Lee’s Summit Chamber honors local businesspeople during yearly awards gala

Several Lee’s Summit business leaders were honored Jan. 27 during the Lee’s Summit Chamber of Commerce’s annual Gala Royale.

Jeffrey Williams with Heritage Companies was chosen as the 2017 Mentor of the Year for his willingness to work with new members and make them feel welcome. He’s active on the Business Development Council, Health & Human Services Committee, Board of Directors and caddies during the Cocktails & Caddies golf event.

Vicky Cundiff with Weed Man is the 2017 Volunteer of the Year for her consistent involvement in Chamber activities. She’s active with the Oktoberfest and Governmental Relations committees, the Annual Gala & Golf Task Forces and has served on the Executive Committee, including one year as as Chair of the Board in 2016.

The Bob Glaser Ambassador of the Year award went to Julia E. Hampton — a local certified public accountant, or CPA, who recruited 7  1/2 new members last year. She also earned a spot in the 2017 Chairman’s Club.

Another local CPA, Alyssa Sharp with Mize Houser & Co. was chosen as the 2017 Steve Gouldsmith New Member of the Year.

Finally, the Chamber’s Lifetime Member award was presented to Roby Little, the retired director of Lee’s Summit CARES. During his tenure with the local nonprofit, which serving Lee’s Summit youth, Roby and Lee’s Summit CARES were active Chamber members, event sponsors and helped drive several community intiatives.

Established in 2006, the Hall of Fame Award recognizes companies with at least a decade of membership that remain actively engaged with financial and volunteer support. This year’s winner was the Lee’s Summit Municipal Airport, which has been a member since 1981.

The Chamber, which was incorporated in 1968, is a member-supported collection of businesses who work together to achieve business success through networking, advocacy, and business and professional development. For additional information, call the Chamber at 816-524-2424.

Renowned international soprano to perform in Lee’s Summit

Stacey Stofferahn has been cast in the title role of Magda in Puccini’s “La rondine” with The Opera Academy at Varna International in Bulgaria.

Now, Stofferahn — a South Dakota native, who studied at the University of Missouri-Kansas City and remained in town with husband — is putting on a series of benefit concerts to help raise funds for her trip and her eastern Europe debut.

Stofferahn, who has lived in Kansas City since 1997, has three performances of her concert, “Love and Letters,” scheduled, including one March 3 at John Knox Village in Lee’s Summit.

She will perform at 7 p.m. on Feb. 16 at St. John;s United Methodist Church in Kansas City, Mo., and at 4 p.m. on Feb. 25 at Atonement Lutheran Church in Overland Park, Kan.

During her appearance at John Knox Village, which is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m., Stofferahn, a soprano, will be joined by pianist Dale Morehouse.

Free-will donations will be taken at the door. All donations are tax deductible and will help offset tuition and travel costs with Varna International, where Stofferahn will have a chance to work with top international faculty and operatic professionals as the principal soloist for the Opera Academy.

Stofferahn — who recently made her debut in Thailand, Belgium and Tahiti and has performed with various local, regional and national entities, including the Lyric Opera of Kansas City and operas in Palo Alto, Calif., and New York — also will perform May 6 with the Joplin Symphony Orchestra and Chorus.

This story was originally published February 1, 2018 at 1:15 PM with the headline "Lee’s Summit Chamber honors local businesspeople during yearly awards gala."