Webb City Schools Foundation to honor Lisa, Jeff Montgomery at 22nd annual Honors Banquet

WEBB CITY, Mo. — The Webb City Schools Foundation will hold its 22nd annual Honors Banquet on Monday, March 2 at the Webb City High School Dome.

The foundation will honor Jeff and Lisa Montgomery as 2026 Distinguished Citizens.

Lisa Montgomery graduated from William Jewell College in 1993 with a degree in elementary education. She began her teaching career in the Columbia School District, where she was an accelerated academic coach. She then transferred to the Paradise Valley School District in Arizona. After taking seven years off to raise her children as a stay-at-home mom, she returned to teach at Harry S. Truman Elementary School in Webb City. She later became a licensed office manager for Montgomery Insurance and Financial Services.

Jeff Montgomery graduated from the University of Missouri in 1989 with a degree in education. He began his professional journey as a campus supervisor at his alma mater, Park Hill High School in Kansas City. He then returned to MU as a graduate assistant coach of the football team, before becoming director of football operations under coach Larry Smith.

A coaching career change led the family to the Phoenix area, where Jeff Montgomery joined State Farm Insurance, ultimately bringing them to Webb City in 2000. He has owned and operated Montgomery Insurance and Financial Services for 26 years.

Lisa Montgomery is a founding member and current member of the Webb City R-7 Schools Foundation and Webb City CARES. She has volunteered on CARES site councils in high school and junior high, numerous school PTOs, the Mom’s Club of Joplin, the Webb City Chamber of Commerce, and the WCHS Choir Boosters. Additionally, she served on the women’s ministry team, taught Sunday school, and worked with the youth at Oronogo Church of Christ.

Jeff Montgomery is active in the Rotary Club of Webb City/Carl Junction and the Webb City Chamber of Commerce. He also volunteers extensively with the Webb City School District, including the Booster athletics and choir clubs. Additional contributions include taking statistics for Webb City football games, announcing basketball games, and long-term service on the Mizzou Football Channel staff. He has received recognition for his service including Webb City Chamber Business Leader of the Year, Champion Booster, Webb City Friends of Education Award, Webb City CARES Volunteer of the Year and induction into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame’s Elite 11 football team.

They are the parents of two daughters, both graduates of Webb City High School.

The foundation will also honor:

• Three 2025 Hall of Fame inductees: Teddy (Hoffman) Steen, Robert Basnett and Joe Hensley.

• Five Pillars of Education: Judy Adair, Tim Doss, Cathy Hall, Stan and Patty Crane.

• Cardinal teachers and support staff: Kim Christensen, Jennifer Strickland, Sarah McDowell, Ashlea Bell, Camie Schultz and Christina Wells.

• Recipients of Foundation 2026 staff grants.

Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. and dinner at 6:00 p.m. Tickets are $35 each and can be purchased no later than Feb. 23 at the district administration building, 411 N. Madison Ave., or at 4agc.com/event/honorsbanquet.