Hometown: Long Lane, Mo.
Family: Wife Ilene, daughter Kelsey and son Hayden
In Town: A native of Dallas County, Mo., and a graduate of Buffalo High School, Ricky Rose graduated from Missouri State University with a bachelor’s in agricultural business: finance and management.
“The timing of my graduation in finance was tough as we were in the 2007-20808 recession and getting a job at a bank was extremely tough,” Ricky said. “I found my way to Bass Pro Shops and worked as an inventory specialist, and started my career managing and buying hard and soft baits. Since then I have spent the last 14 years of my career with the company. I’ve held a few different roles, but currently work as a visual merchandising manager. My career with the Bass Pro has given me so many great opportunities to travel and see so much of the country that I would have not been fortunate to see on my own. In total I’ve opened 27 new stores for the company traveling to from Alaska to Florida, California to New Hampshire and made several trips internationally to Canada.
“Santa’s Wonderland is one of the largest retail events created in-store and I’ve worked actively on the event for 12 of the 14 years it’s existed. Beyond creating the magic of the North Pole I was blessed with the opportunity to travel to the Bahamas, post hurricane, to build and create Santa’s Wonderland and provide some Christmas magic for the Bahamian people.”
In the County: Ricky still calls Dallas County home, living on his own hobby farm.
“Ilene and I raise beef and poultry. It’s important for use to raise and know where our food comes from, and our small farm allows us to not only provide that resource to ourselves but to our family and friends.
“COVID has changed and impacted the lives of everyone; for us it’s really caused us to re-focus on family and self-dependency. We just strive to be less reliant on others and grow and provide our own food, when we can. In the past few years, we have worked to grow our garden, started raising and processing meat chickens, and have increased the number of chickens we raise to provide farm-fresh eggs to family and friends.
“In 2019, I was furloughed due to COVID. I took the anxiety and anger pushed those emotions into positive outlet of updating furniture. The venture, Rose Farm & Furniture, has grown and overtaken our garage. It’s hard to believe that in just a few short years I’ve updated and sold dozens of pieces of furniture and completed several custom pieces of furniture for people.
“Beyond my career and the farm, I’m an active member of the Buffalo FFA Alumni and currently serve as the group’s president.”
