CTE Advisory Council Members
Senator Doug Beck was elected in 2020 to represent the residents of the 1st Senatorial District in the Missouri Senate. Prior to his election to the Senate, he served two terms in the House of Representatives from 2016-2020. During his time in the House, he was the ranking minority member of the Economic Development and Workforce Development Committees and also served on the Veterans and Children and Families Committees. Senator Beck defends workers and their rights, promotes public education, encourages job creation and champions affordable health care for all. He is an adamant supporter of public safety and first responders. Aside from his legislative duties, Sen. Beck enjoys a 34-year career as a proud pipefitter and member of UA Local 562. He served on the Affton School Board for nine years, including two years as president. During his tenure, he expanded early childhood education and increased opportunities for students pursuing STEM careers. Born and raised in St. Louis County, Sen. Beck graduated from Lindbergh High School in 1983 and attended St. Louis Community College. He has been married for 35 years to his wife, Marilyn, has two children and three grandchildren.
Rebecca Bolen started her teaching career in 2017 at Rolla Technical Center in Rolla, Mo. Rebecca teaches in the Health Science Academy and is the Health Science I Instructor. Along with her role as an educator Rebecca serves as her local HOSA chapter advisor and State Officer Advisor for Missouri HOSA. Before teaching Rebecca worked in the medical field as a Registered Medical Assistant in a variety of specialties. Rebecca is a member of the American Medical Technologist Association, MOACTE, and MSTA. Rebecca loves seeing students become passionate about the medical field and realizing their calling.
Term ends 12/31/2023
RJ Catizon is the Outreach Specialist for The St. Louis Carpenters Joint Apprenticeship Program (CJAP). Primary duties focus on getting Carpentry curriculums back into CTE centers and traditional high schools in the State of Missouri and educating today’s youth on career opportunities. While RJ works most with curriculum efforts in the State of Missouri, he also helps the apprenticeship program with recruitment and outreach efforts. Recruiting and retaining a highly educated workforce is a major focus for the apprenticeship program and The St. Louis – Kansas City Carpenters Regional Council he is affiliated with. RJ has been a professional Union Carpenter since 2002 and has worked for CJAP the past 4 years as an instructor and outreach specialist. He has his Career and Educational Advising through Indiana University. RJ is active with all of the CTE programs in the St Louis Metropolitan Area and surrounding rural areas. He especially enjoys helping young people to find career paths that allow them to continue their education while learning valuable skills in a trade. You can reach RJ at RCatizon@carpentersunion.org or 314-269-5663.
Term ends 12/31/2026
Brian Crouse is the Vice President of Education for the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry and oversees the Missouri Chamber's Foundation, where he is responsible for a portfolio of education/workforce development programs that include- Leadership Missouri, Dream it. Do it. Missouri, Show-Me Scholars, Leadership In Practice and the Missouri Mathematics and Science Coalition. Mr. Crouse is responsible for developing education policy, programs and initiatives that bridge the gap between the business and education communities. Before taking the position as VP for Education with the Missouri Chamber in 2012, Mr. Crouse worked in the small business development arena with the Missouri- Business Development Program where he performed research and program evaluation pertaining to small business and entrepreneurship. Previous to this, Mr. Crouse worked in the Academic Affairs Division at the Missouri Department of Higher Education as a liaison to numerous statewide organizations and agencies. Before working at the Missouri Department of Higher Education, Mr. Crouse worked for Westminster College in Fulton, MO for 6 years as Regional Director of Enrollment Management where he recruited domestic and international students. Mr. Crouse has an extensive background in P-20 educational policy work with emphasis in the areas of enrollment management, international initiatives, strategic planning and higher education policy development. It is from these experiences that Mr. Crouse understands the importance of systems building and collaboration among stakeholders. Prior to making a career change to higher education in 2002, Mr. Crouse worked for 12 years in retail management for a variety of large box and specialty retail stores. During which time, he worked on the front lines of employee training and witnessed firsthand the growing divide of worker preparedness and skill gaps to job profiles. He distinctly understands the needs of today’s employers in an ever changing, fast paced, global economy. From the St. Louis area, Mr. Crouse holds a bachelor’s degree from Lincoln University and his master’s degree in public policy from the Truman School of Public Affairs at the University of Missouri. He is involved with a variety of local youth and non-profit organizations serving either as a volunteer or in a board position. He resides in Jefferson City with his wife, Adriane and their two sons.
