2008 Most Influential Women Honoree: JaDonna Rice

A graduate of Ava High School who started out as a final assembly worker at Fasco Industries, Rice joined Ozark Bank in 1979 and has since become a motivating force in the 102-year-old financial institution and the community.

In her 29 years at Ozark Bank, Rice has worked in, grown and developed all areas of the business, from bookkeeping, facility management, staff training and loan processing to automated teller machine/debit card services, merchant services, individual retirement accounts and certificates of deposit.

A team player whose organizational skills often place her in leadership roles, Rice sets the bar by example.

She says her style is to model responsibility, trust, honesty and organization to get the job done and “still make sure to have fun.”

Rice is also a powerhouse in the Ozark community.

She says her proudest accomplishments include her work as president of the Ozark Empire Chapter of the American Institute of Banking.

“Our board was able to organize and become a self-sufficient organization when other chapters were either not financially solvent or willing to do the legwork to achieve the transition … to form the Center for Financial Training,” Rice says. “We accomplished this and continue to provide quality education for area bankers at a reasonable price.”

She’s also served as board member and president of the Ozark Chamber of Commerce and a volunteer with the American Cancer Society for more than 10 years.

During her two years as Christian County Relay for Life chairwoman, the event continually raised more funds when other relays’ fundraising was stagnant or declining.

On a personal level, through the years Rice has taken in four nieces and raised them when their mothers were facing hard times.

“My husband and I gave them a loving home and encouraged them to try new things that they thought they could never accomplish,” she says.

“We were able to build their confidence and give them the secure and loving home they desperately needed.”

Whether she’s at home, at work or in the community, Rice’s perspective is summed up in a cartoon that’s prominently displayed on her refrigerator.

It shows four people on podiums. “The first podium is ‘Woulda,’ the second podium is ‘Coulda’ the third is ‘Shoulda’ and the highest podium is ‘Did.’ That is my philosophy,” Rice says.

“You won’t get anywhere unless you do something.”

Name an influential woman, living or dead, you’d like to meet. Why?

Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. (She) had hardships, but she always presented herself as a lady. ... One of Jackie’s quotes ... touches my heart. “If you bungle raising your children, I don’t think whatever else you do well matters very much.”

What advice do you have for young women just getting started professionally?

To set their sights on what they want from life and go for it. … Pay your dues, enjoy life along the way and always be respectful of others. Get involved in clubs, groups and organizations; you’ll develop lifelong friends.

As a young girl, what were your career aspirations?

As a young girl growing up on a dairy farm, I dreamed of doing something that would get me away from the farm. In high school, I thought about being an architect.

What celebrity have others compared you to, or do you identify with?

My best friend, Sarah, has told me several times that I remind her of the character Charlene on “Designing Women.” Charlene was always thinking of others, the peacemaker, never met a stranger, and she could find something good in everyone.

Tell us about your family.

My husband, Wayne, and I have been married 32 years. He's a senior blacksmith at Silver Dollar City. We have been fortunate that we could help raise our nieces and nephew, Dandy, Candy, Tonya and Jeremy.

Web Exclusive: Why might JaDonna not be as attuned to rising gas prices as other drivers?

Answer: She has never pumped gas. Rice says when she began driving, gas station attendants were the norm. Nowadays, her husband makes sure she has gas, and has enlisted help of some local stations in the event that her tank gets low.