2007 Most Influential Women Honoree: Tracey Barton

Tracey Barton believes her ability to see the big picture has elevated her to a leadership role both professionally and in the community.

“I do believe, by being respectful to others and by valuing different opinions and thoughts, we arrive at a better place,” Barton said.

As vice president of marketing for Branson-based Skaggs Community Health Center, Barton helps lead more than 300 Skaggs volunteers who provide more than 45,000 hours of service each year, and she considers herself fortunate to have been involved in the start of the Skaggs Foundation in 2002.

“We did not have a dedicated staff member for the first 18 months, so I assumed that leadership role, along with an extremely dedicated chairman and board,” Barton said. “We experienced great success by receiving a $1.5 million gift during the first year.”

Barton also ranks her time from 1997–2003 as a facilitator for Franklin Covey’s “7 Habits of Highly Effective People” strongly influential.

“I presented this life-changing material to more than 100 individuals,” Barton said. “The program really explores what is important in your life and how you ensure you take care of the ‘big rocks.’ Over the years, I have run into individuals who attended one of my classes, and they will often share something positive that has resulted from their participation.”

Barton was elected chairwoman of the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce in 1999, becoming the second woman to hold that position. Her efforts have had a key impact on the marketing dollars available to the chamber.

“During my tenure on the board, I was heavily involved in getting Branson’s tourism tax reinstated after it was declared unconstitutional,” she said.

These days, Barton serves on the membership committee of the College of the Ozarks Associates board, and she is active in the Branson/Hollister Rotary Club, for which she is chairwoman of the publicity committee for Flavor of the Ozarks, the group’s signature event.

One-on-one with Tracey Barton

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

Believe in yourself and your abilities. You have unlimited potential and you should never let any stereotypes dictate who you are, whether those are stereotypes associated with you being a woman, your education level or your social/economic background.

Beyond the Golden Rule, what philosophy guides you?

Life’s challenges do not allow you to be a victim, they allow you to grow and reach beyond what you may not have realized possible. Don’t expend your energy focused on all the reasons something can’t be done, but rather on all the reasons it can be done.

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

I came to the United States from England when I was 8 years old. I received my American citizenship my freshman year in high school.

Please tell us about your family.

My husband, J.D., and I just celebrated our 23rd wedding anniversary in July. We have three children. Wes is 20 years old and is a junior at the University of Arkansas studying mathematical sciences and computer engineering. Alex is 18 years old and is a junior at Branson. He is our “miracle baby,” born three months premature with many complications that resulted in him having cerebral palsy. Jessie is 12 years old and is a seventh-grader at Branson. She is an excellent student and loves basketball.