Springfield attorney and businessman Sam Hamra honored with Key to the City

News-Leader Staff
·1 min read

Springfield attorney and businessman Sam Hamra received the Key to the City at a ceremony on Monday.

A news release from the city says Hamra, the son of a Lebanese immigrant, is the founder and chairman of Hamra Enterprises, which owns and operates 156 restaurants and various real estate projects in Missouri and across the country.

Hamra grew up in Steele, Missouri and earned degrees from the University of Missouri in business and law. He served as an officer in the U.S. Army and was appointed by the president to serve as U.S. Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army for Western Missouri.

During his professional career, Hamra worked as Nixa's city attorney and Branson's governmental relations attorney, ushering in several important infrastructure improvements.

“Sam is one of a kind and has made an impact on so many aspects of Springfield,” said Springfield Mayor Ken McClure, in the news release. “His ingenuity, dedication and generosity are traits to emulate and he is very worthy of this special honor.”

The city's news release lists several of Hamra's awards and accomplishments:

  • served as charter president of the Rotary Club of Springfield Southeast;

  • was a founding Member of OakStar Bank;

  • serves on the Foundation Board for Ozarks Technical Community College;

  • donated $800,000 for the purchase of land for the construction of The Kitchen Homeless Family Shelter on the O'Reilly Campus;

  • was the first Board Chairman of Legal Services of Southern Missouri;

  • was named 2018 "Springfieldian of the Year" by the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce.

Hamra is the fourth person to receive the Key to the City from Mayor McClure. Other recipients include William “Bill” Darr, the late Dr. Robert Spence and Johnny Morris.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Springfield attorney, businessman Sam Hamra receives Key to the City