LAKE OF THE OZARKS, Mo. — The Lake of the Ozarks Shootout board of directors has announced the hiring of Christy Janssen as the new Executive Director for the Midwest’s best boat race.
Janssen, originally from Quincy, Ill., resides part-time in Osage Beach and will be relocating as a full-time resident in May of 2018. She is no stranger to the Shootout and has participated in many of the events that surround the annual boat race in August each year.
“I am excited because I love the lake, and this community is like family to me,” Janssen enthused. “After my brother died in a car accident, my Mom and I bought a condo here and everyone has been so kind and welcoming to us. They really got us through a tough time.”
Janssen says she’s excited about the opportunity to help lead the Shootout, adding, “I love being able to help so many lake charities. My favorite quote is, ‘You make a living by what you make, you make a life by what you give.’ I look forward to expanding my lake family and helping the Shootout give more to this community!”
Shootout Board VP Mark Maasen said Janssen will be a huge help to the event, which will celebrate its 30th year in 2018. “Christy brings a lot of experience in event coordinating and fundraising,” he said. “She will be a great asset to the organization and will help the board take the event to the next level.”
Shootout Board President Ron Duggan—who has headed up the event for a decade—pointed to the 30th anniversary celebration, saying, “I can’t wait to get started working with her on this momentous event.”
He added, “As the Shootout continued to grow each and every year, it had become very evident that we needed someone on a full-time basis to continue to grow this event. Trying to run this event in my spare time was becoming more and more difficult, and I was very pleased when the board agreed to bring in some help.
“Christy seems to be a great fit for the Shootout. Her love for this event and for the community was a welcomed quality during her interview process… With having achieved our first big milestone in raising over one million dollars in the first 10 years, I am very confident that she will do a great job and take the Shootout to a level that we have only dreamed about.”
Along with helping committees to coordinate the various Shootout events, Janssen will also have her hands full with sponsorship sales and marketing. She will be meeting with all of the existing sponsors and visiting with new potential event sponsors throughout the year.
For more information on sponsorships or being part of the historic 30th anniversary of the Lake of the Ozarks Shootout, contact Ron Duggan at 573-216-6363 or Christy Janssen at 217-779-2768 after Nov. 20.
