(LISTEN): Former Landmark Bank chairman Jeff MacLellan appears on 939 the Eagle's "CEO Roundtable"

The former chairman of Columbia’s Landmark Bank says Columbia’s economy is much more diversified in late 2024 than it was when he moved to town in 1987. Former Landmark Bank chairman Jeff MacLellan says Columbia’s three economic pillars used to be education, healthcare and insurance. He joined host Fred Parry in-studio for the hour on 939 the Eagle's "CEO Roundtable" program, telling listeners that it's now education, healthcare and finance/insurance, which includes banks. Columbia continues to see new banks every year, and Mr. MacLellan tells listeners that they want to get a piece of the good local economy. He credits growing companies like Veterans United, EquipmentShare, 3M, Kraft Heinz, Quaker Oats and Midway USA, which has a massive new distribution center. 2024 statistics from Columbia Regional Economic Development Incorporated (REDI) show that Veterans United is the largest private employer in Columbia/Boone County, with more than 2,900 employees. EquipmentShare now has 588 employees, according to the REDI numbers. Mr. MacLellan tells listeners that Columbia's job growth is modest but steady, about 1.3 percent a year with about 1,300 new jobs. Mr. Parry and Mr. MacLellan also discussed enrollment trends at Mizzou, Stephens College and Columbia College, and Mr. MacLellan talks candidly about where Columbia is most vulnerable in terms of our economy: