2024 Men of the Year: Jarad Giddens

With a leadership style characterized by a commitment to the well-being and progress of his community, Nixa Mayor Jarad Giddens says his actions reflect a dedication to creating a thriving and inclusive environment for all residents, extending into public service and business development.

Elected in April 2023, Giddens has actively engaged with the Nixa community, conducting town hall meetings and public forums to understand residents’ concerns and ideas. Giddens has also focused on economic development, attracting businesses and investments to stimulate Nixa’s economy, and collaborating with stakeholders to create a sustainable economic environment.

“I have never turned down a meeting or conversation,” he says. “I am one of those people who never gets to turn it off. No matter what I do or where I am at, I will always make myself available to my clients, constituents and my family.”

Nixa City Administrator Jimmy Liles says Nixa is blessed to have a leader like Giddens. “He is present at an astounding amount of community meetings and events, and he is deeply connected among the people of Nixa,” Liles says. “Local politics often presents complex challenges, but Mayor Giddens lends an optimistic and ambitious dynamic where others may feel discouraged or daunted.”

Giddens also uses his leadership skills as the director of business development for Meridian Title Co.

“Regardless of what I am doing day to day, I have to be a leader at events for our clients, onboarding new clients, retaining current clients, and supporting our amazing team of employees. I am currently in the process of growing the joint venture division of Meridian Title, which will result in continued growth for the company for many years to come,” he says.

Giddens works to help others succeed by creating a positive work environment that encourages innovation. He says he guides individuals toward greater community involvement, helping them find roles on city councils and other civic positions. His decision to assist an employee in pursuing a more beneficial career path reflects his prioritization of individual success over immediate business needs.

“Even though I lost an amazing employee, their success was far more important to me than filling the management spot that I needed filled,” he says.

Volunteerism is a significant aspect of Giddens’ contribution to civic affairs. He was named the 2018 Volunteer of the Year by Springfield Aquatics and has served in various capacities in other organizations, from board president to city council member.

Giddens says one of his proudest accomplishments is the implementation of the One Nixa One Read program, a citywide initiative that fosters community engagement through shared reading experiences. “Our most recent book was ‘The Snowy Day,’ and the kickoff for the book was on the first snow day that the school had,” he says. “I had a lot of fun with this, and I look forward to growing this program and bringing more community members together.”