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Gov. Nixon announces nominations to three boards and commissions, appointment to a fourth

JEFFERSON CITY – Gov. Jay Nixon today announced his nominations to three boards and commissions, which have been submitted to the Missouri Senate for confirmation. The Governor also announced an appointment to the Commission on Retirement, Removal, and Discipline of Judges, which does not require Senate confirmation. The nominees and appointee, along with their boards and hometowns, are:

Child Abuse and Neglect Review Board (Nancy S. Hoeman – Springfield; Rhonda L. Mammen – Springfield; Michelle L. Miller – West Plains; Jill G. Patterson – Springfield; Linda K. Thomas – Springfield; and Dr. Donna M. Washburn – Springfield)

Commission on Retirement, Removal, and Discipline of Judges (Michelle D. Aycock – Parma)

Missouri Ethics Commission (Kimberly Benjamin – Raymore; and Donald W. Summers – Unionville)

Truman State University Board of Governors – student representative (Brooks Templeton – Kirksville)

Child Abuse and Neglect Review Board

The Governor has nominated Nancy S. Hoeman, Rhonda L. Mammen, Jill G. Patterson, Linda K. Thomas and Dr. Donna M. Washburn, all of Springfield; and Michelle L. Miller, of West Plains, to the Child Abuse and Neglect Review Board. The Child Abuse and Neglect Review Board provides an independent review of certain child abuse and neglect determinations. These nominees would serve on the newly created Child Abuse and Neglect Review Board F, which will serve southwest Missouri.

Hoeman has served as the nurse coordinator for the Springfield-Greene County Health Department since 2007. She is a member of the Early Care and Education Collaborative and the Child Abuse and Neglect Collaborative of the Community Partnership of the Ozarks. Hoeman obtained her bachelor’s in nursing from Missouri State University and her master’s in nursing from the University of Missouri. The Governor has nominated her to serve a term ending April 7, 2017.

Mammen is the director of school counseling services for the Springfield School District and has held the position since 2005. She has served on the Child Abuse and Neglect Collaborative and the Underage Drinking Task Force of the Community Partnership of the Ozarks. Mammen is a graduate of Missouri State University, with a bachelor’s in education and a master’s in school counseling. The Governor has nominated her for a term ending April 7, 2017.

Miller is a licensed clinical social worker and serves as an elementary counselor for students in kindergarten through the fourth grade at the West Plains R-VII School District. She also is an adjunct instructor for Drury University at its campuses in Cabool and Thayer. Miller obtained her bachelor’s in social work from Missouri State University and her master’s in social work from the University of Missouri. The Governor has nominated her for a term ending April 7, 2016.

Patterson is the Title IX coordinator for Missouri State University and is an elected member of the Springfield Public Schools Board. She is a current member of the Child Abuse and Neglect Review Board, and is a presenter for mandatory reporter training. Patterson has served on the boards of The Victim Center, the Child Advocacy Center and the Greene County Domestic Violence Shelter. The Governor has nominated her for a term ending April 7, 2018.

Thomas has been an attorney in Springfield since 1978, with an emphasis in family law, juvenile law and probate. She has served as an instructor at both Missouri State University and Drury University. Thomas’ previous board service included the Regional Girls Shelter Advisory Board and the Child Advocacy Council. She obtained bother her undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Missouri. The Governor has nominated Thomas for a term ending April 7, 2018.

Dr. Washburn is a licensed clinical social worker who is chair of the behavioral and social sciences department at Evangel University in Springfield. She teaches in the university’s social work program and its masters of clinical mental health counseling program. Dr. Washburn has been at the university since 2001. The Governor has nominated her for a term ending April 7, 2016.

Commission on Retirement, Removal, and Discipline of Judges

The Governor has appointed Michelle D. Aycock, of Parma, to the Commission on Retirement, Removal and Discipline of Judges. The commission makes recommendations to the Missouri Supreme Court for the retirement of any state or municipal judge who is found to be physically or mentally disabled and for the removal or discipline of a judge for misconduct.

Aycock and her husband own AgXplore International, a developer and supplier of fertilizers and other agricultural products. She serves on the Southeast Health Regional Board and the St. John’s Bayou Basin Drainage District. Aycock has a degree in elementary education from Southeast Missouri State University. The Governor has appointed her for a term ending Dec. 31, 2021.

Missouri Ethics Commission

The Governor has nominated Kimberly Benjamin, of Raymore; and Donald W. Summers, ofUnionville, to serve on the Missouri Ethics Commission. The Ethics Commission receives and reviews complaints alleging violations of conflict of interest, lobbying and campaign finance disclosure laws. Both nominations will be subject to confirmation by the Missouri Senate.

Benjamin (D) has been a partner at the Benjamin Law Firm in Belton since 2002. In April 2015, she received the Atticus Finch award to recognize high moral and ethical standards from the Missouri Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. Benjamin previously served as an assistant public defender with the Missouri State Public Defender Office. The Governor has nominated her for a term ending March 15, 2020.

Summers (R) has owned and managed a family cattle operation since 1982, and is a graduate of the Agricultural Leaders of Tomorrow (ALOT) program. From 1994 to 2000, he represented the 2nd District in the Missouri House of Representatives. Summers also served as a legislative liaison and ombudsman for the Missouri Department of Natural Resources from 2005 to 2007. He obtained his undergraduate degree from the University of Missouri. The Governor has nominated Summers for a term ending March 15, 2020.

Truman State University Board of Governors

The Governor has nominated Brooks Templeton, of Kirksville, as the student representative on the Truman State University Board of Governors. The board is the highest policy-making body of the university; the student representative is a non-voting member of the board.

Templeton is a freshman at Truman State. In addition to his academics, he works for Truman State’s social media department, shooting, editing and doing interviews for videos for the university. At Kirksville High School, he was track and field all-state and academic all-state. The Governor has nominated Templeton for a term ending Jan. 1, 2018.