Opinion: SBJ readers select their respected colleagues

The point is to recognize these individuals for demonstrating quality character traits, in hopes that it rubs off on others in our community. After all, that’s the intent of the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce’s Character Ed campaign, which in October will focus on the word “responsible.” With that, I again ask SBJ readers to submit the names and examples of professionals they know who exemplify this trait. Please send the names of your “responsible” cohorts to eolson@sbj.net.

Character Ed examples of “respect”

Person who exemplifies respect at work: Carrie Hauer

Company, title: UMB Bank, executive assistant

Submitted by: Sandy Terrell

How does Hauer exemplify respect?

“When thinking upon the Character Ed word of the month, respect, it instantly brought to mind Carrie Hauer. Hauer always has positive words for everyone. She is a living example of how you earn respect from others. I look up to her as someone I truly respect.”

Person who exemplifies respect at work: Aaron Jernigan

Company, title: BancorpSouth Mortgage, senior vice president

Submitted by: Adam Swenka

How does Jernigan exemplify respect?

“As a manager of more than 15 other loan officers and processors, Jernigan has been instrumental in positioning BancorpSouth Mortgage. … Mortgage Originator magazine (has) ranked Jernigan and his office as one of the Top 200 mortgage originating offices in the country four out of the last six years. Every aspect of the mortgage lending business is Jernigan’s passion. Jernigan’s clients, business partners, and employees respect his accomplishments and work ethic.”

Person who exemplifies respect at work: Jeff Rogers

Company, title: Glendale High School, head soccer coach

Submitted by: Jacqueline Rogers

How does Rogers exemplify respect?

“Jeff Rogers has been the head soccer coach at Glendale High School, going on 20 years. His devotion to his players is unwavering. He runs a very competitive program (and) recently hit a milestone achievement with his 500th career win. A Web site was created by parents to honor him for this benchmark: www.jeffrogers500.com.

“I think if you read the posts, (more than 100 of them), you will see firsthand real-life experiences of respect. To me, it is evident that players and parents alike respect Jeff not as much for the victories as for the impact he has made on the youth of our community. I believe it stems from the fact that he respects his players as young people first. They, in turn, respect him and want to play their best for him.

“Jeff loves to win like any other coach, but he understands the motivation of the player is to see them as the unique individuals they are, focusing on their strengths, and developing them to their fullest potential – both on and off the field. For this, as a husband, a father, and a coach, he has my utmost respect.”

Person who exemplifies respect at work: Don Ackerman

Company, title: TelComm Credit Union, president/CEO

Submitted by: Lori Johnson

How does Ackerman exemplify respect?

“Don Ackerman is a CEO who exemplifies the word respect as he always tries to be considerate of others’ thoughts, feelings, needs, etc. He does not ask any employees to do anything he is not willing to do himself – you can often find him picking up trash in the drive-through lanes or pulling weeds at one of the branch offices in a shirt and tie. Don makes a point to understand how a member may interpret a situation and tries to keep the member first when making decisions that affect our credit union.”

Thank you to all who submitted information, and I look forward to receiving examples of “responsible” professionals during the month of October.

SBJ Salutes Character Ed

The Character Ed word for October is “responsible.”

Who in your workplace best exemplifies this quality character trait?

Send an e-mail to eolson@sbj.net with the person’s name, title, employer and a brief example of the trait at work.

Responses will be published in upcoming Opinion pages.

Eric Olson, Springfield Business Journal Editor, can be reached at eolson@sbj.net.[[In-content Ad]]