New Power Pair in Town

Sarah Becker was feeling comfortable. As the director of Therapy and Audiology Services at St. Louis Children's Hospital at CoxHealth, she and her husband, Shad, had been living and working in St. Louis since 2016, and their three children were in their respective college eras.

Then one day, a life-changing invitation was extended. "We weren't actively seeking opportunities outside of St. Louis. I had been in my prior role for five years and was to the point where I was looking forward to the next step. I never imagined it would come in the form of St. Louis Children's at CoxHealth! One of my leaders approached me and asked me if I would be interested in interviewing, with the caveat that the job was in Springfield," Sarah says.

Her husband, Shad, Commerce Bank's Business Banking Relationship Manager, was on board for a change of scenery.

"As Sarah's opportunity developed, I spoke with my management at Commerce Bank and requested a transfer to the Springfield team. I have enjoyed my 10 years with Commerce and had no intention of changing banks. The management in St. Louis, and Springfield, were extremely accommodating to help with our transition across the state," Shad says.

Springfield was familiar territory for both Beckers.

"I have ties to Springfield; my mother attended radiology school at Cox North, and I was born there. Growing up in Rolla, we often came to Battlefield Mall to shop for school clothes. Shad's family vacationed at Table Rock Lake every summer; his dad was a huge fan of Bass Pro," Sarah says.

Both Beckers had a list of positives when speaking about their new community. "There are numerous things that are great about the area. The one that stands out the most is the people. Everyone we have met, through work or outside of it, has been extremely welcoming. It's also nice not having to leave so early to go somewhere. This sounds minor, but it is great knowing that we can get across town in 20 minutes or less," Shad says.

"There are many of the same stores and restaurants as St. Louis, but things are located in much closer proximity to each other! We love how quickly we can commute to work. This is a very friendly, service-oriented community. You can tell that people take pride in their work and that they want to help you," Sarah says.

While they're still getting used to their new chapter, the Beckers have set both personal and professional goals.

"We are looking forward to getting to know our neighbors and establishing roots in the community. We are excited to explore the many golf courses and to make new friends," Sarah says.

Her professional goals are vast. "I'm looking forward to several big milestones with my role. The opening of the hospital-within-a-hospital and the specialty care center are the culmination of the joint venture vision. Prior to that, I look forward to the opportunities that we will identify to be able to keep kids here in the community for care and to make care even better!" Sarah says.

Shad looks forward to fostering community in all avenues. "I look forward to getting completely settled in the area and seeing how our careers and personal life can have a positive impact on the community. Sarah and I are both in professions that impact the community around us, and it is exciting to see how we can help the area," he says.

Launch the Small Talk

Education

• Sarah: University of Missouri-Columbia, BS, Communication Science and Disorders; University of Missouri-Columbia: MS, Speech Pathology
• Shad: Central Methodist University, BS, Accounting; Completed Graduate School of Banking at Colorado

Favorite hobbies

• Sarah: Reading, golf, cooking
• Shad: Being outdoors, fishing and playing golf, spending time with my family

Favorite ways to decompress

• Sarah: Reading or spending time with family
• Shad: Aside from the hobbies, yard work

One little-known fact

• Sarah: Had a cake-making business as a side hustle when the kids were little
• Shad: Played four years of college football as a tight end at Central Methodist College (now Central Methodist University)