Learning through observation: Janet Coleman retires from Dexter Chamber of Commerce

Janet Coleman has been executive director of the Dexter Chamber of Commerce for the past 23 years. She has worn many hats throughout her life, from doing clerical work at a hospital to being a manager at an animal feed manufacturer to being a full-time student, and eventually transitioned to a position with the chamber. Coleman will retire on Dec. 31 and plans to take more time to explore the area she has worked in the past to help grow and flourish.

__Business Today: How did you come to work for the Dexter Chamber of Commerce?__

__Janet Coleman:__ After marriage, my husband and I moved to Rolla, Missouri. I spent the next year working at a CPA's office. We moved back to Dexter and the next two years of my working life were spent at the local hospital learning and doing medical records, insurance billing, accounts payable, payroll, collections and patient admission.

After leaving the hospital, I went to work for a local animal feed manufacturer. Everything I had learned in my previous jobs began to pay off. Within seven years I went from billing clerk to data processing clerk to assistant controller to controller and a member of the management team of a company which was growing by leaps and bounds. ...

In 1991, things began to change for me professionally. The company I worked for sold to an international company, and although my responsibilities were greatly diminished, none of my benefits changed. I knew it was a matter a time before this would change. So after the first six months of transition I approached my boss, the previous owner who was still on board for a two-year transitional period, and asked if I could go part-time. My goal was to at least get my [associate's] degree from Three Rivers College. Over the years I had taken several accounting and management classes at [Southeast Missouri State University] and felt perhaps I could obtain the elusive college degree. This was in the fall of 1990. I remained with the company on a part-time basis through the spring semester of 1991 and then entered the world of the unemployed with hopes I could manage with my savings to get my degree at the end of the spring semester 1992. This required carrying 14 hours during a summer semester -- a tough way to go, especially since one of the classes was biology.

After graduating, I again entered the job market. The pickings were and are slim in Dexter, but one day there was an ad in the paper for an economic development coordinator for the Dexter Chamber of Commerce. I thought, why not? I applied and, to my surprise, I was hired; I am not sure what I did or said to convince the interview panel I could do the job. This was a good job by most standards, but I was placing myself in an awkward position since the income and benefits were considerably lower than my previous position. This was to be expected, although difficult to manage. But -- manage -- that's what I do best. ... [I] remained in that position for almost two years. When the position of executive director opened, I saw an opportunity to combine the two positions and create a more efficient and more stable chamber financially.

__BT: Throughout your time with the chamber, how did you grow as a leader and a person?__

__JC:__ Observation has always been a great teacher for me. I have learned over the years to sit back and listen and, by doing so, I have been able to learn from the many economic developers and chamber executives I have met over the years through organizations such as the Missouri Economic Development Council and the Chamber of Commerce Executives of Missouri. But the best help has always come from the professionals in Southeast Missouri.

__BT: What were your main duties as the director?__

__JC:__ First and foremost is to promote the community and businesses of Dexter, either from the aspect of bringing people to visit or to live in our community and, most certainly, to assist in attracting additional jobs.

__BT: What was one of the biggest challenges you faced?__

__JC:__ The first was learning all the aspects of the field of economic development, since my background was primarily in accounting. My years working for a local feed manufacturer gave me a great background for understanding the needs of manufacturing when it came to industrial recruitment. I must say the ratio of men to women in the field of economic development has changed considerably over the past 23 years, and the first few years offered many opportunities to exercise the art of patience and diplomacy.

__BT: How have you worked to better the city of Dexter and its business community during your time with the chamber?__

__JC:__ First of all, one of the key elements of helping to better the city involves the great relationship between the chamber office and the city administration. The chamber, the mayor, the city administrator and the department heads have always worked together, and that has created a wonderful work atmosphere. One thing I have always tried to be conscious of was how any project or event affects all parties involved, and working toward developing the best solutions for all parties concerned.

__BT: What are your plans after retirement?__

__JC:__ Short term -- just to take a month or so to do all those things around the house I have neglected. Next is to find some type of part-time work that will keep me busy, but with a flexible work schedule. I have told myself I should take time to explore Southeast Missouri and visit all the places I have told people about when enticing them to move to this area.