Ozarks Profile - Betty Lorton

What is your job?

Betty Lorton is the regional business specialist for the University of Missouri Outreach and Extension, Springfield office. "I provide entrepreneurial and career planning programming for adults, especially emphasizing women's programs," she said.

Please tell us about your company.

Lorton said that University Outreach and Extension is a tax-supported education service with offices in all 114 counties of Missouri. "It started in 1912 and extends the land-grant university resources to citizens across the state."

What prepared you for work in your business?

Lorton has a doctorate in business and vocational education from the University of Arkansas. She has taught business at the University of Arkansas, Southwest Missouri State University and other institutions. She also has had her own business in career consulting and government contracting. "I was especially honored this year to receive the SBA Women in Business Advocate of the Year Award," she said. "Co-sponsoring the Women's Day Symposium with SBA & SCORE has been the highlight of my career. Over 200 women participated."

What effect do you see the changing economy has on your field?

Lorton said that as people become concerned about their jobs or feel their advancement opportunities limited, they often turn to self-employment. "Entrepreneurs create the majority of new jobs," she said. "In 1998, there were 126,400 business with employees and 222,000 self-employed people, for a rough total of 348,400 Missouri businesses. Ninety-seven percent of these are small business or self-employed. Women-owned businesses and home-based businesses are the highest growth sector, and that is where I spend a great deal of my programming time."

What trends, if any, do you see developing in your field?

"Technology, technology, technology," Lorton said. "More Web-based and computer instruction; more telecommunications. ... Technology offers amazing possibilities for education and for business development. An excellent Web site developed by UOE ... is www.ums1.edu/~smallbus." Lorton also cites recent large increases in racial diversity in the region with the influx of Hispanic, Asian and other minority populations. "We reach out to that audience as much as possible and welcome them to participate," she said.

What's the best part of your job?

"Working with motivated people, learning from practitioners and working together for the best possible solutions for individual and community development.

Can you tell us something about your personal life and family?

"My two daughters, Liz and Julee, live in California," Lorton said. "We are best friends and one another's staunchest supporters. My family and friends are the most precious part of my life.

How do you like to spend your leisure time?

"I'm blessed to live on the banks of the Finley and enjoy all that the outdoors has to offer," Lorton said. "I read, research, write, ponder many issues, and stay in constant touch with nature's beauty and wonder."

by Frank Shipe