Springfield Business Journal_2020-06-15

16 · SBJ.NET JUNE 15-21, 2020 Congratulations As Vice President of Youth Services at Burrell Behavioral Health, Elizabeth Avery is leading the conversation on advancing, expanding and improving behavioral health for youth and school districts in our communities Learn more about how Elizabeth and the Burrell team are making a difference by visiting burrellcenter.com. You can join the #time2chat conversation about behavioral health on Twitter by following Burrell at @BurrellCenter. Elizabeth Avery Vice President of Youth Services, Burrell Behavioral Health burrellcenter.com 2 0 2 0 4 0 U n d e r 4 0 S upporting the arts, both personally and professionally, has been at the center of Nicole Chilton’s passion. During her first year as director of marketing and development with Spring- field Regional Arts Council in 2018, she streamlined the organization’s member- ship process and more than doubled its income in the process. Her professional arts connection began in 2005, when she co-founded Springfield’s independent art house theater Moxie Cinema with her husband, Dan Chilton. The couple ran the business for several years before selling it in 2010.  Chilton also is close to achieving a childhood dream of becoming a pub- lished author and artist, as she has an illustrated book about dream sym- bols slated for release in 2021. What about your job would shock people? The economic impact of the arts. In 2017, it brought in $26.9 million in revenue for Springfield. Students who experience arts education and curriculum have better test scores, are more likely to graduate high school and are more valuable employees. What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? A mentor, Dr. Tedd Hamaker, always said to “practice excellence.” Have you ever met a celebrity? Leonardo DiCaprio, at the Tate Modern art museum in London. I stood next to him looking at a sculpture, made sure my shoulder touched his and walked away. Just so I could say that I’ve “rubbed shoulders with Leo.”  —Mike Cullinan, Reporter NICOLE CHILTON, 39 Director of Marketing & Development, Springfield Regional Arts Council TIMOTHY CHITWOOD, 38 Partner, BKD LLP T imothy Chitwood is not afraid of leadership roles – and colleagues have noticed. He leads not one but two teams at BKD LLP, where he’s worked for 15 years. Chitwood’s been chosen by peers to lead BKD’s southern Missouri manufacturing and distribution practice spanning three offices and 40 professionals, as well as its transportation and logistics team. “What got me there was my willingness to take on challenges as they arose,” he says. It’s also shown in his making partner in the firm, currently the 13th largest in the nation with $663 million in annual revenue, according to Inside Public Ac- counting. “Reaching this milestone in my career was no easy task,” Chitwood says. “This included me stepping out of my comfort zone.” At this stage, he’s helping others do the same as a coach and mentor to peers in the firm. What was your first job? A small lawn care business. What is your proudest moment? Achieving partner at BKD alongside some of the brightest and most respected individuals in the profession. What’s your most treasured possession? My dad’s restored, matching numbers 1969 Z-28 Camaro. Have you ever met a celebrity? My wife met Justin Timberlake last year at a BKD Wealth Advisors event. I had the privilege of observing the excitement. —Eric Olson, Editor JESSICA ROSA