By BRENT MARTIN
St. Joseph Post
Gray Manufacturing of St. Joseph President Stet Schanze has been selected as the next chair of the Missouri Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.
Schanze says his selection came as a surprise.
“Extremely humbling. I hope I can do as good a job as our past chairman,” Schanze tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “I’m replacing Brad Thomas, who’s the president of Silver Dollar City. He leaves big shoes to fill and I hope to do a good job there. And, yes, it’s an honor and I consider it a privilege to represent business in our state.”
The Chamber’s name is officially the Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Schanze brings the industrial perspective to the board. Schanze says manufacturing touches all aspects of the business community, from small businesses to large.
Schanze takes over the leadership duties at a time of transition. The Chamber has hired a new President and CEO in Kara Corches, who succeeds long-time President Dan Mehan, who retired. Missouri state government has many new leaders coming in, including Gov.-elect Mike Kehoe.
Schanze hopes to use his experience in the manufacturing sector to increase the reach of the Chamber which has 1,300 members statewide.
“A big goal of mine for the organization would be to bring on more members and to bring on more members from small and medium size companies and get some of our areas that aren’t as represented in the organization on board,” Schanze says.
Schanze says he will work to foster the state economy, which will benefit the local economy.
“A strong economy, strong educational system; those are some of the foundations for a very vibrant and healthy community,” according to Schanze. “And I think to the extent that Missouri can be healthy, St. Joseph can be healthy and strong economically it will have very positive benefits for our community in St. Joseph.”
Schanze hopes to promote the Missouri manufacturing economy, which ranks 13th at present. Schanze says the nation is experiencing a manufacturing renaissance and he wants Missouri to benefit from that.
Schanze has been with Gray Manufacturing since 2001. As president, he oversees day-to-day operations and leads the strategic direction of the company.
Schanze recently completed an 11-year stint as a member of the Board of Directors of the Automotive Lift Institute (ALI), three of which were as chairman. Previously, Schanze served as chair of the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce. He lives in St. Joseph with his wife, Jeanne.
The Missouri Chamber is the largest business association in the state. It lobbies on behalf of business before the Missouri General Assembly and in the courts. The Missouri Chamber Board of Directors is comprised of representatives from 46 companies across the state.
You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.