2016 40 Under 40 Yearbook: Rob Dixon, 36

Then: Executive director, Hollister Area Chamber of Commerce
Now: President and CEO, Missouri Community College Association

From Hollister to Jefferson City, there’s a through line to Rob Dixon’s career.

The former U.S. Marine joined the Hollister Area Chamber of Commerce as executive director in 2008 and worked with Ozarks Technical Community College to open its Table Rock campus.

Throughout his career, Dixon advanced the economic development conversation. In 2010 he took on director of community and economic development for the city of Hollister, and later that year was named the new manager of business development for the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce. During his time with the Springfield chamber, he also held positions as vice president of business assistance, executive vice president and briefly as interim president.

In December 2014, Dixon was chosen by the Missouri Community College Association as its next president and CEO. At first he wasn’t keen on leaving Springfield, but the post has been a perfect fit.

Representing the interests of the state’s 12 community colleges and 2,000 members in the state capital, Dixon says his focus remains on professional development.

“We’re still very much working on the funding and workforce issues,” Dixon says.

The biggest life change happened only a few months after he joined the class of 2009, when he and his wife Melanie welcomed their son Eddie after she gave birth on the side of the road.

“He’s about to turn 7,” Dixon says. “He’s in Cub Scouts, growing up and having a lot of fun.”