Speakers

Rick and Amy McGee are devoted members of the church with a rich history of service and community engagement.  Brother McGee grew up in Missouri and served a full-time mission in Virginia.  Sister McGee earned her BA in music from BYU-Provo.  Rick has over 30 years of experience as a real estate broker and developer.  The couple shares a love for the outdoors, including hiking and skiing, and they are passionate travelers who have visited over 120 temples throughout the US and internationally.  

Both Rick and Amy have served in various stake and ward leadership roles, including church public affairs, Elders Quorum President, High Counselor, Relief Society President and several years of teaching early morning seminary.  They currently own and manage shopping centers in Springfield, MO.  They are proud parents of seven children, four of whom have served missions.  Their family includes a professional filmmaker and a YouTube influencer with over 70 million views.  Rick and Amy are also blessed with 3 grandchildren.

Dr. Ward is the director of the APA predoctoral internship at Jordan Valley Community Health Center.  He completed his undergraduate studies at Utah Valley University after which he pursued his masters degree in Marriage and Family Therapy and doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology from Forest Institute.  He completed his pre-doctoral internship at the University of Idaho and residency at Arizona State University.  He has worked as  a licensed psychologist since 2014.  He has worked primarily in out-patient treatment serving the underserved.  From 2015 to 2022 he was the owner and operator of Treetop Counseling & Wellness.  His current role allows him to continue with his clinical work with patients while contributing to the training efforts of doctoral level graduate students.

When not working, Dr. Ward spends most of his time with his family doing a variety of indoor and outdoor activities.  He enjoys riding dirtbikes, hiking, playing soccer, reading and spending time on his John Deere tractor.  He married his high school sweetheart and they have four amazing children.  Two have grown up and two remain at home.  His older daughter was married a few years ago and his oldest son is currently serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in The Phillippines.

With a strong passion for history and a deep respect for the sacrifices made during the Civil War, Tommie Anglin has dedicated countless hours to researching and understanding the intricacies of the American Civil War. Since his retirement from Law Enforcement after 35 years, Tom now volunteers at Wilson's Creek National Battlefield not only conducting educational programs and tours but also participating in reenactments and demonstrations, allowing visitors to experience the sights and sounds of the battlefield firsthand. His engaging storytelling brings to light the human experiences behind the historical events, making the lessons of the past resonate with contemporary audiences.

In addition to his hands-on demonstrations of weaponry and tactics, Tom’s discussions on battlefield medicine provide a unique perspective on the challenges faced by soldiers and medics during the war. His ability to communicate complex historical concepts in an accessible and engaging manner has earned him a reputation as a knowledgeable and enthusiastic educator.

Tom's commitment to preserving and sharing the history of the Civil War continues to inspire many, as he fosters a greater appreciation for this critical chapter in American history. His work not only honors the legacy of those who fought but also enriches the cultural heritage of the Ozarks.

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For over 23 years, Andrea Brett co-produced and performed with her family in The Bretts Show in Branson. Now, she and her husband, Tom, are co-founders of The Nest, a singer-songwriter venue also in Branson. Andrea is a four-time Branson Songwriter of the Year and a key contributor to The Bretts' signature sound through her vocal arrangements. She has released two solo piano albums—Noel, featuring Christmas carol arrangements, and Perfect Day, with nine original compositions. Her hymn Welcome Home was selected from over 17,000 entries for the LDS hymnal Hymns—For Home and Church, and was included in the most recent batch of hymns to be released.

Andrea also loves writing poetry and her patriotic poem I Am a Veteran has touched millions across the U.S. 

Because of Andrea’s dedication to helping others reach their creative potential, she developed an eight-week class called The Creativity Course. With her vast creative experience, she has become a respected teacher and mentor.

Andrea and Brother Brett love their calling with the Springfield South Stake Singles, but her most cherished role and accomplishment is being “Mammy” to her three children and six grandchildren.  

The Disaster Chiq is no stranger to disasters. As a devoted wife of a retired police officer and mother of five, she’s had more than her fair share of opportunities to handle chaos. But it wasn’t until she wrapped up her time with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and four back to back hurricanes in Florida, that she truly turned her attention to empowering her community to respond to disaster. Determined to make sure her neighbors and friends would never again face a disaster without a plan, she founded and led Madison County, IL’s first-ever Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), brought Incident Command Protocol, Search and Rescue & Rescue, and Disaster Shelter and Triage training to area law enforcement, firefighters and emergency medical personnel, alongside a growing army of community volunteers. Thanks to her leadership (and probably a few deep breaths), she built strong alliances with state, county and city officials, becoming the go-to person for disaster education and support. Her tireless dedication has rightfully earned her the title of "Champion of Disaster Preparedness" – and perhaps a medal for surviving family holiday dinners too.  This is not your Grandma's emergency preparation spiel.  Get ready to be a hero!