2024 40 Under 40 Spotlight: Dean Thompson, 2001

Then: Administrator, city of Republic
Now: Executive director for regionalism and economic development, Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce

Service and community building are hallmarks of Dean Thompson’s career.

Three decades ago, he was hired to lead of Republic – which included infrastructure development for the land Amazon’s distribution center now sits on – and today he’s focused on a broader region through his economic development role with the Springfield chamber.

He was appointed on a contract basis last summer through a partnership with City Utilities, where he’s worked since 2007.

At CU, Thompson led the city’s fiber internet expansion, a $150 million project. He says that’s his proudest accomplishment.

“The Wall Street Journal named us the No. 1 remote work city in the United States,” he says.

Another track in Thompson’s life has been military service. He enlisted in 1985 and after 9/11, he was deployed to Afghanistan. His work in the military’s civil affairs and psychological operations has taken him to 40 countries.

Since he was a 40 Under 40 honoree, Thompson, 56, welcomed a fourth child to his family. And soon, he’ll be a first-time grandpa.

Best advice for young professionals? Nobody’s successful alone.