Jensen: “It’s important to serve your community.”

TOM PINNEY/DAILY FORUM
Brandon Jensen and Dustin Wolters remove a door from its foundation to replace it with a newer-framed door. Jensen is an agent with United Country Real Estate and owns and operates his own construction business.

While Brandon Jensen didn’t always know what he wanted to do with the rest of his life, he knew what he didn’t want to do.

“I grew up in Stanberry and knew that my father was a welder,” Jensen said. “I knew I didn’t want to do that, but I don’t think I ever really had a plan for what I did want to do.”

Jensen graduated from Stanberry R-II High School in 1998 and completed a two-year certificate in auto body repair at North Central Community Center in Bethany, Missouri. After only eight months in a body shop, Jensen also knew that auto body repair wasn’t right.

But the moment you’re least expecting something is the moment you find it. While working in construction, Jensen found it.

“I just kind of fell in love with construction,” Jensen said. “It was perfect for me, and in December of 2002, I started my own construction business.”

2002 was a big year for Jensen, as he moved to Maryville and got married to his wife, Jennifer, in June of that year. After some time, Jensen became a realtor with United Country Real Estate.

He first worked as the agent in charge of northwest Missouri, but around three years ago, joined the Twaddle Realty agency. He said he enjoys being his own boss.

“At some point I thought I might want to just focus on realty,” Jensen said. “But I love construction too much to ever really give it up.”

In addition to building and selling houses, Jensen is involved with the Maryville Host Lions and serves as an elder at Countryside Christian Church in Maryville. He also recently joined the Maryville Public Safety Fire Division as a volunteer firefighter, which he said was also a dream of his.

“It’s important to serve your community,” Jensen said. “I love being in the position I’m in because I get to serve the community and the people in it all the time.”

Jensen said he spends his off-time hunting, fishing, golfing or with his family. He said every once in a while, he and his family go camping, where he also can hunt and fish.

When asked for advice, Jensen said that it is important to err toward honesty.

“You have to be honest and treat people fairly, as you would want to be treated,” Jensen said. “When you think about what you’re doing and why you’re doing it, I’ve learned in my life that when you’re honest, truthful and up-front about everything, you just live better.”

Editor’s Note

This story is part of a weekly series highlighting “Everyday Heroes.” In this weekly segment, the Daily Forum takes a look at people who work tirelessly to make Maryville a great place to live. If you have a suggestion for someone who you feel should be featured, please contact us via email at [email protected] or call the Forum at 660-562- 2424.