The 39-year-old has not one, but two jobs for the city of Ozark: city administrator and director of planning and development. He's the point person for budgets, planning, zoning, building code enforcement and public relations, but he won't let the responsibility go to his head.
"When you lead a work force of over 100 professionals toward the goal of improving the quality of life for thousands of people on a daily basis, there is no larger civic organization or cause one can be affiliated with," Childers says.
"I demonstrate leadership by my actions and my understanding that respect is something earned and not something owed to a person due to their position in life."
He was hired as Ozark's director of planning and development in 2004, and he's retained that responsibility in his current role as administrator.
Childers earned his master's degree in land planning and management from Missouri State University in 2003.
He has worked as a community specialist for the Synergy Group in Springfield, a government relations manager for the American Tower Corp. in Chicago and as a planner with the Tri-County Regional Planning Commission in Peoria, Ill.
Regardless of job titles, however, he always has worked to be an open communicator, and he says achieving it is his proudest accomplishment.
"I am confident in knowing that when someone walks away from a conversation with me - regardless of whether we agree or disagree - I respect their views," he says.
"And they respect my passion for always searching for resolution to conflict."
Childers says he has a passion for what he does and encourages those around him to find passion for what they do for a living.
"I also teach that balancing their passion is important so they can achieve success while practicing the philosophy that a person should 'work to live, not live to work,'" he adds.
Childers is a member of the Sertoma Club of Springfield, the Arbor Day Foundation and Nature Conservancy and serves as a committee member of the Ozark Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Advisory Board.
"I hope that (being selected for 40 Under 40) allows me to impress upon others that they should search out what they love in life, be committed to that purpose, and become a strong leader themselves," Childers adds.
This installment of Springfield Business Journal’s Architects & Engineers Project Report showcases 26 endeavors by area design and engineering professionals.
