CEO Roundtable w. Fred Parry

(LISTEN): Columbia Regional Airport manager Michael Parks appears on 939 the Eagle's "Wake Up Missouri"

Missouri Department of Economic Development (DED) director Michelle Hataway describes Allegiant’s new Florida service at Columbia Regional Airport (COU) as a gamechanger for COU and for the mid-Missouri region. COU is the nation’s fastest-growing airport, according to aviation firm Mead and Hunt. Airport manager Michael Parks joined host Fred Parry in-studio Saturday morning on 939 the Eagle’s “CEO Roundtable.” Mr. Parks is grateful for the strong interest you’ve shown in Allegiant’s new flights from Columbia to Destin-Fort Walton Beach and to Orlando Sanford. “Getting them to sign on here in Columbia … I would say it’s an absolute gamechanger for our airport and what we look like in the future," Mr. Parks tells listeners. Mr. Parks also addressed Delta Airlines, American Airlines' Charlotte flights, COU's new shuttle and numerous other topics during the interview. The new shuttle is equipped with 15 passenger seats and rear luggage storage for larger bags. COU welcomed about 242,000 passengers in 2025, a record and a 17 percent increase over 2024 numbers:

(LISTEN): Stephens College President Dr. Shannon Lundeen appears on 939 the Eagle's "CEO Roundtable"

The president of the nation's second-oldest women's college is celebrating her first anniversary at historic Stephens College in Columbia. Dr. Shannon Lundeen joined host Fred Parry in-studio for the hour on 939 the Eagle's "CEO Roundtable." Dr. Lundeen tells listeners that deferred maintenance is the biggest challenge she's facing:

(LISTEN): Boone County Fire Protection District Chief Westhoff and assistant chief Blomenkamp appear on 939 the Eagle

The Boone County Fire Protection District is known nationwide as a world-class organization. Missouri Task Force One (MOTF-1) is part of it and is one of 28 urban search and rescue team across the nation. Boone County Fire Protection District Chief Doug Westhoff and assistant chief Gale Blomenkamp appeared in-studio this weekend on 939 the Eagle's "CEO Roundtable". The district was formed in 1970 by the voters. The district's annual budget is about $5.5 million. Chief Westhoff says it has about 175 volunteers. “The predominance of our field operations is conducted by volunteer members. Though we compensate them of some nominal fees and some of those sorts of perks, it’s a volunteer resource," the chief says. Assistant chief Blomenkamp tells listeners that to fully fund the department with a paid staff would require about a $40-million budget. Both men praise the professionalism or the volunteers and of their entire staff:

(LISTEN): COR Development's Randy Coil and Nick Orscheln appear on 939 the Eagle's "CEO Roundtable"

All of you have seen Coil Construction signs throughout Columbia, but few of you have probably noticed the COR Development signs near them. COR Development is a three-year-old company that is involved in numerous projects in Columbia/Boone County, including Logboat Brewing's planned taproom at Nifong and State Farm Parkway, ABK Biomedical in Ashland and the former OTSCON facility on North Rangeline in Columbia. COR Development member Randy Coil, who founded Coil Construction, and managing member Nicholas Orscheln joined host Fred Parry in-studio for the hour Saturday morning on 939 the Eagle's "CEO Roundtable":

(LISTEN): Mizzou athletic director Laird Veatch appears on 939 the Eagle's "CEO Roundtable"

Earlier this month, the UM Board of Curators approved a three-year contract extension for Mizzou athletic director Laird Veatch. UM System President Dr. Mun Choi says this reinforces the university’s commitment to Veatch’s leadership and long-term vision. President Choi says the momentum of Mizzou Athletics is undeniable, thanks to Mr. Veatch’s leadership. Construction crews are expected to finish the $250-million Memorial Stadium improvement project before Mizzou football’s season opener in September. Curators also say Veatch has been involved in a comprehensive restructure and rebrand of the Mizzou Athletics Fund to better align donor impact with program priorities. In the most recent fiscal year, Mizzou Athletics increased total revenue by $14-million to a record $182-million. Mr. Veatch joined host Fred Parry in-studio for the hour Saturday morning on 939 the Eagle's "CEO Roundtable":