JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Governor Mike Parson announced the launch of the Missouri Leadership Academy to develop emerging leaders from across the State of Missouri’s 16 executive departments. The State of Missouri has never before had such a leadership development program.
“Leadership is critical for any organization to succeed. For far too long, we have not invested in the next generation of our state government leaders,” said Parson. “I am proud that we are investing to make our leaders better for their teams and for the citizens of Missouri.”
The Missouri Leadership Academy is an innovative program that brings together emerging leaders from across all 16 executive departments to build new skills and become better leaders. This leadership program incorporates approaches that have proven successful in high performing organizations in both the public and private sectors.
This program’s foundation is the commitment that through better leadership, the State of Missouri will continue to improve and serve our citizens better.
“World-class organizations invest in their leaders. We heard loud and clear that our State of Missouri colleagues want to have opportunities to grow and develop their leadership skills. That’s what the Missouri Leadership Academy is about,” said Drew Erdmann, Chief Operating Officer of the State of Missouri. “The Leadership Academy is another component of the State of Missouri’s back-to-basics management agenda. Good leaders empower good teams, and good teams deliver good results for our citizens.”
The Missouri Leadership Academy was designed and launched in a collaboration across all 16 Cabinet executive departments as part of the State’s overall management reform agenda.
“It is great to see how the State of Missouri is bringing proven best practices from business and other governments to make our government stronger,” said Joel Walters, Director of the Department of Revenue. “After more than 30 years in the private sector, it is energizing to be part of building a new generation of public sector leaders.”
“The Missouri Leadership Academy is an important step forward in how we invest in our workforce and improve our state government’s performance for the citizens of Missouri,” said Sarah Steelman, Commissioner of the Office of Administration.
The first Missouri Leadership Academy class includes 1-3 representatives from each of the 16 Cabinet departments. Slates of candidates were nominated by their department leaders. Each nominee then had to submit a resume and a brief memorandum on why they were a good candidate for the program. A committee of Cabinet department leaders reviewed the applications and made the final selections.
The State of Missouri will have two classes a year. The next class will be nominated by Cabinet leaders in November 2018 to start in January 2019.
The Governor hosted the first class of the Missouri Leadership Academy for dinner at the Governor’s Mansion last night. Today, after its morning training session, the class had an informal lunch with leaders of the 16 Cabinet departments as part of their program.
The Missouri Leadership Academy is excited to partner with the University of Missouri’s Novak Leadership Institute for the implementation of key elements of this new program.
You can find more information about the Missouri Leadership Academy on the website:https://leadershipacademy.mo.gov. You can also keep up with the class at #MOLeadershipAcademy.
See below for brief biographies of the inaugural class of the Missouri Leadership Academy:
Camille Anderson-Weddle
Insurance Compliance Review Specialist III, Life and Health Section
Department of Insurance, Financial Institutions, and Professional Registration
As an Insurance Compliance Review Specialist III, Camille participates in the professional development and evaluation of the life and health unit by supporting the unit manager. Camille provides guidance and training to analysts, evaluates intricate market filings, assists team members with complicated product filings and stays abreast of new state and federal laws impacting the insurance market. Camille also participates in the fiscal note review process and assists in implementing new Missouri laws.
Jeremy Beller
Senior Claims Supervisor, Springfield Regional Claims Center
Department of Labor
As a Senior Claims Supervisor at the Springfield Regional Claims Center, Jeremy supervises two team supervisors and 18 specialists, monitors and assigns team duties, assists and trains staff, performs documentation review, monitors leave, and reviews and submits time sheets. He has been with the department for more than 20 years.
Darcy Bybee
Director of Air Pollution Control Program
Department of Natural Resources
Darcy is the director of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources’ Air Pollution Control Program. Darcy joined the Department in 2005 and has since held various positions within the Air Program focusing on compliance/enforcement and air quality planning issues. Darcy holds a Bachelor of Science in biology from the University of Missouri-Columbia.
David Coe
Senior Employee Development Specialist
Department of Transportation
David works on the employee development team at the Missouri Department of Transportation. His current areas of responsibility include organizational assessment, leadership development, and organization development. His professional goal is to help create a work environment where people come to work engaged and ready to perform at their best.
