August 12, 2009
Gov. Nixon announces boards and commissions appointments
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - Gov. Jay Nixon today announced his appointments to eight state boards and commissions. The appointees will begin serving in those positions immediately and will be subject to confirmation by the state Senate when it re-convenes in January.
Child Abuse and Neglect Review Board
The Governor has appointed Mary L. Buren, age 47, of Kansas City; David Kierst Jr., age 66, of Kansas City; and Holly Monroe, age 42, of Columbia, 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.
Buren is a clinical staff nurse at Truman Medical Center who received her nursing degree from the University of Missouri and her masters in gerontological nursing from Saint Louis University. The Governor has appointed her to a term ending April 7, 2012.
Kierst is an attorney who served as director of family court services and juvenile officer for the 16th Judicial Circuit in Jackson County from 1993 to 2004 before retiring. He served as judicial commissioner for the circuit's Juvenile Division/Family Court Division from 1978 to 1993. The Governor has appointed him to a term ending April 7, 2011.
Dr. Monroe is an assistant professor of pediatrics in the Department of Child Health at the University of Missouri Hospital and Clinics, and medical director at Rainbow House Child Advocacy Center and Shelter in Columbia. She is a member of the Boone County child abuse investigation committee. The Governor has appointed her to a term ending April 7, 2012.
Children's Trust Fund Board
The Governor has re-appointed Regina Staves, age 39, of Kansas City, to the Children's Trust Fund Board. The Children's Trust Fund works to prevent or alleviate child abuse and neglect 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.
Dr. Staves is an assistant professor and director of graduate psychology at Avila University. She also is a psychologist in private practice, specializing in attachment, anxiety, psychological trauma, family systems, abuse and neglect, childhood behavior problems and ethics. The Governor has re-appointed her for a term ending July 23, 2012.
Coordinating Board for Early Childhood
The Governor has appointed James M. Caccamo, age 64, of Kansas City, to the Coordinating Board for Early Childhood. The Missouri Coordinating Board for Early Childhood is the state's public/private entity for coordinating a cohesive system of early childhood programs and services that will result in the healthy development of, and high quality education for, all Missouri children from birth through age five.
Dr. Caccamo, who has a Ph.D. in special education from Saint Louis University, is the director of the Mid-America Regional Council's Department of Early Learning. In that position, he also serves as executive director of the Mid-America Head Start, which covers Clay, Jackson and Platte counties. He has been appointed for a term ending at the discretion of the Governor.
Missouri Family Trust Board of Trustees
The Governor has appointed Letitia Thomas, age 55, of Columbia, to the Missouri Family Trust Board of Trustees. The board of trustees is designed to provide persons with a mental and/or physical disability a better quality of life, from funds received through the Missouri Family Trust without endangering governmental entitlements for which they are or may become eligible.
Thomas is the project director for the University of Missouri-Kansas City CMS Person-Centered Planning Implementation Grant. She previously was director for the adult day health care program run by the University of Missouri's School of Health Professions, and before that was a member of the Division of Comprehensive Psychiatric Services policy team under the Missouri Department of Mental Health. The Governor has appointed Thomas for a term ending Oct. 25, 2009.
Safe Drinking Water Commission
The Governor has appointed Gwendolyn Grant, age 56, of Kansas City; Susan Hazelwood, age 60, of Columbia; and Curtis Skouby, age 46, of St. Louis, to the Safe Drinking Water Commission. The commission assists the Public Drinking Water Program within the Missouri Department of Natural Resources and works to assure that all public water systems provide safe and adequate drinking water to the public by promoting and protecting public water systems.
Grant has been president and CEO of the Urban League of Greater Kansas City since 2001, and serves or has served on the boards or commission of numerous civic agencies and organizations. She previously served in other leadership positions with the Urban League, Penn Valley Community College and the YMCA. The Governor has appointed Grant for a term ending Sept. 1, 2012.
Hazelwood was a charter member of the Safe Drinking Water Commission, and served on the commission from 1992 to 2008, including holding the position of vice chair from 1995 to 1998 and again in 2008. She is employed as associate director of grant writing at the University of Missouri. The Governor has appointed Hazelwood for a term ending Sept. 1, 2010.
Skouby is director of public utilities for the City of St. Louis, and previously served as water commissioner and as a water production engineer for the city. He holds both bachelors and masters degrees in civil engineering, as well as a Level A water treatment plant operator license and a Level III drinking water distribution operator license from the state of Missouri. The Governor appointed Skouby for a term ending Sept. 1, 2012.
Seismic Safety Commission
The Governor has appointed John Mallott, age 53, of Kennett; and Eric A. Sandvol, age 42, of Columbia, 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.
Mallott has served as the fire chief for the city of Kennett for more than 20 years and as the city's emergency management agency director for more than 12 years. He has had extensive experience with numerous local and regional emergency management organizations. Mallott also is a senior master sergeant/E-8 in the Missouri Air National Guard. The Governor has appointed him for a term ending July 1, 2012.
Sandvol is an associate professor of geologic sciences at the University of Missouri, and previously was on the faculty of Cornell University. He has had numerous works of his on seismology published. The Governor has appointed Sandvol for a term ending July 1, 2012.
State Committee of Psychologists
The Governor has appointed Dr. Patrick R. Maloney, age 57, of St. Louis, to the State Committee of Psychologists. The State Committee of Psychologists protects the public from incompetence, misconduct, gross negligence, fraud, misrepresentation or dishonesty; licenses only qualified professionals by examination and evaluation of minimum competency; and enforces standards by implementing legislation and administrative rules.
Dr. Maloney, a psychologist, is the executive clinical science liaison for Takeda Pharmaceuticals. His previous experience includes serving as regional director for behavioral medicine-outpatient services and central intake for SSM Health Care and as the owner and managing partner of a counseling and consulting practice. The Governor appointed him for a term ending Aug. 28, 2012.
State Lottery Commission
The Governor has appointed Kevin C. Roberts (D), age 53, of Hillsboro, to the State Lottery Commission. The State Lottery Commission promulgates rules, appoints an executive director for the Missouri Lottery, approves the annual budget, and advises the executive director.
Roberts is a partner in the law firm of Breeze, Roberts, Ponder-Bates, Wooten & Zimmer. His experience has included work both in civil and criminal areas of the law. The Governor has appointed Roberts for a term ending Sept. 7, 2011.