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This Week in the Governor’s Office: Week of Sept. 24, 2018

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Missouri Governor Mike Parson kicked off this week with a couple of interviews with radio shows and tv stations, talking about his life in the Governor’s Office, on the family farm, and recapping another Kansas City Chiefs.

Parson than held another mayor’s roundtable, this time in Ozark.

Later in the day, he announced his two picks to join the Missouri Housing Development Commission: Mark Elliff of Carthage and Rick McDowell of Parkville.

Elliff is the President/CEO and Director of Economic Development at Carthage Chamber of Commerce. Elliff holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Missouri Southern State University. He is a member of the Carthage Rotary Club, Community Support Services, and the McCune Brooks Health Care Foundation.

McDowell is the President and CEO of Lee’s Summit Economic Development Council. McDowell was previously the Executive Director at the Liberty Economic Development Corporation and has more than 27 years of experience working in economic development. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business and finance from Missouri State University and is a licensed realtor. He is a member of the Missouri Economic Development Council, Rotary Club, International Economic Development Council, and the Eastern Jackson County Alliance.

The Governor also called upon the Missouri General Assembly to assemble working groups to prioritize tax credit reform legislation for the next legislative session.

“We are confident in the legislature’s ability to develop tax credit reforms that address housing needs, while ensuring greater accountability and an increased return on the investment of taxpayer dollars,” said Governor Mike Parson. “As a member of the Commission, I am committed to considering current federal tax credit applications, but until substantial reforms are enacted, state tax credits will not be issued.”

On Wednesday, Gov. Parson was unanimously elected to join the Board of Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) earlier this month. Governor Parson was proud of the opportunity to serve on the board with nine other governors throughout the country. The term will run until January 2020.

He also welcomed the crew of the USS Missouri to the Governor’s Mansion for lunch.

On Thursday, Parson was the keynote speaker at the Governor’s Conference on Tourism. The annual conference, sponsored by the Missouri Division of Tourism for members of the tourism industry. offers educational workshops and guest speakers who address a variety of topics related to the tourism industry. Statewide Missouri Tourism Awards are presented during the conference. The Missouri Division of Tourism reported that 2017 was a record year for tourism in Missouri. In 2017, tourism generated an all-time record $16.8 billion in economic impact, 42 million visitors, and more than 313,362 jobs were associated with tourism.

The Governor and the First Lady on Thursday also announced that the first annual Parson Family Fall Festival will be held at the Missouri Governor’s Mansion on Saturday, October 6. The free event will run from 10 a.m-1 p.m. and will feature vendors, activities for kids, and a bluegrass band for musical entertainment.

Over a dozen vendors will be on the Mansion South Lawn and driveway. There will also be a train for children to ride. Fall treats like caramel apples, fresh apple cider, and kettle corn will be provided. Activities will include a photo booth, pumpkin painting, straw maze, face paintings, and much more. Mansion tours will be made available and popular local performers The Kay Brothers and a member of the Burney Sisters will be on stage to provide bluegrass music for everyone to enjoy.

“With fall upon us, there is no better time to have our Family Fall Festival, and we are incredibly honored to host this year’s festivities at the Missouri Governor’s Mansion,” said Governor Mike Parson and First Lady Teresa Parson in a joint statement. “We are looking forward to seeing everyone come out, participate in all of the activities, welcome in the fall season, and best of all – have fun!”

Parson also commended the U.S. Air Force for selecting Boeing’s T-X as its next generation of jet trainer aircraft. The aircraft will be assembled in St. Louis and Boeing Defense, Space & Security division estimates the T-X production will support 1,800 well-paying jobs in Missouri.

“I commend the U.S. Air Force for selecting Boeing’s T-X proposal and supporting Missouri’s workforce,” said Governor Parson. “Missouri has had a rich history of supporting aerospace ventures, from Charles Lindbergh, to the Mercury space program, to the latest innovation represented by the T-X. We look forward to working with Boeing to provide support for the training of its skilled workforce and other incentives that will allow Boeing to meet its obligations to the U.S. Air Force.”

With the U.S. Air Force’s decision, Missouri will continue to play a leading role in building aircraft to defend our nation, a tradition that extends back to 1939 when McDonnell Aircraft opened its St. Louis plant.

Beating out competing proposals, the $16 billion T-X contract will allow the U.S. Air Force to replace its aging T-38 training aircraft with an initial 351 of the new two-seat jet trainers. There will be a possibility of sales to allied nations in the future.

In addition to the new T-X, Boeing builds E/A-18 Growlers and F/A-18 Super Hornets for the U.S. Navy. It also builds Advanced F-15 flown by U.S. allies around the world.

Parson also met with St. Louis Board of Alderman President Louis Reed to discuss their goals on public safety issues.

Governor Parson announced six new appointments to various boards and commissions on Friday.

Dr. Maynard Bill Jones, of Versailles, was reappointed to the Missouri Veterinary Medical Board.

Jones is a veterinarian at the Versailles Veterinary Clinic with over 46 years of experience. He holds a doctorate in veterinary medicine from the University of Missouri. Since 2008, he has been the Chairman of the Emergency Management and Public Health Committee of the Missouri Veterinary Medical Association. He is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, Missouri Veterinary Medical Association, West Central Veterinary Medical Association, and serves on the Animal Orphanage Board of Directors.

Andrew Moore, of Poplar Bluff, was appointed to the State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors.

Moore is the owner of Moore Funeral Service in Poplar Bluff, as well as the Butler County Coroner. He is a licensed funeral director, embalmer, and life insurance agent in both Missouri and Kansas. He has nearly twenty years of service in the funeral industry. Moore holds an Associate’s Degree in Mortuary Sciences from Northwest Mississippi Community College. Moore previously was the Deputy Coroner in Dunklin County. He is also the President of the Poplar Bluff Chamber of Commerce and past President of the Poplar Bluff Lions Club.

Phillip Slinkard, of Neosho, was reappointed to the Missouri State Board of Accountancy.

Slinkard is the Chief Financial Officer at H.E. Williams, Inc. in Carthage. He also serves on the H.E. Williams Board of Directors. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Missouri State University. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Missouri Society of Public Accountants, Institute of Management Accountants, Construction Financial Management Association, and Missouri Southern State University School of Business Advisory Board.

Dr. Linda Scorse, of Joplin, was appointed to the Missouri Veterinary Medical Board.

Scorse is a veterinarian at Cornerstone Animal Hospital in Joplin. She has over 40 years of veterinary experience. She holds a doctorate in veterinary medicine from the University of Missouri. Scorse is a member of the Missouri Veterinary Medical Association, Rotary Club, and the Missouri 4-H Foundation Board.

Joseph Smith, of St. Charles, was appointed to the St. Charles County Convention and Sports Facilities Authority.

Smith is a former member of the Missouri State House of Representatives, representing the 14th District and serving St. Charles County from 2003-2011. He has a Health & Life Insurance License in Missouri, Illinois, and Virginia. Smith holds a Masters of Arts in Communication-Promotions from Lindenwood University.

Robert Whelan, of Poplar Bluff, was appointed to the Missouri State Board of Accountancy.

Whelan is a Certified Public Accountant and Certified Financial Planner and owns his own practice in Poplar Bluff. He has 40 years of accounting experience. Whelan received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Southeast Missouri State University. He also served in the U.S. Army. He is a member of the Poplar Bluff Chamber of Commerce, Dexter Chamber of Commerce, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Poplar Bluff Kiwanis, and is President of the ERASE Foundation.