Five Questions: John Sellars

John Sellars may have landed a position unlike any of his former jobs, but that doesn’t mean directing The Fremont retirement community isn’t a perfect fit. Sellars, who previously worked in management for Ozarks Coca-Cola Dr Pepper Bottling Co. and Pepsi-Cola General Bottlers and narrowly lost a bid for state representative last fall, left his executive director post at the Springfield-Greene County History Museum on March 31.

Q: What were you feeling on your last day at the History Museum, and how will that relationship continue?
A: It was sad in a way, and yet, it was very exciting, and I felt very hopeful. It’s not like I’m cutting all ties. I’ll be involved as a volunteer (to handle) community outreach and give speeches. With my next one … I’ll be talking to the retired railroad employees and showing one of my slide presentations about the history of Springfield. I schedule a couple every month.

Q: How did The Fremont post come about?
A: It was an amazing opportunity, and it was very curious how it came about. My daughter-in-law works for its management company, Turnaround Solutions, based out of St. Louis. She just mentioned it in passing, and it’s something that always fascinated me. I love working with people, and I came out and looked at this facility and just fell in love with it. It’s a good opportunity for me to use my management skills and help people in a really great setting.  

Q: What’s a day on the job like for you?
A: It’s like being a ringmaster. We have an on-site beauty salon. We have on-site fitness. We do a lot of programs now, and I’m working on developing activities for the residents in the coming months. We are arranging right now for a large group of residents to go see “Chicago” at Landers Theatre. I’m everything from tour director to the guy maintenance checks in with – I think that’s what attracted me to it. It is so varied.

Q: What is the status of transferring the History Museum to Park Central Square, and did that transition factor in to your decision to leave?
A: Not really. I wish I could have been there to husband them through to the new museum, but at my age, this opportunity would not have come again. I’ll still be there to help, and yet, I won’t be in the way of them developing a new staff. It will be a wonderful new facility once they get it open. It’s grinding slower than I’d hoped, but it is going to be something that everyone can be proud of when it’s done. They’ve finished the tuck-pointing; they’ve almost completed the new roof. The shell is ready to go, and now it’s the infill.

Q: The Fremont isn’t your only new position. When did you start working mornings at KWTO 560?
A: Two weeks ago. I’ve been filling in over there for the last couple of years, but now I’m the regular morning guy, 6:30–9 a.m., Monday through Friday. I’m having a ball there. Talk about interesting people – I’ve already had Billy Long on. Sen. Blunt called in yesterday – Shane Schoeller, Eric Burlison. We’re just talking about what’s going on in Jefferson City or in Washington. I’m fortunate that I do have contact with a lot of these people.
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