KC Reporter

Governor Mike Kehoe has announced nine appointments to various boards and commissions in Missouri.

LeAndra Beauford, from St. Joseph, was appointed to the Missouri Developmental Disabilities Council. She works as a family navigation manager for Progressive Community Services and is a certified family support provider. Beauford previously served as a substitute teacher in the St. Joseph School District and holds a certificate in legal studies from Missouri Western State University.

Shawn Foster, of Lee's Summit, was reappointed to the Jackson County Sports Complex Authority. He is a shareholder and attorney at Preuss | Foster Law and an adjunct professor at the University of Missouri – Kansas City (UMKC). Foster participates in several organizations, including the Missouri State Fair Foundation, Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association, Family and Community Trust, and Lee’s Summit Soccer Association. He earned his Juris Doctor from UMKC School of Law.

Dr. Kelly Frisella, based in Lake Ozark, will join the State Board of Optometry. She owns The Solution Center in Osage Beach and is involved with groups such as the American Optometric Association, Women of Vision, and Columbia Chamber of Commerce. Dr. Frisella received her Doctor of Optometry degree from Southern College of Optometry in Memphis.

Frank Kruse from Smithville was named to the Conservation Commission. He serves as president of Martin Hill Advisors and previously worked as vice-president for Sekisui XenoTech LLC. Kruse belongs to organizations like the Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation and Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, among others. He formerly represented the Missouri Department of Agriculture internationally and holds a master’s degree in economics from North Carolina State University.

Justin McCarty, who lives in Fair Grove, was appointed to the Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Rules. McCarty works in business development at Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 178 and has been superintendent at Utility Systems Solutions. He also serves as president of Springfield Central Labor Council with advanced certifications in pipefitting and welding.

Nadiya Al-Noor from Columbia joins the Missouri Developmental Disabilities Council. She is currently a substitute paraprofessional working in special education; she previously worked as an education coordinator at Services for Independent Living and held roles with higher education associations. Al-Noor has two master’s degrees from Binghamton University: one in Student Affairs Administration and another in Public Administration.

Ashley Showalter of Cape Girardeau will serve on the same council. Showalter is clinical coordinator for Southeastern Missouri AHEC with prior experience at Blue Sky Community Services; she has also held leadership positions with Autism Awareness of Southeast Missouri and Autism Society of Southern Illinois. She attended Southern Illinois University – Carbondale.

Timothy “Scott” Steelman-Rhoden from Springfield also joins this council as an inclusion educator for Abilities First; he previously taught at Monarch Children’s Academy. Steelman-Rhoden participates with Good Life Group and Team Access community organizations; he earned his bachelor’s degree from Missouri State University.

Mark Sutherland, living in Defiance, was appointed to the Tourism Commission. Sutherland is CEO of Stone Ledge Spirits Company; he previously served as chief marketing officer for Missouri Partnership and acts as Honorable Consul representing Britain within Missouri. His academic background includes degrees from Washington University and King’s College London.

“Today I am proud to announce these appointments,” Governor Kehoe said Friday afternoon through his office spokesperson.