Jan Horton recipient of Springfieldian Award

Jan Horton, president and chief executive officer of the Community Foundation of the Ozarks, is the 1998 Springfieldian of the Year.

Horton received her award Jan. 23 at the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce's annual meeting.

The Springfieldian Award is given in recognition of an individual's leadership and participation over time in civic affairs, according to a chamber release. The award has been given annually since 1957.

Horton has lived in Springfield since she was 5 years old. She has a long history of volunteer and professional community service, the chamber release said.

Horton was one of the founding members of the organization that would become the Junior League of Springfield. While involved in that organization, Horton was also involved in the start-up of the Girls Club, the Visiting Nurse Association and numerous other community service-related projects.

She serves on the board of directors and advisory boards for numerous other community service-related projects including Springfield Little Theatre, Urban Districts Alliance, Leadership Springfield, Founders Park, Rotary Club of Springfield, St. John's Regional Health Center Advisory Board, Missouri Citizens for the Arts, Greater Ozarks Audubon Society, Missouri Alliance for the Arts Education Steering Committee and KOZK Viewers Advisory Board.

Horton has held a number of positions professionally in the nonprofit sector. She was the corporate support coordinator for Ozarks Public Television and the coordinator of LIFE wellness program for the Burrell Mental Health Center.

In 1988, Horton became the president and CEO of the Community Foundation of the Ozarks. Under her leadership, that organization's total assets have grown from less than $5 million in 1988 to more than $20 million in 1997.

The purpose of the foundation is to make permanent philanthropy possible in the Springfield community, the release states.

Horton received the award from Charlie O'Reilly, 1997's Springfieldian of the Year and chairman of the board of O'Reilly Automotive.

Mary Kay Meek, 1992 Springfieldian Award recipient, said the Community Foundation would not be where it is today without Horton's hard work and dedication.

"Over the years, I have had the privilege of working with Jan Horton in different capacities first as a young inexperienced Junior Leaguer Jan mentored, next as a peer when we worked as volunteer teachers at Kiddie Kove Daycare Center, and more recently as chairman of the Community Foundation.

"Jan has been inspirational in each of these roles. She has the remarkable

ability to engender confidence in the people with whom she works, building trust and inspiring others to a greater de-

gree of involvement," Meek said in the release.

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