2008 40 Under 40 Honoree: Leslie Hill

When she joined the Bolivar electric cooperative in June 2007, it was still reeling from the January 2007 ice storm and a great deal of paperwork from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. At the same time, the cooperative was implementing an $8 million metering system that required new levels of tedious accounting.

Hill had to establish a leadership position with zero experience on either problem, and she’s proud of the way she handled the challenges.

“I was not afraid to ask questions,” she says. “I got everybody together who was going to be affected and I talked with them, and they told me their questions and concerns. …You just go in and take it one day at a time.”

She also implemented a system of guidance and communication that helps each employee understand what needs to be done and why.

“I am happy to report that after eight months, we are still working in this manner. Projects are being finished, workers are gaining confidence, and we are solving problems together,” Hill says.

That is the kind of spirit she’s been glad to pass along through her work with Junior Achievement.

“I just enjoy listening to the children’s take on things,” Hill says. “My second ambition in life was to be a teacher, and being around kids gives me some of that.”

Hill also enjoys relating to the kids on their level and finding ways to connect with preteens by explaining things such as supply and demand or foreign currency, using examples drawn from childhood staples of candy and soda – albeit in moderation.Other points of pride for Hill are her magna cum laude degrees in finance and accounting from Missouri State University.

This year, Hill hopes to streamline some job areas at Southwest Electric Cooperative by working toward more automated work processes. “I hope to free up some of my work force’s time so it can be better utilized and (employees) will feel less overwhelmed,” she says.

Hill also plans to begin CPA exam. “I am hopeful that as I accomplish my first goal of streamlining things at work, that I’ll have more time to devote to studying and to personal achievement and betterment,” she adds.

Double Play

Birth date: Nov. 30, 1978

Family: I am engaged to be married in September to a great guy and will gain two lovely stepdaughters in so doing. I also happen to be the “best aunt ever.”

Philosophy to live/work by: I try to remember to measure my accomplishments based on my own God-given talents and capabilities and not on those of others.

In a fantasy world, what professional sport would you play? Tennis, because it is fun, fast-paced and displays the individual hard work and determination of the player.

Information accurate at the time of the honor.[[In-content Ad]]