Attorney Greg Weaver knows the value of practicing what he preaches.
As a leadership coach for academically gifted high school students through Drury University’s Leadership Academy, Weaver gets to train young people to cultivate their leadership skills while demonstrating what it takes to be a good leader.
“Although the students learn from a set curriculum, it was apparent that some of the most important skills developed by the students arose from their observations of the leadership exhibited by our staff,” he says. “It was very surreal to watch these skills transfer to the students and impact their lives.”
Weaver puts his own leadership abilities to the test every day through his law practice, which is focused on criminal defense, balancing his client work with the day-to-day operations of his firm. He also serves as a mentor to young lawyers through the Springfield Metropolitan Bar Association.
When it comes to community engagement, Weaver says he’s most proud of his two terms as president of the Springfield Jaycees. Under his leadership, the organization won five state awards, including recognition in growth, recruiting and chapter programming.
“After a few years of declining membership and lack of direction, the Jaycees were in danger of closing,” he says. “I really believed in their mission and became committed to seeing the organization not only survive, but thrive. Being elected to a second term as president … showed that members believed in me … to lead our team to achieve our goals.”
He says he’s excited to build on the Jaycees’ commitment to service, as the organization is now in the process of adopting a local nonprofit as a philanthropic endeavor for three to five years. Members are prepared to offer financial and volunteer support to whichever nonprofit is chosen.
Weaver also volunteers at the Developmental Center of the Ozarks and serves as a committee chairman for two groups – the leadership development team and staff parish relations committee – at King’s Way United Methodist Church.
“In order to be a leader of influence, one must build influential partnerships within the community in which they serve,” Weaver says. “I like to see progress within an organization while identifying both areas of growth and areas of strength.”[[In-content Ad]]
There is unlimited potential in downtown Springfield, and it’s all coming together right now. That’s the assessment of Rusty Worley, executive director of the Downtown Springfield Association, as he considers the many projects that are now coalescing around the city’s center.
