2007 Most Influential Women Honoree: Brenda Cirtin

If, as the saying goes, “Behind every great man is a great woman,” then behind every great city government there is a great city clerk. In Springfield, Brenda Cirtin fits the bill.

Cirtin has served as Springfield city clerk since 1993, working to make government information more accessible to the public and to the Springfield City Council, whose meetings she helps coordinate and facilitate.

“The assistance she and her staff provide to the City Council, other city staff and our citizens has set a high standard of professional excellence that is unsurpassed,” Springfield Mayor Tom Carlson wrote in a letter of recommendation submitted with Cirtin’s award application. “I have come to rely on her leadership … to ensure that we conduct the business of the city in a professional, efficient manner.”

It’s that kind of recognition from the people she serves – the City Council and city staff – that Cirtin lists as her proudest professional accomplishment.

She’s received several accolades in recent years. In 2005, council passed a resolution congratulating Cirtin for her election as director of the International Institute of Municipal Clerks Region VII, which covers Missouri, Illinois and Kansas. She was recognized again last year when she attained the designation of Master Municipal Clerk.

But, as is true with many influential people, Cirtin is not content to keep the knowledge she’s gained to herself.

“Recognizing that education plays a vital role in one’s success, I have encouraged my staff to further their education and have worked with them to allow them to take the necessary classes,” Cirtin said.

Cirtin is an adviser for Leadership Springfield’s Government and Law days. She also is a presenter at City University, a free program that provides presentations on various city departments as well as tours of city facilities to help residents become more familiar with the structure and functions of city government.

Cirtin is a member of the board of directors for the Victim Center, a member of the Summit Optimist club and an annual participant in the United Way’s Day of Caring program.

One-on-one with Brenda Cirtin

What advice do you have for young women preparing to enter the work force?

I would encourage them to always keep their integrity intact. Once that’s gone, there’s no getting it back.

Beyond the Golden Rule, what philosophy guides you?

Do the right thing. Once I attended a conference where Lou Holtz, then-football coach for Notre Dame, was the speaker. He encouraged those present to make sure the decisions they made were morally and ethically right, because you have no control over the consequences of those actions – so at the end of the day, you have to know you did the right thing.

What’s something about you that most people don’t know?

A few years ago, my family and I went to New York for a brief vacation. We attended a Broadway show and I still have the Playbill signed by Antonio Banderas. What can I say … right place, right time.

Please tell us about your family.

My husband, Bob, is the director of the criminal justice program at Evangel University and is president of Robert Cirtin Investigations. I have two daughters, Angela and Jennifer. Angela is a marketing representative for Great American Title Co., and Jennifer is a teacher and coach at Nixa High School.

Information accurate at the time of the honor.