2016 40 Under 40 Honoree: Travis DeLong, 37

Travis DeLong’s job title may be estimator, but for the 19-year employee of Prestressed Casting Co. job responsibilities doesn’t stop there. In his first 12 years as project manager, DeLong coordinated 75 projects from tornado safe rooms to food processing plants. A 15-year member of the Springfield Contractors Association, DeLong currently leads the organization’s Generation Next to help connect young professionals with the local industry. He’s an active member of Springfield Sertoma Club, and as co-chairman of the 2015 Wingapalooza event he helped raise more than $70,000 for children’s charity.

What was your first job? With the risk of me obtaining a new nickname, my first real job was as a clogger at Mutton Hollow in Branson when I was in the seventh grade.

What is your theme song? “Seven Nation Army,” The White Stripes

What are you doing to make the Ozarks better? I volunteer for several events throughout the year with Springfield Sertoma. Through those events, we are able to raise thousands of dollars for the Springfield area Boys and Girls Clubs. Support of local youth based organizations helps provide services and opportunities to kids who normally would not receive this type of help.

Have you ever met a celebrity? Yes, my favorite celebrities I’ve met, so far, have been Brett Hull and Bernie Federko – both hall of fame hockey players for the St. Louis Blues and childhood heroes of mine.