The University of Missouri Extension Council of Butler County elected seven people for a two-year term, according to Butler County Engagement Specialist Stephanie Milner. The winners are Dean Dye, Stephanie Knoppe, Jared Lane, Joe Clark, Faye Smody, Sharon Beck and David Johnson.
Dye is a local pediatrician. He is a member of the Poplar Bluff Masonic Lodge Post 209 and the Three Rivers Shrine Club. Dye is on the TRC Booster Club Board. He is a member of the First United Methodist Church. He enjoys spending time on Current River, snow skiing and fishing.
Knoppe was born and raised in Poplar Bluff. She is married to Kevin Knoppe and they have four children. She is a Realtor at 1st Class Realty and co-owner of 1st Class Property Management. She is a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, board member and treasurer for Downtown Poplar Bluff, president of Twin Rivers Fisk PTO and 2019 director for the Three Rivers Board of Realtors.
Lane was born and raised in Iron County, Missouri. He has lived in Butler County since 2012. He is the owner of Midwest Security Company of Poplar Bluff. He enjoys hunting and fishing and is 37 years old.
Clark is an instructional assistant in math at Three Rivers College. Community and volunteer organizations he has served on include: committee member, Patrons of The Arts; theater chairman, Ozark Family Resource Agency; accounting chairman, American Cancer Society; and president-Downtown Revitalization Committee.
Smody is half owner of Smody Farms and has worked for Head Start for more than 20 years. She attends Harviell Baptist Church and has two children and two grandchildren. She previously has served on the Extension Council.
Beck retired from a 47-year nursing career. She is a member of Community of Christ. She is a member of Poplar Bluff Garden Club and a Master Gardener. She is the assistant director of the Southeast District of Federated Garden Clubs of Missouri. She also is a hand quilter with New Home Ladies Aide Society.
Johnson has been a resident of Poplar Bluff for more than 50 years. He is a retired schoolteacher. He is community oriented and worked volunteering with many programs, including the Butler County Fair. He is a member of the VFW and Recycling Grace Ministry, a local women’s shelter.
Council members are volunteers responsible for maintaining the University of Missouri Extension Center at 614 Lindsay Avenue and for planning programs with the faculty and staff in Butler County.