Tony Hopkins found inspiration early and close to home.
His grandfather – a reverend, Korean War veteran and jack-of-all-trades – instilled a strong work ethic and desire to serve.
“I’m inspired to work diligently and lead in the ways he taught me,” says Hopkins, the director of pre-construction and business development at Springfield Builders Inc.
“Simply doing the right thing might not put you in the spotlight. Doing the right thing when nobody is around to see it certainly doesn’t. That’s integrity, though, and I do believe that integrity matters greatly.”
Hopkins strives to be a leadership role model and believes, “doing business the right way,” combined with a talented staff has helped Springfield Builders grow in an economy that’s been tough on construction companies.
He is accountable for, “every board, screw and flashing detail,” on projects that can run as high as $120 million, and recently became a partner in the business.
“Co-workers and employees depend on me,” Hopkins says of his responsibility to generate new revenue and jobs. “I provide jobs in the form of procured projects. If I am not successful, they do not work. It is a significant motivator for me to think in terms of putting food on the tables of other employees’ families. I realize my role provides the first opportunity for success – that is, work to perform.”
His desire to serve translates outside of work, too.
“I choose often to put what skills I have to work for children in need in our community, because the need to protect their innocence is so great,” Hopkins says.
Hopkins is a founding member of the Young Advocates Council for the Child Advocacy Center, a nonprofit for which he also helped organize the annual fundraiser Burgers & Cheers.
He volunteers in his church’s nursery and toddler classrooms and has worked for the LifeHouse Crisis Maternity Home.
In only one day last October, Hopkins, with a group of friends he helped organize, cleared a playground at Bridges for Youth’s new Madison Street location of brush, lumber, concrete, scrap metal and broken glass – enough to fill a large dumpster – so children could have a safe place to play.
But he didn’t stop there. During the same day at Ozarks Food Harvest, Hopkins and friends assembled 1,257 backpacks for the Weekend Backpack Program, which provides food for severely at-risk children.
“I’m very proud to lead others and help the innocent feel loved,” Hopkins says. “We also gave thousands of handwritten notes filled with hope and encouragement, which we had written over the preceding month. Anything is possible if you open your heart for service.”
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