2007 40 Under 40 Honoree: Kristee Buff

In four and a half years at American National Property and Casualty Co., Kristee Buff has risen through the ranks to the position of human resources director.

She said her proudest professional accomplishment, however, was being selected to serve on the Board of Overseers for the Excellence in Missouri Foundation’s Missouri Quality Award.

“This gives me the opportunity to share knowledge and best practices with organizations throughout southwest Missouri,” she said. “I have met with several organizations discussing quality and ANPAC's quality journey. In addition, I have recruited several examiners for the Missouri Quality Award Board of Examiners.”

Buff is a champion for ANPAC’s quality initiatives and serves on many cross-functional teams. She has been instrumental in developing many companywide programs, but she also focuses on her own continued professional development.

“I am always striving to improve myself, the HR department and the overall organization,” Buff said, citing the earning of her Master in Business Administration degree and Professional in Human Resources certification.

Buff actively shares her knowledge, not just through work and the Quality award, but as a guest speaker at Missouri State University, Drury University, Evangel University and Webster University.

She also stays busy with her family, which includes husband Ancel, stepson Tim, 18, and stepdaughter Karlye, 14.

In the next few years, Buff plans to continue her work at ANPAC and being a voice for the HR industry.

“Being a member of the Society of Human Resource Management and American Society of Training and Development provides me the forum to voice my opinion of HR issues that affect business operations to the legislature,” Buff said.

Stats

Position: Director, Human Resources, American National Property and Casualty Co.

Age: 36

Favorite professional sports team: St. Louis Cardinals

A quote to live by: “Hope is not a strategy.”