Who are you?
My name is Adam Buckallew. I live in Columbia, Missouri, with my wife, Sarah, and our two children, Brandon (2) and Arden (six months).
How long have you worked with cooperatives?
Just about three and a half years.
Describe your role.
My title is Sr. Media Relations and Communications Specialist. I act as a liaison between MFA Oil Company and the public by delivering communications through a variety of mediums. My primary duties include serving as the editor of Momentum, our corporate magazine for our farmer-owners and customers; managing media relations; and working closely with our management team to disseminate both internal communications to our employees and company news to our external stakeholders. I also handle writing responsibilities for our annual report, executive memos, letters to customers, social media, websites, email newsletters and online reviews.
What’s your favorite thing about working with cooperatives?
I admire the mutually beneficial relationship cooperatives share with their member-owners and I appreciate the opportunity to work on behalf of our farmers.
When did you join CCA? Why?
I joined in 2016 because I wanted to network with other cooperative communicators and learn how what they do to be effective. I had no prior experience with cooperatives, so CCA has been a great resource.
Did anything surprise you about CCA?
I was taken aback by how welcoming CCA members are to new members. I received several emails from members introducing themselves when I first joined and another round of emails when I signed up to attend my first CCA Institute. The way newcomers are embraced is fantastic.
What’s been your favorite thing about CCA so far?
Definitely the Institutes. They are valuable opportunities for professional development and to share ideas with fellow communicators. I’ve learned a lot from them already.
What are your hobbies and interests?
Playing with my kids, exploring mid-Missouri with my wife, rooting for the Missouri Tigers, Kansas City Chiefs and Kansas City Royals sports teams, board games, reading fantasy novels, and travel.
Do you have a “bucket list”? What are some of the things on that list?
My wife and I have a list of travel destinations that we would like to visit. Some of the locations include the Florida Keys, the Grand Canyon, Peru, Norway, Australia, India, and many others.
Tell us something about yourself that is surprising or that most people don’t know.
Ever since I learned about the difficulty bees and butterflies have had in recent years, I’ve been working to establish habitat for pollinators in my home’s landscaping. I’ve started planting milkweed and native plants to provide the food and habitat needed to sustain these valuable species. I really enjoy working outside and doing my part to aid the recovery of pollinators.
