Course Listing - by Instructor

Name	Biography
SWMO Water
Heath Alloway	Heath Alloway, Director at Upstream Academy, joined Upstream after more than fourteen years at one of the top accounting and consulting firms in the US, where he served as the National Growth Manager and Director of Business Development. Heath led a multi-disciplinary team of 20, focused on strategic growth plans, development and launch of new services and industry verticals, leveraging firm data, and firm-wide business development training. In his role, he worked closely with firm and industry leaders to position the firm for present and future success by focusing on growth and innovation. His passion for helping others both in the firm and in the industry made him a popular coach and speaker for firm and conference presentations. He grew up in a small town and a family-owned business. He joined the Upstream Academy team to follow the American dream and serve the profession. Heath has a passion for helping others achieve their goals through leadership and career development training.
Tim Baltes	Tim Baltes has over 20 years of human resources and leadership experience.  He has held leadership positions in HR in several industries, including manufacturing, retail, entertainment, higher education, and logistics.  In his current role as the Senior Compliance Manager at Bass Pro, Tim is over compliance as it applies to policies, onboarding and employment law. In addition, he oversees all high-level employee relations (e.g., harassment, discrimination) for the organization.  Tim holds a Master of Science in Industrial/Organizational Psychology and has been active on local Boards for the past 10 years – currently serving on the Leadership Springfield and Missouri Sports Commission Boards.  Tim has always enjoyed training and teaching and has sharpened these skills over his entire career, consulting for local business and with the Missouri SBDC at MSU. Tim’s strengths include change management, leadership, and performance management.  Participants who take his courses consistently praise his fun, high-energy, practical approach to facilitation.
Lance Coffman	Lance Coffman serves as Senior Program Manager for Strategic Initiatives with efactory and the Missouri SBDC at Missouri State University, where he develops and implements innovative programs designed to help organizations thrive. His current portfolio includes the Elevate program for sustaining growth in mid-size Missouri companies, an experiential learning initiative that connects local business owners with MSU students for semester-long applied projects, and LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® based programs for leadership development, team building, and strategic planning. Additionally, he leads process improvement and innovation engagements with both businesses and academic units across the university. With over 20 years of experience in marketing and management, Lance brings a unique blend of academic rigor and entrepreneurial insight to his role. As a serial entrepreneur and former Online Marketing Director serving companies nationally, he understands the challenges facing growing businesses firsthand. He holds a PhD in Business Administration from Oklahoma State University, with research focused on employee attraction and customer experience, along with an MBA and Bachelor of Science in Marketing Management from Missouri State University. His expertise as a trained Executive/Transformational Coach and Dale Carnegie trained presenter has made him a sought-after speaker at national, state, and local events. In 2025, he was recognized as the Missouri SBDC State Star for his outstanding contributions to small business development. When he's not helping businesses grow or developing the next generation of business leaders, Lance enjoys life on his wife's family farm in rural Missouri with his wife and two boys. His passion for learning new things and gaining new experiences extends beyond the office, whether he's hiking, camping, kayaking, playing music, or tinkering with hobby electronics projects.
CIT Council	CIT Council instructors are experienced professionals actively practicing the techniques taught in this course. This ensures that students receive the most current, relevant content, along with real-world context to enhance this training.
John Fleming	John Fleming is the founder of Enterprise Productivity Consulting. He has been involved in the design and implementation of lean enterprise solutions for the past 22 years. He received his training in lean, in the U.S. and Japan, as a result of learning through the GM/Toyota Joint Venture in Fremont, California and by working with the founders of Shingijutsu, experts in the Toyota Production System. John started at General Motors where he was part of the GM Production System team and led the first GM plant team to incorporate Toyota’s lean principles. John held numerous positions for General Motors and has spent the last 17 years with United Technologies Corporation, in the Pratt & Whitney, Transport Air Conditioning Carrier and Otis Elevators. Holding various operations and management positions with UTC, he provided lean training and workshops in all seven divisions of UTC worldwide. John holds a BGS from Wayne State University, Industrial Engineering/Work Methods-GMI and his MBA from Indiana Wesleyan University.
John Gambon	John Gambon has been a Professor with Ozarks Technical and Community College since 1991. He holds a Ph.D. in Organizational Psychology and a master’s degree in industrial psychology. In addition to teaching, he has worked as a consultant with area businesses for the last 18 years. His consulting has included the development of training programs, employee policy manuals, conducted job analysis, performance assessment implementation and assisted companies with Federal Medical Leave Act (FMLA) issues. Dr. Gambon has consulted with manufacturing firms, food service organizations, a gaming corporation, and non-profit organizations. He has even been called upon as an expert witness in criminal trials.
Tom Gorsline	Detective Gorsline has been in law enforcement for 12 years and has spent the last five years as a detective with the Osage Beach Police Department. Prior to serving in law enforcement, Detective Gorsline owned and operated group homes for mentally handicapped adults for 10 years. After serving for 6 years in the U.S. Air Force, Detective Gorsline worked with troubled teens. Tom is married and between them, they have a total of 8 children and 5 grandkids. Tom is a crisis negotiator and peer support person. Tom teaches for Missouri State University, MPCA, the K-9 Association, and the Missouri Coalition for Mental Health.
