2020 40 Under 40: Andy Peebles, 31

Andy Peebles is up for a challenge. An attorney by trade, during his first year with the Greene County Estate Planning Council’s board he took on the intricate project of drafting new bylaws and membership procedures.

He also has a passion for helping at-risk children. As chair of the Big Brothers Big Sisters advisory board, he helped craft, plan and implement a new fundraising event last year. He serves on the Great Futures Committee of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Springfield. Peebles is a graduate of Leadership Springfield Class 36 and is heavily involved with the Springfield Metropolitan Bar Association.

What are you doing to make the Ozarks better? Volunteering with organizations that are focused on supporting children. I truly believe most of the negative issues we face today (poverty, homelessness, domestic violence, drug abuse, etc.) can be resolved by investing in our children at an early age, and stressing the fact that they are important, valued and have unlimited possibilities ahead of them.

What about your job would shock people? Estate planning is not just for the wealthy! Everybody needs a plan in place to protect their family and their assets.

What was your professional aha moment? Trust in your training. Starting a new job can be intimidating and (especially as a young professional) doubts about your competence can creep in early on. I learned to have confidence in the years I spent training in law school and being mentored by incredible attorneys.