Local Salvation Army leaders to retire

The Salvation Army's Springfield leaders are retiring from their roles with the nonprofit.

Majs. Jon and Kris Augenstein, a married couple who took on the leadership of the nonprofit chapter in 2020, are set to retire on June 28, according to a news release.

“It has been a privilege and honor to get to work with the Augensteins these past few years," said Steve Fox, Salvation Army-Springfield advisory board chair, in the release. "Not only are they great people, but they were also a perfect fit for the leadership we needed and have positioned us for future /much- needed expansion to address community needs.”

The Augensteins have been Salvation Army officers for 28 years. They came to Springfield from The Salvation Army's Heartland division headquarters in Peoria, Illinois, according to past reporting.

During their tenure, the Augensteins are credited with leading the nonprofit chapter through the COVID-19 pandemic, reaching financial stability, and leading a planning study and needs assessment that has identified campus expansion needs, according to the release.

“I hope to see a Salvation Army growing to meet the current and emerging needs and be a leading force in meeting the needs of the many here in Springfield all while at the same time being done in a way that demonstrates the dignity and worth of every individual in God’s image," Kris Augenstein said in the release. “The Salvation Army’s mission statement is to meet human needs in his name without discrimination, and I believe that our Springfield Corps exemplifies this by the work and compassion they put forward every day.”

An announcement on The Salvation Army's new local leaders is expected in a couple weeks, officials said in the release.

In retirement, the Augensteins plan to spend more time with their children and grandchildren and be involved with The Salvation Army church in their hometown of Janesville, Wisconsin, according to the release.

The Springfield chapter of The Salvation Army ranked No. 19 in Springfield Business Journal's list this year of the area's largest charitable nonprofits. The faith-based relief agency reported a $3 million operating budget, 45 employees and 725 local volunteers for the list published Feb. 6.