Meet Our Team...
Making Columbia a better place one bite at a time.
COMO Flavors was conceptualized in January of 2024 when organizers Evan Foster and Richard Chandler discussed the ability past festivals had to bring together diverse cultures and aspects of our community.
It quickly became apparent that food is not only an integral part of Columbia, but also something that is favored and celebrated by all demographics within our community. We do kind of need it to live, right?
Richard Chandler Jr.
Event Organizer, Logistics and Planning
It's no surprise that Richard has a degree in hospitality management. Originally from Chicago, Richard has an infectiously upbeat personality, and can rarely be seen without a smile on his face.
Richard Chandler Jr. came to Columbia to attend Mizzou, and quickly found Columbia to be his second home. Richard's passion for cooking is apparent; he has been known to bring food to his friends and to different organizations that he participates in.
Richard now owns the Missouri branch of East coast mortgage firm Prosper, where he employs a small team in the Columbia area and manages an outlet in Texas.
Evan Foster
Event Organizer, Partnerships & Marketing
Columbia native Evan Foster began his career in healthcare before he found an interest in both marketing and cryptocurrency in 2021. By 2022, Evan combined both of these interests and started his first business called Partner Up, which eventually rebranded into Propel Marketing.
After pursuing additional business ventures in the past couple of years, Evan came to understand the efficacy of partnerships to enhance marketing and business development, and now finds passion in identifying mutually beneficial business-to-business deals that further the growth of everyone involved.
Esmé Anger
Event Organizer, Attractions & Entertainment
Photographer; Journalist; Creative.
Esmé's title changes by the day, but is best summarized as the one who keeps the rest of the team focused. As a current journalism student at Mizzou, her research skills and critical thinking play a key role in planning COMO Flavors.
Esmé joined the COMO Flavors team in 2024 as the manager of the youth attractions area, and was offered ownership in the festival after displaying a dedication to improving the festival each year.