Governor Parson Announces 23 Appointments to Various Boards and Commissions

APRIL 12, 2024

Jefferson City — Today, Governor Mike Parson announced 23 appointments to various boards and commissions. 

Victoria Babb, of St. Peters, was appointed to the Missouri Community Service Commission. 

Ms. Babb currently serves as community resource director for Cunningham Recreation and runs the Play 4 ALL division. She previously served in the National Civilian Community Corps and Americorps St. Louis Partners. Ms. Babb is a board member of the St. Charles Community College Foundation and the Center for Autism Education. Ms. Babb holds a Bachelor of Arts in social science, economics, and public policy from Stephens College.

Ann Marie Baker, of Springfield, was appointed to the State Highways and Transportation Commission.

Ms. Baker currently serves as executive vice president of UMB Bank in Springfield. She is a member of the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce as well as a past president and current board member of Junior League of Springfield. Ms. Baker holds a Bachelor of Science in business administration with an emphasis in finance and banking from the University of Missouri–Columbia.

Taylor Burks, of Hartsburg, was appointed to the Truman State University Board of Governors.

Mr. Burks currently serves as director of strategic planning in the U.S. Navy Reserves. He previously served as president and general manager of ROST Inc., as director of the Missouri Division of Labor Standards, and as Boone County Clerk. Mr. Burks holds a Master of Accounting from Washington University in Saint Louis, a Master of Arts in administrative leadership from the University of Oklahoma, and a Bachelor of Science in justice systems from Truman State University.

Winston Calvert, of University City, was appointed to the Bi-State Development Agency of the Missouri-Illinois Metropolitan District. 

Mr. Calvert manages a private consulting firm providing solutions to the complex challenges business and nonprofit leaders face. He also serves as director of the Boy Scouts of America's Greater St. Louis Area Council and Heat Up St. Louis Inc. Mr. Calvert has worked as an attorney at Armstrong Teasdale LLP,  as chief executive officer of Community Impact Network, and as chief of staff to the St. Louis County Executive. Mr. Calvert holds a Juris Doctor from Washington University in St. Louis and a Bachelor of Music from Southern Illinois University–Carbondale.

Dr. Maureen Clancy-May, of St. Louis, was appointed to the Southeast Missouri State University Board of Governors. 

Dr. Clancy-May currently serves as state supervisor for the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Office of Quality Schools. She previously served as superintendent of the Bayless School District. Dr. Clancy-May holds a Ph.D. in education administration from Saint Louis University, a Master of Science in education administration from the University of Missouri–St. Louis, and a Bachelor of Science in teaching exceptional children from Southeast Missouri State University.

Ed Elder, of Kansas City, was appointed to the Kansas City Board of Police Commissioners. 

Mr. Elder currently serves as president of Colliers in Kansas City. He previously served as treasurer for the Kansas City Missouri Police Foundation and is a board member of the Kansas City Area Development Council, University of Kansas Cancer Funding Partners, and United Way of Greater Kansas City. Mr. Elder holds a Bachelor of Science in business administration from Kansas State University.

Dr. Tawni Ferrarini, of St. Charles, was appointed to the State Board of Education. 

Dr. Ferrarini currently serves as a professor of economic education at Lindenwood University.  She previously served as professor and director of economic education and entrepreneurship for Northern Michigan University. Dr. Ferrarini has been a member of the National Association of Economic Education since 2000 and has numerous peer reviewed publications. Dr. Ferrarini holds a Ph.D. in economics and a Master of Arts in economics from Washington University in St. Louis and a Bachelor of Arts in mathematics from Southern Illinois University–Carbondale.

Reverend Darryl Gray, of St. Louis, was appointed to the Missouri Workforce Development Board. 

Reverend Gray currently serves as a pastor at Greater Fairfax Baptist Church and as a consultant at Gray and Gray Associates LLC. He further serves as a political advisor for the St. Louis Metropolitan Clergy Coalition and as chair of the St. Louis Detention Facilities Oversight Board. Reverend Gray holds a Bachelor of Arts in political science from Benedict College and completed two years of study toward a Bachelor of Theology and Religious Studies and a Masters of Science in divinity from McGill University. 

Rodney Hendricks, of Jerico Springs, was appointed to the Missouri Southern State University Board of Governors. 

Mr. Hendricks currently owns and operates a cow-calf operation in Jerico Springs. He previously served as operations project manager for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineer's Stockton Lake management office. Mr. Hendricks holds a Bachelor of Science in fish and wildlife management from the University of Missouri–Columbia.

Tracy Henke, of Chesterfield, was appointed to the Missouri Workforce Development Board. 

Ms. Henke currently serves as deputy executive director and COO of St. Louis Regional Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Center (AMICSTL). Her extensive career spans roles such as chief policy officer and president of Chamber/STL at Greater St. Louis Inc., legislative director for former U.S. Senator Roy Blunt, and various leadership positions within the U.S. Department of Justice and U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Ms. Henke holds a Bachelor of Arts in political science from the University of Missouri–Columbia.

Dr. Daniel Isom, of St. Louis, was appointed to the Bi-State Development Agency of the Missouri-Illinois Metropolitan District.

