Still at work

Jan Horton is former president and CEO of the Community Foundation of the Ozarks.

She said her day is still busy with many of the things she loved doing prior to her 2003 retirement.

“Every day there is something on the calendar. Usually at least three or four things, but they are things that I cherish,” Horton said.

These days, Horton is president emeritus for CFO, but she’s plenty busy with several other organizations.

Horton is the chairperson of the Jordan Valley Park advisory committee and serves on several boards – Urban Districts Alliance, Junior League of Springfield and the Greater Ozarks Audubon Society. She also serves on the Power Supply Task Force.

When she first retired, Horton said she expected to find different ways to serve the community, but she discovered a love for similar things.

“I found that I enjoyed working with others on community issues in much the same way as I did in the work force,” she said.

While her list of commitments is long, Horton said she has still has time to travel and relax.

“My schedule is not as intense as it was. Once in a while I get to sleep a little later in the mornings, and once in a while I get to put my feet up in the afternoons; so it’s a little slower pace but not much,” Horton said. “One of the big things about retirement is that I relish the freedom to travel and have been able to increase my birding activities.”

Since retiring, Horton traveled to Texas on a bird-watching trip, to San Francisco to visit her grandchild, and to Tlaquepaque, Mexico, as part of Springfield’s sister city exchange.

Bill Reser, who retired in 1995 from his post as senior vice president and chief marketing officer for Empire Bank, said that having scheduled activities and staying active is important for any retiree.

“The key to a good retirement is having something to do,” Reser said. “I have a calendar like I did when I was working. The only difference is I keep it in my desk at home rather than carry it in my pocket. I live by that (calendar). My life is still somewhat structured, even though I am retired.”

Reser said that in his retirement, he’s been able to sort out his own priorities and decide how to spend his time giving back to the community.

“When I was involved at the bank, naturally, I was involved in a lot of things that they wanted me to be involved in. Now I choose what to do, ” he said.

Reser serves on the board for the Community Blood Center of the Ozarks, the Board of Governors for Shriners Hospital in St. Louis and the Citizens Advisory Council for City Utilities. He also volunteers with CoxHealth and is very involved with Boys and Girls Town of Missouri, serving as the president of the board of trustees in Springfield and on the state board as well.

“The best thing about retiring is knowing that you can spend all day helping others,” Reser said.

Second careers

Sometimes, though, retirees find themselves embarking on new professional journeys after closing one career chapter.

Tony Shalloup, who retired from City Utilities in May after 32 years with the company, is entering the banking industry, with plans to start a new gig Aug. 1 in

business development with Regions Bank.

“I never felt like I was retired, … it just seemed like really nice time off,” he said.

Shalloup said he enjoyed his work with CU, but he also likes the excitement and challenges that will come with his new position.

“I was very fortunate to have several companies approach me with some other options and I was very thrilled about that,” Shalloup said.

During his short time off, Shalloup traveled to Roswell, N.M., Charlotte, N.C., and Baltimore.

And even though he’s headed back to work, he expects to continue spending time working with several groups, including Developmental Center of the Ozarks, Springfield Public Schools Foundation, the advisory board for Drury University men’s basketball, Special Olympics, Downtown Kiwanis and the United Way Day of Caring committee.

Shalloup said he’s not setting a time limit for when he’ll retire from his latest endeavors.

“I know people who are very active up in their mid-80s,” he said.

Adjusting

Whether a retiree is planning to enjoy volunteering or heading back to work, both Reser and Horton have advice to offer.

“If you are used to putting on a tie and suit every day, like I was, occasionally do that; stay in the habit. It’s OK to dress up,” Reser said.

Horton said that it takes time and discipline to adjust to fewer work hours, but the freedom will be refreshing to those who are ready.

“After two years I am starting to shed that anxiety of there being something undone,” Horton said. “It may take awhile to get adjusted; give yourself time to see what it feels like before making any big changes.”

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