Changing of the guard: High-profile retirements abound in Springfield

High-profile retirements abound in Springfield

by Jill Henry

SBJ Reporter

jhenry@sbj.net

Retirement is on the minds of many, including four high-profile Springfield individuals whose salaries combined exceed half a million dollars.

Drury President John Moore Jr., Southwest Missouri State University President John Keiser and Springfield Director of Finance Fred Fantauzzi have announced their retirements, while Aviation Director Rob Hancik retired Sept. 1.

Moore will retire in spring 2006 after 23 years as president of Drury University.

"You just get a sense that the time has come," Moore said of moving on. "It's better to leave when people say, Oh, we'd like to have you stay,' than hang around and people wonder, When's that old bird going to leave?' I've seen that too much. I think it's better to go out when people might enjoy having you stay around a little bit."

Moore, 61, hasn't finalized plans on how to spend his time once his days on Drury Lane are over.

"I'm not going to just sit on a rocking chair," Moore said. "I'm active and enjoy doing things and hope that I can contribute in some way to the community, and maybe do something else that's productive. I've got several ideas but have not settled on anything at this point right now."

Possibilities include teaching Drury's program in Volos, Greece, and traveling.

Travel has played a big role in Hancik's life for more than 32 years. Hancik stepped down from his post as aviation director at Springfield-Branson Regional Airport Sept. 1.

"I'm 58 years old and in good health, as far as I know. I want to use those healthy years to do some of the things that I wasn't able to do while I was employed," Hancik said.

"Sometimes boating and fishing is a little bit strenuous and takes some time," he added with a laugh.

Keiser will retire June 30, 2005, after 12 years in the position.

Completing 26 years as director of finance for the city of Springfield, Fantauzzi will retire Oct. 1 at age 62.

"It's time to go," Fantauzzi said. "I've got my time in and I've had a great career here."

Fantauzzi said he plans to stay busy. "Projects here at the house, some golfing, church responsibilities and nearby, close travel. Those are all things I'd like to do," he said. "Maybe some consulting in the future."

Consulting

That's definitely an option for Fantauzzi, according to Assistant City Manager Bob Cumley. "He is, right now, considering it. I'm just kind of waiting to see if he's interested."

The city has offered consultant status to individuals in the past, including former Director of Health Harold Bengsch. Contracts are for one year or less, with individuals working as independent contractors for an hourly rate of pay for work performed on an as-needed basis.

"The key is that we have to have valid projects," Cumley said. "These are not something we just make up. If we don't have projects that would be suited to their experience and expertise, then there would be no contract."

Hancik said consultant arrangements are common in airport administration. "There's a whole list of job opportunities and issues that need to be addressed, or plans to put in place for other airports to figure out how to find their way through the system in order to get federal funds," he said.

"I'm going to be available to the airport board on an as-needed basis, either to work out some particular issues or for input on the three large ongoing projects, basically the replacement of the midfield terminal, coordination of the new National Guard facility and the new Ozark airport," Hancik said.

Consultant arrangements with university presidents are standard, according to Greg Onstot, vice president for university advancement at SMSU, "Especially with people that are leaving in good graces. When someone has been in a place for a long time, it just stands to reason that they have a lot of institutional knowledge and relationships built up with people that can be of assistance to the successor and/or other people inside the institution."

Keiser will act as president emeritus at SMSU for one year following his retirement, receiving his full base pay of $162,036 plus benefits.

An addendum to Keiser's contract with SMSU, effective June 18, 2004, obligates Keiser to be available to his successor as a consultant, and represent the university at functions, events, conferences or meetings at the new president's request. He also will represent the university at fundraising events and in alumni relations capacities.

An arrangement between Moore and Drury is still up in the air, said Tristan Davies, director of communications for the university. "It depends on what type of person is his successor. There certainly is part of the plan where he may be able to stay on as part of a transition, but there are other types of leaders where a clear definition between previous and new is going to be most effective for them," Davies said.

Transitions

Making their exits as smooth as possible is a priority.

"Transitions are important things, and we're kind of in that planning mode for that right now, starting it up," Moore said. The search for his successor has not officially begun.

Assistant Director Gary Cyr has stepped in for Hancik as acting airport director. More than 70 resumes have been received, but no decision on Hancik's successor has been announced, according to Bill Kirkman, chair of the airport's search committee.

Fantauzzi already handed over the reins on much of his duties. "For the last two years I've been working on putting in the new accounting system and payroll system," he said.

While he worked with a team of about 10 consultants to prepare the new computer system, Assistant Director of Finance Mary Mannix has performed the day-to-day duties as acting director. "She's already been doing the job and doing a good job," Fantauzzi said.