APRIL 4, 2022

Jefferson City — Today, Governor Mike Parson announced six appointments to various boards and commissions and filled one county office vacancy. 

Brian Bender, of Atlanta, was appointed to the Safe Drinking Water Commission. 

Mr. Bender is the current General Manger of the Public Water Supply District #1 of Macon County. He has been with the District since 1997, starting as an Operator. Prior to joining the District, he worked as an Operator for W&L Construction. Mr. Bender holds a certification in industrial welding from the Macon Area Career and Technical Education Center. 

Rodney Campbell Jr., of Fenton, was appointed to the Labor and Industrial Relations Commission. 

Mr. Campbell has been an Attorney with The Petraborg Law Firm since 2017. Prior to joining The Petraborg Law Firm, he was an Associate Attorney with Archer & Lassa and an Assistant Attorney General in the Labor Division with the Missouri Attorney General's Office. Mr. Campbell earned a Bachelor of Science in marketing from Missouri State University and Juris Doctor from Saint Louis University School of Law. 

Nicholas Gerth, of Ballwin, was appointed to the State Lottery Commission.

Mr. Gerth is Senior Associate with Brown & James, P.C. and has been with the firm since 2014. Prior to joining the firm, he served as a Law Clerk for the United State's Attorney's Office – Southern District of Illinois. Mr. Gerth earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science from the University of Missouri and Juris Doctor for the Saint Louis University School of Law. 

Janet Judd, of Ballwin, was appointed to the Missouri Real Estate Commission. 

Ms. Judd is a licensed Missouri real estate broker-salesperson and served as the President of Missouri REALTORS in 2021. She is now the Immediate Past President of Missouri REALTORS and the Chairperson of the National Association of REALTORS Safety Advisory Council. Ms. Judd has earned the RE/MAX lifetime achievement award, was named Missouri REALTORS Sale Associate of the year in 2016, and has more than 36 years of real estate experience. Prior to becoming a full-time real estate agent, she was a police officer for the Clayton Police Department. 

Dennis Knipmeyer, of Higginsville, was appointed to the Safe Drinking Water Commission.

Mr. Knipmeyer was the manager of the Consolidated Public Water Supply District #2 of Lafayette, Johnson, and Saline Counties from 2005 until his retirement in 2013. His career with the District spanned more than 30 years. Mr. Knipmeyer is the President of the Board of West Central Electric Cooperative Roundup Foundation and is the Chairman of the Trustees of the Tabo Watershed District. He earned a Bachelor of Science in agricultural chemistry from the University of Missouri–Columbia. 

Antonio Maldonado, of Florissant, was appointed to the Missouri Commission on Human Rights.

Mr. Maldonado is the Chairman of the Board for the Hispanic Leaders Group of Greater St. Louis, serves on the St. Louis Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, and is the President of the Puerto Rican Society, Inc. He was named the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce's Member of the Year in 2014, earned the Hispanic Leaders Group of Greater St. Louis' Anthony B. Ramirez "Esperanza Award" in 2015, and earned the Puerto Rican Society's First Torch Bearer Award in 2017. Mr. Maldonado owned and operated Puckett Floor Coverings in the St. Louis area from 1999 until his retirement in 2012. He served as an airman in the United State Air Force from 1966 until his honorable discharge in 1969. Mr. Maldonado received an associate's degree in business administration from Inter-American University in Puerto Rico and earned a Minority Business Certificate from Dartmouth University in New Hampshire. 

Mark Smith, of Piedmont, was appointed as the Wayne County Coroner.

Mr. Smith serves as a paramedic with the Clearwater Ambulance District, is a member of the Piedmont City Fire Department, and serves as Deputy Coroner for Wayne County. He has held his paramedic license since 2012 and has nearly 15 years of emergency management service experience. Mr. Smith is a lifelong member of the Boy Scouts of America and regularly volunteers with the organization. 

APRIL 4, 2022

Jefferson City — Today, Governor Mike Parson announced that in response to the continuing challenges of accessing an available and skilled workforce, the Department of Mental Health (DMH), Division of Developmental Disabilities (DD), has developed Missouri Talent Pathways, an initiative to recruit and retain a highly skilled and dedicated workforce.

The first of its kind in the nation, Missouri Talent Pathways was recently approved by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Apprenticeship. Missouri Talent Pathways is now a registered apprenticeship program which blends on-the-job mentoring with technical instruction and culminates in participants receiving a certificate as a Certified Direct Support Professional. As a registered apprenticeship intermediary, the Division and its community partners will have access to an expanded applicant pool, traditional workforce development programs, and a career ladder framework for direct support professionals.

“This registered apprenticeship will increase career opportunities to more Missourians and is a great example of the kind of innovation that occurs in state government,” Governor Parson said. “It's programs like this one, that allow Missouri to consistently rank among the top states for apprenticeship opportunities. We look forward to this program helping expand health care workforce solutions while improving our ability to care for some of Missouri's most vulnerable citizens."

