Executive Director, MIZZOU Flagship Council

AGE: 57

YEARS LIVED IN COLUMBIA: 32

ORIGINAL HOMETOWN: Carrollton, Ill.

EDUCATION: Bachelor’s degree in economics and master’s degree in agricultural economics, plus postgraduate work in economics—all from Missouri’s flagship University: MU.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: Co-chair of Columbia’s Vision Committee; co-chair of the Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Committee; member of Chamber of Commerce Women’s Network Steering Committee; and member of Leadership Columbia 2006.

PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND: Previous vice chair/commissioner for the Missouri Public Service Commission; manager of research and evaluation for the Missouri Department of Social Service; chief telecommunication economist for the Office of the Public Counsel.

A COLUMBIA BUSINESSPERSON I ADMIRE: My husband, Robert L. Drainer. As an entrepreneur, he started Triple B Doors Inc. 25 years ago with two business partners. As the company’s manager, he has developed it into the best wholesale commercial door business in the Midwest, known for its excellent customer service and integrity.

LAST BOOK I READ: Mao: The Unknown Story by Jung Chang and Jon Halliday

WHEN I WAS A CHILD I WANTED TO GROW UP TO BE: Content.

HOW I GOT INVOLVED IN THE MIZZOU FLAGSHIP COUNCIL AND IN THE COLUMBIA VISION PROCESS: The MIZZOU Flagship Council is the perfect opportunity to commit myself in assisting Missouri’s flagship university to maintain its position as the state’s premier research and teaching university. And volunteering to be an active member of Columbia’s Vision Committee team allows me an excellent opportunity to give back to a community that has given so much to my family and me.

BIGGEST CAREER OBSTACLE I’VE OVERCOME AND HOW: I have always believed that obstacles are really opportunities to develop creative successful solutions; working with many teams through the years has resulted in numerous successful solutions. However, personally, the major career obstacle I faced out of high school was not having a college degree. I am a strong advocate for the doors that higher education opens to each of us.

ADVICE TO SOMEONE IN THIS FIELD: Bottom line, career should be based on contributing to family, community and personal growth. Never stop learning something new each and every day.

WHAT I DO FOR FUN: Always have two or three books to read and spend time with my large extended family and friends.

FAMILY: My husband of 38 years, Robert; my son, Ron, his wife, Holly, and their three outstandingly beautiful (of course) daughters, Samantha, Allison and Melissa; my mother, mother- and father-in law; and lots of fun sisters, nieces and nephews.

FAVORITE WAY TO SPEND A SATURDAY MORNING: On my John Deere, attempting to control Mother Nature. And just taking in the changing Missouri scenery.

ACCOMPLISHMENT I’M MOST PROUD OF: I am proud and humbled to be asked to be a part of so many important community activities, such as the MIZZOU Flagship Council, the Columbia Chamber of Commerce and the Columbia Vision Committee.

MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW THAT I: Am an introvert. And I named Triple B Doors for the three business partners: Bob, Bruce and Buster.