MU Extension office welcomes four new council members

Ballots for the University of Missouri Extension Council of Butler County election have been tallied and the four candidates elected are Terri McCormick, Tabitha Parsons, Corey Reynolds and Toni Stoner.

They have been elected to serve two-year terms.

Council members are volunteers responsible for maintaining the University of Missouri Extension Center in Poplar Bluff and for planning programs with the professional and paraprofessional faculty and staff in Butler County.

Terri McCormickPhoto provided

McCormick

McCormick is director of development and finance with Boys & Girls Club of Poplar Bluff. She and her husband, Kevin, have been married for 20 years. They have three children: daughter, Madison, and two sons, Jackson and Cooper.

She feels poverty and workforce development are two issues that need to be addressed in the community. McCormick is passionate about helping youth develop the necessary needs to be successful. She strongly believes in community involvement and is involved in Boys & Girls Club of the Heartland, Rotary Club of Poplar Bluff and Chamber of Commerce Executive Committee.

Tabitha ParsonsPhoto provided

Parsons

Parsons is a district human resource manager for Pepsi MidAmerica. She and her husband have two children. Their oldest, Brandon is a corporal for the United States Army stationed in Fort Eustis, Virginia. Their youngest, Tanner, received his commercial driving license through Three Rivers College and is employed as a route driver. They have one grandson and are excited to have another on the way in June.

Her experience spans health care, industry, customer service and logistics. She would like to see greater expansion of the family-oriented activities within the community. One opportunity for growth is the addition of a splash pad, providing local families with a fun cost-free option for children’s recreation. Furthermore, she believes there is potential for increased participation in planning the county fair, particularly in terms of entertainment and activities.

She is the former community coordinator for the Butler County Community Resource Council and current member of the Parents Working Committee.

Corey ReynoldsPhoto provided

Reynolds

Reynolds works as a program coordinator at Three Rivers College. He was born on his parents’ first anniversary and said they are some of the most hardworking people he knows. He said, he has two brothers, and “a wonderful sister-in-law and four handsome nephews and one beautiful niece.”

Issues he feels need to be addressed in the community are family systems-related issues, mental health and substance use stigmas, and helping those in poverty break generational poverty through attaining education and/or vocational training opportunities.

Reynolds is on the board of directors at Recycling Grace Women’s Centers, Mental Health Awareness Committee at the Community Resource Council. He has also served on the State Advisory Council for the Missouri Department of Mental Health as well as served on the Missouri Student Mental Health Taskforce.

Toni StonerPhoto provided

Stoner

Stoner is an licensed practical nurse at John J. Pershing VA Medical Center. She and her husband, Wade, have a son, Austin, and a daughter and son-in-law, Katie and Jesse Murphy of Puxico, as well as two grandchildren, Olivia and Waylon Murphy.

Stoner is passionate about making the community aware of different programs available to them. Stoner currently is on the Butler County Extension Council, is president of the John J. Pershing VAMC Employee Association, and a member of the Order of the Eastern Star and the Poplar Bluff Eagles Ladies Auxiliary. She attends Little Brushy Baptist Church at Lake Wappapello.

The new council members will serve two-year terms, said Jennifer Williams, Extension engagement specialist.

Council members are volunteers responsible for maintaining the University of Missouri Extension Center at 614 Lindsay Ave. in Poplar Bluff and for planning programs with the faculty and staff in Butler County.

According to Extension Council Chair Douglas C. Rose, Jr. regional specialists and paraprofessionals for the University of Missouri System provide educational programs to Butler County citizens in several areas.  Programs are available on site in the fields of horticulture, 4-H youth development, human development and nutrition programs for youth. Also available from regional faculty are agronomy and business development.