David Burton

I will work closely with the organization booking me to make sure that what I present meets their needs. I can do a number of different types of programs and have co-workers who can join in to create very credible employee training programs. So it depends on your choice of topic and format. Many of the programs are hands on but not all. My one-room school presentation is mostly slides and a formal talk followed by a Q&A and personal reflection time with the audience. Additional topics can be developed by using my extension network of specialists and educators with University of Missouri Extension.

The leadership training and supervisory certificate programs I help with are examples of this team work.

For example, I can coordinate a training to help an organization build the leadership capacity among its employees. Being a leader means having the desire to make a difference and having the will to get the job done. Do you want to make a meaningful contribution and be involved in exciting work that inspires and empowers others to lead?

The Leadership Series, under the direction of University of Missouri Extension, offers top-notch training for managers and leaders in all industries including government, for-profit and non-profit organizations.

Graduates from the leadership programs report “leadership programs provide tools to help engage in healthy conflict that may promote creativity and innovation, rather than allowing conflict to escalate resulting in problems.”

A recent graduate reported, “I am able to focus more on team members and be sympathetic to their ideas and needs, rather than doing it all myself. I am more mindful about fostering team skills and more aware that the leaders and members have a common mission. The leadership training has helped me to understand how to lead staff in each stage we go through.”

I can also do a supervisory series of classes, in partnership with other specialists, as part of an employee training program.

David is a civic communication specialist for University of Missouri Extension and is headquartered in Springfield, Mo.

As a civic communication specialist, Burton assists members of the news media, individuals, and communities in gaining a better understanding of local issues.

Born and raised in Ash Grove, Mo., David is proud to call the Ozarks home. His degrees include:
• master's degree in integrated marketing and communication, Drury University (2001)
• bachelor’s degree in political science and journalism, Drury University (1988)

For five years, David was the managing editor of a weekly newspaper that had a circulation of over 7,000. During his tenure he:
• received 12 writing awards from the Missouri Press Association; and
• was named Top Young Weekly Editor Award from the International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors (1992).

Since joining MU Extension in 2001, David has received the following statewide awards:
• “Innovative Program of the Year” (2004) for Southwest Region News Service;
• Leader of “Team of the Year” (2006) for Southwest Region News Service;
• “Innovative Program of the Year” (2011) for Using Social Media in Disaster Response;
• Leader of “Team of the Year” (2012) for Joplin Tornado Recovery Team;
• National Education Technology Award (2013), social media in disaster response;
• Carl N. Scheneman Excellence in Teaching Award (2014);
• “Innovative Program of the Year” (2016) for his use of the Great Game of Business; and
• County Program Director of the Year (2016) for his work in Greene County.

David is a prolific writer of both fiction and non-fiction.
• Since 1999 he has earned over 14 awards from the Springfield Writer’s Guild and Missouri Writer’s Guild for fiction;
• He is the author of six books including, “Missouri Directory of Historic and One-Room Schools,” “A History of One-Room Schools in Greene County, Mo,” and “Newswriting for the Non-Journalist;” and
• Since 2001, he has written the weekly “Agriculture in the Ozarks” column for the Springfield News-Leader, “Ask the Master Gardener” in the Springfield News-Leader and the weekly “Live and Learn” column in the Greene County Commonwealth, among other columns for other publications.

David’s writings on the news media, media bias, and other current civic issues have appeared in numerous magazines and professional journals. He and his wife live in Republic, Mo., with their two children and are active in their church, Ridgecrest Baptist Church, of Springfield, Mo.