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

alexander.bennett@centralbank.net
573-634-1380

Alex is currently the Reports Analyst and Product Manager for Central Bank and has worked for both Central Bank and Jefferson Bank 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 improve and implement products that make banking an easier process for customers. 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 2+ 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.

Stephanie Lehmen, Secretary

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

Stephanie Lehmen is employed as Community Relations Coordinator for C&S Business Services, Inc. and serves as a member-at-large on the Jefferson City West Side Business Association Board. She has over 25 years of marketing, community relations & sales experience in Jefferson City. Stephanie is an active member of the Jefferson City Area Chamber of Commerce and serves as 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 Campaign Leadership Team and Women United. A lifelong resident of central Missouri, Stephanie resides in Jefferson City and is a member of St. Peter Parish.

Renee Duenckel, Past President

renee_duenckel@jefferson-bank.com
573-634-0803

Renee is the Vice President, Director of Marketing with Jefferson Bank.  She has years of experience in marketing, promotion, community engagement, and public relations and is honored to serve her team and our community.  In additional to her responsibilities at Jefferson Bank, Renee also proudly serves on the United Way of Central Missouri Governing Board, co-chaired the Jefferson City Chamber of Commerce Business Summit, serves on the Chamber Gala and Barbeque committees, and a was a Westside Business Association Board Member prior to serving in the role of President.

Beth Cowgill, Board Member

beth@libertyfamilymed.com
573-614-7022

Beth Cowgill is the Marketing & Business Development Manager at Liberty Family Medicine, where she plays a key role in fostering relationships and expanding the clinic’s reach within the community. With a passion for connecting people to high-quality healthcare, Beth works to grow Liberty Family Medicine’s membership, develop partnerships, and enhance patient engagement. Her dedication helps ensure that more individuals and businesses benefit from the clinic’s innovative direct primary care model. Beth is an Ambassador with the Jefferson City Chamber of Commerce and a 2024 Leadership Class graduate.

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.

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.

Kayla Pipes, Board Member

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.

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!

Arlene Vogel, Advisory Member

arlene.vogel@centralbank.net
573-634-1234

Arlene Vogel has worked at Central Bank for 14 years and is currently Vice President and Director of Commercial Banking Services.  I have over 25 years of banking experience and have been a member of WSBA for 13 year, the majority serving on the Board. Arlene is also active in the United Way and Jefferson City Chamber of Commerce.

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.

Sheila Suess, Advisory Member

sheila@vogelinsgroup.com
573-636-7020

Hi, my name is Sheila Suess. I am currently employed with Vogel West Side Insurance as the Agency Manager. I have been with Vogel Insurance since February 2008. I joined the JCWSBA in 2010, and have served as Second VP, First VP, President and Treasurer. I am currently serving as general member of the board. I enjoy community activities and supporting our local businesses, as I have also been involved with the Jefferson City Jaycees for over 35 years, along with my husband, Jeff. We have been married 39 years this May and have 3 grown children, and 7 grandchildren.