Forty Under 40: Kristifier Paxton

Kristifier Paxton’s mantra is, “If you give me six hours to chop down a tree, I’ll spend the first three sharpening my axe.” Paxton’s axe is sharp with a degree in 2010 from the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith in computer-aided drafting and design (CADD) — architectural, an undergrad in 2012 and master’s in 2015, both in geographic information systems (GIS) from Post University. He is finishing his public administration doctoral degree from Liberty University.

From Ozark, he’s worked for the city of Van Buren as the GIS and IT coordinator, for the city of Springdale as technical service manager and senior project designer, and as development compliance manager for the city of Rogers before moving to director of planning and development for the city of Conway. In 2023, he became Siloam Springs’ director of community development, responsible for all department operations, hiring, budgeting and processes for administration, building, engineering, planning, district courts, taxis, inspections, licensing and permitting.

Paxton works with developers and businesses to ensure the city board’s goals are achieved in a manner friendly to the business and development communities and to facilitate city growth.

On Fayetteville’s Planning Commission, his greatest achievement was working on the city’s 71B corridor plan.

A certified floodplain manager, Paxton is proud of writing new code and laws that dramatically impacted stormwater management and the environment. He’s good at reforming and creating programs to expedite processes and avoid slowing development.

A member of the American Planning Association, the American Public Works Association and the Arkansas Floodplain Management Association, he’s a certified FEMA Hazus Multi-Hazard Flooding Professional.