2017 Men of the Year: Thomas Barr

Motivating Factors

Family: I have been married to my wife, Susy, for 31 years. We have two children, Julia and Cullen.
Advice for other men: I believe nothing is impossible if you are willing to work for it. No one gets to be successful in this life without the help of others. When you achieve your goals, it is your responsibility to help others in their quest for success.

Elected in November 2014, Greene County Circuit Clerk Thomas Barr has only been in his role for two and a half years, but in that short time Barr already has accomplishments he is proud of.

“Upon taking office as the circuit clerk, I reviewed our website that was not customer friendly in many aspects,” Barr says.

Barr soon gathered together a group of employees from all divisions and asked them to brainstorm what they felt would be most important to the residents of Greene County. Each one submitted an idea – the best was given a prize.

“My challenge to them was to create a website that was user-friendly and interactive,” he says. “The employees took ownership of the project and were proud when the website was recognized by the National Association of Court Management as one of the top 10 Courts Technology Innovations in the U.S. for 2016.”

Barr has also managed to foster an increased level of customer service in the clerk’s office, noting he’s encouraged staff to demonstrate the highest quality of dignity and respect for all those whom they serve.

“We have a very busy office and it is important that as public sector employees, we remember that many of the citizens who come to the courts are dealing with very important issues,” he says.

Barr also demonstrated leadership in the private sector, too. He founded Ozark Mailing Service in 1982, growing and expanding the business to 42 employees prior to selling in 2010.

Barr hopes he instilled his values of hard work, customer service and the importance of meeting hard deadlines everyday into each of his employees.

“Through my vision, the employees were successful and were rewarded with good wages, benefits and the knowledge that they participated in the building of one of the largest services of its kind in southwest Missouri,” he says.

Barr counts accomplishments big and small, public and private. Though, his proudest to date is the ability to grow on multiple levels, all the while giving back to the community that provided him with so many opportunities.

“The welcoming environment of the Ozarks provided the opportunity to launch several successful businesses providing services to various sectors of the community,” he says, noting he was an entrepreneur for 30 years before his short retirement – he couldn’t sit still for long. “I decided to seek a second career in public service where I could use my skills providing excellent customer service. I have been humbled by the support, trust and confidence the citizens of Greene County have showed me in electing me circuit clerk.”

Barr gives to the public more than just his hearty customer service experience, however. His involvement in civil affairs is extensive. Currently a member of the Springfield Sunrise Rotary Club and the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce, his past memberships included the Springfield Branson National Airport board, the Springfield Board of Public Utilities, the Mercy Health Foundation and the Leadership Springfield Alumni Association. Barr also once served as the president of the Boys and Girls Club of Springfield.