Springfield Business Journal_2020-06-15

SPRINGFIELD BUSINESS JOURNAL · 23 JUNE 15-21, 2020 Erica Gaynor, Tiffany (Martin) Nichols and Allison Robertson Congratulations, Derek Chaney! All of us at Mid-Missouri Bank are thankful to have you on our winning team. We look forward to many great things to come! ©2020 Mid-Missouri Bank. Member FDIC. A fter a successful career playing and coaching basketball at her alma mater, Drury University, Molly Miller is on the move. Miller is the new head women’s basket- ball coach of Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Arizona. She accepted the posi- tion in April at the Division I school. As head coach of the Drury Lady Pan- thers for six seasons, Miller compiled a 180-17 record – making her the win- ningest active coach with at least five years of experience – in all levels of the NCAA. “Springfield has been my home for 34 years and I could not have picked a better community to grow up in and pursue my dreams of becoming a collegiate head coach,” she says. Off the court, Miller points to the program’s 100% graduation rate of its student-athletes as one of her proudest accomplishments.  What is your proudest moment? The birth of my two children. Especially Cy, because 48 hours later I was back on the bench coaching my other kids, the Drury Lady Panthers. What about your job would shock people? There is no off-season! What is your theme song? Nelly’s “Heart of a Champion.” What historical figure do you identify with most? Eleanor Roosevelt. Her ability to redefine expectations and take chances made her a great leader that broke the mold. I am definitely a lean-in kind of person. —Mike Cullinan, Reporter A s utility counsel at City Utilities of Springfield, Maurice Moss knows that his work impacts the every- day lives of his fellow residents. “Every negotiation and every decision impacts a person directly, which gives me purpose and drive,” he says. One way he’s helped is by avoiding a rate increase for customers. He was selected by 16 utility companies and CU to rep- resent them in negotiations regarding a pipeline rate dispute. It centered around $230 million of capital expenditures, and the final settlement resulted with CU avoiding a $6 million rate impact. He also is guiding the utility toward the future, as it moves to renewable energy sources from fossil fuels. Off the clock, Moss is a board member for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Springfield Inc., a member of the Energy Bar As- sociation and volunteers with Springfield Public Schools’ African American Male Empowerment groups and the Equity and Diversity Advisory Council. He holds a Juris Doctor from Western Michigan University Cooley Law School. What was your first job? On our family farm in southeast Missouri. What is your best productivity hack? I tend to be the most productive when I have the most pressure to perform. What did you learn the hard way? Never announce your moves before you make them. What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? Make no little plans. —Christine Temple, Features Editor MAURICE MOSS, 36 Utility Counsel, City Utilities of Springfield MOLLY MILLER, 34 Women’s Basketball Head Coach, Grand Canyon University JESSICA ROSA