April 15, 2009

Gov. Nixon announces appointments to state boards and commissions

JEFFERSON CITY - Gov. Jay Nixon announced appointments to several state boards and commissions, including:

• State Board of Education
• Harris-Stowe State University Board of Regents
• Missouri Western State University Board of Governors
• Southeast Missouri State University Board of Regents
• University of Central Missouri Board of Governors
• Tourism Commission
• Missouri Gaming Commission
• Missouri Housing Development Commission
• Missouri State Board of Nursing
• Safe Water Drinking Commission
• Children's Trust Fund Board
• Child Abuse and Neglect Review Board
• Missouri Consolidated Health Care Plan Board of Trustees
• Missouri Community Service Commission
• Missouri Commission on Autism Spectrum Disorders
• Seismic Safety Commission

The Governor has submitted the following appointments to the Missouri Senate for approval:

State Board of Education

The Governor has appointed Anthony (Tony) Thompson (D), age 48, of St. Louis County, to the State Board of Education. Among its duties, the State Board of Education appoints the commissioner of education to serve as its chief executive officer and director of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education; sets accreditation standards for local school districts; establishes academic performance standards for public schools; sets education and certification requirements for professional personnel in public schools; approves professional education programs in the state's public and private community colleges and four-year colleges and universities; and establishes regulations and administrative requirements for the distribution of state and federal funds to school districts.

Thompson is the president and CEO of Kwame Building Group, a construction management and project management firm. He previously served as a project engineer for Anheuser-Busch, a mechanical engineer for Monsanto, and as a construction engineer with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. He has been active as a board member or member of numerous youth, education, economic development and other non-profit organizations. The Governor has appointed Thompson for a term ending July 1, 2012.

Harris-Stowe State University

The Governor appointed Thelma V. Cook (D), age 69, of St. Louis; and Derek Collins (D), age 24, of St. Louis, to the Harris-Stowe State University Board of Regents. The seven-member Board of Regents develops governance policy and provides oversight of the university administration and operation.
Cook currently serves on the boards of or does community volunteer work for several St. Louis-area non-profit charitable organizations. Among her previous positions were director of corporate affairs for Anheuser-Busch Companies, dean of university relations and development at Lincoln University in Jefferson City, and assistant dean of students at Oklahoma State University. The Governor appointed Cook for a term ending July 28, 2014.

Collins has been appointed as a student representative to the Board of Regents. He is majoring in business administration/entrepreneurship and is a projected spring 2010 graduate of Harris-Stowe. The Governor has appointed him for a term ending Dec. 31, 2009.

Missouri Western State University

The Governor re-appointed Diza A. Eskridge (D), age 67, of Weston, to the Missouri Western State University Board of Governors. The eight-member Board of Governors establishes the policies, by-laws, rules and regulations for itself and for control and government of the university.
Eskridge is a former Platte County Commissioner who has served on the board of directors for the Mid-America Regional Council, as well as on the boards of several community, non-profit and economic development organizations. The Governor has appointed her for a term ending Oct. 29, 2014.

Southeast Missouri State University Board of Regents

The Governor has appointed Daren K. Todd (D), age 36, of Kennett, to the Southeast Missouri State University Board of Regents. The six-member Board of Regents appoints the President of the University, employs faculty and staff, and makes budgetary and policy decisions necessary to implement the University's mission.

Todd is an attorney in private practice who served as director of the Kennett Public Schools Board of Education from 2004 to 2008. He is a member of the Southeast Missouri State University Alumni Association and of the university's Copper Dome Society. The Governor has appointed Todd for a term ending Jan. 1, 2015.

University of Central Missouri

The Governor re-appointed Mary A. Long (D), age 61, of Kansas City, to the University of Central Missouri Board of Governors. The eight-member Board of Governors is the governing body for the University.
Long is a retired high school principal with the Kansas City Missouri School District. She has served on the boards of several civic and community non-profit organizations. The Governor appointed Long for a term ending Jan. 1, 2011.

