On Thursday, Missouri Governor Mike Parson made 15 appointments to various boards and commissions. Four of the individuals are from Southcentral and Southwest Missouri. KRPS’s Fred Fletcher-Fierro has more.

Cathy Stepp, of Branson, was appointed to the Petroleum Storage Tank Insurance Fund Board of Trustees. Ms. Stepp is currently the Executive Director of Ozarks Water Watch. Jeanee Kennedy, of Seneca, was appointed to the Missouri State Board of Nursing. She’s currently the Vice President of Nursing Services for Freeman Health System in Joplin.

Astra Ferris, of Lamar, was appointed to the Missouri Workforce Development Board. Ms. Ferris is the Chief Executive Officer for the Barton County Chamber of Commerce. In 2016, the Joplin Regional Business Journal recognized Ms. Ferris as the Most Influential Woman of the Year. And, Eric Dove, of Ozark, was appointed to the Dam and Reservoir Safety Council. Mr. Dove is a Senior Water Resources Engineer for HDR, Inc an engineering firm located in Springfield. Before joining HDR, he served in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as an Engineering Co-Op Student.