job is working with volunteers planning events to have fun and make business connections!

Kent Kaiser, Advisory Member

kkaiser@nhscheppers.com
573-694-1676

Kent has been with NH Scheppers Distributing for 21 years as the Operations Manager for the Jefferson City Warehouse. When Kent isn’t working, you might find him golfing with his fellow coworkers Joe Scheppers and Joe Priesmeyer. Kent says the opportunities to play golf are one of his favorite parts of working at Scheppers, and he’s won plenty of tournaments with his coworkers over the years. Kent also enjoys going to the lake and traveling. A fun fact about Kent is that he’s a CPA, which he thinks most people wouldn’t realize because he’s so outgoing, and people tend to think of CPAs as being quiet and shy.

Jana Lehmen, Board Member

jana@farmersbankoflohman.com
573-893-5665