Meet our board members
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR of MACON AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: SHARON SCOTT
Sharon has spent most of her career in interior design-related fields. Her career started with the May Company in St. Louis where she was the department manager for their Interior Design Studios. For 23 years, she worked in sales, marketing, and design for a major commercial flooring company, Bentley Mills Incorporated, where she held the position of Vice-President. She served as a liaison to commercial interior design and architectural firms across the country. She has been an affiliate member of the American Society of Interior Design and IBD Association and has served as a board member for the Visual Merchandising organization, VMS for product and design retail stores.
In 2006 Sharon and her husband Jim renovated their own historic property located downtown Macon and opened Rutherford Interiors, a retail store, and interior design business.
Sharon is currently the Executive Director of the Macon Chamber of Commerce, Vice-President of the Mainstreet Macon Downtown Association, has served as a board member for Macon County Economic Development, and past chair position and co-chair position for the Maples Repertory Theater Annual Boots & Black Tie event.
vICE-PRESIDENT: kallie baker-
integrity insurance
Kallie moved to Macon in 2002 when her husband, Jamie, became the director of bands at Macon High School. She has been active in various activities in the community over the years. She coached the Macon High School color guard for 17 years. She has been active in various Carousel musical productions and taught 4-H sewing classes for the last 5 years. She currently is the office manager and an insurance agent at Integrity Insurance. In her spare time she enjoys reading, quilting, and spending time with her three grandsons.
TREASURER: Sonja gittings- Broker/owner
Tiger country realty
Sonja is broker/owner of Tiger Country Realty. She started this business 20 years ago. She has served on the Long Branch Area YMCA Board, CCDC Board, Macon Economic Development Board and the Macon Area Chamber of Commerce Board several terms. She is very active with the Northeast Central Association of Realtors and currently serving the President and active at the state level currently serving on the Grievance Committee for the Missouri Association of Realtors.
Travis Austin- Fire chief, city of macon fire department
Travis is the Fire Chief for the City of Macon Fire Department. He was born and raised in Macon, graduating high school from Macon High School in 2003. Travis attended Moberly Area Community College when he began working for the Macon Municipal Utilities and joining the Fire Department as a reserve firefighter. He began his position as a full-time firefighter for the Fire Department in 2005 and has risen to the position of Fire Chief. He has served on several emergency service boards throughout the region. He enjoys attending and volunteering at various community events. He also enjoys spending time with his family and is an avid boater.
Cooper Neill- Ma Bank
Vice president and Commercial Lender
Cooper Neill is a Vice President and Commercial Lender at MA Bank. He began his career at the bank in 2018, where he spent the summer as an intern. He now specializes in small and medium business and agriculture lending. He enjoys using his expertise to help people achieve their dreams and excel in their areas of business. He graduated from Northwest Missouri State University in 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in agriculture business and is currently attending the University of Colorado’s Graduate School of Banking. He was born and raised in Macon, and resides with his wife, Ashlea, on a farm just outside of Macon. Together, they enjoy raising goats, traveling, and hunting. Cooper also works as a part-time Paramedic for the Macon County Ambulance District and as a reserve firefighter for The City of Macon Fire Department.
Richelle Shoemaker
Richelle is a life-long resident of Macon County, growing up and graduating from Macon. She graduated from Northeast Missouri State University with a degree in Business Administration-Finance. Richelle is married to Rick Shoemaker and together they own and operate Rick’s Service & Tire in Bevier, a family-owned business for 75 years. She taught business at Macon Area Career Center for 16 years and working with Kevin Butner had many successful years of Junior Achievement student run companies. She has served on the Macon Economic Development Board, serving one year as president. She is currently on the Samaritan Hospital Foundation Board, Bevier School Board, Secretary for the Bevier Fire Protection District, and is a member of Macon First Baptist Church.
Zach McLeland- Hawkins Harrison Insurance CISR, Sales Executive/Life & health Manager
Zach McLeland is a Sales Executive and Life & Health Manager at Hawkins Harrison Insurance, serving clients across 37 states with tailored coverage solutions and a commitment to long-term protection. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Central Methodist University in Fayette, Missouri, and has earned the prestigious CISR designation from the National Alliance of Insurance Education.
With prior experience as a board member and a strong background in economic and business development, Zach brings a strategic, community-minded approach to his work in the insurance industry.
Outside of his professional role, Zach is highly involved in his community as an active member of Crossroads Christian Church. He also dedicates time to coaching youth baseball, football, and wrestling. An avid outdoorsman, he enjoys hunting, fishing, and spending quality time with his family.
Kaylie teter- Chariton Valley
Community Affairs Coordinator
Kaylie Teter is a lifelong resident of Macon County and has proudly called Macon home for the past 10 years. She lives here with her husband, Derek, and their two children, Ryley and Roman, who keep the family busy with sports and community activities.