Term ends 12/31/2024
Dr. Sam Duncan was raised in Chaffee, Missouri as the son of a Frisco railroad engineer (S.R.) and an elementary school teacher (Barb). He and his wife of 33 years, Melanie, have 3 children and a grandson. Sam, a life-long self-proclaimed "shade-tree-mechanic" has been a school administrator for 21 years in Southeast Missouri. He took over duties as Superintendent of Schools at New Madrid County R-1 in 2016, just as Noranda Aluminum was closing its doors. The ensuing financial crisis provided R-1 with tough fiscal choices, but also with unique TSC opportunities. Under Dr. Duncan's leadership the NMCR1 Board of Education has chosen to strategically and aggressively seek out grant opportunities and allocate scarce local resources to rejuvenate its technical skills program. His objective as a school leader is that 100% of graduates "walk across the stage" with a "productive and hopeful next-step" in life.
Term ends 12/31/2026
Senator Karla Eslinger is a lifelong educator with more than 30 years of experience in a variety of educational settings. She most recently served as a senior analyst for education services with the AEM Corporation and provided technical assistance to the U.S. Department of Education in Washington, D.C. Previously, she served as an assistant commissioner of education for the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. She began her career as an elementary school teacher and went on to work as a building principal and a superintendent of schools in Ava and West Plains. A graduate of Gainesville High School, Sen. Eslinger holds a bachelor degree in elementary education from The College of the Ozarks. She also earned a master’s degree in education administration and a specialist degree in superintendency and educational system administration from Missouri State University. Senator Eslinger received her doctorate in educational leadership and policy analysis from the University of Missouri-Columbia. Prior to her election to the Missouri Senate in 2020, Sen. Eslinger represented District 155 in the Missouri House of Representatives from 2019 through 2020. Senator Eslinger is a long-term resident of Wasola, where she and her husband David reside on the family farm. They have also owned and operated a small business for over 35 years. They have two daughters and three grandchildren.
Angie Gaines currently serves as both Interim Vice President of Academic Affairs and Director of Professional Development at State Technical College of Missouri. Angie has a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in English from Truman State University. Serving in education-related roles for over 25 years, Angie’s experience includes 8 years in corporate training and 17 years in higher education – 12 of which are at State Technical College of Missouri. Angie has held varied roles, including instructor, trainer and instructional designer. She delights in collaborating with others to facilitate positive change, especially when it comes to empowering students through State Tech’s mission of preparation for profitable employment and a life of learning. As a career educator, Angie believes in the power of education to transform lives. She counts it a privilege to work together with State Tech's dedicated faculty and staff to enable that transformation each day. Angie resides in mid-Missouri with her husband, Bryant. They have three children: Zach, Nick, and Libby.
Term ends 12/31/2025
Anna Hennes has experience working in both non-profit and industry settings while connecting business expertise to students and teachers. Currently employed with the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation as a Program Leader for Real World Learning Anna focuses on bridging education and industry to create more opportunities for students to graduate high school prepared for work and life. Previously working for Cerner Corporation, a global leader in health care technology, for 12 years Anna served in a variety of roles including program management, community engagement strategy, talent development and foundation operations. Some of her most memorable work centered on engaging passionate associates in writing personal health curriculum that also incorporated views into career pathways as well as partnering with Project Lead the Way to pilot and implement industry embedded trainings for Computer Science coursework. An annual highlight has been Girls in Tech KC events during Computer Science Education Week and attending robotics tournaments to see first-hand the potential for students to work together and tackle tough problems in creative ways. Anna is fortunate that her personal passion of bringing people together to work on innovative solutions so that all students can succeed continues to intersect with professional opportunities. Outside of work Anna enjoys opportunities to volunteer with family and friends and spends as much time outdoors as possible exploring the world through the eyes of her three young children.
Terms ends 12/31/2023
Dr. Matthew Hudson is currently the Executive Dean for Career, Technical & Community Development at Ozarks Technical Community College (OTC) in Springfield, Missouri. He oversees the college’s 25 career training programs, community development division, adult education & literacy, early childhood education, and area high school programs, which serve more than 50 school districts in Missouri. Dr. Hudson has 23 years’ experience as an educator as both a teacher and administrator. He has a doctorate in Executive Educational Leadership from Saint Louis University and a Specialist degree in the same area. He also has a Master of Science degree in Educational Administration from Missouri State University and a Bachelor of Arts in English and Secondary Education from Drury University. During his eight-year tenure at OTC, Dr. Hudson has helped champion work on the new, voter-supported Robert W. Plaster Center for Advanced Manufacturing, has been responsible for expansion of technical programs to OTC’s system campuses at Richwood Valley and Table Rock, and the Lebanon Education Center. In addition, he has launched new programs in aviation and electrical distribution systems among others. Dr. Hudson has deep experience in forming public-private partnerships, leveraging budget and finance, construction and project management, and community betterment. A civic-minded Springfield native, Dr. Hudson currently serves on six boards, is a member of nine organizations, and regularly contributes to community events. He is married to Pamela and has two daughters, Reese and Quinn. He enjoys fishing, spending time at the lake, watching St. Louis Cardinal’s baseball, and cooking.
