Board Members & Appointed Officers

•         President
•         Vice President
•         Secretary
•         Treasurer
•         One Board Member from each of the 9 Troop Regions
•         One Board Member for the "At-Large" Position
•         Immediate Past President

In addition, several other Appointed Officers, whom are not voting Board Members, serve at the pleasure of the President.

President John Hark

John S. Hark currently serves as the City of Hannibal and Marion County Emergency Management Director. He began his career in 1972 as the Assistant Civil Defense Director for the City of Hannibal. He later assumed the title of Emergency Management Director when Civil Defense was transformed into Emergency Management.During John's Emergency Management Director tenure he has been a commissioned Deputy Sheriff in Marion and Ralls Counties, a member of the Marion County LEPC for 20 years and held the position of Chairman for 10 years and co-wrote the first LEPC Plan for Marion County. He has served a MEPA President for 2 terms, is currently serving as Board Member at Large and has been awarded with a lifetime membership for his years of service and dedication in the field, and was chairman of RHSOC, Troop B. John is a BT Planner for Marion and Ralls Counties, Board Chairman of the Northeast Missouri American Red Cross and also serves on the Board of Directors of the Salvation Army. In 2002 John was awarded a Certificate of Appreciation from the Federal Emergency Management Agency Region Seven Director.John currently serves on the Missouri Emergency Management Directors Advisory Commission to the State Emergency Management Agency where he as been appointed Chairman of the Legislative Sub-committee. He is a member of the Credentialing and Certification Sub-committee and a member of the HazMat Alliance Committee. John was most recently appointed to the State Emergency Training Advisory Group by the State Emergency Management Agency.

Vice President David Compton

David began his work in disaster response in 1983 as a volunteer during the Southern California floods. Since 1988 he has served as a paid and volunteer firefighter, a First Responder, Emergency Medical Technician, and is currently a Field Supervisor with Cox Health EMS. He is a well-recognized Emergency Management and EMS instructor who is active in both the emergency management and emergency response communities. A popular speaker, David has had the privilege to speak to a variety of audiences on numerous emergency planning, response, and recovery topics.

Currently, he serves as the Director of Emergency Management for Barry County Missouri. David has previously served as the EMD for Lawrence County, where he served as the incident and projects manager during numerous federal and locally declared disasters. Unique in the State of Missouri, David was the first and only person to serve as the Director of Emergency Management for two counties simultaneously. Additionally, David has been a member of the Barry/Lawrence County LEPD since 1993 and currently serves as the L.E.P.D. Emergency Coordinator. Active in many community groups and boards including being a member of the Missouri Southern State University EMS Department advisory board, the Chairperson of the Branson Technical College Nursing Program Advisory/Admissions Committee, a board member for the local Selective Services Board, Past-President of SMESO and currently as the MEPA Vice President.

Secretary Jonathan Ayres

Jonathan Ayres is the Director of the Laclede County Office of Emergency Management. A lifetime Laclede County resident, he was appointed to the position of Assistant Director in March of 2000 where he served until his appointment as Director in March of 2003. Previously, he had held the position of Support Operations Technician for 4 years. Jonathan is also a hazardous materials technician & an EMT-B for St. Johns Emergency Medical Services. He also serves as the Secretary of the Laclede County Fire Chiefs Association & Chairperson of the Region I Homeland Security Oversight Committee. Jonathan is also an active Amateur Radio Operator and currently holds the call sign KBØYDU.

Treasurer Denise Russell

Denise Russell is the Emergency Management Director for Camden County, Missouri. She has over 13 years in the emergency services sector serving those around her. She holds a Master's Degree in Emergency and Disaster Management, extensive coursework in the fire service, accounting, Board of Director's processes, human resources and management, and a B.S. in Education. She also holds FF I & II certifications, Haz-Mat Ops, a former EMT; and Administrative Assistant to the Fire Chief and Board of Directors for Sunrise Beach Fire Protection District. She was the founding coordinator of the Lake West Critical Incident Response Team and is still an active member in the ICISF Organization. She has worked with the Lake Area Emergency Services organization and helped develop a resource manual covering 30 agencies to better aid and foster mutual aid response in the area. Her background also includes training coordination and public education related to the Fire Service and EMS branches. Denise is an active member of the International Association of Emergency Managers as well as Missouri Emergency Preparedness Association. She is married to Ron -recently retired from active duty with 22 years of service in the United States Marine Corps. They have two grown daughters and a Active Duty Marine son-in-law.

