Governor Parson Makes Appointments to Boards & Commissions, Fills County Office Vacancy

JUNE 17, 2019

Jefferson City — Today, Governor Parson announces 27 appointments to various boards, commissions, and county office vacancies.

Dr. Sam Alexander, of Fair Play, was appointed to the State Board of Registration for the Healing Arts.

Dr. Alexander is an Emergency Physician at Cox Medical Center South in Springfield, a Director of the Marshfield District Fire and Rescue, and an active farmer in Cedar County. He holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree and a Medical Degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City, School of Medicine.

Caleb Arthur, of Springfield, was appointed to the State Environmental Improvement and Energy Resources Authority.

Mr. Arthur is the President of Missouri Solar Energy Industries Association (MOSEIA) and the Owner and CEO of Sun Solar LLC. He completed the following MOSEIA professional development trainings; Commercial & Residential Renewable Energy Systems, PV Site Assessment, and Design & Installation: Commercial & Residential Solar Electric Systems. Mr. Arthur was an Insurance Agent with the Farm Bureau from 2007-2011. He holds a Class A License with Missouri P.O.S.T. Certification as well as a Class A CDL.

Dr. Matthew Brandt, of Springfield, was appointed to the State Board of Health and Senior Services.

Dr. Brandt is a Physician and EMS Medical Director at Cox Health. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa and went on to get his Medical Degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Medicine. Dr. Brandt is board certified by the American Board of Emergency Medicine and Emergency Medical Services. He is a veteran of the U.S. Army Special Forces.

Sarah Burkemper, of Troy, was reappointed to the Truman State University Board of Governors.

Ms. Burkemper is a Certified Public Accountant, a Certified Financial Planner, and is the Owner of Sarah Burkemper CPA. She was elected Public Administrator of Lincoln County for three terms, serving from 1997-2008. Ms. Burkemper is Chair of the Mercy Lincoln Foundation Board and Chair of Community Opportunities (Lincoln County’s Senate Bill 40 Board). She holds two Bachelor's Degrees and a Master’s Degree from Truman State University, as well as a Master's Degree in International Affairs from Washington University in St. Louis.

Nancy Gibler, of Jefferson City, was appointed to the State Environmental Improvement and Energy Resources Authority.

Ms. Gibler is the Director of Business Development with Central Electric Power Cooperative. She serves as a Liaison and Advisor for the Mid-State 8 Electric Cooperatives Member Services Group and previously held the position of Finance Coordinator for the Missouri Department of Economic Development. Ms. Gibler holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Central Missouri and went on to get her Master’s Degree in Business Administration from William Woods University.

Nancy Gingrich, of Clarence, was appointed to the Truman State University Board of Governors.

Ms. Gingrich is a retired educator with teaching experience at the high school level, Moberly Area Community College, and the Juvenile Office of Macon and Shelby Counties. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Truman State University and a Master’s Degree in Education, Curriculum, and Instruction from the University of Missouri. Ms. Gingrich is involved in a wide variety of community endeavors, including as a Medical First Responder with the Shelby County EMS.

Jonathan Hayashi, of Troy, was appointed to the Missouri Commission on Human Rights.

Mr. Hayashi is a pastor at Troy First Baptist Church. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Pastoral Ministry from Moody Bible Institute, and a Master's Degree in Organizational Leadership from Moody Theological Seminary in Chicago, Illinois.

Barbara Hayden, of Sedalia, was appointed to the State Fair Commission.

Ms. Hayden is the President and CEO of Starline Inc. and has been a Member of the Missouri State Fair Foundation since 2005. She is a participating Member of the TIF Commission, Pettis County Economic Development Board, US Bank Board Member, and Animal Shelter Board Member. Ms. Hayden previously served on the State Fair Commission from 2005-2017.

Kaylyn Lambert, of Nixa, was appointed to the MO HealthNet Oversight Committee.

Ms. Lambert is the System Director of Patient Experience at CoxHealth, and has worked in healthcare administration for more than eight years. She holds a Bachelor of Science from Missouri State University, and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration & Healthcare Administration from the University of Saint Francis in Joliet, Illinois.

James Ludden, of Bolivar, was appointed to the Missouri Fire Safety Education / Advisory Commission.