“The public health emergency truly magnified the impact of the staffing crisis within DMH and our community partners,” DMH Director Valerie Huhn said. “This apprenticeship is a piece of the larger solution to help us stabilize the direct support professional workforce by constructing a solid career pathway.”

Other objectives of the Missouri Talent Pathways Apprenticeship include: increasing competency of national best practices and statewide applicability and portability; improving cost and time efficiencies; and expanding talent pipelines.

Specifics for stakeholders, community partners, state agencies, and national partners regarding the process to apply for this registered apprenticeship can be found here.   

For more information from the Department of Mental Health go to https://dmh.mo.gov/dev-disabilities/service-providers/talent-pathways or contact Debra Walker at debra.walker@dmh.mo.gov, or 573-751-1647. For information about Registered Apprenticeships in Missouri, visit https://dhewd.mo.gov/workforce-development/apprenticeship-mo.

APRIL 4, 2022

Jefferson City — On Thursday, March 31, 2022, Governor Mike Parson granted 10 pardons pursuant to Article IV, Section 7 of the Constitution of the State of Missouri. Official documents have been filed with the appropriate government agencies and are being sent to the individuals.

To review the names of the individuals granted clemency, please see attached. Governor Parson has instructed his legal team to continue reviewing clemency files and working to reduce the backlog inherited by his administration.

• 3-31-2022 Pardons.pdf

APRIL 1, 2022

Jefferson City — Today, Governor Mike Parson appointed Matthew Wilson as Circuit Judge for the 2nd Judicial Circuit, which includes Adair, Knox, and Lewis Counties. He will fill the Circuit Judge vacancy created by the retirement of the Honorable Russell E. Steele.

Mr. Wilson, of Kirksville, currently serves as the Adair County Prosecuting Attorney. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Nebraska at Omaha and a Juris Doctor from Creighton University School of Law.

MARCH 31, 2022

Jefferson City — Today, Governor Mike Parson granted 10 pardons pursuant to Article IV, Section 7 of the Constitution of the State of Missouri. Official documents have been filed with the appropriate government agencies and are being sent to the individuals.

In the interest of privacy, the Governor's Office will not immediately release the names of the individuals granted clemency so that appropriate communications can be made to families. The information will be made available once families are notified.  

MARCH 30, 2022

Jefferson City — Today, during a press conference at the State Capitol, Governor Mike Parson announced an end to the COVID-19 crisis in Missouri and that the state will be shifting to an endemic phase of the pandemic on Friday, April 1, 2022. 

A whole-of-government COVID-19 emergency response was taken for more than two years, an effort that responded to the needs of all Missourians during the global pandemic and sustained state operations as more was learned about the novel virus. Vaccines, testing resources, and treatments are now readily available for all Missourians, and much of the population now has some immunity to the virus.

“Over the past two years, we have learned a lot that will help us respond to future outbreaks and challenges that may come our way,” Governor Parson said. “We don’t know if this virus will ever completely go away, but we do know that there is no longer a need to live in crisis mode and that we can shift our response to meet the current needs of Missourians. The COVID-19 crisis is over in the state of Missouri, and we are moving on.”

The SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19, is expected to continue to circulate in communities, meaning it will be considered endemic like many other diseases. The endemicity also means that surveillance priority will change from monitoring case numbers to monitoring disease severity and societal impact as new waves of infection come and go. This transition does not minimize the continued importance of public health surveillance, investigation, and response activities, as is necessary to mitigate any disease.

“As we enter this phase of our state’s recovery, we continue to encourage Missourians to safeguard their own health and the health of loved ones through tried and true public health measures,” said Department of Health and Senior Services Acting Director Paula Nickelson. “Missourians should feel confident that we will remain vigilant when monitoring COVID-19 levels throughout the state.”

Over the past two years, the state was able to achieve some incredible milestones in responding to COVID-19:

Testing Capacity

• More than 14 million tests performed by public health partners

Treatment Options

• More than 81,000 treatment courses distributed by the State of Missouri

Vaccine Availability

• More than 8.7 million doses administered by public health partners

In addition to vaccines, testing, and treatment options, which are some of the most effective tools to fight COVID-19, Missouri has expanded capabilities over the past two years in areas of personal protective equipment (PPE), hospital capacity, and data collection. These capabilities allow Missouri to adapt to changing needs regarding COVID-19 in the future. 

Missouri’s approach moving forward will allow state and local health officials to closely monitor community level of COVID-19, determine which variants of SARS-CoV-2 are circulating through the genomic surveillance, and assess disease severity and impact of COVID-19-associated illnesses.

