Ozarks Profile: Allen Kunkel

Tell us about your organization.

The Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce is a primary advocate for business in the Springfield area and has taken a lead role in regional economic development. The Ozarks Regional Economic Partnership is a program of the chamber, in cooperation with Associated Electric Cooperative Inc. and partner members throughout the 10-county Ozarks region. Formed in 1999, the partnership comprises 60 cities, counties and chambers working together to promote economic prosperity. The partnership is committed to regional economic development, believing it to be critical to the long-term economic and social well-being of the Ozarks. This commitment is built on protecting and reinforcing individual identities through regional cooperation.

What is your job?

As manager of regional development, I assist member organizations with business retention and expansion efforts, as well as help market the region to attract new jobs and capital investment. This allows me to become involved with a wide range of community and economic development projects depending on each member's development goals and objectives. I am also responsible for educating and collaborating with partners on local development issues, creating strategic alliances and building consensus on regional issues.

What are some of the biggest challenges in regional development?

One of the biggest challenges in successful regional development is to maintain a high level of trust and communication among the member organizations in the region. A related challenge is to ensure all member organizations buy into the overall concept of a regional economy. If one community is able to achieve a new company location or expansion, other communities in the region also will benefit. A sense of regionalism, a commitment to communication and earned trust are foundations to successful regional economic development.

What's most rewarding about your job?

The most rewarding aspects of my job are the diversity of people I get to work with ... and the organizations in which they are involved. Each community has a unique personality, which brings both challenges and rewards. In addition to the great people, I also get to work on many different types of community and economic development projects.

Tell us about your educational and career background.

I began my career with a regional planning commission in southern Iowa, which allowed me to utilize my degree in community and regional planning from Iowa State University. I soon realized that community and economic development was a match for my interest in helping build better communities. I relocated to Missouri in 1992 with my soon-to-be wife Karen. While with the Missouri Department of Economic Development, I worked with communities all over the state on various community and economic development projects and needs. While with the Department of Economic Development, I was received a master of public administration degree at the University of Missouri. We moved to Springfield in fall 1999.

What can you tell us about your family?

I am married to the love of my life, Karen, and have two boys, Logan, 3, and Braden, 4 months. Karen has delayed her career in consumer sciences to be a full-time mother. We will celebrate eight years of marriage in September.

If you could choose another career, what would it be?

I always thought I wanted to try city management, but I have come to realize that economic development is my calling. I love what I do and where I do it.