YOUR BUSINESS AUTHORITY
Springfield, MO
YOUR BUSINESS AUTHORITY
Springfield, MO
Johnny T. McNeil loves it when someone calls him “Coach.” And plenty of people do. He has coached and mentored people since 2015 at Community Partnership of the Ozarks and previously as a juvenile officer, corporate employee, NFL agent and high school coach. In each, his goal has been to help others succeed.
He has what he calls “a mentor’s spirit.”
“I developed leadership skills that revolved around athletics while playing in high school and college,” he says. “Athletics can be a microcosm of life. You will not always come out on top. There will be losses. Some will hurt more than others. There will be victories, and I always preached to my student-athletes to win with grace and dignity.
“How do I know that it made a difference? ... I’m invited to weddings, I receive pictures of their babies, some call and wish me happy birthday, but most of all when they see me, almost all will give me a hug and call me by my favorite name, Coach.”
As vice president of community relations at CPO, McNeil is responsible for raising the funds critical to powering the organization’s 50 programs.
Janet Dankert, president and CEO, explains how important that is: “These funds allow us to meet the emerging needs in our community, helping address issues such as homelessness, child abuse and neglect, poverty, affordable housing and many more.”
After coaching football, basketball and track and field at Central High School 2009-15, McNeil joined CPO in August 2015 as supportive services coordinator. He implemented case management plans, fostered relationships with civic leaders and recruited volunteers to mentor youth enrolled in the organization’s programs. He moved to his current role in June 2016. A primary goal is developing ways for organizations and individuals to participate in CPO’s mission through donations, sponsorships and volunteerism. He analyzes data, attends events and networks with business and government officials to increase awareness of CPO’s causes, activities and needs.
In addition, he volunteers at a cold-weather crisis center, advocates for the Rebound Foundation and mentors MSU fraternity members.
He says one of his proudest moments was when a client made an NFL roster.
“This player had been through many cuts and injuries, and seeing their name on an opening-day roster in the National Football League was an amazing feeling and accomplishment.”
He is proud to be a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., which was the first all-Black Greek fraternity nationally.
McNeil gives credit to family, and one person in particular, for his compassion.
“I am a reflection of a woman that raised me to treat each individual with respect. ... To not make fun or degrade someone for what they might have or not have. To not let anyone be bullied. To stick up for those that may not have the strength to defend themselves. ... To have faith and belief. So, I am not truly sure what sets me apart from other professionals, but I do know that I was raised by a woman, Constance Ann McNeil (RIP), that was second to none.”
A safe room and classroom addition at Willard Central Elementary School will be used by the music, arts and athletic programs for a district that had 4,536 students last year, according to Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education figures, but school officials say enrollment is projected to grow.