Mr. Ludden is the Battalion Chief / B-Shift for Battlefield Fire Protection District. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communication and Theater from Southwest Baptist University. Mr. Ludden served the past seven years as Captain of the Bolivar City Fire Department, having worked his way through the ranks of volunteer, firefighter, driver, and ultimately Captain.

Sarah Mills, of Kansas City, was appointed to the Missouri Achieving a Better Life Experience Board.

Ms. Mills serves as the Clay County Public Administrator, and was elected in November, 2016. Previously, she worked for Littler Mendelson in risk management. Ms. Mills graduated magna cume laude with two Bachelor’s Degrees from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. Post-graduation, Ms. Mills was employed by the Central Intelligence Agency as an Analyst focusing on East Asian affairs. She is a Member of the Kansas City Regional Law Enforcement Memorial Garden Committee.

Douglas Mitchell, of Warrensburg, was appointed to the Board of Private Investigator and Private Fire Investigator Examiners.

Mr. Mitchell is the President of Legal Investigative Services Inc. and previously served as President of the Missouri Association of State Emergency Relief Society. He also served as Vice-Chair and Member of the State Board of Private Investigator and Private Fire Investigator Examiners. Mr. Mitchell holds a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from the University of Central Missouri.

Mary Nichols, of Maryland Heights, was appointed to the State Environmental Improvement and Energy Resources Authority.

Ms. Nichols previously served as a State Representative for the 72nd District from 2011-2018. During her time as a State Representative, she served on the Joint Solid Waste Management District Operations Committee. Ms. Nichols also served as a City Councilwoman in Maryland Heights. She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville, Illinois.

Sarah Oerther, of Rolla, was appointed to the MO HealthNet Oversight Committee.

Ms. Oerther is a Nursing Instructor at Saint Louis University. She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing from the University of Cincinnati in Ohio as well as two Master’s Degrees in Nursing and Education from Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio. Ms. Oerther is currently a PhD candidate at Saint Louis University. She recently received the American Association of Colleges of Nurses’ 2018 Emerging Leader award.

Mark William O’Neill, of Warrenton, was appointed to the Warren County Coroner.

Mr. O’Neill is a retired Law Enforcement Officer and part time Death Investigator. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Science, Criminal Justice, and Corrections from Saint Louis University. He spent the past 10 years as a part time Death Investigator for the Regional Medical Examiner’s office for Saint Charles, Jefferson and Franklin Counties. Mr. O’Neill also served at the Saint Charles County Sheriff/Police Department working in both the Bureau of Field Operations & Patrol Division and the Bureau of Criminal Investigations, retiring with the rank of Lieutenant in 2018.

Dr. Nick Pfannenstiel, of Willard, was appointed to the MO HealthNet Oversight Committee.

Dr. Pfannenstiel is the Vice-President of Oral Health at the Jordan Valley Community Health Center. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry from Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kansas and a Doctorate of Dental Surgery from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Dentistry.

Philip Prewitt, of Macon, was appointed to the Administrative Hearing Commission.

Mr. Prewitt is an Attorney with Philip E. Prewitt, LLC. Previously, he served as an Associate Circuit Judge in Missouri from 2011-2018. Mr. Prewitt received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science and his Juris Doctorate from Washington University in St. Louis. He is a veteran of the U.S. Army.

Nick Ragone, of St. Louis, was appointed to the State Board of Health and Senior Services.

Mr. Ragone is Executive Vice-President and Chief Marketing and Communications Officer for Ascension, one of the leading non-profit and Catholic healthcare systems. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in History and Political Science from Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey and a Juris Doctorate from Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, D.C.. Mr. Ragone is the author of four books on presidential history and American government. In 2015, he started a nonprofit with the St. Louis Chess Club called Your Move Chess, which funds after-school chess for underserved communities in the St. Louis area.

Deborah Roach, of Grant City, was appointed to the Northwest Missouri State University Board

of Regents.

Ms. Roach is the Postmaster of Sheridan and Officer-in-Charge of the Grant City Post Office. She has served as Mayor of Grant City for more than 10 years. Ms. Roach is a Board Member of the Northwest Missouri Enterprise Facilitation Group which spans six Northwest Missouri counties. She also serves as a Statewide Board Member for the Missouri Community Betterment Program. Ms. Roach is a graduate of Worth County R-III.