Tourism Commission

The Governor has appointed Eric C. Rhone (D), age 43, of St. Louis, as a member of the Tourism Commission. The Tourism Commission determines all matters relating to policy and administration of tourism promotion for the State of Missouri.

Rhone is president and chief executive officer of Visions Management Group, which manages careers and secures projects for media artists, as well as producing film and television shows throughout the world. The Governor has appointed Rhone for a term ending Jan. 15, 2012.

Missouri Gaming Commission

The Governor has appointed James L. Mathewson (D), age 71, of Sedalia, to the Missouri Gaming Commission. The Missouri Gaming Commission enforces the statutes and regulations relating to charitable bingo and riverboat gambling.

Mathewson is the owner of Mathewson Broadcasting and the founder and former president of National Valuation Services, a real estate, commercial and personal property appraisal company. He served as a state representative for six years, then as state senator for 24 years, including serving as majority floor leader and president pro tem. The Governor has appointed Mathewson for a term ending April 29, 2012.

Missouri Housing Development Commission

The Governor has appointed Gregory A. Hayden (D), age 55, of St. Louis; and Thomas G. Heinsz (D), age 61, of Wentzville, to the Missouri Housing Development Commission. The Missouri Housing Development Commission works to provide quality, safe, affordable housing for low and moderate income citizens of Missouri.

Hayden has been president of Luxemburg Realty Company since 1984 and worked as a union carpenter between 1972 and 1984. He is president of the Lemay Chamber of Commerce and is active in several civic, economic development and children's organizations. The Governor appointed Hayden for a term ending Oct. 13, 2012.

Heinsz is director of organizing for the Carpenters' District Council of Greater St. Louis and Vicinity, and also serves on the St. Louis Labor Council. He was appointed to the St. Charles County Charter Commission in the 1990s. The Governor appointed Heinsz for a term ending Oct. 13, 2011.

Missouri State Board of Nursing

The Governor appointed Rhonda J. Shimmens, age 48, of Jefferson City; and Deborah K. Wagner, age 52, of Kirkwood, to the Missouri State Board of Nursing. The Board of Nursing protects the public; licenses by examination, endorsement, and renewal; regulates the quality of nursing education; disciplines the licenses of nurses who violate the Nursing Practice Act; and determines the scope of practice for licensed individuals.

Shimmens is a registered nurse who is clinical coordinator for ambulatory surgery/pre-admission testing at St. Mary's Health Center. She is board certified in medical-surgical nursing and ambulatory nursing. The Governor has appointed Shimmens for a term ending June 1, 2012.

Wagner is a registered nurse at SSM Rehabilitation in St. Louis, where she cares for patients recovering from traumatic brain injuries. The Governor has appointed Wagner for a term ending June 1, 2010.

Safe Drinking Water Commission

The Governor has appointed Elizabeth K. Grove, age 50, of Monroe City; and Roger D. Owens, age 60, of Wappapello, to the Safe Drinking Water Commission. The commission promulgates rules necessary for the implementation, administration and enforcement of Missouri's safe drinking water statutes.

Grove is a management trainer for the Missouri Rural Water Association, and previously served as general manager for the Clarence Cannon Wholesale Water Commission. The Governor has appointed her for a term ending Sept. 1, 2010.

Owens owns and operates several water and wastewater systems and is a member of the Missouri Rural Water Association. The Governor has appointed Owens for a term ending Sept. 1, 2010.

Children's Trust Fund Board

The Governor has appointed Dr. Kathleen Boyle Dalen, age 35, of Kansas City, as a member of the Children's Trust Fund Board. The Children's Trust Fund works to prevent or alleviate child abuse and neglect for the State of Missouri's children and families by planning and policy development; ensuring appropriate funding of results-oriented programs, training programs for prevention professionals, and research; promoting public awareness and education; and assisting in the integration of statewide prevention efforts.

Dalen, a psychologist, currently is vice president of the Partnership for Regional Educational Preparation (PREP-KC). She has served in several other positions in the Kansas City area in educational consulting and policy development. The Governor has appointed her for a term ending Sept. 15, 2011.

