JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – It shouldn’t come as much of a surprise, but Gov. Mike Parson has re-appointed Peter Herschend to the Missouri State Board of Education.
The news comes about one week after the Governor withdrew Herschend’s appointment to that same board.
The Missouri Senate last Friday took up Gov. Mike Parson’s appointments and approved all of them but Herschend after it became clear that Sen. Jamilah Nasheed would work to oppose the appointment. Nasheed wanted an individual vote on Herschend, leading to the Senate’s decision to stand at ease, eventually coming to a close when Parson withdrew Herschend’s name.
After adjournment, Senate President Pro Tem Ron Richard, R-Joplin, and State Sen. David Sater, R-Cassville, issued the following joint statement regarding the withdrawal of Peter Herschend’s appointment from the State Board of Education.
“Peter Herschend is a strong and dedicated champion of quality education in this state. The withdrawal of Mr. Herschend’s appointment to the State Board of Education today is not based on his ability or qualifications to serve on the board but is based on the objections of one senator. We expect the governor to reappoint Mr. Herschend to the board soon and for the Senate to again consider his confirmation early in the next legislative session.”
If Herschend had been voted upon and the vote lost, he would be banned from ever serving on the board. Now, he will serve as an interim appointee until the Senate can take up appointments again in the next legislative session.
Governor Parson also announced five other new appointments to various boards and commissions on Thursday.
Charlie Brown, of St. Charles, was appointed to the Missouri Board of Examiners for Hearing Instrument Specialists.
Brown is a Hearing Instrument Specialist at HiHealth Innovations in Chesterfield. He is a board-certified hearing instrument specialist and has more than 15 years of experience. Brown holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing from the University of Northern Iowa. He is a member of the Missouri Hearing Society, the Vendor Committee, and the International Hearing Society.
Michael Frazier, of Marshfield, was appointed to the Missouri Developmental Disabilities Council.
Frazier is the General Manager of Web-Co Custom Industries, Inc., a sheltered workshop in Marshfield, Missouri. Frazier is a board member of the OACAC Area Board, the Webster County OACAC Board, and the OHRD Solid Waste Management Board. He is also a member of Gideons International Marshfield Camp, Marshfield Schools A+ Program Board, the Boy Scouts, and Timber Ridge Baptist Church.
Jerrod Hogan, of Joplin, was appointed to the Missouri Board for Architects, Professional Engineers, Professional Land Surveyors, and Professional Landscape Architects.
Hogan serves as Vice President/Principal Surveyor of Anderson Engineering, Inc. in Joplin. He holds Professional Land Surveyor licenses in Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Kansas. Hogan co-founded Rebuild Joplin in 2011 to help victims of the May 2011 tornado. He also co-founded Bright Futures USA, a multi-state program connecting students in need with community resources to help them succeed.
John Stamm, of St. Louis, was appointed to the Missouri Community Service Commission.
Stamm is the Director of Global Philanthropy at JCI (Junior Chamber International). He holds bachelor’s degrees in business administration and philosophy from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Stamm serves as Vice President of the St. Louis Area Mensa and is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals and the Young Nonprofit Professionals Network.
Don Wallace, of St. Charles, was appointed to the Missouri Board of Examiners for Hearing Instrument Specialists.
Wallace is a Hearing Instrument Specialist at Miracle Ear in St. Peters and St. Charles. He is a licensed hearing instrument specialist and received national board certification. Wallace holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Missouri-Columbia. He is a member of the International Hearing Society.
Additionally, Governor Parson named Ryan Silvey as Chair of the Public Service Commission. Silvey has been on the Commission since January 2018.
Governor Parson also appointed five other individuals who were withdrawn before or during the special session:
* Jennifer Dixon was appointed to the Missouri Western State University Board of Governors.
* Jon Kempker was appointed to the Child Abuse and Neglect Review Board.
* Jamie Kondis was appointed to the Child Abuse and Neglect Review Board.
* Sharon Turner Buie was appointed to the Kansas City Board of Election Commissioners.
* Nicole Wood was appointed to the Conservation Commission.
Benjamin Peters was a reporter for The Missouri Times and Missouri Times Magazine and also produced the #MoLeg Podcast. He joined The Missouri Times in 2016 after working as a sports editor and TV news producer in mid-Missouri. Benjamin is a graduate of Missouri State University in Springfield.
