Springfield Business Journal_2020-06-15

SPRINGFIELD BUSINESS JOURNAL · 15 JUNE 15-21, 2020 N ixa Parks and Recreation As- sistant Director Katie Buford serves to better her community. Her work impacts Nixa residents’ health, enjoyment and family lives. As talent attraction becomes more im- portant to area leaders, Buford’s got her finger on the pulse of placemaking. “My team and I are able to provide the opportunities needed for our community to create memories, learn new skills, explore their health and wellness journey, and experience the benefits of commu- nity parks and recreation,” Buford says. In the city department, Buford helped create a Parks and Recreation business and marketing plan that’s seen more residents use its services, and she’s also in charge of coordinating the city’s Employ- ee Think Tank. What was your first job? My current em- ployer. I started in 2005 at the front desk. I have loved the department and the city so much I have never left. What is your proudest moment? Getting a copy of the book that had my published work in it: “Dressing the Part: Power, Dress, Gender, and Representation in the Pre-Columbian Americans.” It was such a surreal moment that years of work had produced and to see my name listed with distinguished women was incredible. What was your professional aha moment?  Realizing that most of my employees are working their “first jobs” or even “first real jobs.” It is my job to launch these people into their professional lives. —Geoff Pickle, Web Editor A s a residential lender and assistant vice president for Mid- Missouri Bank, Derek Chaney produces more than $1 million in loans monthly. The volume exceeds his goals, which has him on track for a promotion later this year. Coach- ing other lenders at three branches to help homebuyers achieve their dreams has been equally satisfying. Chaney is a leader in civic roles, too. When he saw a need for networking among young professionals communi- tywide, he established ABC Networking group. And by serving two years on the board of Rotaract Club of Springfield, currently as incoming president, he’s helped grow the club’s exposure, service hours and donations to Great Circle. He also pushed the club to double its com- munity service hours over the last two years with Great Circle kids. “It makes me so proud to be part of something like that,” he says. What is your proudest moment?  Feb. 24, 2020. The day I became a dad. What is your best productivity hack? Not procrastinating. I spend the first two to three hours of the work day trying to get everything done that needs to be ac- complished. What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?  “It doesn’t matter how much money you make, if you don’t love what you do, it’s never going to be enough.” –My dad —Sony Hocklander, Contributing Writer DEREK CHANEY, 29 Assistant Vice President & Residential Lender, Mid-Missouri Bank KATIE BUFORD, 32 Assistant Director, Nixa Parks and Recreation JESSICA ROSA