Child Abuse and Neglect Review Board

The Governor has appointed Dr. Nanci A. Bobrow, age 63, of St. Louis, to the Child Abuse and Neglect Review Board. The Board provides an independent review of child abuse and neglect determinations in instances in which the alleged perpetrator is aggrieved by the decision of the Division of Family Services.
Bobrow, a psychologist, currently serves as an allied health professional and psychoendocrinologist for the Department of Pediatrics at St. Louis University Medical Center, Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital. She has served on numerous task forces, advisory boards and community groups to prevent child abuse. The Governor has appointed Bobrow for a term ending April 7, 2011.

Missouri Consolidated Health Care Plan Board of Trustees

The Governor has appointed Vernetta Kaye Newsome, age 46, of Lee's Summit, as a member of the Missouri Consolidated Health Care Plan Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees is responsible for the general administration and operation of the plan covering medical expenses of state employees, retirees, their families and survivors. The Board also functions as fiduciaries of the trust and is responsible for the financial viability of the trust; establishes all eligibility and participation requirements for members wishing to join the plan; and develops all rules and regulations necessary to efficiently operate the plan.

Newsome currently is vice president for client relations for Meritain Health, and has served in management positions for several other healthcare related businesses, including Humana, Kaiser Permanente and CIGNA Health Care of Kansas/Missouri. The Governor has appointed her for a term ending Jan. 1, 2010.

Missouri Community Service Commission

The Governor has appointed Forrest Miller Jr. (R), age 65, of Crestwood; and Janis VanMeter (D), age 61, of Lewistown, to the Missouri Community Service Commission. The mission of the Missouri Community Service Commission is to build stronger communities by fostering an ethic of service in all Missourians through empowering communities and citizens from all walks of life to address educational, public safety, human and environmental needs through volunteer service programs.

Miller operates two restaurants in the St. Louis area, Giuseppe's Ristorante and Royale Orleans. He has been active in supporting local school districts and sponsors a charitable fund in conjunction with St. Anthony's Medical Center for a hospice. He also has served on economic development and community boards in the area. The Governor has appointed Miller for a term ending April 5, 2012.

VanMeter is foster grandparent director for Heartland Resources Inc. She served on the Governor's Advisory Council on Aging from 1994 to 2007, was a founding co-chair of the Missouri Aging Federation, and has served on other boards related to health, aging and children. The Governor has appointed VanMeter for a term ending Dec. 15, 2011.

Missouri Commission on Autism Spectrum Disorders

The Governor has re-appointed Dr. Janet E. Farmer, age 58, of Columbia; and Dr. John F. Mantovani, age 60, of Clayton, to the Missouri Commission on Autism Spectrum Disorders. The Commission was formed to make recommendations for developing a comprehensive statewide plan for an integrated system of training, treatment, and services for individuals of all ages with autism spectrum disorder.

Farmer, a psychologist, is the founding director of and currently director of academic programs for the Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders in Columbia. At the University of Missouri-Columbia, she serves as a professor of health psychology for the School of Health Professions, as a professor of child health for the School of Medicine, and as an adjunct professor of psychological sciences for the College of Arts and Sciences. The Governor has appointed her for a term ending Sept. 3, 2012.

Mantovani, a child neurologist, is medical director of St. John's Mercy Children's Hospital and Child Development Center and vice-chairman of the Department of Pediatrics. He also serves as an associate professor of clinical neurology and pediatrics at Washington University School of Medicine. The Governor has appointed Mantovani for a term ending Sept. 3, 2010.

Seismic Safety Commission

The Governor has re-appointed Phillip L. Gould, age 71, of Richmond Heights, to the Seismic Safety Commission. The commission initiates, with the assistance and participation of other state, federal and local government agencies, a comprehensive program to prepare the state for responding to a major earthquake.

Gould is a professor of civil engineering at Washington University. He is the founding and chief editor of Engineering Structures, an international journal in the areas of earthquake, wind and ocean engineering. He has served as both chair and vice-chair of the Seismic Safety Commission. The Governor has appointed Gould for a term ending July 1, 2012.