March 27th Government Panel- Meet the Candidates: The Voices of our Future

Join us for an exclusive opportunity to hear from Springfield’s local candidates at our March 27th SAHA Luncheon: Meet the Candidates – The Voices of Our Future. 🗳️

This panel will feature candidates running for Springfield’s upcoming elections, offering insight into their vision for our community’s future.

Confirmed Candidates:
🏛️ Mayor: Jeff Schrag, Mary Collette
🏛️ General Seat A: Heather Hardinger, Eric Pauly
🏛️ General Seat B: Craig Hosmer
🏛️ Zone 4: Bruce Adib-Yazdi, Matt Simpson

      Jeff Schrag

Jeff Schrag is a seasoned small business owner and community leader with a proven track record of job creation and transformative investment. His entrepreneurial spirit has led him to establish and acquire multiple businesses across diverse industries. This has given him a grassroots understanding of the complexities of local economic growth and the impact of government policies.

 Schrag possesses a strong foundation in communication and understanding societal dynamics. He is an advocate for Springfield and has held prominent leadership positions, including past Board Chairman of the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce and the Community Foundation of the Ozarks. He has further contributed through numerous volunteer roles on boards, committees, and local task forces.

His professional experience extends beyond business ownership to impactful advocacy work in Jefferson City, where he has championed the interests of various industries, gaining deep insight into the state-level legislative process. A trusted peer in multiple professional sectors, he is also a past President of the Missouri Press Association and the Missouri Craft Brewers Guild. His dedication to education is demonstrated by his service on the Board of Governors of Missouri State University.

Schrag has a Bachelor of Science in Journalism and Social Sciences from Kansas State University. He is married to Mary Schrag. His step-daughter, Ashley and her husband Cameron, have three children. They live in Springfield as do Schrag’s parents and his mother-in-law.

Mary Collette

Mary Collette, a former Springfield City Council member and staunch advocate of Historic Commercial Street, is planning to run for mayor in the April 2025 election.

Collette picked up a packet to run for mayor on Oct. 1, the first day packets and petitions were available at the City Clerk’s office, located within the Busch Municipal Building. Mayoral petitions must be signed by at least 200 registered voters and submitted to the City Clerk between Dec. 9 and Jan. 21. 

Collette has owned and operated businesses on Commercial Street since 1978, including Collette Parker Restoration and Historic Firehouse No. 2, a wedding and event venue located at 101 E. Commercial St. 

She previously served as the General Seat A council member from 2001-2009, and currently serves as the president of the Commercial Club, a civic organization representing Historic C-Street.

GENERAL SEAT A

Heather Hardinger

Originally from Fairbanks, Alaska, I have called Springfield home since 2005. I’ve grown my careers here, built a life I love, and even convinced family from Alaska to settle in Springfield. This city has provided me with a wonderful quality of life, and I am deeply committed to ensuring that same opportunity for all residents.

Since being elected to City Council in 2021, I have worked tirelessly to address the issues that matter most to Springfield. Whether it’s advocating for housing access, public safety, or smart development, my goal is to create a thriving community where everyone can succeed. My entire career has been dedicated to public service, and I remain focused on listening to residents and leading Springfield into a future of sustainable, inclusive growth.

With over a decade of experience in workforce and economic development, my perspective is shaped by a broad understanding of both local and national challenges. As a 2019 graduate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Fellowship program, I’ve engaged with leaders on critical issues such as childcare, workforce training, and education accessibility. These experiences have equipped me to navigate Springfield through the challenges of today while preparing for a brighter future.

I’m excited to continue applying my professional experience, community involvement, and commitment to public service as I seek re-election to the Springfield City Council. Together, we can ensure that Springfield is a place where everyone can thrive.

Eric Pauly

As a long-time Springfield resident, community service and engagement has always been important to me. This is why I am seeking City Council General Seat A. Too often, the citizens of Springfield have felt disconnected from the decisions shaping our city's future. I am committed to being the voice that truly represents the people and ensures their voices are heard in the process.

Six years of experience as a neighborhood association president and three years as an active Planning and Zoning Commissioner for the City of Springfield, has given me valuable insight into the effort it takes to ensure our voices are heard. I’m committed to promoting thoughtful development that benefits all Springfield residents.

GENERAL SEAT B

Craig Hosmer

Craig Hosmer was elected to City Council to serve as General Council Seat B in April 2013 and re-elected in April 2017 and April 2021. He currently serves as the chair of the Community Involvement Committee and as a member of the Plans and Policies Committee. Councilmember Hosmer currently serves as a partner at Hosmer, King, and Royce, LLC. His professional career has included positions that provide him with a strong legal background. Hosmer received his juris doctor from George Washington National Law School in Washington, D.C., and his bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Missouri-Columbia. His civic involvement includes service in the Missouri House of Representatives – 138th District, from 1990 until 2002. Additionally, he served as the chair of the Criminal Law Committee.

ZONE 4

Bruce Abib-Yazdi

Professional experience:
•        As an architect with over 35 years of experience Bruce has worked on projects for clients in SW Missouri as well as all over the United States.  
•        In 2013, Bruce began working for a real estate development company which has completed over 60 affordable housing projects in 13 states.   
•       The community recognized Bruce by being named one of the Springfield Business Journals 40 under 40.  
Education:
•       Bruce graduated from High school from Broken Arrow High School, Broken Arrow, OK
•       Bruce earned a Bachelor of Architecture from Louisiana State University.
•       Bruce has experienced 35 years of continuing education and personal growth, including Leadership Springfield Class 11. 
 
Community & civic engagement:
•    Bruce has lived and worked in Springfield for over 35 years and is married to Springfield native, Joyce Eiken 
•       Bruce’s involvement in bicycle advocacy began in the late 90’s through Springbike Bicycle Club and carried through to 2010 when Springfield achieved Bicycle Friendly Community Status, then he shifted to multi modal transportation advocacy through two terms on the board and past president of Ozark Greenways.
•       With his office downtown or Commercial Street for 35 years, Bruce has always been a champion of downtown and commercial street through service on AIA Springfield, Downtown Springfield Association, Downtown Community Improvement District as well as having office in downtown or Commercial Street for over 35 years. 
•       He is currently serving as president of Seminole-Holland Neighborhood association as well as a founding board member of the Urban Land Institute of SW Missouri.  

Matt Simpson

Matthew Simpson was appointed to City Council to serve as the Zone 4 Councilmember in March 2018 and elected to fill the remainder of the term in April of 2019. He currently serves as a member of the Finance and Administration Committee, and as a member of the Public Involvement Committee. Councilmember Simpson is employed by Ozarks Technical Community College as the chief research and planning officer. He received his bachelor’s degree in political science, with a minor in economics, from Missouri State University, and his master of arts in political science from Vanderbilt University.

His civic involvement includes service as president of the Foundation for Springfield Public Schools board of directors, member of the Springfield-Greene County Library board of trustees, member of the University of Missouri Greene County Extension Council, member of Leadership Springfield’s Class 33, member of the Downtown Springfield Association, member of the Friends of the Zoo, and member of The Network for young professionals. 

He was a co-founder of Five Pound Apparel, along with his brother, Bryan Simpson. Councilmember Simpson was recognized as a recipient of the Springfield Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 Class of 2018, Biz 417’s 10 for the Next 10 Class of 2018, the Missouri Community College Association’s 2017 Technology Innovation Award, and received the 2015-2016 OTC Administrative Excellence in Education Award.

Councilmember Simpson is married to Teresa Simpson, and together they have two sons.