Children’s Smile Center leader to retire 

Children's Smile Center Executive Director Jackie Barger is set to retire later this year. 

Barger's retirement is effective Dec. 31, according to a news release. He joined Children’s Smile Center in 2010 and has worked in nonprofit administration and fundraising since 1985. 

“Serving the region through Children’s Smile Center has been the honor of my career,” Barger said in the release. “Working together with our staff and board has been very fulfilling, knowing that we are making a difference in the healthcare system for thousands of local children.” 

Children's Smile Center officials credit Barger with adding dental clinics in Stone County in 2011 and Lawrence County in 2013, as well as a new Nixa facility for the nonprofit that opened earlier this year. 

The Children's Smile Center Board of Directors has partnered with Pivotal Talent Search to find the nonprofit's next executive director, according to the release. The recruiting firm donates all profits from searches conducted for 501(c)(3) nonprofits back to the organization, the release indicates. 

Children's Smile Center has dental clinics in Nixa, Aurora and Branson West. 

The nonprofit, which has 42 employees, has an annual operating budget of roughly $4 million, according to past reporting.