Terms ends 12/31/2027
Jill Huntsman has been a Career and Technical Administrator since 2013 when she became the Assistant Director at Hillyard Technical Center in St. Joseph, MO. She then began as the Director of Hillyard Technical Center in 2018. She started her career as an Agriculture Education Instructor and FFA Advisor in 1995 at South Holt High School and then became the Agriculture Instructor at Hillyard Technical Center in 2000 before transferring into Career and Technical Administration. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture Education from the University of Missouri – Columbia, a Master of Science in Agriculture Education from the University of Missouri – Columbia and Specialist in Education – Superintendent from Northwest Missouri State University. Her career in CTE began as an Agriculture Education student at Moberly Area Technical Center in Moberly, MO.
Term ends 12/31/2026
William Lowery has worked for Paric, a large construction firm, for 21 years. He started as a superintendent and has been promoted six times to his current position as Project Executive. William started working for is father, who was a small contractor, in his teens. He saw the work as rewarding and felt a sense of accomplishment. William worked through the Trade and Industry Program in high school and it was then he decided construction was his passion and has never regretted that decision. William has been married for 34 years, has two adult children and one grandson. He has lived in Moscow Mills for 15 years. His hobbies are fishing, hunting, muscle cars, and family.
Terms ends 12/31/2024
Erik Montgomery is a business leader from Willow Springs with a history of service to the local community. He is president of Fuel Marketing Corporation and vice president of Coastal Energy and FMC Transport Inc. As part of the family business, Montgomery recently launched commercial developments including Bear Crossing Shopping Center and Bear Crossing Truck Wash & Tire Center. His work also helped attract Love’s Travel Center and Tractor Supply Company to their new locations in Willow Springs. He is a former member of the Missouri State University-West Plains development board, along with Willow Springs Rotary Club. He is a past board member and current member of the Willow Springs Chamber of Commerce; he is vice chair for the City of Willow Springs Tax Increment Finance Commission. Current service efforts also include work on the Career and Technical Education Oversight Committee in Willow Springs, which is a partnership between the Willow Springs Community Foundation, the Willow Springs R-IV School District, and the City of Willow Springs, designed to bring vocational opportunities to the community. Montgomery was born and raised in Willow Springs, graduating from Willow Springs High School in 1996. Following high school, he attended Missouri State University in West Plains and then Springfield, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Entrepreneurship in 2000. He returned to Willow Springs to join his family’s business at Coastal Energy, working in dispatch and logistics from 2000 to 2003. He then moved to operations for both Coastal Energy and FMC Transport, as well as becoming president of Fuel Marketing Corporation. He has worked in all aspects of the business, and enjoys the challenge each new day brings. Montgomery, his wife, and two daughters make their home on the family farm outside Willow Springs. When he isn't at work, he enjoys spending time outside working around the house and farm. He also collects classic cars and baseball memorabilia. He attends Pomona Christian Church with his family, and works consistently with many local charities in the area.
Term ends 12/31/2025
Dr. Michael Pantleo, earned his BS in Electricity/Electronic Technology, MS in Industrial/Vocational/Technical Education, and EdS in Human Services, Technology & Occupational Education, all from the University of Central Missouri. Dr. Pantleo also has an EdD in P-20 and Community Leadership from Murray State University in Kentucky. Prior to his UCM career, he worked for five years as a CTE Electronics Teacher, seven years as an Assistant CTE Director, and 15 years as a CTE Director. Dr. Pantleo served as an adjunct faculty member with the University of Central Missouri for three years before starting his tenure with the University of Central Missouri in 2019 as an Assistant Professor of Career & Technical Education. Dr. Pantleo’s area of focus at the university is working with current and prospective CTE teachers and administrators. This entails teaching/developing coursework, communicating certification expectations, coordinating required building-level administrator assessments, and developing official certification plans for CTE administrator applicants. Dr. Pantleo also serves as the Missouri Council of Career & Technical Administrator’s new CTE director mentoring program co-leader. He serves on the MO DESE Industry Recognized Credential (IRC) Committee, MO Professors of Education Administration (MPEA) Board of Directors, ex- officio member of the MO Advisory Council of Certification for Educators, and is a member of multiple state and national professional organizations.
