JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Gov. Jay Nixon today announced his appointments to four boards and commissions. The appointees will be subject to confirmation by the Missouri Senate. The appointees, along with their boards and hometowns, are:
- Harris-Stowe State University Board of Regents (Deborah L. Price – St. Louis)
- Missouri Workforce Development Board (Daniel K. Atwill – Columbia; Joel Todd Spencer – Oak Grove)
- St. Charles County Convention & Sports Facilities Authority (Frederick T. Dyer – St. Charles; John A. Scherr – Lake Saint Louis; Paul F. Woody – St. Charles)
- State Committee of Psychologists (Dr. Blake A. Naughton – Columbia)
Harris-Stowe State University Board of Regents
The Governor has appointed Deborah L. Price (D), of St. Louis, to the Harris-Stowe State University Board of Regents. The seven-member Board of Regents develops policy and provides oversight of the university administration and operation.
Price is vice president of business recruitment and general counsel for the Missouri Partnership, the state’s business recruitment organization and a key economic development partner for Missouri communities. Prior to joining the Missouri Partnership, Price was director of boards and commissions for the Governor’s Office and also served as a Missouri assistant attorney general. The Governor has appointed her for a term ending July 28, 2018.
Missouri Workforce Development Board
The Governor has appointed Daniel K. Atwill, of Columbia; and Joel Todd Spencer, of Oak Grove, to the Missouri Workforce Development Board. The board serves as an advisory council to the Governor and the Division of Workforce Development on employment and training needs of Missouri businesses.
Atwill is the presiding commissioner of Boone County and has served in the position since 2011. He is a partner in the law firm of Atwill and Montgomery and has practiced law in Columbia since 1976. Atwill received both his bachelor’s and law degrees from the University of Missouri. He is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, where he served as a captain in the JAG Corps. The Governor has appointed him for a term ending March 3, 2018.
Spencer has served as the executive vice president of the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association since 1992. He began his career in trucking as an employee-driver in 1974 and became an owner-operator in 1976. Spencer serves on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s Motor Carrier Safety Advisory Committee. The Governor has appointed him for a term ending March 3, 2019.
St. Charles County Convention & Sports Facilities Authority
The Governor has re-appointed Frederick T. Dyer (R), of St. Charles, and appointed John A. Scherr (D), of Lake Saint Louis; and Paul F. Woody (D), of St. Charles, to the St. Charles County Convention & Sports Facilities Authority. The authority operates and maintains the St. Charles Convention Center and promotes convention, visitor and sports facilities and activities in St. Charles County.
Dyer is retired after owning and operating the St. Charles-based trucking company Lorna Express from 1970 to 2012. He represented St. Charles County in the Missouri Senate from 1981 to 1994 and also was elected to the Missouri House of Representatives four times. The Governor has re-appointed him for a term ending April 27, 2019.
Scherr is a licensed pipefitter who has worked on numerous construction projects in the St. Charles and St. Louis areas for more than 35 years, including the Portage des Sioux power plant. He holds an HVAC certification from Ranken Tech. The Governor has appointed Scherr for a term ending April 27, 2017.
Woody is general counsel for the American Poolplayers Association, a top sports and recreation franchisor headquartered in St. Charles County. He previously practiced with Blitz, Bardgett & Deutsch and also operated his own law practice. The Governor has appointed him for a term ending April 27, 2020.
State Committee of Psychologists
The Governor has appointed Dr. Blake A. Naughton, of Columbia, as the public member to the State Committee of Psychologists. The State Committee of Psychologists protects the public from incompetence, misconduct, gross negligence, fraud, misrepresentation or dishonesty; licenses only qualified professionals by examination and evaluation of minimum competency; and enforces standards by implementing legislation and administrative rules.
Dr. Naughton is the executive director for the Hook Center for Educational Leadership & District Renewal at the University of Missouri. He also is an associate clinical professor of education policy and a policy research scholar at the university’s Harry S Truman School of Public Affairs. He holds a doctorate degree in higher education from Stanford University. The Governor has appointed Dr. Naughton for a term ending Aug. 28, 2016.
