David Burton has been a community development specialist with University of Missouri Extension since 2001. He is headquartered in Springfield, Missouri, and has gained a national reputation on the topic of “neighboring.” In 2021, David created Missouri Good Neighbor Week, which was signed into law by Missouri’s Governor and named America’s neighboring program of the year by Neighborhoods USA in 2023. His Engaged Neighbor program was also named the program of the year by University of Missouri Extension. His programs and events like “Neighboring 101,” “Show Me Neighborhood Art Week,” “Missouri Good Neighbor Week,” and “Neighbor Kindness Day,” help to raise awareness about the importance of being an engaged neighbor and the positive impact each of us can have on our neighbors, neighborhood, and community. He is a two-time graduate of Drury University in Springfield, Missouri, with degrees in political science, journalism, and integrated marketing and communication.