Edd Akers Takes On Leadership Role at OMC Cares

Former Branson Mayor and longtime Businessman Edd Akers has taken over the leadership role in an organization that is helping to address needs of the community.

The full press release is below:

The board of directors of Ozark Mountain Country Cares, previously known as the Stone and Taney Counties Poverty Initiative, is pleased to announce Mr. Edd Akers as the organization’s executive director.  Mr. Akers is a native to the Ozarks and has been a public servant all of his adult life.  He has given of his time, knowledge, and talents in the areas of education, tourism, economic development and advancement, civic organizations, healthcare, spiritual development, charitable causes, city/county development, and most recently, as mayor of Branson in 2019.  He and his wife, Karen, have lived in Branson for over 40 years.  Their three grown children, six grandchildren and one great-grandchild also live in the Branson area.  

Over the past few years, a steering committee of community leaders have taken time to conduct focus groups, town hall meetings, go on site visits, and have met together to identify five challenge areas that seem to most impact our neighbors in need: affordable housing, reliable transportation, livable wage jobs, job skills, and motivating a caring community.  Each of these identified areas have corresponding workgroups made of passionate people who want to come alongside those in need to help them build a more sustainable future for themselves and their families.   

Ozark Mountain Country Cares (OMC Cares) will serve as the backbone organization, collecting data and fostering higher collaboration between agencies, churches, ministries, educational institutions, health care providers, area chambers of commerce, the business community, foundations, local government, and engagement from community members. OMC Cares also has a partnership with Philanthropy Missouri to help connect funders with organizations they want to help support.  

Board member Sue Head said, “The board of directors is grateful that Edd Akers agreed to lead OMC Cares and carry out its mission ‘Together...putting caring into action,’ which he himself has done for decades in the Ozarks.” 

Mr. Akers earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and his Master’s degree in Accountancy from the University of Missouri, Columbia.  He started his duties October 19th, 2021.