Gov. Matt Blunt today appointed Theresa Counts Burke to the Office of Associate Circuit Judge of the Twenty-Second Judicial Circuit. Continue Reading

Governor Matt Blunt today announced the following appointments:

Advisory Committee for 911 Service Oversight

Russell K. Mason, 51 of St. Peters, is the fire chief of Central County Fire and Rescue. Mr. Mason holds a bachelor’s degree in fire service administration from Western Illinois University. His appointment is subject to Senate confirmation for a term ending on April 9, 2010.

Dam and Reservoir Safety Council

Eugene J. Hites (D), 55 of Leadington, is a mill superintendent for the Doe Run Company. Mr. Hites holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the Rolla School of Mines, now known as the University of Missouri- Rolla. His reappointment is subject to Senate confirmation for a term ending on April 3, 2010.

Governor’s Advisory Council on Aging

Debra E. Catlett, 54 of Hannibal, has served as executive director of the Hannibal Area Council on Aging for the past 16 years. Ms. Catlett is a graduate of Northeast Missouri Real Estate School and A.D. Bankers. Her reappointment is for a term ending on September 17, 2012.

Martin Luther King, Jr. State Celebration Commission

Constance G. Gully, 44 of Normandy, is vice president for business and financial affairs at Harris-Stowe State University. Ms. Gully holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Illinois State University. Her appointment is for a term ending at the pleasure of the governor.

Missouri Assistive Technology Advisory Council

Gary E. Harbison, 49 of Jefferson City, is chief of the Bureau of Special Healthcare Needs at the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. Mr. Harbison holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and master’s in counseling from Southeast Missouri State University. His appointment is for a term ending on August 28, 2010.

Missouri Board of Geographic Names

Christopher J. Barnett, 40 of Columbia, is co-director of the Center for Applied Research and Environmental Systems. Mr. Barnett holds a bachelor’s degree and master’s in geography from the University of Missouri-Columbia. His reappointment is for a term ending on June 30, 2010.

Missouri State Board of Nursing

Kelly J. Scott, 35 of Columbia, is a nurse practitioner at University of Missouri Health Care. Ms. Scott holds a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Webster University and master’s in nursing from the University of Missouri-Columbia. Her appointment is subject to Senate confirmation for a term ending on June 1, 2012.

Missouri Small Business Regulatory Fairness Board

C. Bob Bess, 70 of St. Louis, was the owner of a chain link fence company until his retirement in 1997. Mr. Bess was mayor of Crestwood for 15 years. His appointment is subject to Senate confirmation for a term ending on April 30, 2011.

Missouri Wine and Grape Board

Kenneth E. Meyer, 81 of Springfield, is the founder and CEO of Meyer Communications, Inc. Mr. Meyer holds a bachelor’s degree from Southwest Missouri State University. His appointment is subject to Senate confirmation for a term ending on October 28, 2012.

Professional Services Payment Committee

Gregory H. Branham, 51 of Frontenac, is an associate professor at Washington University School of Medicine and director of the Division of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Washington University. Dr. Branham holds a bachelor’s degree in biology and medical degree from the University of South Carolina. His appointment is subject to Senate confirmation for a term ending at the pleasure of the governor.

Richard T. Griffey, 41 of Richmond Heights, is an assistant professor of emergency medicine at Washington University. Dr. Griffey holds a bachelor’s degree from Vanderbilt University, medical degree from Eastern Virginia Medical School and master’s in public health from Harvard. His appointment is subject to Senate confirmation for a term ending at the pleasure of the governor.

Paul G. Perniciaro, 52 of Chesterfield, is the president and director of consultant services at Perniciaro Senior Care Consultants. Mr. Perniciaro holds a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy from St. Louis College of Pharmacy. His appointment is subject to Senate confirmation for a term ending at the pleasure of the governor.