Kaylie has been part of Chariton Valley for a decade and recently transitioned into the role of Community Affairs Coordinator after years of success in sales. She is passionate about connecting rural communities through high-speed fiber internet and enjoys sharing the many benefits of connectivity. Community involvement is at the heart of Kaylie’s professional and personal life. She serves on the boards of AVENUES and Douglass Community Services in Hannibal, the Long Branch Area YMCA, and is active with Rotary, the Hannibal Chamber of Commerce as an Ambassador, and the Palmyra Chamber of Commerce. Kaylie loves volunteering, attending local events, and supporting organizations that strengthen Macon County. In her free time, Kaylie enjoys traveling and creating lasting memories with her family. She is excited to join the Macon Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and looks forward to collaborating with others to foster growth and opportunity in the community she proudly calls home.
Ethan foster- Owner Foster OUtdoors- Nursery, Landscaping & Lawncare
Ethan was born and raised in Macon, Missouri and graduated from Macon R-1 High School in 2016. Ethan went on to obtain his Bachelor's of Science in Plant Science from the University of Missouri - Columbia in 2020. Once graduating, Ethan moved back to Macon and began his first business in 2019 and successfully sold it in 2023. Today he is currently the Owner/Operator of Foster Outdoors, a company that specializes in creating outdoor living spaces. Ethan enjoys spending time with his wife Allison and friends. In his free time he enjoys Mizzou sports, the Kansas City Chiefs, boating, and snowboarding.
ex-officio: Austin buerky-
c-com, inc.
project manager
Austin moved to Macon in 2018 after acquiring a Master’s in Biology from the University of Central Missouri. He currently works as Project Manager for C-Com, Inc. Austin and his family are newer to Macon but have already become very involved with the community.
kay kindle- Co-Chair/Vendor Coordinator of Fork & Cork Festival
& 2023 Ambassador
Kay is originally from Maryville, MO. She and Pat retired to Macon from Lawrence, KS. Kay’s past work experience includes a deputy sheriff for Carroll County, MO (7 years), a human resources rep (8 years) with the Lawrence Public schools, an office manager for a Heritage Communications branch office (Des Moines, IA) as well as an office manager for a Lawrence law firm (6 years) as well as holding office manager and bookkeeper positions over the past sixty years.
Since moving to Macon Kay has been on several boards in the community and she volunteers with several organizations in Macon. First and foremost, she has been Vendor Coordinator & Co-Chair for the annual Fork & Cork Festival for the past 12 years. She is the Board Secretary for the Mainstreet Macon Downtown Association, is a past Chamber Board member, and currently is the Samaritan Hospital Auxiliary President. A past President of the Friends of the Macon Library (9 years) she is currently doing volunteer work for the Macon County Health Dept., the Maples Rep, is a Chamber and Macon County Historical Society volunteer, and served on the 2022-2023 Macon Walk for Alzheimer’s. In 2021 she worked with the Macon County Missouri 2021 Bicentennial celebration.
Her pastimes include a booth at the Weathervane Antique Mall, making baskets and doing appliqué work. Kay is an avid gardener with membership in two garden clubs, Master Gardeners and Friends & Flowers Garden Club of which she is the current president. In her spare time, she enjoys the YMCA, her coffee group and readers groups.
She was selected as the 2022 Macon Area Chamber of Commerce Volunteer of the Year!
Gloria guinn- 2023 Chamber Ambassador
Gloria was raised on a farm near Colony, Missouri but calls Macon her home town now. After graduating from Northeast Missouri State University( now Truman State University) with a degree in Music, she taught vocal music in the Macon Public Schools for 31 years. After retiring, she taught an additional 15 years of part-time elementary music.
Gloria stays active with volunteer work at the Maples Repertory Theatre and their annual fundraiser Boots & Black Tie, serving on the Mainstreet Macon Downtown Association Board and helping Macon Area Chamber of Commerce in any way that she can.
2024 Ambassador: Caleb Shoush - Owner of C.A.Shoush Company of Macon
Caleb Shoush owns and operates C.A.Shoush Company in downtown Macon. He is a Northwest State University graduate where he double majored in marketing and management.
Caleb has previously served as the Board President of the Chamber of Commerce as well as the Board Secretary and Ex-Officio. Caleb is on the Main Street Downtown Association Board and also serves on the Maples Repertory Theatre Board. Caleb served on the Macon County Economic Development Board for 4 years.
In his free time, Caleb likes to go to the YMCA, be outdoors and spend time with friends and family. Caleb loves being involved in the community and helping to make it continue to grow.
Mary Ann Butner- 2025 Ambassador
Mary Ann Butner is a dedicated community advocate and versatile professional rooted in Macon, MO. With a passion for helping others, she has made significant contributions both in her career and through her community service. Mary Ann currently works for SNP, where she utilizes her skills to support and uplift those around her. In addition to her role at Sydenstricker Nobbe Partners, she is a seasoned real estate agent at Tiger Country Realty, where she assists families in finding their dream homes. Mary Ann’s commitment to the community extends beyond her professional life. She serves on the boards of the YMCA and the CCDC, actively engaging in initiatives that promote wellness, education, and economic development in her community. Married to Kevin Butner, Mary Ann is a proud mother of two daughters, Rebecca and Rachelle, who inspire her dedication to creating a better world for future generations. With deep roots in Macon, Mary Ann continues to strive for positive change and meaningful connections within her community.