What's Your Favorite?
A chat with Springfield's new city manager, Greg Burris.
Greg Burris worked at Missouri State University for 25 years before moving into his role as City Manager of the City of Springfield. Although he left with the title of Vice-President for Administrative and Information Services, he had a more haphazard start, interviewing for a junior computer programmer position in shorts and a T-shirt. “I’m sitting in the old Bear’s Den,” explains Burris, “and one of my professors walks by and says, ‘You have a job interview in 30 minutes.’” Burris explains that his route upward at MSU was anything but traditional. “There are not a lot of people who come up through technology and end up being in charge of roads and commodes.” But that’s not too surprising to hear about Burris. After all, he’s the one who beat out two other finalists for the city manager position who were serving as city managers.
There is an unconventional energy about Burris. He is an avid guitarist who still plays his Fender Strat. He was once in Green Bay on business when the hosts had a luxury suite for a Packers game, but out of all the guests it was Burris who chose to sit in the bleachers. “It was raining, misting, miserable and cold,” says Burris. “It was just freezing, and I loved it.”
Yet what appears to define Burris is that unconventional energy mixed with a very traditional work ethic. Burris cherishes hard work and was happily impressed when he saw it in abundance amongst the city staff upon arrival. “I’m impressed by their dedication,” observes Burris.
Burris’s passion is exceedingly evident when talking about the brand-new JQH arena that he helped to completion every step of the way until his departure from Missouri State. “I kept preaching, ‘This one has got to have soul,’” he says. “It was a real true team effort, which is why it’s turned out so neat. It’s got a little bit of everybody.”
What’s Your Favorite…
Surprise about working for the city?
“The people. The graciousness of the people.”
Memory from Missouri State?
“One thing that really blew me away was my farewell reception. The turnout for that was unbelievable. That really touched me.”
Band?
“Dada. I’ve got everything they’ve released, including their bootleg. I’m probably the only city manager in America whose favorite band is Dada.”
Guitar accessory?
“I just bought this new guitar effects pedal that’s shaped like a red kidney bean or jelly bean. So they’ve started nicknaming me Jelly Bean.”
Thing that the city does particularly well?
“I think we as Ozarkians have a real strong work ethic. There’s a sense of service to others, a sense of pulling yourself up by your own bootstraps. Work hard, nothing is free, you work for everything. I think that’s one thing that we probably take for granted that is exemplified in the city staff.”
Fact about Uruguay?
“That it’s not Paraguay.”
Thing about Christmas?
“I think it’s that moment when I get to wake up my daughter on Christmas morning.”
Winter activity?
“I’m a football fanatic. Watching football when it’s cold outside. Even if it’s cold outside, figuring out a way to drag the TV outside and sit out in the cold.”
Thing about JQH Arena?
“The branding. The soul. It’s not a standard basketball arena.”
Hairstyle of yours in the ’80s?
“Believe it or not, back when I had hair I had long hair halfway down my back. I was working at the university and drove my director at the time crazy. So there are pictures out there floating around of me with a ponytail and long hair.”
Color of grapes?
“I have to go with green because green is my favorite color.”
Type of headwear?
“I like hats. I’ve got my Cardinal hats, my Missouri State hats, my Green Bay Packers hats, and my Kansas City Chiefs hats. Usually if I’m out doing something, typically I’m in one of those. I also recently bought a felt fedora. In the winter I like to wear that.”