Beginning Friday, the Department of Health and Senior Services will provide weekly dashboard updates that will include 7-day case rate data, activity by region and county, statewide data on COVID-19 hospitalizations, and circulating virus variants. This is a flexible approach allowing accommodation for future surges, should they occur, and require more frequent updates and additional datasets.

More information about vaccines, testing resources, and treatment options along with the updated COVID-19 dashboard and details about this phase of the pandemic can be found by visiting health.mo.gov/coronavirus.  

A booklet with more information regarding the transition to endemic phase can be found by clicking here. 

MARCH 26, 2022

Jefferson City — Today, Governor Mike Parson ordered U.S. and Missouri flags be flown at half-staff at all government buildings in St. Francois County on Sunday, March 27, 2022, from sunrise to sunset in honor of Bonne Terre Police Patrolman Lane A. Burns.  

On March 17, Patrolman Burns was mortally wounded when he and Corporal Garrett Worley were ambushed after being dispatched to a local motel for a disturbance call. Corporal Worley was critically wounded. Burns and Worley returned fire, killing the gunman. 

“This month, over the course of just 10 days, three Missouri police officers were senselessly gunned down as they did their jobs,” Governor Parson said. “First in Joplin, and then in Bonne Terre, we lost three fine men who selflessly chose to risk their own lives to protect others. The murder of Lane Burns reminds us of the tremendous debt we owe to the heroes of law enforcement, who take on violent criminals that threaten the safety of our communities. We will forever remember Lane Burns for the valor he displayed as he confronted crime and protected others.”

Patrolman Burns, 30, graduated from Mineral Area College Law Enforcement Academy in 2012 and had served with the Bonne Terre Police Department for five years.

Patrolman Burns’ funeral will be held on March 26, and he will be laid to rest on March 27. The flags will be held at half-staff on the day Patrolman Burns is laid to rest. To view the proclamation, click here. 

MARCH 25, 2022

Jefferson City — Earlier this week, Governor Mike  Parson concluded his latest international Trade Mission, which included visits with key officials, businesses, and organizations in the United Kingdom and Ireland. During the Trade Mission, Governor Parson participated in several meetings to build international relationships while promoting Missouri as an ideal business location and trade partner.

“It’s always exciting to highlight Missouri’s strengths, and this Trade Mission was a tremendous success in showing international partners what the Show-Me State has to offer,” Governor Parson said. “Missouri has significant cultural and economic connections to the United Kingdom and Ireland, and we appreciated the opportunity to strengthen our relationships. Missouri is an ideal business location, and this mission allowed us to further promote our state’s advantages to global business leaders.”

Trade Mission Highlights - United Kingdom and Ireland

Global Ireland

Governor Parson met with the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs’ Global Ireland team to discuss Missouri and Ireland’s common industries and priorities, in addition to ways the state can partner with Ireland on an ongoing basis to support Missouri companies in Ireland and Irish companies in Missouri. Ireland is a key trade partner for Missouri with more than $130 million in exports in 2021.

Churchill War Rooms

Governor Parson was honored to visit the Imperial War Museums' Churchill Museum and present Senior Curator Nigel Steel with an admission ticket to former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill’s famous “Iron Curtain” speech, delivered in Fulton, Missouri, in 1946. The gift serves as a token of the special relationship and kindred mission shared by the Churchill War Rooms in London and America’s National Churchill Museum at Westminster College in Fulton.

Reckitt

Governor Parson met with Frederick Dutrenit, Senior Vice President of Reckitt Benckiser Group, a multinational consumer goods company headquartered in Slough, England, and the makers of Lysol. The meeting included members of the Reckitt senior team, who discussed the company’s presence in Missouri and potential for future investment in the state. Reckitt leadership also discussed issues impacting their Missouri employees and expressed interest in Missouri’s workforce training and apprenticeship programs.

BritishAmerican Business

Governor Parson promoted Missouri’s economic strengths at a roundtable hosted by BritishAmerican Business. The discussion included representatives of 14 companies evaluating expansion into the United States or who are already employing Missourians. BritishAmerican Business is a corporate network dedicated to promoting economic development for U.K. and U.S. companies with transatlantic business interests.

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK)

Governor Parson met with Brian McNamara, CEO of GSK Consumer Healthcare, and Bart Darde, Global Head of Quality and Supply Chain of GSK Consumer Healthcare. GSK, a global healthcare company based in the United Kingdom, is the maker of Tums tablets, which have been produced in St. Louis for more than 90 years.

Agri-TechE and the National Institute of Agricultural Botany (NIAB)

Governor Parson took part in an ag-tech roundtable discussion hosted in Cambridge, United Kingdom, and met with members of Agri-TechE, an organization focused on the productivity, profitability, and sustainability of agriculture. The meeting was hosted by NIAB, a crop science organization. Governor Parson and Department of Agriculture Director Chris Chinn met with Agri-TechE members to discuss innovation in agriculture and agtech, Missouri’s proficiency in the industry, and opportunities for future cooperation.

