Ozarks Profile

Chief executive officer, Howsmon Distributing Co. Based in Joplin, Howsmon Distributing includes Howsmon's Office Interiors, 3045-L E. Chestnut Expwy., and Howsmon's Office Plus, Howsmon's Business Systems, Howsmon's Office Center and Howsmon's Office Interiors in Joplin. Howsmon's was started in 1963 and provides the Steelcase line of office furniture, which includes products and services designed to help provide customers with "workplaces that work." Howsmon started with the company full-time in 1989. Howsmon serves on the Heritage dealer advisory council for smaller market dealers, as well as the SAS Automation Services board for Steelcase Dealer Automation.

Age: 34

No. of years in Springfield/area: Howsmon has lived in southwest Missouri most of his life.

Education: Howsmon has a bachelor of arts in business administration from the University of Missouri at Columbia.

Early career: Howsmon said he has worked in the office products industry for more than 20 years, and during that time he has worked in every position in his family's business. His primary focus since 1989 has been the contract furniture industry.

Current projects: Howsmon is working on office interiors projects in southwest Missouri, northeast Oklahoma, southeast Kansas and northwest Arkansas.

Management philosophy: "I truly believe our business is here to provide our employees with a vehicle to a better life. We work hard to provide educational opportunities for our employees to continue to learn, grow and continuously improve. I strongly believe in open-book management and encourage our employees to understand the game of business."

Spare-time pursuits: Howsmon likes to play golf and racquetball, and is active with his children, participating in as many of their activities as possible.

Family data: Howsmon and his wife Brenda have two sons, James, 7, and Josh, 5.