November 2, 2009
Gov. Nixon makes appointments to boards and commissions
Jefferson City - Gov. Jay Nixon today announced he has appointed Missourians to fourteen different boards and commissions. The boards and commissions are:
- Air Conservation Commission
- Alzheimer's State Plan Task Force
- Dam and Reservoir Safety Council
- Governor's Advisory Council on Aging
- Jackson County Sports Complex Authority
- Missouri Agricultural and Small Business Development Authority
- Missouri Planning Council for Developmental Disabilities
- Missouri State Employees' Voluntary Life Insurance Commission
- Missouri Women's Council
- Public Defender Commission
- State Board of Registration for the Healing Arts
- State Interagency Coordinating Council
- State Milk Board
- State Soil and Water Districts Commission
Those appointed will begin serving in the positions immediately. All the appointees will be subject to confirmation by the Missouri Senate when it re-convenes in January, except for the appointees to the Governor's Advisory Council on Aging and the State Interagency Coordinating Council.
Air Conservation Commission
The Governor has re-appointed Jack Baker (D), age 70, of Butler, to the Air Conservation Commission. The Air Conservation Commission adopts rules; prescribes air quality standards; requires tests, monitoring, and reporting of equipment and emissions; decides appeals from orders and actions of the Department of Natural Resources; issues orders and decisions to implement the Air Law; refers cases to litigation; settles suits; compels investigations; secures technical services by contract; and classifies and identifies air contaminants.
Baker is a cattleman who was first appointed to the Air Conservation Commission in 2002 and has served as chairman and vice-chairman of the committee. He sits on the state board for the Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives and has served on several cattle-related boards. Baker has received several awards and honors for his Angus cattle. The Governor has appointed Baker for a term ending Oct. 14, 2013.
Alzheimer's State Plan Task Force
The Governor has appointed John Huff, age 49, of Columbia, to the Alzheimer's State Plan Task Force. The task force, which was created by a state law passed in 2009, is charged with assessing the current and future impact of Alzheimer's and related dementia on residents of Missouri; examining existing services and resources addressing the needs of persons with dementia, their families and caregivers; and developing recommendations to respond to the escalating public health situation regarding Alzheimer's. The Task Force will submit a report of findings and date-specific recommendations to the General Assembly and the Governor in the form of a state plan by Nov. 15, 2010 and provide annual supplemental reports to the Governor and General Assembly.
Huff is the director of the Missouri Department of Insurance, Financial Institutions and Professional Registration. The Governor has appointed him to the task force for a term ending Nov. 1, 2012.
Dam and Reservoir Safety Council
The Governor has appointed William J. Schumake (D), age 63, of Sedalia, to the Dam and Reservoir Safety Council. The council enforces the provisions of the Missouri Dam and Reservoir Safety Law and its rules and regulations to protect public safety, life and property.
Schumake has owned Town and Country Motors in Sedalia for 42 years. He has served as director of the Sedalia Pettis County Development Corporation, the Thompson Hills Investment Corporation, and the Sylvia G. Thompson Residence Center Inc. The Governor has appointed Schumake for a term ending April 3, 2010.
Governor's Advisory Council on Aging
The Governor has appointed Karen A. Payne, age 58, of Blue Springs, to the Governor's Advisory Council on Aging. The council investigates and advises the Governor regarding the needs, concerns, and potential of Missouri's elderly population. Additionally, the Council reviews and advises the Governor regarding the general direction of statewide aging services, conducts groups to study issues, and promotes public awareness.
Payne is a retired autoworker, who worked for both General Motors and Ford Motor Company for a total of more than 30 years. She is a third-year student working on her Master of Social Work degree at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, and has earned a certificate in gerontology from UMKC. The Governor has appointed her for a term ending Sept. 17, 2013.
Jackson County Sports Complex Authority
The Governor has appointed Gerald E. Winship (I), age 75, of Lee's Summit, to the Jackson County Sports Complex Authority. The Jackson County Sports Complex Authority oversees the maintenance and operation of the Harry S. Truman Sports Complex in a fiscally responsible manner which will allow it to maintain its stature as a premier sports facility in the nation; administers funds received from the State of Missouri, Jackson County and the City of Kansas City, or any other sources which are to be used for the furtherance of its statutory duties; studies location, feasibility, and design of sports and recreational facilities; and acquires, constructs, operates, maintains, and leases to other sports stadiums, field houses, indoor and outdoor recreational facilities, parking facilities and suitable concessions.
Winship works in public relations for Bank Liberty in Independence. He is a member of the Kansas City Royal Lancers, and has served on the Park College Board of Trustees, the John Knox Village Board and the Truman Heartland Foundation. The Governor has appointed Winship for a term ending July 15, 2014.
Missouri Agricultural and Small Business Development Authority
The Governor has appointed Steven B. Martin (R), age 51, of Portageville, to the Missouri Agricultural and Small Business Development Authority. The authority makes capital available to Missouri farmers, particularly independent producers, agribusinesses and small businesses at competitive interest rates on a scale to make a major impact.
