Five Questions: Rob Rector

Q: What is your professional background?

A: I started my mall management career in 1989 in Pine Bluff, Ark., … for General Growth Properties, currently based in Chicago. They’re the No. 2 real estate investment trust; Simon is No. 1. I was in Pine Bluff for a couple of years, and then I was in Nashville, Tenn., for a year. Then, I spent about four years in Chicago before I moved to Bowling Green, Ky., where I spent about four years as well. Then – in 2001 – I started with Simon Property Group, and they transferred me to Little Rock, Ark., for just short of two years. Then, I had my opportunity to return home to Springfield in October 2002, and I’ve been here since. It’s been a little adventure around the Midwest.

Q: How has the retail industry changed since you started?

A: Most notably, it’s the increase in the amount of square footage available to shoppers today. We have stores and opportunities for shopping that we didn’t have 20 years ago. That change has been a component of “clicks and mortar.” The Internet has taken on a new role. You can shop anywhere, anytime, and … it’s really revolutionized shopping, especially in regional markets. There’s really not a retailer that’s not accessible on the Internet. If you want to buy something from Crate and Barrel in Chicago, you hop online and they send it to you. That has revolutionized retail in the last 10 years.

Q: Why move to education?

A: When I moved back to Springfield in 2002, I was really impressed by the growth of colleges and universities in the Springfield market. In fact, when we talk to retailers today and they ask us about our college base in Springfield, we throw the numbers to them and they’re extremely impressed. I have, since I graduated from Missouri State, had a desire to get into higher education as a career, but I had the opportunity to be in mall management. Now, as I looked around, I saw this opportunity as the vice president of administrative services as a terrific way to utilize my 19 years of property management experience and continue to live in this area that my wife, Kelly, and daughter, Brittany, now officially call home.

Q: How will your experience help at OTC?

A: In mall management, our position is multitasking. There are certain key areas – operations, maintenance and housekeeping, public safety, administration, budgeting, financial analysis, construction and renovation – that cross over from retail to education. Community relations are always important, and being on the board at Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce and the (Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau) over the last five years has been a tremendous opportunity to meet those who are growing our community and making those decisions.

Q: Tell us about your family and hobbies.

A: I’m a big sports fan. First and foremost, I love watching my daughter. She swims competitively, has done summer leagues and beyond, and also plays soccer. … I love college and professional sports, a big football fan. And I have to support my Springfield Cardinals.

Interview by Jeremy Elwood.[[In-content Ad]]