After receiving her Bachelor of Architecture from Drury University, Rita Baron worked for a large corporate architectural firm. Later, Ms. Baron wanted to express her own style and created her own firm. Baron Design and Associates, LLC, has made its mark in the landscape of Missouri, Arkansas, Illinois, Texas, Oklahoma, Colorado, Massachusetts and New Hampshire with a diverse array of structures that include affordable housing, medical, financial and government institutions, corporate and university facilities, as well as restaurant and hospitality establishments. Ms. Baron spread her talents to become a property developer with projects ranging from hospitality, residential subdivisions, retail centers and affordable housing. She is a franchisee of Marriott International and previous franchisee of Einstein Brothers’ Bagels in Springfield, Missouri and downtown Chicago, Illinois. She is the former Board and Executive Committee member of Isabel’s House Crisis Nursery, Springfield Symphony Orchestra and Springfield Arts Council. She also serves on the Board of Directors at OakStar Bank.