Martin is the division manager for Crop Production Services for Missouri and Arkansas and has worked in the agricultural industry since 1980. He has also worked for United Agri Products Inc. and for Terra Industries in sales and management. Martin also is involved in the operation of a family farm. The Governor has appointed him for a term ending June 30, 2014.
Missouri Planning Council for Developmental Disabilities
The Governor has appointed Michael C. Brewer, age 40, of Columbia; and John G. Harper, age 45, of Columbia, to the Missouri Planning Council for Developmental Disabilities. The council plans and advocates for individuals with developmental disabilities in order to enhance their opportunity for increased self determination, independence, productivity and integration and inclusion into the community.
Brewer is the planning unit chief for the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. Prior to that, he served as a service coordinator for the Missouri Department of Mental Health's Division of Developmental Disabilities from 1995 to 2008. The Governor has appointed Brewer for a term ending June 30, 2012.
Harper is assistant director of mental health services and data reporting for the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. He has been with the division since 1992. The Governor has appointed Harper for a term ending June 30, 2012.
Missouri State Employees' Voluntary Life Insurance Commission
The Governor has appointed John Huff, director of the Missouri Department of Insurance, Financial Institutions and Professional Registration, to the Missouri State Employees' Voluntary Life Insurance Commission. The commission provides a state-sponsored life insurance program to the employees of the State of Missouri, and administers the plan, which allows state employees to authorize voluntary payroll deductions for the purchase of life insurance products, procured through competitive bidding. The Governor has appointed Huff for a term ending Oct. 7, 2011.
Missouri's Women Council
The Governor has appointed Jan Marcason (D), age 60, of Kansas City, to the Missouri Women's Council. The council promotes and increases women's economic and employment opportunities through education and training; occupational mobility; non-traditional careers; promoting women in small business; access to managerial jobs; and support service for families, such as child care.
Marcason represents the 4th District on the city council of Kansas City, where she serves as vice chair of the finance committee. From 1986 to 2006, Marcason was executive director of the Mid America Assistance Coalition, which provides oversight and technical assistance to Kansas City area social service agencies serving low-income and homeless citizens. The Governor has appointed her for a term ending Dec. 6, 2011.
Public Defender Commission
The Governor has appointed Nancy M. Watkins, age 52, of St. Louis, to the Public Defender Commission. The commission is responsible for the hiring of the state public defender director. With the assistance of the director, the commission determines the philosophy of the state public defender system. The commission reviews the budget request prepared by the director and provides support of the request before the legislature. They make any rules needed for the administration of the state public defender system.
Watkins, a graduate of the University of Missouri School of Law, is an attorney at the law firm of Schuchat, Cook & Werner. The Governor has appointed her for a term ending Dec. 30, 2013.
State Board of Registration for the Healing Arts
Gov. Nixon has appointed Dr. Daniel R. Osborn (D), age 44, of Springfield, to the State Board of Registration for the Healing Arts. The board works to protect Missourians through licensing physicians and other health professionals by assessing their competence to practice and moral character. The board also investigates complaints against licensees.
Dr. Osborn is an ophthalmologist who is the medical director for the Missouri Eye Institute in Springfield. He has given numerous presentations on surgical procedures and other medical procedures related to the eye. The Governor has appointed Dr. Osborn for a term ending Sept. 3, 2012.
State Interagency Coordinating Council
The Governor has appointed Pamela S. Thomas, age 34, of Jefferson City, to the State Interagency Coordinating Council. The mission of the council is to advise and assist the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) in serving infants and toddlers, birth to age three, who have developmental delays and disabilities, in providing an appropriate family-centered, comprehensive service delivery system which promotes optimal child development and family functioning.
Thomas is an area director for the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's First Steps program. She has been appointed for a term ending at the pleasure of the Governor.
State Milk Board
The Governor has appointed Greg Helbig (R), age 46, of Willard; and Thomas Sigel Owen (R), age 48, of Marshfield, to the State Milk Board. The board enforces grade A and manufacturing grade rules and regulations as per Missouri statutes; inspects and tests at all production and processing levels of dairy industry to ensure public health protection and interstate movement of milk and products under oversight of the Food and Drug Administration.
Helbig is director of operations for Hiland Dairy Co., of Springfield, where he has worked since 1985. He graduated from Missouri State University with a degree in agribusiness. The Governor has appointed him for a term ending Sept. 28, 2013.
Owen is the dairy sanitarian supervisor for the St. Louis County Department of Health, where he has worked since 1988. He obtained his bachelor's degree in agriculture from Missouri State University. The Governor has appointed Owen for a term ending Sept. 28, 2013.
State Soil and Water Districts Commission
The Governor has appointed Thomas B. Bradley (D), age 62, of Matthews, to the State Soil and Water Districts Commission. The Missouri Soil and Water Districts Commission formulates policies and general programs for the saving of Missouri soil and water by the soil and water conservation districts.
Bradley is a farmer who is currently serving his fifth term as treasurer for New Madrid County. He earned a bachelor's degree in agriculture, with a minor in geology, from Southeast Missouri State University. Bradley also has served as a member and treasurer of the New Madrid County Soil and Water District. The Governor has appointed him for a term ending Aug. 15, 2012.