MSBA Staff Directory
MSBA Staff Directory (Updated January 2012)
The Executive Director, Deputy Executive Director and staff oversee the operations of the association and carry out the policy of the MSBA Board of Directors.
To contact a staff member please call 573-445-9920 or 800-221-MSBA (6722) followed by the extension when prompted.
Executive Director |
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Dr. Carter Ward Dr. Carter D. Ward is executive director of the Missouri School Boards' Association and has served in that capacity since 1983. Ward is also the Chairman of the Board of MSBA's educational foundation, FutureBuilders, and has served in that capacity since 1995. |
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Administrative Specialist Julene Thornhill is the administrative specialist for MSBA’s Executive Director and acts as the staff liaison for the MSBA Board of Directors. Julene has served MSBA since 1997. |
Deputy Executive Director/General Counsel |
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Melissa Randol Melissa Randol is responsible for supervising MSBA’s internal operations which includes human resources, financial practices and legal matters. She also serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the MSBA FutureBuilders Foundation. Melissa earned her Bachelor of Science from Missouri State University in Economics and Accounting and her Juris Doctor from the University of Missouri-Columbia. She has served MSBA since 1994. |
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Project Specialist Susan Hatfield provides senior administrative and organizational support for the Deputy Executive Director/General Counsel. Susan attended the University of Central Missouri and Oklahoma State University and has served MSBA since 2008. |
Administration |
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Chief Financial Officer Todd Smith has managed the association's fiscal resources, accounting and general business operations since 2008. Todd graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration. |
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Director, Financial Affairs Pamela Thomas has served MSBA since 1986 and manages the association’s human resources and finances operations. |
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Director, Information Technology Bob Mantlo provides IT management and web support for the association and its affiliates. Bob attended the University of Central Missouri and DeVry University. He has served MSBA since 2000. |
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Director, Information Systems Michael Grissom manages the IT systems for the association and membership. Michael graduated from Webster University, M.A.T. in Computer Resources, University of Missouri, B.S.Ed. in Secondary English and joined MSBA in 2011. |
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Production Coordinator Betty Rupard oversees and carries out production for the association’s copy center and mailroom and orders all supplies for that area. She has served MSBA since 1984. |
Board Development |
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Associate Executive Director, Leadership Development Phyllis Barks coordinates the Certified Board Member (CBM) certification program, facilitates whole board workshops and retreats, and coordinates the Outstanding Boards of Education program. She obtained a Master of Education in Counseling Psychology from the University of Missouri-Columbia and a Bachelor of Science in Education of the Exceptional Child from Southeast Missouri State University. She has served MSBA since 2008. |
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Administrative Assistant Debby Duermeyer assists with coordinating the Certified Board Member (CBM) certification program and other board development workshops. She attended Pierce School of Interior Design-Kansas City, Missouri and joined MSBA in 2011. |
Board Services |
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Associate Executive Director Kelli Hopkins oversees the legal, policy and labor relations departments and works as an attorney and trainer. Kelli received a Bachelor of Science in Speech Theatre Education from Missouri Southern State University, Master of Science in Educational Administration from Missouri State University and Juris Doctor from the University of Missouri-Columbia Law School. She has served MSBA since 2001. |
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Senior Director, Employment and Labor Relations Susan Goldammer trains and advises member districts on law, policy, and labor relations. She received a Bachelor of Arts in English from Truman State University and Juris Doctor from Indiana University School of Law, Bloomington. Susan served as a clerk for the Honorable William Ray Price, Jr., on the Missouri Supreme Court and has authored many publications. She has served MSBA since 1999. |
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Staff Attorney Scott Summers provides general legal services for member districts. He received a Bachelor of Arts in English, a Master of Science in Education Administration from Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville, and Juris Doctor from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Law. He joined MSBA in 2011. |
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Coordinator, Full Maintenance Kathleen Atwood coordinates Full Maintenance work of the policy department and serves as a Full Maintenance editor. Kathleen attended Penn Valley Community College-Kansas City and the University of Missouri-Kansas City and has served MSBA since 1991. |
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Coordinator, Policy Publications Shannon L. Beckner coordinates publications of the policy department, including policy updates and graduated from Illinois State University with a Bachelor of Arts in English. She has served MSBA since 2000. |
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Coordinator, Education Policy Teri Keifer helps guide school districts through the demands and desires that make up their education policy. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Iowa and Juris Doctor from New York University. She has served MSBA since 2004. |
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Senior Editor, Full Maintenance Kay Marchesi provides policy support for school districts on the Full Maintenance program and has served MSBA since 1994. |
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Editor, Education Policy Evelyn Kinkade provides policy support for member districts and editing for publications and projects. She received a Bachelor of Arts from Central Methodist University and has served MSBA since 2002. |
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Editor, Full Maintenance Kathy Galloway provides policy support for Full Maintenance districts and edits other publications for MSBA. She received a Bachelor of Arts in English and Creative Writing from the University of Colorado-Boulder and has served MSBA since 2008. |
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Editor, Basic and Policy Online Matt O'Brien edits and maintains districts participating in Policy Online. He received a Bachelor of Arts in English from Truman State University and has served MSBA since 2003. |
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Administrative Assistant Sherry Dyke provides support to law, policy and labor relations as needed. She earned an Associate of Arts in Business from Moberly Area Community College and has served MSBA since 2001. |
Center for Education Safety |
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Director Paul H. Fennewald began serving as the Director of the Center for Educational Safety for the Missouri School Boards’ Association in 2012. He has a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Drury University and has served as Missouri’s Homeland Security Coordinator and as a Special Agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation. |
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Missouri Department of Public Safety |
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Missouri Department of Public Safety |
Communications |