Stacia Dawson
Services Section Manager, Division of Purchasing
Office of Administration
As a Services Section Manager, Stacia serves in a highly visible leadership role managing a team of eight staff who handle the service procurements for the state. She began her professional career with the state as a Buyer I in 2005 and has moved through the ranks at the Division of Purchasing in the last 13 years.
Kylie Dickneite
Gaming Enforcement Manager, Missouri Gaming Commission (MGC)
Department of Public Safety
Kylie is a Gaming Enforcement Manager at the Missouri Gaming Commission in conjunction with being deployed to a statewide task force in regards to statewide information sharing. She oversees the Association of Law Enforcement Intelligence Unit’s National Gambling Intelligence Sharing Group (NGISG), which regularly coordinates gambling-related intelligence and investigative information between multiple state and federal agencies. Kylie has served 21 years in support of Missouri public safety working for the Missouri Gaming Commission and the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
Doris Falkenrath
Deputy Warden, Fulton Reception & Diagnostic Center
Department of Corrections
Doris is the Deputy Warden of Offender Management at the Fulton Reception & Diagnostic Center. Her daily operations include oversight of custody and security measures and the appropriate classification and assignment of offenders. Doris has been dedicated to public service for more than 26 years as a soldier in the U.S. Army, a security officer for the Department of the Army, and a correctional staff member for the Missouri Department of Corrections.
Jacob Fleig
Feed, Seed, and Treated Timber Program Coordinator, Plant Industries Division
Department of Agriculture
As the Program Coordinator for the Missouri Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Feed, Seed and Treated Timber, Jacob manages the Seed Control Laboratory and oversees the implementation of the Animal Food Regulatory Program Standards (AFRPS) and FDA contract work for the feed inspection program. Prior to serving the State of Missouri, Jacob spent over 20 years in the food and beverage industry managing restaurants, commercial kitchens and a winery, vineyard and bistro. As an active duty member of the United States Air Force (USAF) from 1987 to 1991, he deployed during Desert Shield/Desert Storm.
Jeramiah Gandhi
Assistant Director, Northwest Community Services
Department of Mental Health
Jeramiah is the Assistant Director for Northwest Community Services, a state-operated community provider agency that provides services to 163 individuals with developmental and/or intellectual disabilities. He oversees all aspects of the residential, community employment, community integration, and crisis programs for the agency. Responsibilities include supervising staff, program development, and ensuring waiver principles and HCBS assurances are met for certification. Jeramiah has worked for the Division of Developmental Disabilities since 1993 starting as a direct support professional.
Michelle Hataway
Project Manager
Department of Economic Development
Michelle is a Project Manager for the Department of Economic Development. She works with startups and existing businesses in their efforts to expand, invest, and create jobs within the State of Missouri. Companies she has worked with include Centene Corporation, Seyer Industries, Lockerdome, Witte Bros, and Pfizer.
Julia LePage
Director of Community Supports
Department of Mental Health
Julia, a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, is the Director of Community Supports at the Division of Developmental Disabilities. Her previous state positions include Director of the Office of Autism, Department of Mental Health and Director of Special Education Effective Practices, Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
Tiffany Lomosi
District Administrator, Division of Probation and Parole
Department of Corrections
Tiffany is the District Administrator for Probation and Parole District 10 North in Springfield and is responsible for 24 staff. She oversees the daily operations of the office, addresses personnel issues, and meets with community officials. Additionally, as the chairperson of the Training Advisory Committee, she oversees the application process for adjunct trainers, helps develop and maintain curriculum presented to staff, and conducts trainings.
Travis McLain
Protection Programs Specialist
Department of Conservation
Travis serves as the Protection Division’s Programs Specialist. His current responsibilities include coordinating, supervising, and delivering law enforcement training at the Conservation Agent Training Academy; coordinating the Division’s budget; and coordinating the Share the Harvest, Operation Game Thief, and Atlas Regulations programs. Travis has been employed with MDC since 1994 and has worked as a temporary Wildlife and Fisheries Assistant in Northwest Missouri; a Conservation Agent with assignments in Polk, Holt, and Barry Counties; and a Protection District Supervisor in the Kansas City Metro District. He recently earned a Juris Doctor degree from St. Louis University School of Law.
