Ozarks Profile: Chuck Leighton

Chuck Leighton

President, Top Craft Inc., 2070 E. Pythian, and Stokes Floral Inc., 1650 E. Sunshine. Top Craft, an auto body repair shop, was started in 1980 at 525 N. Prince Lane and moved to its location on Pythian in 1990. Leighton and his business partner of 20 years, Richard Graves, employ 14 at Top Craft and five at Stokes Floral, including Graves' wife, Jeanne Graves, who manages the shop. Stokes Floral was founded in 1952, and Leighton and Graves bought it in August 1998. Leighton is a past president and member of the Ozark Lake Porsche Club, a board member of Big Brothers/Big Sisters, a member of the steering committee for Ozark Greenways, a member of the Springfield Claims Association and an alumni adviser for the Kappa Alpha fraternity at Southwest Missouri State University.

Age: 45

No. of years in Springfield: 27. Leighton moved to Springfield from St. Louis in 1973 to attend SMSU.

Education: Leighton has a bachelor of science degree in education from SMSU and has been through the Dupont Smart Management training program and attended an ADP estimating school for collision repair. "My education in the floral business came from Jeanne Graves at the flower shop," Leighton said.

Early career: Leighton's first job was at Sutton Shore Machine Company. He has also worked at Wheaton Van Lines, Dyke Lumber, Lemonwood Tree, Fire & Ice Bar and for three insurance companies.

Current projects: "I am currently restoring a 1976 MG with my son Tripper, which will be his first car, and preparing a 1975 Porsche 911S for the 45th annual Porsche Parade in Sacramento, Calif.," Leighton said.

Management philosophy: "Be honest, always take care of your customers and the rest will take care of itself."

Spare-time pursuits: "In my spare time I race, show cars and sail on Table Rock Lake. I also like to spend time with my new love, Karen Jolley, and my four boys. Karen shows Missouri Fox Trotters, which is her love besides me, and is currently trying to persuade me to make it my main hobby."

Family data: Leighton has four sons: Tripper, 16; Blake, 13; Spenser, 11 and Chance, 6.