KC Reporter

Governor Mike Kehoe has made his first four appointments to the State Board of Education, highlighting his focus on educational support. The appointees are Michael Matousek, Kenneth "Brooks" Miller Jr., Jon Otto, and Dr. Thomas Prater.

Michael Matousek, from Kansas City, joins the board bringing his experience as the director of the Government Freight Conference at the American Trucking Association. His past roles include state legislative affairs director for the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association and legislative director in Congressman Sam Graves' office. Matousek holds a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of Florida.

Kenneth "Brooks" Miller Jr., hailing from Sunrise Beach, has a background as president and CEO of Jordan Valley Community Health Center. He has served in various leadership positions, including vice president of the Springfield Board of Public Utilities and recently on the Truman State University Board of Governors. Miller obtained his bachelor's degree in business administration and a master's degree in education administration from Northeast Missouri State University.

Jon Otto, based in Kansas City, is currently corporate counsel for Evergy, Inc., specializing in corporate governance and finance. His previous legal experience includes practice at Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner, LLP and Polsinelli, PC. Otto's educational background features a Juris Doctor from the University of Missouri–Kansas City School of Law and a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Clark Atlanta University.

Dr. Thomas Prater, from Springfield, is a physician affiliated with Mattax-Neu-Prater Eye Center. He has a substantial public service history, having been a Zone 2 Councilman on the Springfield City Council and serving on the Springfield R-12 Board of Education. Dr. Prater is involved with the Missouri State Medical Society and the American Academy of Ophthalmology, holding a Doctor of Medicine from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.