Region A - Mike Boos

Michael Boos is the Emergency Management Coordinator for the City of Raymore, Missouri and has been in the emergency management field for the past fifteen plus years as part-time Asst. Director and full-time EM Coordinator for the City of Raymore, Missouri, Mike has also worked in the Police Department as a Communications Officer and Public Works/ Engineering Departments as equipment operator and infrastructure inspector for the city and a past Deputy Sheriff for Cass County in the 80's for approximately 8 years. Mike has been in public service for approximately 26 plus years. He has also held the position if Chair for the Metropolitan Emergency Managers Committee in the K.C. MARC region for 3 years (2003-2006). Mike is currently a member of the MARC region Local Emergency Planning Committee under the emergency management group.

Region B - Phil Beeler

Phil Beeler currently serves as the Troop B Board member to MEPA. Phil is the Director of the Office of Emergency Management, and has served in that position for the past 11 years. Phil also serves as the Fire Chief for Lancaster Fire & Rescue, and has been a Firefighter-EMT there since 1964.

As an EMT, he also serves with the Schuyler County Ambulance District as Supervisor for Unit #1.

Phil is married to his wife Sara and have two children-Mike who is 27 and Kea who is 23.

Region C - Mike Daniels

Michael Daniels has been the Emergency Management Agency Director for Warren County since 2002. Michael also serves as the Chairman for the Warren County LEPC.Michael has been a MEPA member since 2003. Michael has been the Region C MEPA Representative since 2005. Michael began is emergency response career as a firefighter in the U.S. Army 1973-1976. Michael was hired by the City of Maplewood Fire Department in St. Louis County in 1977. Where he served as the department's Medical Officer/Firefighter. Michael holds an Associate Degree in Fire Protection Technology from St. Louis Community College/ Forest Park and a liberal arts Degree from St. Louis Community College/Meramec. Michael retired from the Maplewood Fire Department in 2000 after 22 years.Michael currently serves on the Missouri Emergency Management Director's advisory Committee. He also serves as the Chairman for the Region C Homeland Security Oversight Committee (RHSOC). Michael was the recipient of the U.S. Department of Commerce (NOAA)Mark Trail Award.Michael has served as an Alderman for the City of Lake Saint Louis, Director Lake Saint Louis Fire Protection District, Past President Lake Saint Louis Community Association Board of Directors and is a former Board member of the Tri-County YMCA.

Region D - Larry Woods

Larry Woods is the Assistant Director for the Springfield-Greene County Office of Emergency Management (OEM).  He is responsible for overseeing the development and maintenance of City and County emergency operations plans, maintaining resources and equipment, supervising a staff of three OEM operations personnel and maintaining an on-going capability to activate and support the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) during disaster response and recovery operations.  Prior to his current position, Woods was the Emergency Management Director/911 Coordinator and LEPC Chair for Laclede County, Missouri.  Larry has been in public safety for over 23 years; he is a licensed Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and has served as a commissioned law enforcement officer. He has been in the fire service as a volunteer firefighter and the American Red Cross.  Larry is a Certified Emergency Manager, Certified Homeland Security Level-III, has been an Adjunct Instructor at Ozarks Technical Community College; is active in the Southwest Missouri Emergency Support Organization, and the Southwest Missouri Incident Support Team (IST) where he serves as an Operations and Planning Section Chief. He also serves as the Planning Section Chief for the Missouri Disaster Medical Assistance Team (DMAT); which is a team tasked with medical response to disasters within the State of Missouri.

Region E - Jeff Riddle

(Bio Pending)

Troop F - Tom White

(Bio Pending)

Troop G - Teresa Tost

Teresa Tost currently serves as the Co-Director/Secretary for Ava/Douglas County Emergency Management. Teresa has been a volunteer fire fighter, 1st responder and still is involved in the Red Cross. Teresa has been with Ava/Douglas County EMA office for almost 8 years and has served as Secretary for EMA/LEPC, CERT Instructor, Citizen Corp Chair, Douglas County PIO, and also teaches NIMS. Teresa has also served as a Representative for MEPA on the Faith Base Partnership Committee. Teresa was also nominated for the 1st Annual Lady's Award for Volunteerism. Teresa is also on the RHSOC for Troop G as Volunteer Organization and also the Liaison for RHSOC Troop G on the SIEC Committee.Teresa is married to Ron and they have 3 children, 6 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. Teresa is active in Amateur Radio Operator and currently holds the call sign KC0OKP.

