Missouri Gov. Mike Parson continued his trade mission tour across Europe this week, making stops in France, Germany, and Switzerland.
Parson left for his first trip to Europe as Missouri’s chief executive last week in an effort to bolster the Show-Me State to potential new businesses.
While in Europe, Parson has spent significant time at the Paris Airshow, where he and his wife met with Jamie McCourt, the U.S. ambassador to France; and Isabelle Hudon, the Candian ambassador to France.
Additionally, Parson met with representatives from Boeing, the Leonard DRS CEO, the head of GKN Aerospace supplier, and a bevy of other Missouri innovators at the airshow.
Great to meet with our Missouri Exhibitors while at the Paris Air Show!
Our @MoEcoDevo International Team works with each company to help highlight our Missouri aerospace innovators, including Arnold Defense pictured. #PAS19 pic.twitter.com/V3L5iLIQ6s
— Governor Mike Parson (@GovParsonMO) June 18, 2019
Recognize Leggett & Platt?
You should, they started right here in Missouri, in 1883. Now, Leggett & Platt has 145 facilities across 18 countries… including one back in Carthage where it all started.
THAT is Missouri innovation! pic.twitter.com/Zc7FJRsizq— Governor Mike Parson (@GovParsonMO) June 18, 2019
In Germany, the governor met with Werner Baumann, CEO of Bayer, as well as with executives from Henkel.
https://twitter.com/GovParsonMO/status/1141369541232136192
Glad for the opportunity to meet with executives from @Henkel on our European Trade Mission.
Henkel has manufacturing facilities in North KC, Richmond, and in St. Louis. @MoEcoDevo has a great workforce development partnership with Henkel — helping train & retain Missourians. pic.twitter.com/w2C7TxpwG9
— Governor Mike Parson (@GovParsonMO) June 19, 2019
And in Switzerland, Parson met with representatives from Swiss Re. On social media, the governor noted Missouri’s Department of Insurance, Financial Institutions & Professional Registration works with the company and just opened a new location in Kansas City.
Naturally, our first stop in Switzerland was with @SwissRe. @MissouriDIFP has a strong working relationship with Swiss Re leadership, and we recently celebrated Swiss Re’s grand opening in Kansas City — moving approximately 400 employees downtown. Thanks for hosting us! pic.twitter.com/QbAU9GRWmT
— Governor Mike Parson (@GovParsonMO) June 20, 2019
He also toured ABB facilities in Switzerland. Parson said the company employs more than 700 people in Jefferson City as well as more than 200 in St. Louis.
Early today, we toured ABB — a world leader in digital industries. @ABBgroupnews’s manufacturing facilities in Missouri employ more than 700 in Jefferson City and more than 200 in St. Louis. Glad to get the opportunity to speak with leadership about their workforce needs. pic.twitter.com/cm8b1QQ5WR
— Governor Mike Parson (@GovParsonMO) June 20, 2019
And on Friday, Parson met with Nestle representatives. He noted the company employs thousands of people in Missouri — and officials recognized the St. Louis Blues during their meeting.
.@Nestle started our meeting today with a S/O to the @StLouisBlues!
Great to see the world’s largest food & beverage company has strong roots in Missouri.
Nestlé facilities employ +3,500 across St. Louis, Chesterfield, Earth City, Gray Summit, St. Joseph, Trenton, & Bloomfield. pic.twitter.com/8ASFneBjTp
— Governor Mike Parson (@GovParsonMO) June 21, 2019
Despite his European trip, Parson weighed in on state health officials’ decision not to renew a St. Louis Planned Parenthood’s facility license to perform abortions Friday.
“If you don’t provide a standard of care that ensures the safety of women, you shouldn’t be allowed to operate. It’s that simple,” Parson said.
He also addressed the 2019 APSE conference earlier this week.
Thank you @GovParsonMO for welcoming #APSE2019 to St. Louis. The 925 attendees were excited to hear your commitment to including Missourians with disabilities in our workforce #EmploymentFirst pic.twitter.com/iTl6EPOJWD
— MARF (@MARF_MO) June 18, 2019
Parson will remain in Europe with the first lady once the trade mission is completed for a vacation. He is expected to cede power to Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe — a Republican whom Parson appointed when he took over as Missouri’s chief executive — during that portion of the trip, The Missouri Times has confirmed.
Kaitlyn Schallhorn was the editor in chief of The Missouri Times from 2020-2022. She joined the newspaper in early 2019 after working as a reporter for Fox News in New York City.
Throughout her career, Kaitlyn has covered political campaigns across the U.S., including the 2016 presidential election, and humanitarian aid efforts in Africa and the Middle East.
She is a native of Missouri who studied journalism at Winthrop University in South Carolina. She is also an alumna of the National Journalism Center in Washington, D.C.
Contact Kaitlyn at kaitlyn@themissouritimes.com.
