Jefferson City, MO - infoZine - Gov. Jay Nixon announced his appointments to 14 boards and commissions. The appointees will be subject to confirmation by the Missouri Senate. The appointees, along with their boards and hometowns, are:

Children’s Trust Fund Board

The Governor has re-appointed Nela E. Beetem, of Holts Summit; and appointed Martina L. Peterson, of Kansas City, to the Children’s Trust Fund Board. The Children’s Trust Fund works to prevent or alleviate child abuse and neglect by planning and policy development; ensuring appropriate funding of results-oriented programs, training programs for prevention professionals, and research; promoting public awareness and education; and assisting in the integration of statewide prevention efforts.

Beetem is a certified family and school nurse practitioner who served as a nurse consultant for the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services before retiring in 2001. She continues to provide community health nurse consultation for DHSS. The Governor has re-appointed her for a term ending Sept. 15, 2012.

Peterson is a family court commissioner in Jackson County; she presides over cases and issues orders involving abuse and neglect, delinquencies, adoptions, guardianships, paternity, divorces, detention hearings and protective custody hearings. The Governor has appointed Peterson for a term ending Sept. 15, 2012.

Credit Union Commission

The Governor has appointed Stephanie M. Grise, of St. Louis, to the Credit Union Commission. The commission promulgates regulations related to credit unions; hears appeals of orders or decisions pertaining to the chartering, relocation, branching or membership of credit unions; and consults with and advises the director of the Division of Credit Unions.

Grise is an attorney with the law firm of Armstrong Teasdale LLP who specializes in public law and finance matters. She received her law degree and her MBA from Washington University in St. Louis. The Governor has appointed Grise for a term ending Jan. 1, 2015.

Drug Utilization Review Board

The Governor has re-appointed Dr. John W. Newcomer, of Creve Coeur, to the Drug Utilization Review Board. The board advises the MO HealthNet Division and provides educational outreach on drug therapy to improve prescribing and dispensing practices for MO HealthNet participants, and provides information to physicians and pharmacies to assist with the continued evaluation and management of the patient's pharmaceutical requirements.

Dr. Newcomer serves as the Gregory B. Couch Professor of Psychiatry, Psychology and Medicine at Washington University School of Medicine. He also is the medical director for the Center for Clinical Studies at the school. The Governor has re-appointed Dr. Newcomer for a term ending Oct. 15, 2012.

Mental Health Commission

The Governor has appointed Neva G. Thurston, of Jefferson City, to the Mental Health Commission. The commission appoints the director of the Missouri Department of Mental Health and assists the director in establishing, maintaining and reviewing plans, practices, rules and regulations, facilities, programs and services operated, funded or licensed by the Department.

Thurston is a retired registered nurse. She served on the Missouri Planning Council for Development Disabilities from 1995 to 2003, and chaired the council from 1999 to 2001. A charter member of the Missouri Alliance for Individuals with Disabilities, she currently serves on the Cole County Board for People with Developmental Disabilities. The Governor has appointed her for a term ending June 28, 2013.

Missouri Consolidated Health Care Plan Board of Trustees

The Governor has re-appointed Vernetta Kaye Newsome, of Lee’s Summit; and appointed Michael E. Warrick, of Columbia, to the Missouri Consolidated Health Care Plan Board of Trustees. The board is responsible for the general administration and operation of the plan covering medical expenses of state employees, retirees, their families and survivors. The board also functions as fiduciaries of the trust and is responsible for the financial viability of the trust; establishes all eligibility and participation requirements for members wishing to join the plan; and develops all rules and regulations necessary to efficiently operate the plan.

Newsome is vice-president for client relations at Meritain Health, and has served in management positions for several other healthcare related businesses, including Humana, Kaiser Permanente and CIGNA Health Care of Kansas/Missouri. The Governor has re-appointed her for a term ending Dec. 31, 2014.

Warrick is general counsel for the Missouri Department of Agriculture and has more than 20 years’ experience with Missouri state agencies. He received his law degree from the University of Missouri School of Law. The Governor has appointed him for a term ending Dec. 31, 2014.

Missouri Genetic Advisory Committee

The Governor has re-appointed Dr. Morey A. Blinder, of Clayton; and Dr. Gary S. Gottesman, of St. Louis, to the Missouri Genetic Advisory Committee. The committee advises the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services in all genetic programs including metabolic disease screening programs, hemophilia, sickle cell anemia, and cystic fibrosis programs.

Dr. Blinder is an associate professor of medicine and pathology & immunity at Washington University School of Medicine. He earned his medical degree from Saint Louis University School of Medicine. The Governor has re-appointed Dr. Blinder for a term ending April 9, 2012.

Dr. Gottesman is director of the Saint Louis University Physician Assistant Program and an adjunct associate professor of pediatrics at Saint Louis University School of Medicine and Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center. The Governor has re-appointed Dr. Gottesman for a term ending Aug. 20, 2012.

Missouri Southern State University Board of Governors

The Governor has appointed Ezekiel P. Tarrant, of Webb City, as the student representative to the Missouri Southern State University Board of Governors. The Board of Governors appoints the president of the university, clarifies the institution’s mission, approves long-range plans, oversees the education programs, preserves institutional independence, ensures financial solvency and enhances the university’s public image.

