Governor Parson Makes Five Appointments to Various Boards and Commissions, Fills Two County Office Vacancies
JUNE 3, 2022
Jefferson City — Today, Governor Mike Parson announced five appointments to various boards and commissions and filled two county office vacancies.
William (Bill) Lovegreen, of Kirksville, was appointed to the Truman State University Board of Governors.
Mr. Lovegreen has owned and managed Lovegreen Ford Chrysler since 1988. Mr. Lovegreen has served as a past president of the Missouri Automobiles Association and continues to serve as a board member. He is a trustee of the Missouri Automobile Dealers Association Workers Compensation Trust. Mr. Lovegreen is the District Chairman of the Black Diamond District Boy Scouts of America and has been on the Salvation Army Advisory Board since 1993. He also served as a board member of the Kirksville Housing Authority for more than 20 years. Mr. Lovegreen earned his Bachelor of Science in civil engineering from the University of Missouri–Columbia.
Wendi McGhee, of Clinton, was appointed as the Henry County Circuit Clerk.
Ms. McGhee has served as a Court Program Specialist and Deputy Henry County Circuit Clerk for more than 25 years. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with an emphasis in accounting from Central Missouri State University.
Dwight McNiel, of Ozark, was appointed to the Board of Private Investigator and Private Fire Investigator Examiners.
Mr. McNiel is licensed by the State of Missouri as a private investigator and is certified by the Missouri Department of Public Safety. He is a current member and past president of the Missouri Association of Private Investigators. Mr. McNiel has owned and operated Midwest Intelligence, Inc., a private investigation firm, since 1988. Mr. McNiel served as Christian County Sheriff from 1985 to 1988, Chief Deputy of the Christian County Sheriff’s Office from 1981-1984, and Interim Christian County Sheriff in 2015. Mr. McNiel earned an Associate of Science in criminal justice from Drury College.
Gary Newman, of Buckner, was appointed to the Amusement Ride Safety Board.
Mr. Newman is currently the Director of Maintenance and Construction at Worlds of Fun. Prior to working at Worlds of Fun, he served in various roles at Knott’s Berry Farm in California, including Ride & Electrical Maintenance Director, Manager, Supervisor, and Mechanic. Mr. Newman started his career in 2001 at Scandia Fun Center as the ride maintenance mechanic.
Mark Ruether, of Jefferson City, was appointed as the Cole County Auditor.
Mr. Ruether has served as Chief Deputy Treasurer for the Cole County Treasurer's Office since 2016. Before joining the Cole County Treasurer's Office, he worked as a Professional Auditor for the Missouri State Auditor's Office for 33 years. Mr. Ruether earned a Bachelor of Science in accounting from Southwest Missouri State University.
Catina R. Shannon, of St. Louis, was appointed to the Lincoln University Board of Curators.
Ms. Shannon serves as the Director of Government Relations for Ameren Missouri. She has been with Ameren Missouri since 2005, starting as a Legislative Representative. She has previously served as Conference Coordinator for the Missouri Legislative Black Caucus and Deputy Director of Legislative Affairs and Director of Constituent Affairs for the Office of Missouri Governor Bob Holden. She also served as Chief of Staff for late Missouri State Senator Paula J. Carter. Ms. Shannon earned a Bachelor of Science in criminal justice and political science from Missouri Western State University and a Master of Public Administration from DeVry University–Keller School of Management.
Derek Winters, of St. Louis, was appointed to the St. Louis City Board of Election Commissioners.
Mr. Winters has been the Vice President of Sales for Willert Home Products since 2015 and previously served as the Vice President of Business Development. Prior to joining Willert Home Products, he worked at Prozess Technologie, Inc. as the Business Development Manager and Wunderlich Securities as an Equity Research Associate Analyst-Medical Devices. Mr. Winters graduated from Washington University in Saint Louis with a Bachelor of Arts in economics and a Master of Arts in international affairs.