Inductees

Sometimes, the best stories are told not by the main subjects themselves but by their friends. Which is good when it comes to Chris Hamon and his generosity.

Apparently, the Chief Executive Officer of White River Valley Electric Cooperative never wants any of the credit. Instead, his focus has long centered assisting youths in a five-county area in southwest Missouri – and doing so quietly.

“He gives back a lot more than people know,” said Larry Schmitt, Chief Executive Officer of The Track in Branson and a longtime friend. “He likes to do things quietly behind the scenes.”

Without question, Hamon goes above and beyond the call of duty when it comes to assisting southwest Missouri high school and college student-athletes as well as the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame.

He is a longtime member of the MSHOF board of directors, where he serves as secretary.   White River remains one of the Hall’s devoted corporate sponsors, and Hamon is a major supporter of the annual Price Cutter Charity Championship. 

“He’s always been enthusiastic, optimistic,” said Jerald Andrews, Executive Director of the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame. “He’s always asked, ‘How can I get others to help?’”

One project he helped develop was the Energy and Education Pro-Am, held in Branson every year as part of the run-up to the Price Cutter tournament. The pro-am generates scholarship dollars for area youths and, at last count, has raised more than $500,000 in college scholarships for students within the co-op’s five-county area. It also led the Webster Electric Co-Op to begin hosting a similar pro-am.

It’s probably no wonder then that Hamon gives back to his community, considering the Ozarks holds a special place in his life. Hamon is a graduate of Branson High School and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from the University of Missouri Science and Technology in Rolla.

Taney County Youth Life, the Kirbyville School Board and a numerous committees associated with the electric cooperative have seen Hamon come to the aid or their organizations.  Among other non-profits that have felt his generosity is the Branson-based Skaggs Foundation.

In recent years, Hamon also was named the winner of The Missourian Award, a prestigious award that acknowledges the most accomplished citizens of Missouri. The award came during a year in which Hamon was also inducted into the Academy of Electrical and Computer Engineering.