New Council members brush off Chamber of Commerce - Columbia ...

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PEOPLE YOu SHOULD KNOW
Katherine Stull
(Kate or Katerdater to friends and family)
Director of Women’s Network, Columbia Chamber of Commerce
AGE: 27 | YEARS LIVED IN MID-MISSOURI: 18 | ORIGINAL HOMETOWN: Charleston, Mo. My family moved to Columbia when I was 4 so my dad
could attend graduate school at MU. We liked the city and the public school system so much, we stayed.
JOB DESCRIPTION: Women’s Network member and loyal volunteer Kerrie Bloss recently said, “Kate is the boss of all of us,” but
I have to admit, after six months at the Chamber, my job is mainly to keep members like her happy. In short, I work
with Women’s Network leadership and volunteers to achieve goals, create public awareness about our members and
events and make sure members are recognized for their accomplishments in and outside of our organization. In addition
to that portion of my job, I am the staff liaison to the Small Business Committee and the database manager for the
Chamber. I’m also the newly dubbed grammar wizard, or grammar Nazi, depending on the project.
EDUCATION: Fairview Elementary, Smithton, Jefferson Jr. and Rock Bridge High School. I went to Dallas after that and
graduated from Southern Methodist University with a major in creative advertising and a minor in fine arts.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: I’m part of a wine group named Divas Uncorked, which meets monthly. I, as so many
others, sometimes trade my business-like demeanor for a glass of wine (or two!) and a good laugh among girlfriends.
I’ve helped organize fundraisers such as the Always A Bride Ball, which supports the Ronald McDonald House
Charities of Mid-Missouri, and I’ve walked in the Susan G. Komen 5K race. I’m also the new technology advisor on the
alumni board for the University of Missouri Chi Omega House–Rho Alpha.
PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND: When it comes to years of work experience, I think quality trumps quantity. After graduating
from college, I moved to Arizona, where I worked as an account coordinator at a small advertising firm. Once my
husband popped the question, we moved back to Columbia, where I was an account manager for VANGEL for three
very quick, action-packed, happy years.
A COLUMBIA BUSINESSPERSON I ADMIRE AND WHY: Hopefully this is not too cliché, but I have to name my mom, Francee
Shelby, a businesswoman who’s outstanding at taking care of others. She owned and grew her own business for
years, and she now has clients (and friends) whom she takes care of as if they were family. That’s just her paid job.
She’s also done an exceptional job taking care of her real family — the unpaid yet most important job — through
some exciting as well as rougher years.
WHY I’M PASSIONATE ABOUT MY JOB: First, I get to work with such amazing people each day. Not only is the Chamber staff
made up of hard working, compassionate people, but the volunteers and Chamber members are a diverse and hilarious
group that often presents new ways of thinking and opportunities to give back to the community that I never knew about.
Being at the Chamber, I think I’m becoming a more well-rounded person in that I get to help others while actually making
a difference in the face of the city by supporting local businesses. Second, there’s an abundance of food and snacks at the
Chamber building at all times.
IF I WEREN’T DOING THIS FOR A LIVING, I WOULD… be painting murals all over the city with my son strolling alongside.
BIGGEST CAREER OBSTACLE I’VE OVERCOME AND HOW: Walking across Flat Branch bridge on my way to work in January. Literally.
Let this be a warning to all: The ice builds up on the bridge so easily, and it’s very difficult to spot. One morning the thick ice
took me down. Luckily, I recovered and arrived at my desk before The Donald (Don Laird) suspected anything or could use that
embarrassing information to tease me with throughout the day.
A FAVORITE RECENT PROJECT: Design! For example, I’ve had the opportunity to do some design work for Divas Uncorked, the
Chamber’s EPIC–Emerging Professionals In Columbia, and I created a graphic celebrating the 30th year of Women’s Network.
WHAT PEOPLE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THIS PROFESSION: At the Chamber, we work hard and play hard. Recently named Missouri’s
Chamber of the Year, we do a lot of work to keep our members happy by promoting business in Columbia in any and every
possible way. Some would say Chamber work is thankless, but I happen to be thankful for all the work we do. It makes me
appreciate what a wonderful place Columbia is to live, play in a park, raise my son, network, grow as a professional woman…
The list goes on.
FAMILY: My husband of nearly five years, Kevin Stull, is the first assistant golf professional at the Club at Old Hawthorne. My
1-year-old son, Rob, enjoys reading books, eating carbs and walking like a big boy.
WHAT I DO FOR FUN: This is a longer list than you care to read, so I’ll give you a top five: cook and eat (that counts as one),
sip wine, chat with friends, play with Rob and be outside. Preferably all at the same time.
FAVORITE PLACE IN COLUMBIA: MKT Trail. I love the fact that you can get almost anywhere in Columbia and see so many
interesting sights from this one trail: Flat Branch Park, Twin Lakes Dog Park, Forum Nature Area, etc.
ACCOMPLISHMENT I’M MOST PROUD OF: Surviving six months with Chamber staff.
MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW THAT I … painted five murals on the walls of Rob’s nursery to match a quilt my mom made for him (consequently,
I often get asked to help decorate people’s homes and pick out paint colors). I also compete in a Meatloaf Smackdown competition
every year (’08 champion, baby!) and won a Dallas Addy for my work at SMU. v
5 April 16, 2011 Columbia Business Times | ColumbiaBusinessTimes.com