Tarrant is a student in the School of Arts and Sciences with majors in biology and biochemistry, with an expected graduation date of the spring of 2011. He also is enrolled to become certified as an emergency medical technician. The Governor has appointed him for a term ending Dec. 31, 2011.

Missouri Women’s Council

The Governor has appointed Jacqueline Coleman (D), of Lohman, to the Missouri Women’s Council. The council promotes and increases women's economic and employment opportunities through education and training; occupational mobility; non-traditional careers; promoting women in small business; access to managerial jobs; and support service for families, such as child care.

Coleman is the president and owner of Coleman & Associates LLC. She is the training coordinator for 34 sites participating in the on-line training pilot of the Missouri College of Direct Support, a cooperative initiative of several state, higher education and non-profit agencies. Coleman was elected to the Jefferson City School Board from 1993 to 2008. The Governor has appointed her for a term ending Dec. 6, 2011.

Missouri Workforce Investment Board

The Governor has appointed Dr. Fred A. Bronstein, of Brentwood; and Dr. David C. Cramp, of Farmington, to the Missouri Workforce Investment Board. The board serves as an advisory council to the Governor and the Division of Workforce Development on employment and training needs of Missouri businesses.

Dr. Bronstein has been the president and executive director of the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra since March 2008. He previously served as president and CEO of the Dallas and Omaha symphony orchestras. The Governor has appointed him for a term ending March 3, 2013.

Dr. Cramp, the presiding commissioner for St. Francois County, served as superintendent of the Farmington School District from 1998 to 2003 until he retired. He currently is director of the Farmington Educational Foundation and president of James Maxson Construction Inc. The Governor has appointed him for a term ending March 3, 2014.

Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission

The Governor has appointed Oliver G. (Glenn) Boyer, of Crystal City; and Daniel Isom, of St. Louis, to the Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Commission. The POST Commission establishes the core curriculum and formulates definitions, rules and regulations for the administration of the Peace Officer Standards and Training Program and advises the director of the Missouri Department of Public Safety concerning duties as outlined by statute.

Boyer has served as sheriff of Jefferson County for more than 17 years and was police chief of Crystal City for 10 years prior to his election as sheriff. The Governor has appointed him for a term ending Oct. 3, 2010.

Isom became chief of police for the St. Louis City Metropolitan Police Department in 2008. He has been with the department for 22 years, previously serving as special projects manager and as commander of internal affairs. The Governor has appointed him for a term ending Oct. 3, 2011.

State Advisory Council on Emergency Medical Services

The Governor has appointed Randall J. Davis, of Hillsboro, to the State Advisory Council on Emergency Medical Services. The council makes recommendations to the Governor, the General Assembly, and the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services on policies, plans, procedures, and proposed regulations regarding how to improve the statewide emergency medical services system.

Davis, who has almost 30 years experience as a paramedic, is the education coordinator for the St. Francois County Ambulance District; he also serves as a paramedic/EMT instructor at Sanford Brown College in Fenton. The Governor has appointed him for a term ending Jan. 5, 2011.

State Board of Senior Services

The Governor has appointed Dr. Barbara J. Gilchrist (D), of St. Louis, to the State Board of Senior Services. The board reviews and advises on the rules and regulations impacting senior services promulgated by the Department of Health and Senior Services; advises the department director on the formulation of the department’s proposed budget, and planning for and operation of the department.

Dr. Gilchrist is a clinical law professor at Saint Louis University School of Law, where she supervises in-house elder law clinic students and teaches classes on elder law. She has been on the school’s faculty since 1986. The Governor has appointed her for a term ending Aug. 30, 2012.

State Historical Records Advisory Board

The Governor has re-appointed Joseph L. Adams, of University City; Robert P. Neumann, of Republic; and Cynthia L. Parks, of Columbia; and appointed Paxton J. Williams, of Joplin, to the State Historical Records Advisory Board. The Missouri Historical Records Advisory Board promotes and supports identification of, preservation of, and access to all historical records in Missouri.

Adams has served as the mayor of University City since 1996, and was a professor of history at St. Louis Community College – Meramec from 1971 to 2003. He received bachelors and masters degrees in history from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. The Governor has re-appointed him for a term ending Nov. 1, 2011.

Neumann has served as the archives supervisor for the Greene County Clerk’s office since 1996, and is currently vice-president of the Greene County Historical Society. The Governor has re-appointed him for a term ending Nov. 1, 2012.

Davis has served as director of records management for the University of Missouri since January 2003. She has chaired the university’s Electronic Records Management Task Force since 2004. The Governor has re-appointed her for a term ending Nov. 1, 2011.

Williams is the executive director, director of partnerships and development, and director of outreach for the George Washington Carver Birthplace Association. The Governor has appointed Williams for a term ending Nov. 1, 2012.

Truman State University Board of Governors

The Governor has appointed Lucas A. Freeland, of Kirksville, as the student representative to the Truman State University Board of Governors. The Board of Governors is the highest policy-making body of the University.

Freeland is majoring in physics with a minor in political science, and has received the university’s Golden Leadership Award. He is expected to graduate in 2011. The Governor has appointed Freeland for a term ending Jan. 1, 2012.