Executive Summary: Positive attitude, doing the right thing important to Jeter

Editor’s note: The Fort Smith Metro Daily News Executive Summary series is focused on looking under the title, so to speak, of a business, government, and non-profit executive in the Fort Smith metro.

John Jeter (pronounced “Jetter” rhyming with “better”) enters his 30th season as music director and conductor of the Fort Smith Symphony. He is a Grammy-nominated conductor and recording artist for Naxos Records. His tenure with the Fort Smith Symphony has been recognized for significant artistic growth and community involvement of the organization.

With more than 10 million streams and regular international airings of Jeter’s recordings, the Fort Smith Symphony is one of the most listened to orchestras based in a smaller community in the United States.

Jeter has conducted numerous orchestras in the United States and Europe. His nine commercial albums have been catalysts in the rediscovery of the music of the Dean of African American composers, William Grant Still; the first African American female concert composer, Florence Beatrice Price and the first Indigenous American concert composer, Louis Wayne Ballard.

A former private pilot and military aviation enthusiast, Jeter is an honorary commander of the 85th Fighter Group based at Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Fort Smith.

• What was your first job and what did it teach you?
I was a very good visual artist during my teenage years. I did quite a bit of commercial art in my teens. It was a fun job until customers asked me to change designs/drawings that I had worked on for days (this is pre computer graphics). I ultimately learned how to be flexible with projects and to always have the larger picture in mind.

• What is a principle or value on which you never compromise?
Hopefully, being kind, fair, humble, credible and approachable.

• What’s one belief you held strongly 10+ years ago that you’ve changed your mind about?
I have always enjoyed all types of music but I think I have come to appreciate more and more literally all types of music and enjoy the expressive and emotional range that genres like pop, rock and country can achieve with wonderful artists.

• If you could change one thing about the Fort Smith metro, what would it be?
Imagine a revitalized historic downtown Fort Smith. Nice shops, restaurants, a built up riverfront. I know, know, it would cost literally a billion dollars but you asked!

• Can you describe your vision for cultivating a vibrant, attractive community or organizational culture?
Ideally a vision that is about the right thing to do, that serves people and their quality of life first. I think a positive attitude plays a huge part in this. Hard work, idealism (with some practically in reserve) and a vision that is complete which includes the “how” to make it happen.

• What was the last thing you did for the first time?
Fly fishing on the White River. Yes, I did catch a few fish.

• What qualities or approaches do you value most when collaborating with diverse stakeholders or team members?
As simple as it sounds, people who are great at their jobs, down to earth, personable, easy to work with and who want positive results.

• What is your favorite streaming series, and/or what streaming series are you now watching?
I listen to podcasts when on the road. I really like the “Diary of a CEO” with Steven Bartlett. He began the podcast interviewing CEO’s about what makes them successful but the show has expanded greatly covering world events and quite a bit of coverage about the future of AI.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY SUBJECTS
Following are the links to previous posts in the Executive Summary series.
ArcBest Chair and CEO Judy McReynolds
Fort Smith Mayor George McGill
BHC President and CEO Marty Clark
Maryl Koeth Purvis, director of the Van Buren Advertising and Promotion Commission
University of Arkansas at Fort Smith Chancellor Dr. Terisa Riley
Fort Smith Public Library Director Jennifer Goodson
Bill Hanna, president, CEO, board chairman, Hanna Oil & Gas
Rodney Shepard, regional executive for Arvest Bank’s southwest region
Fort Smith Police Chief Danny Baker
Dr. Sandy Johnson, co-founder of Johnson Dermatology
Kyle Parker, president and CEO, Arkansas Colleges of Health Education
Melissa Curry, CEO, Methodist Village Senior Living
Michael Barr, president, Fort Smith-based WeatherBarr Windows and Doors
Sebastian County Judge Steve Hotz
Julie Murray, president and CEO, Van Buren Chamber of Commerce