Leadership Missouri, the premier leadership development program offered by the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry, is designed to enhance the leadership skills of current and emerging leaders through an in-depth exploration of the state’s economic, political, and social issues. Among this year’s 34 participants are Jason Terry, Director at Gilmore Bell in St. Louis and Ben Thompson, Director at Gilmore Bell in Kansas City.
Mr. Terry has practiced law as a municipal bond attorney since entering the law practice in 2004 with a focus on tax-exempt bond and lease financings for regional and local governments, school districts, fire protection districts and other governmental borrowers. Additionally, he advises Missouri counties and cities on economic development projects. He is licensed to practice law in Missouri and Illinois and is a member of the Missouri Bar Association and the National Association of Bond Lawyers. Mr. Terry received B.A. degrees in Industrial Relations and Sociology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1999 and his J.D. from Washington University School of Law in 2004.
Mr. Thompson has practiced in the area of public finance since 2008 and routinely serves as bond counsel, issuer’s counsel and disclosure counsel for school district and governmental clients in Missouri and Kansas. Mr. Thompson earned his B.S. degree in Business Administration and B.A. degree in Spanish from the University of Kansas in 2004, and his J.D. (cum laude) from the University of Missouri-Kansas City in 2008. Mr. Thompson is a member of the Missouri Bar Association, Kansas Bar Association and National Association of Bond Lawyers.
Leadership Missouri consists of seven monthly, two-day sessions held in different regions of the state. While traveling to several Missouri communities and networking with the state’s top government, business and non-profit leaders, participants will gain a better understanding of the diverse industries and people that make up Missouri’s economy.
The 2023 Leadership Missouri program began on May 16 in St. Louis. The class will spend time in Chillicothe, Kansas City, Springfield, Jefferson City and Lebanon before concluding in Columbia in November.
“Since its inception in 1990, Leadership Missouri has helped hundreds of Missourians grow as leaders,” said Daniel P. Mehan, Missouri Chamber president and CEO. “Leadership Missouri graduates are serving all across our state as top business executives and managers, as well as in community and political leadership roles. The type of experience provided during Leadership Missouri is exactly what Missouri needs as we work toward economic growth opportunities that transcend traditional boundaries that define regions and industries. I congratulate every person selected for this exclusive program and I look forward to seeing their growth over the next seven months.”
About the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry
The Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry is the largest business association in Missouri. Together with the Missouri Chamber Federation, the Missouri Chamber represents more than 75,000 employers. To learn more, go to www.mochamber.com, or follow @MissouriChamber on Twitter.
About Gilmore Bell
Gilmore Bell is one of the leading public finance law firms in the United States. The firm primarily represents governmental entities and 501c3 organizations to negotiate financing alternatives including bond and lease transactions, economic development incentives and public-private partnerships. For more than 25 years, Gilmore Bell has ranked in the top 10 nationally in the number of bond counsel opinions rendered on municipal bond issues. Gilmore Bell has offices in Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Utah and Illinois. For more information, visit us at www.gilmorebell.com.
Posted: Jun 6, 2023