JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Gov. Jay Nixon today announced his appointments to the Missouri Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and the Missouri State Employees Retirement System Board of Trustees.
The appointments to the Missouri Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing are Ernest E. Garrett III, of Jefferson City; and Shelly L. Jones, of St. Louis. The commission functions as an agency of the state to advocate public policies, regulations, and programs to improve the quality and coordination of existing services for deaf persons, and to promote new services whenever necessary.
Garrett is the current superintendent for the Missouri School for the Deaf in Fulton, and is the first deaf superintendent of the school. He previously served as executive director of the Missouri Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. He is a licensed clinical social worker who served as president and chairman of the board of National Black Deaf Advocates Inc. and was that organization’s Advocate of the Year in 2009. Garrett obtained a master’s degree in social work and a master’s in administration from Gallaudet University. The Governor has appointed him for a term ending March 22, 2018.
Jones is an interpreter for the deaf, both in private practice and for Sorenson Communications in St. Louis. She previous served as an interpreter for the deaf for the Special School District in St. Louis and for John A. Logan College and Southern Illinois University. She is certified as a master interpreter in both Missouri and Illinois, and obtained her bachelor’s degree in English to ASL from William Woods University in Fulton. The Governor has appointed her for a term ending March 22, 2016.
The Governor also has appointed Lloyd Joseph Carmichael, of Springfield, to the Missouri State Employees Retirement System (MOSERS) Board of Trustees. The board is responsible for the general administration and proper operation of the Missouri State Employees Retirement System, as well as for the administration and oversight of the State of Missouri Deferred Compensation Program.
Carmichael is the president and law firm manager of Carmichael and Neal, and has practiced law in Springfield for more than 40 years. He obtained his undergraduate degree from Missouri State University and his law degree from the University of Arkansas. Carmichael also serves on the Missouri State University Board of Governors and on the State Highways and Transportation Commission. The Governor has appointed Carmichael for a term ending at the pleasure of the Governor.
