The Branson Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce/CVB recently created the position of Veterans Initiative Manager. Kody Petersen assumed the position earlier this year. When asked about the rationale for establishing the position and why Kody was selected, Heather Hermen, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer of the Branson Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce/CVB, said that in keeping with Branson’s four pillars of Faith, Family, Flag and Fun and honoring our nation’s active duty armed forces and veterans, we were able to work, in partnership with the city, to create a position that would help us share what Branson offers by attracting more of them to Branson.
“With the position and hiring of Kody, who has dedicated so many years of his life to the service of his country, we have someone on our team that can truly relate to them and not only speaks their language but knows what it means to them. And that is something that an average civilian cannot do. We don’t know what it means. He knows what it means, and he can speak to it, and that’s going to be more authentic and more meaningful than anything else. And that we’re able to put our money where our mouth is and really practice what we preach is impressive,” she continued.
Recently, Cody Petersen (KP) was interviewed by independent journalist Gary Groman (GG). Highlights of that interview, presented in a Q & A format, are below.
GG: Are you a veteran?
KP: I served in the U.S. Air Force for nine and a half years.
GG: What qualifies you for this position?
KP: I have a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, specializing in project management. While in the Air Force, I was the president of the booster clubs for various squadrons, performing many of the same duties required for this position.
GG: How did you transition from the Air Force to this position?
KP: When I got out of the service, I was working at Bass Pro headquarters in Springfield when I heard about the possibility of the position opening through the Veterans Liaison position at the Job Center. I was excited, got more details, reached out and applied, and here I am.
GG: Were you interviewed during the process?
KP: Several times, including, among others, Mayor Larry Milton and Alex Williams; Heather Hermen, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer of the Branson Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce/CVB; and Pam Yancy, President of the Branson Chamber of Commerce and CVB.
GG: What does the Veterans Initiative Manager do?
KP: Working with our partners, veterans’ groups, and others trying to show off Branson as the most patriotic city in America to our active-duty military, veterans, and their families, and encourage them to visit Branson.
GG: Any significant effort or projects on the horizon to kick things off?
KP: Absolutely. The first annual Rally Point Branson event over Memorial Day weekend will be a huge, unique four-day event from May 23 to May 26, 2025, dedicated to our active-duty military, veterans and their families. [For more information on Rally Point Branson, go to www.explorebranson.com/rally-point-branson.]
GG: Can you tell us why you took this job?
KP: My brother is on active duty, and my dad was in the Air Force for 23 years. So, I was a military brat, and although born in Kansas City, we were moving around the world to different bases. My life has been military-based, and I’m passionate about the veteran community. That’s why I took this job.
GG: What do you see as your greatest challenge?
KP: A big part of this job is helping the local veteran organizations; the most significant challenge I’m seeing is getting volunteers for the events we will have going on.
GG: Can people who want to volunteer or have questions contact you directly?
KP: Absolutely; contact me by phone at 417-243-2140 and email at: kpetersen@bransoncvb.com.