Todd Richardson is the Chamber of Commerce’s Citizen of the Year

Former Missouri Speaker of the House Todd Richardson was named the 2019 Citizen of the Year on Saturday evening at the 81st Annual Chamber Banquet.

Richardson was presented with the award by Eddy Justice, current secretary of the Butler County Republican Central Committee.

Richardson is the current director of Missouri's Medicaid program.

Citizen of the Year Todd Richardson (second from left) stands with son, Sawyer, chamber President Steve Halter, board Chairperson Andy Moore, Kevin McCormick and Kurt Knodell. DAR/Donna Farley

“(Todd) has been an ardent advocate for and an accessible friend to the Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce,” Justice said during the event at the Black River Coliseum.

He has greatly assisted economic development efforts for Poplar Bluff and Butler County, Justice said.

Richardson said he was proud to receive the honor.

“As a person who has spent his entire life in this community and has been overwhelmingly proud to call it home, I can’t think of any other thing that would mean more to me as a representative and an advocate for this community than this,” said Richardson, who told the crowd that both the chamber and his family had managed to surprise him.

There is no better place to live and work than Poplar Bluff, Richardson said.

“This community and the people in it have given me and my family so many opportunities…,” he said. “It has always been my motivation in public service to make sure that our children and your children and grandchildren have the same great opportunities in a community like Poplar Bluff as we had.

“Because of the leadership of this Chamber of Commerce and most importantly because of the leadership of the people in this room, that’s not only true today, but it’s going to be true for generations to come.”

Todd Richardson accepts the Citizen of the Year award Saturday at the 81st Annual Chamber of Commerce Banquet. DAR/Donna Farley

In 2015, Richardson became the first Missouri Speaker of the House from Butler County in 114 years. He was elected to the House in 2010, representing the largest portion of Butler County.

Richardson was also presented Saturday with a recognition from the U.S. House of Representatives and Rep. Jason Smith. The recognition passed the House on Jan. 16, and noted Richardson led the state House during a challenging time.

It also praised tax reform passed by Richardson to make the state more competitive economically, as well as legislation to protect the unborn and Second Amendment rights.

Todd Richardson speaks after being named the 2019 Citizen of the Year by the Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce on Saturday night at the Black River Coliseum. DAR/Brian Rosener

“All of these accomplishments were done while carrying himself with dignity and integrity, garnering the utmost respect from members on both sides of the aisle,” the recognition reads.

Richardson is a man of great character, it continued.

Richardson is a graduate of Poplar Bluff High School, and earned his law degree from the University of Memphis.

He is married to Dr. Amber Richardson, and they have two children, Sawyer and Briley.

Megan Leist, second from left, was named Volunteer of the Year by the Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce during its 81st banquet Saturday night at the Black River Coliseum. Pictured, from left, are Steve Halter, chamber president, Leist, Andy Moore, incoming chairman, and Kevin McCormick, retiring board member.DAR/Brian Rosener