People You Should Know

Barbara Buffaloe

Sustainability Manager, City of Columbia

JOB DESCRIPTION: I will begin my position by administering the city block grant awarded by the Department of Energy. The grant focuses on assessing energy savings in city facilities and implementing the changes to improve their efficiency. I will work in close coordination with the city staff involved in this process and other programs related to sustainability. I will also work to develop a sustainability action plan with the cooperation of a steering committee appointed by the City Council. We have many opportunities in which sustainability and economic development will work hand-in-hand, and I cannot wait to start working with leaders in the community on ideas they have.
AGE: 29 YEARS LIVED IN COLUMBIA: This time? My husband and I moved back to Columbia in 2005. I also lived here from 1998 to 2002 while I earned my bachelor’s degree in environmental design from the University of Missouri.
ORIGINAL HOMETOWN: Springfield, Ill.
EDUCATION: I attended the University of Missouri for my undergraduate and graduate degrees. People ask why I didn’t attend the University of Illinois because I am from there. I respond: “Have you been to Columbia? It’s way better than Champaign — but please don’t tell my aunt, who’s a die-hard Illini!”
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: I was chair of the Environment and Energy Commission for the city of Columbia until accepting this position. Other community activities include being the events coordinator for the True/False Film Fest; giving sustainable living presentations for many groups such as the library’s parents group, League of Women Voters, interfaith groups, etc.; and, unfortunately for my personal time, saying “yes” to almost any community group that needs help with something.
PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND: Most recently, I was a housing specialist with MU Extension. In that position, I coordinated our efforts for home energy efficiency and green building education. I really enjoyed the opportunities to speak to different audiences throughout Missouri about options for improving their personal energy usage and incorporating sustainable living behaviors — behaviors that a lot of us already practice but need to remain conscious of. Before returning to Columbia, I was an intern architect for Pyramid Architects in St. Louis.
A FAVORITE RECENT PROJECT: I had the awesome opportunity to be a faculty adviser for the solar decathlon team. The Department of Energy sponsors an international competition in which university teams design and build a completely solar-powered home. It was such an amazing experience to watch these 18- to 22-year-old engineers and designers work together for two years designing, raising money and then building this beautiful home. The competition commenced in October when all teams brought their homes to Washington, D.C., and rebuilt them for contests and tours on the National Mall.
A COLUMBIA BUSINESSPERSON I ADMIRE AND WHY: I admire any business that operates downtown. I adore our downtown and greatly appreciate the businesses that are committed to maintaining its vitality.
WHY I’M PASSIONATE ABOUT MY JOB: The city of Columbia is involved in many fantastic programs to maintain our quality of life, and I love being part of this effort. We are a city that is committed to success while appreciating all of the qualities that make our town special.
IF I WEREN’T DOING THIS FOR A LIVING, I WOULD: Love to be in a band, except for that pesky little detail of no musical talent. I think I can sing, but the truth is I can’t.
BIGGEST CAREER OBSTACLE I’VE OVERCOME AND HOW: Hurdle or obstacle? I have to say being 5 feet tall is an obstacle to some, but I think my personality has helped me overcome that particular hurdle in strides.
WHAT PEOPLE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THIS PROFESSION: Sustainability is more than turning down your thermostat and making fewer trips in the car. We all practice sustainable behaviors every day and don’t need to call ourselves “green” to be improving our community. If you look at some of the other cities that have implemented an office of sustainability, you will be impressed with the impacts those offices have had on local economic development, improved quality of life for all citizens and national recognition for their commitment to sustaining the quality of life for their communities. For instance, the Office of Sustainable Development in Portland, Ore., practices a system of paying it forward in which the savings they accrue are fed right back into the community via grants for new building technologies, improvements to local affordable housing and new businesses that focus on issues such as stormwater management, waste prevention, energy efficiency, etc.
WHAT I DO FOR FUN: There are so many things I enjoy doing for fun: walking and running with Luke and Lola, exploring the shops downtown, watching movies at Ragtag, dinner parties with friends, etc. I’m a social person, but I also enjoy curling up on the couch rereading Lord of the Rings with a glass of wine.
FAMILY: I am married to Luke Buffaloe, a family medicine resident at MU. We have one daughter: a black lab named Lola, who is almost 10.
FAVORITE PLACE IN COLUMBIA: This would have to be Uprise Bakery, Ragtag and Ninth Street Video. I love the renovated space and the variety of businesses at one location.
ACCOMPLISHMENT I’M MOST PROUD OF: Can I be honest and say being selected for this position? I am very proud to be selected from a large group of applicants as the best person to lead the city of Columbia in its commitment to sustainability.
MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW THAT I: Was a Chicago Cubs bat girl for one game when I was 9 years old. I was probably more excited about the free Polaroid camera I won, but I did take a picture of Jody Davis in the dugout with my new camera!