If there’s a theme to Sean Taylor’s life, it is serving as a role model – at work and in the civic arena.
As district director for the Boys Scouts of America’s Ozark Trails Council, where Taylor spent nine years, he saw how many boys without financial means were unable to join the organization. In response, Taylor’s district started Scoutreach, giveing colleges students with scouting backgrounds stipends to lead programs at facilities located within Title 1 school districts.
“By working with other organizations and using parents to support the staff, we were able to provide uniforms, advancement and summer camp programs available to youth who would otherwise never have the opportunity,” Taylor says. “Starting from scratch, this program currently serves every Title 1 school with about 350 youth and continues to be a success.”
As a scoutmaster and father of a son on his way to achieving Eagle Scout status – his other son is a state and national wrestling champion – Taylor’s commitment to the Boy Scouts has a personal element.
“There is not (something) much more rewarding than watching a timid boy grow to be a confident Eagle Scout on his way to being a good or even great man,” Taylor says. “We teach them to be leaders first in their patrol and troop, but ultimately give them the tools to succeed in life.”
Five years ago, Taylor made a career shift and became an investment officer at Empire Bank, working with 10 branches in Greene, Christian and Webster counties.
“Being new to the investment industry in 2007, I took the ideals learned in the BSA and applied them to finance. By doing this, I have grown my business from zero to a thriving center for investment advice and planning,” Taylor says. “We have been able to expand to a larger office, hire new staff and serve our clients more effectively.”
He also created a platform to help the bank grow. “I developed a recognition event for our staff, which has led to a systematic increase in the number and quality of clients,” he says.
Taylor is active at Lifepoint Church, where Taylor is a community group leader for parents of youth. “We meet weekly, and our goal is simple: to influence families to use the gospel as the center of all they do, think and say,” he says. “I feel it is my calling to be a positive influence on others for the glory of God.”
Taylor also devotes a lot of time as an assistant coach and acting president for TWA youth wrestling.
“Although there are other coaches who know more about wrestling technique, I have worked hard on the administrative and marketing side of this organization,” Taylor says.
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