Southwest Missouri Association Accepted by BOMA International

SPRINGFIELD, MO-BOMA/Southwest Missouri has become the 105th local association to join the Building Owners and Managers Association International federation. The BOMA International board of governors unanimously accepted both the Southwest Missouri association as well as the Southern Nevada association.

It was the first time in 10 years that two local associations joined the commercial real estate advocacy organization simultaneously.

Mike Benton, with Trammell Crow, with serve as president of the Southwest Missouri association. Christine Maples, with Follman Properties, will serve as vice president and Phyllis Taylor, with Trammell Crow, will serve as the secretary/treasurer and volunteer association executive.

“I feel special pride in welcoming BOMA/Southwest Missouri into the BOMA family,” said Richard D. Baier, BOMA Internatioal president and managing director for CB Richard Ellis in Kansas City. “BOMA/Southwest Missouri will have a far-reaching regional influence, not only representing the city of Springfield, but as many as 10 to 12 counties around the city.”

BOMA/Southwest Missouri will make its first goal to make property professionals in and around Springfield consider themselves part of a regional coalition, according to Benton.

“I saw the results of what BOMA was doing, the camaraderie, the professionalism and about 10 years ago I tried to establish a local association here to no avail,” Benton said. “It was a little premature. Now with the industry growing and new office buildings, it’s about time.”

BOMA/Southwest Missouri is the third BOMA association in Missouri, joining associations in Kansas City and St. Louis.