Dr. Isom currently serves as a professor at the University of Missouri–St. Louis. He previously served as chief of police for the City of St. Louis from 1988-2013. Dr. Isom holds a Ph.D. in criminology and criminal justice from the University of Missouri–St. Louis and a Master of Arts in public administration from Saint Louis University. 

Lyda Krewson, of St. Louis, was appointed to the University of Missouri Board of Curators.

Ms. Krewson previously served as mayor of the City of St. Louis from 2017-2021 and as an alderman for the City of St. Louis from 1997-2017. Ms. Krewson holds a Bachelor of Science in accounting from the University of Missouri–St. Louis and a Bachelor of Science in education, psychology, and special education from Truman State University.

Dudley McCarter, of Clayton, was appointed to the Coordinating Board for Higher Education.

Mr. McCarter has served as a principal of Behr, McCarter & Potter, P.C. since 1992 and as a member of the Coordinating Board for Higher Education since 2019. Mr. McCarter also served in the United States Army Reserves from 1972 - 1980, receiving an honorable discharge at the rank of captain. He previously served as president of the Missouri Bar Association and is a current fellow of the American Bar Foundation. Mr. McCarter further serves on Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital's Foundation Board. Mr. McCarter holds a Juris Doctor from the University of Missouri–Columbia and a Bachelor of Arts in political science from Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois.

Mattea Miller, of Springfield, was appointed as the student representative to the Missouri State University Board of Governors.

Ms. Miller is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in communication, political science, and press politics. She has completed several internships with state and federal officials and organizations while pursuing her higher education degree. 

John Mitchell, of Kansas City, was appointed to the Public Service Commission. 

Mr. Mitchell served as a civil engineer at Burns and McDonnell Engineering Co., Inc., for 34 years before retiring in 2022. He served four years as a member of the Board of Directors for the Design Build Institute of America’s Mid America Region from 2018-2022. Mr. Mitchell holds a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering from the Missouri University of Science and Technology.

Jerel Poor II, of Bonne Terre, was appointed to the Administrative Hearing Commission.

Mr. Poor currently serves as circuit judge for the 24^th Judicial Circuit. He previously served as a technical assistant and attorney at JEDMED Instrument Company in St. Louis. Mr. Poor holds a Bachelor of Arts in theater and a Master of Business Administration from Lindenwood University and a Juris Doctor from Saint Louis University.

Dr. Thomas Prater, of Springfield, was appointed to the State Board of Education. 

Dr. Prater currently serves as a partner physician at Mattax, Neu, and Prater Eye Center in Springfield. He is a member of the Missouri State Medical Society and the American Academy of Ophthalmology. He previously served on the Springfield City Council representing zone 2. Dr. Prater holds a Doctor of Medicine from Washington University’s School of Medicine and a Bachelor of Arts in chemistry from Southern Methodist University.

Senator Greg Razer, of Kansas City, was appointed to the State Tax Commission. 

Senator Razer currently serves as a Missouri State Senator for the 7th District. His previous service includes serving as a Missouri State Representative for the 25th House District and as deputy regional director for former U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill's northwestern Missouri office. Senator Razer holds a Bachelor of Arts in history from the University of Missouri–Columbia. 

Jeremy Schneider, of Atlanta, was appointed to the Missouri Ethics Commission. 

Mr. Schneider currently serves as director of aftermarket–sales for Sydenstricker Nobbe, also known as SN Partners, in Macon. He previously served as a territory manager for John Deere. Mr. Schneider holds a Bachelor of Science in agricultural systems management with a minor in agricultural economics from the University of Missouri–Columbia.

Louise Secker, of Joplin, was appointed to the Missouri Community Service Commission. 

Ms. Secker currently serves as a realtor for the Carlin Team at Keller Williams Realty. She previously served as development director for Lafayette House in Joplin. Ms. Secker is a board member of the Joplin Regional Community Foundation and the Jasper County Court Appointed Special Advocates. Ms. Secker holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and political science from Westminster College.

Katie Sinquefield, of Columbia, was appointed to the Public Defenders Commission. 

Ms. Sinquefield currently serves as a board member of the Weldon Project, the Show-Me Defenders board, and the Advisory Board for the Show-Me Institute. She previously served on the Alumni Advisory Board for the Harry S. Truman School of Public Affairs at the University of Missouri–Columbia. Ms. Sinquefield holds a Bachelor of Arts in public administration and policy and a Masters of Public Administration from the University of Missouri–Columbia.

Whitney Smith, of Des Peres, was appointed to the Missouri Ethics Commission. 

Ms. Smith served 11 years with the Boeing Company in St. Louis. She holds a Master of Arts in Russian studies from the European University and a Bachelor of Arts in history and political science from Miami University.

Amy Westermann, of Walnut Grove, was appointed to the Administrative Hearing Commission. 

Ms. Westermann currently serves as chief counsel for the State Tax Commission of Missouri. She previously served as in-house counsel and litigation and policy manager for the St. Louis County Assessor’s Office. Ms. Westermann holds a Juris Doctor from Saint Louis University School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts in communications and public relations from Maryville University.