The Trade Mission was funded by the Hawthorn Foundation, a Missouri nonprofit organization.

MARCH 24, 2022

Jefferson City — Today, Governor Mike Parson ordered U.S. and Missouri flags be lowered to half-staff at all government buildings in Greene County, the Fire Fighters Memorial of Missouri in Kingdom City, and firehouses statewide on Friday, March 25, from sunrise to sunset in honor of Ebenezer Fire Protection District Firefighter Dustin W. Brandhorst. 

On March 18, Firefighter Brandhorst died in the line of duty when he was responding to a structure fire in Fair Grove and the firetruck he was driving traveled off Highway A and overturned.

Brandhorst, 35, had served as a volunteer firefighter with the Ebenezer Fire Protection District for three years. In 2019, he was honored for having served the most volunteer hours in the district.

“Dustin Brandhorst was a Missourian who exemplified one of our finest traditions – neighbor helping neighbor,” Governor Parson said. “In his three years as a volunteer firefighter with the Ebenezer Fire Protection District, Firefighter Brandhorst had accumulated over 2,000 hours of volunteer service and almost 800 hours of training, all so that he could help make his community safer. We will always remember his tremendous dedication to serving others.” 

The flags will be held at half-staff on the day Firefighter Brandhorst is laid to rest. To view the proclamation, click here. 

MARCH 24, 2022

Kansas City — Today, Governor Mike Parson announced that Meta Platforms, Inc. (Meta), formerly known as Facebook, Inc., will locate a nearly one million-square-foot data center in Kansas City, investing more than $800 million and supporting up to 100 jobs. The data center, a first of its kind in Missouri, is expected to be operational in 2024.

“We’re proud to welcome Meta to Kansas City, Missouri, for this historic, cutting-edge development that will positively impact our state’s economy for years to come,” Governor Parson said. “The Show-Me State stands out as a rising technology hub due to our strategic location, skilled workforce, and business friendly climate. This unprecedented investment signals Missouri is open for business and that our state is a prime destination for high-tech leaders and innovators alike.”

Meta’s data center will be located in Kansas City’s Golden Plains Technology Park, a 5.5 million-square-foot data center campus. The site will be supported by 100 percent renewable energy, ranking it among the most sustainable data centers in the world, and add additional renewable energy to the region’s local grid. The facility will achieve net-zero carbon emissions and, on average, use 32 percent less energy and be 80 percent more water-efficient than the industry standard.

“Meta is excited to call Kansas City our new home. It stands out with so much to offer – good access to infrastructure and fiber, a strong pool of talent for both construction and operations, and more than anything, great community partners,” said Darcy Nothnagle, Director of Community and Economic Development at Meta. “Meta is committed to being a good neighbor and investing in the long-term vitality of the region for years to come.”

Among other factors, Meta chose to locate the facility in Kansas City for its central location, which offers improved network connectivity between coastal data centers. The Kansas City region also provides greater security, decreased risk of natural disasters and other threats, competitive energy prices, and options for renewable energy. Due to these and other advantages, the area is the third fastest-growing technology market in the nation. Kansas City has already ranked among the best cities for startups in the country, and provides a wide talent pool with the skills needed for technology jobs.

“We are incredibly excited to welcome Meta to Missouri,” Acting Director of the Missouri Department of Economic Development Maggie Kost said. “Meta’s decision shows Missouri is a strategic choice for technology companies to expand and grow. We’re grateful to Meta and all of the state and local partners that made this project possible.”

“Kansas City is the most connected region in the U.S. with more than 5.5 million miles of fiber deployed. This infrastructure, coupled with a dynamic and robust talent pool, provides Meta the resources it needs for long-term success in our market, said Kansas City Area Development Council President and CEO Tim Cowden. “Meta’s selection of Kansas City, joining many other global tech brands in our region, puts a spotlight on our thriving tech industry. The region’s new state-of-the-art single terminal airport opening in March 2023 and our collaborative business community make Kansas City a top location of choice for other tech companies seeking growth.”

“Meta’s data center at Golden Plains Technology Park is a significant economic development investment and win for the Kansas City region,” said Evergy President and CEO David Campbell. “We know the company had a choice regarding where to site this major project, and we’re proud to be an essential partner to help make this a reality. We look forward to delivering clean, safe and reliable energy to Meta’s facility, supporting one of the most sustainable data centers in the world.”

For the building of its new data center, Meta plans to use the Data Center Sales Tax Exemption Program, a tool that incentivizes the location and expansion of data centers in Missouri. The Data Center Sales Tax Exemption Program was created by the Missouri General Assembly in 2015. Learn more about the Data Center Sales Tax Exemption Program.

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