Dr. Naveed Razzaque, of Bridgeton, was appointed to the State Board of Registration for the Healing Arts.

Dr. Razzaque is Chair of the Department of Medicine at SSM DePaul Health Center. He is also President of West Florissant Internists, a medical group engaged in primary care practice. For the past thirty-three years, Dr. Razzaque has been providing primary care in both inpatient and office practice following his patients in hospitals and various skilled nursing facilities where he provides medical directorships. He was Chair of the Department of Medicine at CHNE BJC affiliate for 12 years and also held the position of Chief-of-Staff. Dr. Razzaque is currently Vice-President of the Board of Nursing Home Administrators. He has been board certified in internal medicine since 1987. Dr. Razzaque received his Medical Degree from King Edward Medical University in Lahore, Pakistan.

Martha Staggs, of Paris, was appointed to the Missouri Commission on Human Rights.

Ms. Staggs is a retired educator who taught for Wellston Public Schools and for the Valley Park School District. She holds a Bachelor of Science and a Master’s Degree in Education, with a Reading Speciality, from the University of Missouri, St. Louis. Ms. Staggs also assisted in the revision of Missouri State Standards for Language Arts for Grades K-5.

Allen Shirley, of Joplin, was appointed to the Missouri Advisory Council on Historic Preservation.

Mr. Shirley is retired from Johnson & Johnson. He holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Pittsburg State University in Kansas. Mr. Shirley is the President of the Joplin Historical Society, and his community involvement includes serving on the boards of the Joplin Historical & Mineral Museum and Rader’s Farm.

Dr. Marc Taormina, of Lee’s Summit, was appointed to the State Board of Registration for the Healing Arts.

Dr. Taormina is a Physician at Midwest GI Health, LLC and is on staff at Lee’s Summit Medical Center. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a Doctor of Medicine from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine. Dr. Taormina is a Councilor of the Missouri State Medical Association and completed his GI fellowship at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. He is also ABIM board certified in Gastroenterology and Internal Medicine.

Jeff Ussery, of Republic, was appointed to the Amusement Ride Safety Board.

Mr. Ussery is the Safety and Security Manager for Silver Dollar City Attractions. He also serves as the Mayor of Republic. Additionally, Mr. Ussery has served as a Patrol Sergeant for the Greene County Sheriff’s Office from 2006-2015. He is a Certified Operations Technician Level 1, from AIMS International and has a Peace Officer License from Drury University.

Traci Wiley, of West Plains, was appointed to the Missouri Fire Safety Education / Advisory Commission.

Ms. Wiley is the Owner of Wiley Insurance Agency LLC, an independent insurance agency in West Plains. She is the President of the West Plains Lions Club, Treasurer of West Plains Community Foundation, and a Board Member of the South Central Ozark Council of Governments. Wiley Insurance Agency LLC, was voted Best Insurance Agency and Ms. Wiley was voted Best Businesswoman in 2017 and 2019, by the readers of the West Plains Daily Quill.

Dwight Wyatt, of Oakville, was appointed to the Missouri Advisory Council on Historic Preservation.

Mr. Wyatt is an Architect for D.E. Wyatt Architects PC in Oakville. His projects have included several technically challenging facilities and modernizations, these projects include; educational, industrial & business, institutional, recreational, as well as quality control reviews. Mr. Wyatt received his Bachelor’s Degree in Technology from Washington University in St. Louis.

Brian Zaitz, of St. Charles, was appointed to the Missouri Fire Safety Education / Advisory Commission.

Mr. Zaitz is the Assistant Fire Chief and Training Officer for the City of Kirkwood. Previously, he served as a Captain with the Metro West Fire Protection District and as a Lead Instructor at the St. Louis County Fire Academy. Mr. Zaitz holds an Associate’s of Science in Paramedic Technology, from St. Louis Community College; a Bachelor’s Degree in Fire Science Management, from Lindenwood University; a Master’s Degree in Human Resource Development, from Indiana State University; and is an Executive Fire Officer graduate of the National Fire Academy. He also serves as a Safety Officer on the FEMA Urban Search & Rescue Team, Missouri Task Force 1.