Chris Hamlett	Master Sergeant Chris Hamlett, is a 18 year veteran of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, where he serves as the supervisor of the Patrol's Organized Crime and Anti-Terrorism Unit, within the Division of Drug and Crime Control. Master Sergeant Hamlett also serves as a Task Force Officer for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) St. Louis Division Joint Terrorism Task Force. In his role, he currently oversees and directs the Missouri State Highway Patrol's investigations into the activities of Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs (OMGs), as well as coordinates enforcement and surveillance activities at OMG and motorcycle rallies. During his tenure, Master Sergeant Hamlett has served as a patrol Trooper, patrol Supervisor, Violent Crime/Homicide Investigator, and Organized Crime and Anti-Terrorism Unit Investigator. He is currently an active member of the Missouri Chapter of the Midwest Cycle Intelligence Organization (MCIO) and the International Outlaw Motorcycle Gang Investigator's Association (IOMGIA). Master Sergeant Hamlett is a licensed Missouri POST Generalist Instructor, Specialist Instructor, and serves as the Missouri POST Commission Gangs, Transients, and Organized Crime Subject Matter Expert.
MSgt. Chris Hamlett
Joel Henry
Brian Hilke	Lieutenant Brian M. Hilke, M.A. (Ret.), is a career law enforcement professional with 29 years of service as Jail Administrator, Police Officer, Detective, Sergeant, Certified Forensic Law Enforcement Polygraph Examiner, Detective Sergeant, Deputy Report Officer and Deputy Commander for the Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis, Patrol Lieutenant, and certified Missouri POST Generalist and Specialist Instructor. Brian received multiple commendations for investigative excellence, including Police Officer of the Year and four Chief Commendation awards. He has attended over 4,900 hours of law enforcement training. During his career, he investigated and supervised major criminal investigations, authored numerous departmental policies, and led report-writing training for detectives and officers. Brian currently serves as an Adjunct Instructor in the Department of Criminology & Criminal Justice at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, and as President for Vista Law Enforcement Training and Consulting, LLC, where he continues to train first responders across the country. This includes instruction at the Missouri Police Chiefs' Association (MPCA) Charitable Foundation Command College and other MPCA courses, MPCA conferences, Missouri Sheriff's Association conferences, Missouri Coroners and Medical Examiners Association conferences, and the Marston Polygraph Academy in San Bernardino, California. Brian's expertise in investigations, courtroom testimony, and documentation ensures officers understand the critical role of clear, accurate reports in effective law enforcement.
Kevin Holle	Kevin is a law enforcement professional with 30 years' experience in civilian and military law enforcement. He began his career with the Monett Police Department as a patrol officer, and retired from the Springfield Police Department in 2016 after assignments in patrol, vice/gang investigations, community policing, and the training division/range operations. He previously served as the chief ranger for the Springfield-Greene County Park Ranger unit and taught basic military/leadership studies at Missouri State with the ROTC Bear Battalion. He is a retired Military Police Corps first sergeant with varying overseas deployments. He received a B.S. in Criminal Justice Administration from Missouri Southern State University and holds a Masters's Degree in Criminology from Drury University where he continues to teach as an adjunct instructor within the Law Enforcement Academy.
Vista Law Enforcement Training
Dale McCoy	DALE MCCOY IS A TRAINING & ORGANIZATION DEVELOPMENT PRACTITIONER, specializing in human performance improvement and leadership cultivation through learning and development strategies that yield measurable, data-driven, client-specific business results. After managing a multi-million-dollar retail sales operation in Los Angeles, CA, for eight years, Dale gained extensive experience as a Human Resources Development Specialist with MCI Telecommunications, and as Manager of Training & Development with UnitedHealthcare Operations. Before launching his independent practice in July, 2001, Dale was Professional Services Manager of Training Development for Ineto, Inc., a web-based customer relations technology solution company headquartered in Austin, Texas. Dale is a certified Zenger-Miller (now AchieveGlobal) Master Trainer and a certified facilitator of Stephen Covey's Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. He is a graduate of Drury University in Springfield, MO, and holds a Master of Science degree in Education & Online Teaching and Learning from California State University East Bay.  Dale has taught online through the University of Nevada, Reno, on behalf of the National Juvenile Court Services Association, and at Drury University in the Educational Technology and Leadership & Management Development degree programs. He has also been a popular guest lecturer on the topic of Performance Management in Missouri State University’s highly rated Techno-MBA graduate program. Dale has delivered hundreds of presentations, training sessions, and keynote addresses for a wide variety of organizations across the nation. Dale has been an active member of the American Society of Training & Development, as well as the Society of Human Resources Management and the Organization Development Network for most of two decades.  He lives in Springfield, Missouri.