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Chief Communications Officer Brent Ghan oversees marketing and communications including publications, website, video production and media relations. Brent received a Bachelor of Journalism and a Master of Public Affairs from the University of Missouri-Columbia. He has served MSBA since 1987. |
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Senior Director, Video Production Blake Godwin produces, directs and edits video and media productions for MSBA and outside clients. Blake received a Bachelor of Arts in Communications-Radio/TV/Film from the University of Missouri-Columbia and has served MSBA since 1989. |
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Director, Central Database Eileen Woody directs operations of the association’s management database and additional data needs as related to operations, communications, events and exhibits. She studied vocational curriculum and administration at the University of Missouri-Columbia and has served MSBA since 1999. |
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Director, Strategic Communications Jade Govero is a strategic and discerning designer who creates marketing materials and e-communications. She is a graduate of Purdue University-West Lafayette, IN with a Bachelor of Arts in Visual Communications Design and joined MSBA in 2011. |
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Director, Video Production Brett Manie supports all aspects of creating, supporting and distributing MSBA video productions. Brett graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication/Television and Radio. Brett has served MSBA since 2006. |
Conference, Events and Registration |
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Senior Director, Conferences & Events Kelly Francis is responsible for developing, organizing and managing all of the association’s conferences and events. She received a Bachelor of Science from Missouri State University and has served MSBA since 2005. |
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Manager, Conferences & Events Jaime Fessler is responsible for event planning activities and registration. She studied Business Administration at Columbia College and the University of Missouri-Columbia and has served MSBA since 2007. |
Governmental Relations200 Madison St., Ste. 320 |
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Deputy Executive Director & General Counsel |
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Associate Executive Director, Advocacy Michael C. Reid lobbies the Missouri General Assembly and other branches of state government on behalf of the association. Michael also works with districts to organize grass roots lobbying and has served MSBA since 2006. He received a Bachelor of Science in history from Westminster College and received a Juris Doctor from the University of Missouri-Columbia. |
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Administrative Specialist Debbie Geib provides administrative support for the Associate Executive Director of Advocacy with support for delegate assemblies, the advocacy committee and other governmental relations activities. She has served MSBA since 2003. |
Medicaid Consortium |
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Associate Executive Director Kim Ratcliffe provides leadership and advocacy for public schools relative to the MSBA Medicaid Consortium and regular and special education, including chairing the MSBA Special Education Advocacy Council (SEAC). She received a Doctorate of Education from the University of Missouri-Columbia and was the recipient of Missouri LINC Distinguished Service Award; Outstanding Special Education Administrator, Missouri Speech-Language Hearing Association; Donald K. Anderson Graduate Teaching Award; Missouri Council of Administrators of Special Education (MO-CASE) Special Recognition Award; MO-CASE Distinguished Service Award. She has served MSBA since 2003. |
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Senior Director Collin Swearingen provides technical expertise and support to MSBA Medicaid Consortium districts in the areas of School District Administrative Claiming (SDAC), Direct Services, and Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT). He received a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Graceland University. He has served MSBA since 2008. |
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Director Brenda Wright assists school districts with the SDAC program and submitting reports necessary to participate in the program. She worked with the Department of Social Services for 30 years, including regional supervision of programs and other public assistance programs. She graduated from Southwest Baptist University with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and joined MSBA in 2008. |
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Financial Specialist Darcy Frazee provides technical expertise and support to MSBA Medicaid Consortium districts in all aspects of financial reporting and claim adjustments. She received a Bachelor and Master of Business Administration from Western Illinois University. She joined MSBA in 2010. |
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Director Lisa Helm assists school districts with the implementation of the MO HealthNet Direct Services claiming program. She has a Bachelor of Science from William Woods University and a Master of Arts from Truman State University. Lisa has served in public schools in the area of special education for more than 25 years before joining MSBA in 2009. |
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Administrative Assistant Colleen Mahon provides administrative support for the MSBA Medicaid Consortium. She received an Associate of Arts in Hospitality Management from Forest Park Community College-St. Louis and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Maryville University-St. Louis. She has served MSBA since 2008. |
Member Relations CenterOffice: |
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Manager, Member Relations Center Beth Stocksick manages the Member Relations Center in Jefferson City and acts as Missouri School Nutrition Association Executive Secretary. She received an Associate in Business Administration from Columbia College. After previously being employed by MSBA from 2003 to 2007, she returned in 2012. |
Membership |
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Chief Membership Officer Ext 331 Jeanie Gordon coordinates the work of the Member Relations department, oversees the organizational structure of the MSBA Regional Leadership Committees, directs the MSBA Superintendent Search service and assists in the development of programs to benefit member districts. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Education and Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction from Truman State University, Education Specialist and Doctorate in Education Administration from University of Missouri, and a Master's in Counseling from Stephens College. She has 31 years of experience in Missouri public school districts with 22 years as a school superintendent and has served MSBA since 2009. |
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Director, Online Learning Jeanie Rhoades provides Superintendent search support for Missouri districts. She has served MSBA since 1989. |
School Resources |
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Associate Executive Director Jim Cherrington is responsible for programmatic offerings that focus on creating revenue and/or reducing expenditures of school districts. Jim received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Truman State University and has served MSBA since 2001. |
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Director, Field Services Mike Parnell provides field expertise in board training and responds to related inquiries from members and administrators. Mike assists in the marketing of business services offered by MSBA and membership services. He received a BSE and MA from Northeast Missouri State University and earned his Education Specialist from Northwest Missouri State University. He has served on the board of directors for the National Association of Secondary School Principals and has served MSBA. |
Superintendent Search |
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Chief Membership Officer |
