JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Gov. Jay Nixon today announced his appointments to six boards and commissions; the appointees will be subject to confirmation by the Missouri Senate. The appointees, along with their boards and hometowns, are:
n Kansas City Board of Police Commissioners (Leland M. Shurin – Kansas City)
n Missouri Board of Occupational Therapy (Stephanie M. Allen – Jefferson City; Dr. Michael L. Gerdine – St. Louis)
n Missouri Family Trust Board of Trustees (Stephanie D. Briscoe – Lathrop)
n Missouri Real Estate Commission (William W. Gratz – Wardsville)
n Missouri State University Board of Governors (Gregory V. Spears – Greenwood)
n State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors (Archie Camden – Bonne Terre)
Kansas City Board of Police Commissioners
The Governor has appointed Leland M. Shurin, of Kansas City, to the Kansas City Board of Police Commissioners. Under state statute, the Kansas City Board of Police Commissioners oversees operation of the Kansas City Police Department.
Shurin is managing partner at the Kansas City law firm of Shaffer Lombardo Shurin. He has received numerous professional honors for his legal work, and has been appointed by both state and federal courts as a special master to resolve litigation. Shurin obtained his undergraduate degree from the University of Missouri and his law degree from the University of Missouri – Kansas City. The Governor has appointed him for a term ending Jan. 6, 2018.
Missouri Board of Occupational Therapy
The Governor appointed Stephanie M. Allen, of Jefferson City; and Dr. Michael L. Gerdine, of St. Louis, to the Missouri Board of Occupational Therapy. The board protects Missourians through the licensing of occupational therapists and assistants, and also investigates complaints against licensees.
Allen is a licensed occupational therapist who serves as a clinical instructor for the occupational therapy assistant program within the Missouri Health Professions Consortium, in partnership with the University of Missouri. She obtained both her undergraduate and her master’s degree in occupational therapy from the University of Missouri. The Governor has appointed her for a term ending Dec. 11, 2015.
Dr. Gerdine is a licensed chiropractor and is the founder and CEO of West End Chiropractic and Rehabilitation Center in St. Louis. He obtained his doctor of chiropractic degree from Logan College of Chiropractic in Chesterfield. The Governor has appointed him for a term ending Dec. 11, 2020.
Missouri Family Trust Board of Trustees
The Governor has appointed Stephanie D. Briscoe, of Lathrop, to the Missouri Family Trust Board of Trustees. The board of trustees is designed to provide persons with a mental and/or physical disability a better quality of life from funds received through the Missouri Family Trust.
Briscoe served on the Missouri Developmental Disabilities Council for several years, including three years as the chair. The council works to assist communities in their efforts to include all people in every aspect of life. She also has served as a substitute teacher in special education in the North Kansas City and Liberty school districts. The Governor has appointed Briscoe for a term ending Oct. 25, 2016.
Missouri Real Estate Commission
The Governor has appointed William W. (Bill) Gratz, of Wardsville, to the Missouri Real Estate Commission. The Missouri Real Estate Commission protects the public from incompetence, misconduct, gross negligence, fraud, misrepresentation, or dishonesty; licenses only qualified professionals by examination and evaluation of minimum competency; enforces standards by implementing legislation and administrative rules; and encourages economic development and partnerships with existing small businesses.
Gratz has owned and managed Gratz Real Estate & Auctioneering since 1978. He represented the 113th District in the Missouri House of Representatives from 1993 to 2002, and served as the chair of the Correctional & State Institutions Committee and the Travel Committee. The Governor has appointed Gratz for a term ending Oct. 16, 2015.
Missouri State University Board of Governors
The Governor has appointed Gregory V. Spears (R), of Greenwood, to the Missouri State University Board of Governors. The Missouri State University Board of Governors possesses full power and authority to adopt all needful rules and regulations for the guidance and supervision of the University.
Spears is the managing director and Kansas market manager for Wells Fargo Advisors in Kansas City. He has been employed in management positions for financial service institutions since 1983. Spears is a graduate of Missouri State University, with a degree in finance. The Governor has appointed him for a term ending Jan. 1, 2019.
State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors
The Governor has re-appointed Archie Camden (D), of Bonne Terre, as the public member to the State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors. The board is charged with the responsibility of licensing embalmers, funeral directors, and funeral establishments; registers pre-need providers and sellers; and regulates these professions in accordance with state law.
Camden is a retired autoworker and also worked as a field appraiser for the St. Francois County Assessor’s Office. He had served as the training coordinator for production workers at the Chrysler plant in St. Louis County. The Governor has appointed Camden for a term endingSept. 1, 2016.