Troop H - Dennis Johnson

Dennis Johnson serves as the Region H MEPA Board member and is the Public Safety Officer and Emergency Management Coordinator for Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph. Dennis is also a Hazmat Captain for the Region H, HSRT; EMT and Fire Chief for the South Central Buchanan County Fire Department; a Licensed Fire Investigator and also serves as the Treasurer for the Buchanan Co. LEPC, Treasurer for the Buchanan Chiefs Association, and a Buchanan Co. Sheriff Reserve Deputy.

Troop I - (Vacant)

(Bio Pending)

At Large - (Vacant)

(Bio Pending)

Past President - Susan Green

Susan Green serves as the Emergency Management Coordinator for Jefferson County, Missouri, based in Hillsboro. She has been with Jefferson County since November 2007.

Susan's background in emergency management began with Missouri State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) where she worked in the training and exercise response programs. Subsequent work includes the American Red Cross as a Chapter Executive providing services in 13 counties and the Emergency Management Coordinator for Cole County/Jefferson City Missouri, the Capitol for Missouri.

Response activities include major floods, severe weather, rail and highway hazardous materials incidents, passenger airline crash, hurricanes and special event planning and response.

In addition to her full time position with Jefferson County, Ms. Green works as instructor for other States and State Agencies. She also works for the Department of Homeland Security, National Emergency Training Center, Texas A & M, University of Missouri Fire and Rescue Training and Davis Defense Consultants. Susan is the former President and currently an active member of the Missouri Emergency Preparedness Association, Chairman of the Missouri Seismic Safety Commission and board member for the University of Missouri Extension Office - Cole County.

Susan holds a degree in business administration with an emphasis in public administration. She continues her education with ongoing involvement in training programs.

APPOINTED OFFICERS

Public Information Officer
Ryan Nicholls 

Ryan Nicholls is the Emergency Management Director for the Springfield-Greene County Office of Emergency Management.  His office is responsible for coordination of disaster planning and preparedness for all of Springfield and unincorporated Greene County.  Ryan is a member of the State Emergency Management Agency Director’s Advisory Committee, where he has chaired several subcommittees.  He has served on the national review panel for the Pre-Disaster Mitigation Grant application selection through FEMA.  He is the coordinator for the Region D Regional Disaster Planning committee, coordinator for the Radio Amateur Communications Emergency Services, vice-chair for the Greene County Recovery Committee, and serves as the treasurer for the Southwest Missouri Emergency Support Organization.  He also serves as a member of the Region D Disaster Incident Support Team.  Ryan previously served as the Emergency Management Director for the city of Willard.  He worked for the FEMA Long-Term Recovery Team following Katrina; assisting County Emergency Management Directors along the Mississippi Coast recover from and plan for future hurricanes.  Ryan has a Masters Degree in Fire and Emergency Management at Oklahoma State University and has completed the Emergency Management Professional Development Series from FEMA.  He received his Bachelors of Nursing from Missouri State University.  Prior to Emergency Management, he worked as a Registered Nurse in a Neuro-Trauma Intensive Care Unit.   Ryan can be reached at pio@momepa.org. 

Parliamentarian
Paul R. Thomas, Jr., CEM, MBCP

Paul’s emergency management experience began in 1952 when he joined the Civil Defense Ground Observer Corps in suburban Philadelphia while completing his education as an electrical engineer. Following four years with the US Air Force as supervisor of a digital computer maintenance team, he completed thirty-five years with the IBM Corporation as a management consultant specializing in information architecture and business continuity planning. He also served the city of Kirkwood, Mo. twenty-four years as part-time Emergency Management Director. After retirement from IBM he was elected sixteen years to the board of directors for the Disaster Recovery Institute International (DRI), a Missouri Nonprofit Corporation, where he chaired the bylaws committee and served as parliamentarian, VP & Treasurer, and Chairman of the Board before retiring.  Paul served as parliamentarian for over a dozen years with the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM) and is well acquainted with Missouri’s nonprofit corporation statute and Robert’s Rules. Paul holds a Lifetime CEM (Certified Emergency Manager from IAEM) and a Master Business Continuity Professional (MBCP) from DRI International. He has been a member of MEPA since 1986.

 Historian
(Pending) 

(Bio Pending)

Last Updated:  2010/07/13   1642