2016 40 Under 40 Honoree: Kendal Dingus, 30

Kendal Dingus has been a Nixa fast tracker since high school. After serving as senior class president and graduating NHS in 2004, he began a degree program in accounting at Missouri State University and a career with Empire Bank, now Central Bank. Moving from teller to private banker, then assistant banking center manager, top insurance producer and currently banking center manager over the Nixa and James River branches, he also has an MBA program in progress and holds local civic posts.

What was your first job? My first job was at Nixa Hardware while in high school. I worked in the warehouse, where I loaded the customer’s seed and feed purchases as well as mixed seed. This was a hard and dirty job, but I enjoyed every minute.

How many times do you hit the snooze button in the morning? No snooze button for me! I’m usually awake before my alarm.

When did you realize you had grown up? This past year has definitely been life changing. Having a child puts things in perspective and has helped me realize that I am, without a doubt, all grown up.

What about your job would shock clients? I don’t count money all day! Every day is different and provides its own set of challenges. For instance, I could be at a nursing home notarizing a document in the morning and then be back at the branch opening an account that afternoon.

What is your best productivity hack? I am a spreadsheet guru. If there isn’t a spreadsheet for it, I will make one.