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Parson makes six appointments various boards and commissions, fills one county office

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Friday, Gov. Mike Parson announced six appointments to various boards and commissions and one county office.

Pat Conway, of St. Joseph, was appointed to the Missouri Gaming Commission.

Mr. Conway previously served as a State Representative for the 10th District from 2011-2019. Prior to being a State Representative, he served as the Buchanan County Clerk for 27 years. Mr. Conway also served on the Missouri Association of Counties Board of Directors and as President of the Missouri Association of County Clerks and Election Authorities. He is a military veteran of the 2BN 12th Infantry, 25th Infantry Division, serving in Vietnam from 1968-1970 before receiving an Honorable Discharge. Mr. Conway is a graduate of Christian Brothers College High School in St. Louis and holds a Bachelor of Science from Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph.

Andrea Farr, of Hannibal, was appointed to the Hazardous Waste Management Commission.

Ms. Farr recently formed Farr Solutions, LLC, where she serves as an owner and Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) Specialist. She has previously held the positions of Senior EHS Specialist for BASF Corporation and Environmental Director for Continental Cement Company and Green America Recycling. Ms. Farr holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Quincy University in Illinois and Master of Business Administration from William Woods University in Fulton. She is also a Master Level Certified Hazardous Materials Manager through the University of Cincinnati in Ohio and a U.S. Department of Labor Certified Mine Safety and Health Administration Trainer.

Tonya Garvin, of Anderson, was appointed as the McDonald County Public Administrator.

Ms. Garvin is the former Deputy Public Administrator for McDonald County. She also previously served as the Compliance Secretary of Special Services for McDonald County Schools. Ms. Garvin is the former President and current Treasurer of MAC REC Youth Soccer. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Finance and Economics from Missouri Southern State University in Joplin.

Hal James, of Columbia, was reappointed to the Credit Union Commission.

Mr. James has served as President and CEO of the Missouri Credit Union since 1980. Previously, he served as a Bank Examiner for the Missouri Division of Finance. Mr. James is currently a member of the Heartland Credit Union Association Governmental Affairs Committee. He is also a former President of Columbia Jaycees and Columbia-South Rotary. Mr. James is a graduate of the FDIC Examiners School in Washington D.C. and holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration – Finance from the University of Missouri-Columbia.

Michael Leara, of St. Louis, was appointed to the Missouri Gaming Commission.

Mr. Leara has served as owner of Gateway Advisors, LLC, in St. Louis since 1999. He has grown his business from a financial consulting firm offering public and private pension services to a now corporate and governmental retirement and pension plan consulting firm. Mr. Leara also served as a State Representative for the 96th District from 2009-2017. During his time as a State Representative, he served as Vice Chair on the Board of Trustees for the Missouri State Employee Retirement System. Mr. Leara attended St. Louis University. 

Chris McCreary, of Centerview, was appointed to the Credit Union Commission.

Mr. McCreary has served as the President of United Consumers Credit Union since 1993. Previously, he served as Chief Financial Officer for Boeing Wichita Employees Credit Union (now Meritrust Credit Union). Mr. McCreary currently serves on the Northwest Community Development Corporation Board of Directors and is also a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Wichita State University in Kansas.

Steve Pierson, of Springfield, was appointed to the Credit Union Commission.

Mr. Pierson is a retired executive of BluCurrent Credit Union, having served as President and CEO for 36 years. Prior to joining BluCurrent, Mr. Pierson managed Springday Employees Credit Union, a credit union in Springfield. His career in credit unions began in 1970 as a Field Representative with the Missouri Credit Union League in St. Louis. Mr. Pierson holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Missouri State University in Springfield.