Marsha A. Taylor, 50 of Springfield, is a family physician. Dr. Taylor holds a bachelor’s degree and medical degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Her appointment is subject to Senate confirmation for a term ending at the pleasure of the governor.

State Board of Mediation

Jay L. Schultehenrich, 57 of St. Clair, is the Executive Director of SITE Improvement Association. Mr. Schultehenrich holds a bachelor’s degree from Rockhurst University. His appointment is subject to Senate confirmation for a term ending on April 1, 2010.

State Lottery Commission

Patrick C. Dillon, 51 of St. Joseph, is director of retail services for Heartland Regional Medical Center. Mr. Dillon was owner and president of Dillon Co. His appointment is subject to Senate confirmation for a term ending on September 7, 2011.

State Rehabilitation Advisory Council

Karen E. Allan, 57 of Jefferson City, is project coordinator for MO Parents ACT, STELLAR. Ms. Allan holds a master’s in educational administration from the University of Missouri-Columbia and bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Missouri Southern State College. Her appointment is for a term ending March 11, 2011.

Unmarked Human Burial Consultation Committee

Kristina R. Hill, 37 of Rolla, is zone archaeologist for the USDA Forest Service. Ms. Hill holds master’s and bachelor’s degrees in anthropology from the University of Missouri-Columbia. Her appointment is subject to Senate confirmation for a term ending on June 3, 2010.

Well Installation Board

Martha E. Hildebrandt, 45 of Liberty, is senior geologist and project manager in the environmental division of Burns & McDonnell Engineering Co., Inc. Ms. Hildebrandt holds a bachelor’s degree in geology from Missouri University of Science and Technology. Her reappointment is for a term ending February 24, 2012.

For more information on Missouri’s boards and commissions visit http://www.gov.mo.gov/boards/boards.htm.

Gov.-elect Jay Nixon today announced his intention to appoint Mr. Kelvin L. Simmons, a Kansas City businessman, as the head of the Office of Administration beginning in January. Continue Reading

Showing the bi-partisan love, St. Louis Democrat Senator Jeff Smith today announced the Senate approval of Gov. Matt Blunt’s appointment of Republican and former St. Louis School Board member James Buford to the state Human Rights Commission.

Jefferson City — Sen. Jeff Smith, D-St. Louis, today announced that the Senate Gubernatorial Appointments Committee and the full Senate have approved the nomination of James H. Buford of St. Louis to the Missouri Commission on Human Rights.

Buford, the president and chief executive officer of the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis since 1985, joins the seven-member commission, which develops, recommends and implements ways to prevent and eliminate discrimination in employment, public accommodations and housing.

“I cannot think of a better candidate than James Buford for the Missouri Commission on Human Rights,” Sen. Smith said. “He is a longtime advocate for social and economic parity and has demonstrated remarkable skill as a force for racial unity in the St. Louis metropolitan region.”

Buford currently chairs the St. Louis Connectcare Board and serves on the executive board of the St. Louis Council of the Boy Scouts of America, the board of Downtown St. Louis Partnership, Fair St. Louis, and the St. Louis Science Center.

On the state level, Buford was appointed to the St. Louis Public School Board in 2005. He also was previously appointed as secretary of the St. Louis County Board of Elections by the late Governor Mel Carnahan. His numerous awards and honors include the 2005 Mentor St. Louis Award, the Whitney M. Young Award from the Boy Scouts, the St. Louis Community College Distinguished Alumni Award and the Brotherhood-Sisterhood Award presented by the National Conference of Christians and Jews.

A graduate of Elizabeth College in Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania, with a degree in human services administration, Buford also holds honorary doctorate of humane letters degrees from the University of Missouri-St. Louis and Webster University and Harris-Stowe State University, both in St. Louis.

“James Buford works tirelessly to promote the St. Louis community, to provide hope and opportunities for young people and is a wonderful public servant whom I greatly admire,” Sen. Smith said. “I look forward to his service on the commission and know the citizens of Missouri will benefit from his knowledge and experience.”