Power Profile: Carolyn Chrisman, Executive Director, K-REDI

Teaching and economic development may appear to be very different fields. Not so, says Carolyn Chrisman, Kirksville’s director of economic development.

Chrisman made the transition about eight years ago and found firsthand that there is a lot of crossover between the professions. She has drawn on her experiences and skills from teaching and applied them as Kirksville’s economic development guru.

“The skills for the professions bleed over very well,” said Chrisman. “One example was the focus on workforce development before COVID-19. Coming from an educator’s world, I understand what they have on their plates and the mandates they have to abide by, which allowed me to know who to talk to and how to have the conversation of working with local companies.”

She also noted both professions have a focus on relationships. For education, it is relationships with students, parents, and other faculty. For economic development, it is relationships with businesses and companies, the governing board, and utility partners.

Another skill that has come in handy for Chrisman is the ability to disseminate information in an understandable and relatable way. As a teacher, a vital skill was being able to break down complex subjects to the level of the students and make the subject interesting. Now, instead of a school subject, Chrisman is communicating about incentives and industries.

Even with the crossover, the transition was still an adjustment — particularly about the perspective. Chrisman used the analogy, “In education, it is really about the individual trees. In economic development, it is about the whole forest.”

“It took some getting used to, the different speeds of life,” Chrisman said, adding that she thoroughly enjoys her job. “I was born and raised here. I get to help my community every day.”

In her tenure in economic development, Missouri’s second dental school was opened in her region, a food processor expanded its facility, the number of jobs has increased, and a wind farm is under construction.

A huge component of economic development is energy infrastructure, Chrisman noted.

“When Kraft Heinz decided to build on and add 50,000 square feet to the facility, they became the sole producer of baloney in North America for Oscar Mayer. So, if we have a major storm come through, there has to be enough redundancy in the grid because they can’t go offline, they can’t stop operating,” Chrisman said.

“Ameren Missouri has really been a good partner for us. They have always been responsive and willing to assist,” she continued. “Before this, Ameren Missouri was the company I wrote a check to so that my lights came on when I flipped a switch. But I have found they are much more community-minded and truly appreciate them for that.”

For Chrisman, her community is everything. It’s where she plans to live and raise her children. She enjoys visiting other places but never plans on moving anywhere else.

“When I am not busy doing economic development, I am busy at home raising two boys and two girls (all under 6 years of age) and loving every minute of it,” Chrisman said.