David Millsap	Sheriff David Millsap has worked in the criminal justice field for 36-years. He received a B.S. in Criminal Justice Administration and Broadcasting and Film from Central Mo. State University. Millsap holds a Master's Degree in Criminal Justice Administration from Tiffin University. He is also a graduate of the Northwestern University Police Staff and Command College and the Police Executive Research Forum's Senior Management Institute. Millsap retired as a Captain with the Springfield Mo. Police Department his final assignment was serving as a Division Commander in Criminal Investigations. At the rank of Captain he has also served as the South District Patrol Commander prior to his return to head the Criminal Investigations Division. At the rank of lieutenant he commanded the Traffic Section, Special Investigations Section (Narcotics/Gang Units), and the Criminal Investigations Section. As a sergeant he served as the Springfield Police Department's Training Director and has served as a supervisor in the Patrol Section and Community Service Section. Millsap is currently past President of the Missouri Investigators Association and served on the Board of Directors of the American College of Forensic Examiners Registered Investigators.. Millsap was an adjunct instructor in Leadership, Organizational Law and Policy, and Case Preparation for Drury University and has taught Criminal Investigations at Evangel University. Prior to his appointment to the Springfield Police Department he served ten years as a Deputy Juvenile Officer in 26th Circuit Court and also served as a reserve deputy sheriff in Laclede County, Missouri. Millsap was elected Sheriff of Laclede County, Missouri in 2016, and took office in January 2017.
John E. Reid and Associates, Inc.
Carrie Richardson	Carrie Richardson is Executive Director of Leadership Springfield. Prior to joining the nonprofit, she spent a decade in health care administration as Chief Operating Officer for a rural tri-state health system and several years in nonprofit development and grant writing. Carrie is a graduate of Leadership Springfield Signature Class 25 and currently serves on the Prosper Springfield Cabinet. She is a mentor with the efactory and Missouri Small Business Development Center at MSU Mentorship Program. She has a master’s in nonprofit and civic leadership and bachelor’s in communications, both from Drury University. She and her husband Ben have a son in high school and identical twin boys who are fifth graders. When she’s not working, you’ll find Carrie shuttling kids to soccer, swimming, or school & church activities. She enjoys spending time with her family, staying active outdoors, and recharges with a good book or traveling somewhere near water and sunshine. Carrie began as the first Executive Director of Leadership Springfield in July 2018. Carrie was named one of Springfield Business Journal’s 12 People to Know and was honored as one of Springfield Business Journal’s Most Influential Women in 2019. In 2020, Leadership Springfield was awarded the Business Advocate Award by Springfield Business Journal. In 2021, Carrie was featured as one of Biz417’s Women Who Mean Business.
Christina Ryder	Christina is the CEO of The Grantwell, LLC and is a former social worker, a current sociologist, and expert in federal and foundation funding requests, program development, and social science evaluation research. She graduated from Vanguard University of Southern California with a degree in Sociology and then from the University of California, Irvine with a Masters in Social Science with a concentration in demography and social analysis and course focus on social inequality. Throughout her professional career she has participated in various federal grant evaluations including program evaluations on behalf of the USDA, FEMA, SAMHSA, HHS, and the DOJ. As a Certified Sociology Practitioner (CSP) and federally recognized statistician, she has also participated in, or authored, over 40 various social science research studies endeavors, journal articles, and community based reports.
Scot Scobee	Scot Scobee is a seasoned professional in business administration and human resources. He has over 30 years of experience in performance management, conflict resolution, strategic planning, customer service, compensation strategies, and training and development. Scot has held upper management positions with profit and non-profit organizations in manufacturing, hospitality, and charitable giving. He has developed comprehensive training programs for organizations affecting all levels of employment including orientation programs, performance management, effective interviewing, employment law and supervision. Scot has a special aptitude in synthesizing complex situations and implementing effective strategies that work. Scot holds a B.S. degree in Management from Missouri State University.
ALERRT TRAINERS	ALERRT instructors are experienced professionals actively practicing the techniques taught in this course. This ensures that students receive the most current, relevant content, along with real-world context to enhance this training.
Dean Thompson	Brig. Gen. Dean Thompson Dean Thompson has over 39 years of leadership and management experience gained from working in multiple sectors including construction, education, energy, finance, legal, military, public administration, real estate and utilities. He joined City Utilities of Springfield, Missouri in 2007 and served as the Vice President – Chief Economic Development Officer until June 2023 when he started his tenure as an Executive in Residence for the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce as their Executive Director-Regionalism and Economic Development. He completed his time with the Chamber in October 2024 and is now the interim Executive Director of Leaders for Ozarks Region Evolvement. Dean joined the U.S. Army Reserve in 1985 and in 1990 was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant through Army ROTC at Missouri State University (MSU). He currently holds the rank of Brigadier General and Commands the 76th Operational Response Command consisting of over 7,600 Soldiers and Civilians located in 48 states and three continents. He is the managing member of Teaghlach Partners, LLC; President of Strategos Consulting; and a leadership instructor for the Small Business Development Center at MSU. Dean has a Master of Public Administration and bachelor’s degrees from MSU; and a Master of Strategic Studies degree from the US Army War College. He is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma Economic Development Institute and a certified Economic Development Finance Professional.
Richard Wagner
Don Weaver