John Taylor

Chief Operating Officer

John was no stranger to Askinosie Chocolate when he began work as the company's Chief Operating Officer in 2016. Having worked down the street at Drury University for 15 years prior, he learned early on about the company and the social mission programmed into its operations. In 2009, John had the opportunity to see this mission in action when Drury joined in partnership with Askinosie and Springfield Public Schools to launch Chocolate University, which leads high school students on an educational and experiential journey of a lifetime to Tanzania, one of Askinosie's origin countries.

As Drury's faculty coordinator for the program, John worked with students to build team cohesion and to lead in-class preparation for their trip. During the trip itself, John led farmer training designed to help them implement aspects of their 10-year vision, and he worked directly with middle-school students in Mababu to help them craft visions of greatness for themselves.

Now our Chief Operating Officer, John has grown even more familiar, and more fond, of the way in which Askinosie translates its mission into daily operations. In his role, John helps implement company strategies and complete major projects, side-by-side with some of the most creative, motivated and determined people he's ever met.

With degrees in German Linguistics and Business Administration, experience in the classroom and in university administration, and work in both the for-profit and the non-profit industry, John takes the title Jack of all Trades as a high compliment. In his spare time, John volunteers as treasurer for Westminster Presbyterian Church and the Springfield Regional Opera. He also loves spending evenings and weekends with his family at swim meets, 5K runs and out in the garden, where there's always something new to discover.