Tanika Nevills
Manager, Southwest Regional Resource Center
Department of Social Services
As the manager of the Southwest Regional Resource Center, Tanika oversees 26 resource centers in 12 counties. Previously, she supervised at the Jefferson City Call/Customer Service center and at the MoHealthnet Aged, Blind, and Disabled /Medical Review Team Processing Center in Springfield.
Lee Pearson
Budget Analyst III
Department of Health and Senior Services
Lee is a Budget Analyst III with the Department of Health and Senior Services. His current professional responsibilities include working with division staff on preparing and compiling the budget book, reviewing legislation, and submitting corresponding fiscal notes. He is enrolled at the University of Missouri Truman School of Public Affairs pursuing a Master of Public Administration.
Scott Pinkley
Youth Group Leader, Mount Vernon Treatment Facility
Department of Social Services
Scott is a Youth Group Leader with the Division of Youth Services at the Mount Vernon Treatment Center in southwest Missouri. He began his professional career with the Department of Social Services in 2005 as a Youth Specialist but was quickly promoted to a leadership role. Scott served with the Missouri Army National Guard and is an intricate member of continuous improvement projects within the Department of Social Services. He attended Missouri Southern State University and earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and an associate degree in law enforcement.
Joseph Plaggenberg
Administrator, Driver License Bureau
Department of Revenue
Joseph is the Administrator of the Driver License Bureau at the Department of Revenue. He previously served as General Counsel for the Motor Vehicle and Driver License Division. Prior to that, Joseph worked as counsel for the Department of Social Services on child abuse and neglect cases.
Angelette Prichett
Research Associate IV, Academic Affairs
Department of Higher Education
Angelette is a Research Associate with the Missouri Department of Higher Education and coordinates the state’s curriculum and assessment initiatives with primary responsibility for advancing the state’s Core General Education Transfer Curriculum (CORE 42), and Transfer Library. Prior to moving into higher education, Angelette was a medical social worker in the hospital, home health, and hospice settings, providing discharge planning, end-of-life family planning, trauma and grief counseling. Angelette holds a master’s degree in social work from the University of Missouri-Columbia.
Angela Riner-Mooney
Coordinator of Business Systems, Office of Data System Management
Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
As the Coordinator of Business Systems, Angela functions as a liaison between the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) offices and Office of Administration – Information Technology Services Division (OA-ITSD) to support the communication plan, enforce roles and responsibilities, develop project plans, establish priorities, and maintain the workloads of the team members. Her position is unique because it allows her the ability to provide global perspective and guidance as her agency develops new projects and applications.
Stacey Smith
Alternative Project Delivery (APD) Coordinator
Department of Transportation
Stacey is the Alternative Project Delivery Coordinator for the St. Louis District of the Missouri Department of Transportation. She manages projects and advises project teams statewide while promoting the use of alternative project delivery methods and innovative transportation solutions. She earned her Bachelor of Science in civil engineering from the University of Missouri and is a licensed Professional Engineer in the State of Missouri.
Myles Strid
Corrections Supervisor II, Jefferson City Correctional Center
Department of Corrections
Myles is a Major for the Missouri Department of Corrections and serves as the Chief of Custody at Jefferson City Correctional Center, a maximum-security prison housing just under 2,000 offenders. His professional responsibilities involve managing a section of approximately 350 uniformed officers. In addition, he is responsible for all security related needs at the Jefferson City Correctional Center.
Elizabeth Weyrauch
Department of Public Safety Manager/State Hazard Mitigation Officer
Department of Public Safety
Elizabeth currently serves as the State Hazard Mitigation Officer for the State Emergency Management Agency. Elizabeth has served the State of Missouri for 10 years with experience in the Department of Health and Senior Services and the Office of Administration. Prior to working for the State, Elizabeth owned and managed a multi-line insurance agency.
Angela Wilson
Pharmacy Operations Manager
Department of Social Services
Angela is the Pharmacy Operations Manager for the MO HealthNet Division Pharmacy Program. She is responsible for the technical development, evaluation, planning, and implementation of policies that apply to the Pharmacy and MORx programs as well as the leadership and supervision of the pharmacy unit staff. She has been with MO Health Net since 2002 working her way up from a Medicaid Pharmaceutical Technician to Manager.