Terms ends 12/31/2024
Representative Barbara Phifer, a Democrat, represents St. Louis County (District 90) in the Missouri House of Representatives. She was elected to her first two-year term in November 2020. Prior to serving in the legislature, Phifer was a United Methodist pastor for more than 40 years. Born in Washington D.C., Phifer graduated from David H. Hickman High School in Columbia. She obtained a bachelor’s degree from Cornell College, and a master’s of divinity from St. Paul School of Theology. She served as pastor in churches in Missouri and Montevideo, Uruguay. Rep. Phifer resides in Kirkwood with her spouse, Thomas Sanders. She has five children and seven grandchildren.
Pat Runge currently serves as the Director of School Counseling for the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. She taught secondary mathematics for ten years before transitioning to her position as a Professional School Counselor. She retired from public school in 2019 after serving as a school counselor for 22 years. Pat began her career with DESE in the Office of Special Education where she worked for almost three years. Pat is a member of the Missouri School Counselors Association (MSCA), the American School Counselor Association (ASCA), the Association of Career and Technical Education (ACTE) and serves on the board of Missouri Association of Career and Technical Education (MOACTE), on the Executive Committee of Missouri Council Career and Technical Administrators (MCCTE), and the Missouri Interagency Transition Team (MITT). Pat is the coordinator of Missouri Connections, which is an online comprehensive career development and planning program for grades K-12 and adults. Pat and her husband, K.C., live on a farm in Tuscumbia, Missouri. Together they have five grown children and seven grandchildren. She likes to garden, kayak, hike, crochet, read, go antiquing and play with the grandchildren.
Dan Stroot is the PST Senior Manager of Boeing Defense, Space and Security (BDS), and Safety Learning Solutions. Dan has 38 years of experience in Manufacturing, Education and Training, and Workforce Development. Dan leads a team that is responsible for deploying manufacturing, quality and safety learning solutions for The Boeing Defense, Space and Security business, Boeing Global Services business and Engineering Flight Test Operations. The scope of his responsibilities includes geographic support for 63 Boeing sites/Military sites, located in 26 states and internationally. Dan’s portfolio covers Fabrication, Assembly, Flight Line, Flight Test, Modification, Depot, and Space. Dan has been with the Boeing Company for 38 years of service. He has held various positions within the Company in Manufacturing as a Sheet Metal Assembler & Riveter, Machinist, Bonding Mechanic, and Workforce Development as a Technical Training Instructor, Technical Training Team Leader, and Technical Training Manager. Dan’s formal education includes an Airframe & Powerplant License, Associate of Applied Science in Aviation Maintenance Technology, and Bachelor of Science in Aeronautics with a major in Aviation Maintenance Management from Parks College of St. Louis University. Dan also holds a Master of Science in Aviation Safety from the University of Central Missouri. Dan serves as the Chairman of the Missouri Association of Manufactures (MAM) Board of Directors representing Boeing St. Louis Manufacturing.
Term ends 12/31/2023
Dr. Jonathan Walker is a faculty member at St. Louis Community College. He earned his BS in Business from Hannibal-Lagrange College, MBA from William Woods University, EdS from the University of Central Missouri, and EdD in P-20 Education and Community Leadership from Murray State University. Dr. Walker was a high school business teacher, FBLA adviser, NTHS advisor, and ESports advisor at Kirksville Area Technical Center before teaching at at the postsecondary level. Dr. Walker is the President of MOACTE and serves on the Financial Literacy Education Council Advisory Board.
Terms ends 12/31/2024
Jill Williams joined the Missouri Hospital Association in 2016 and serves as the association’s Vice President of Workforce Initiatives. In this role, she draws on over 17 years of human resources and workforce experience in banking and healthcare. Williams connects hospitals across the state of Missouri by fostering collaboration among regional partner networks that prioritize workforce needs, leverage resources, and deliver services, grants and programs that assist hospitals in preparing a pipeline of qualified health care workers. Partners include healthcare human resources professionals, educational institutions, chambers of commerce and economic development agencies, community organizations, state government and local workforce development agencies. Williams oversees the components of the MHA annual workforce report including development, data collection, analysis and report development. She identifies and establishes outreach opportunities to include presentations and exhibiting to promote health careers and career pathways, while managing the Missouri Health Careers website. Williams oversees training programs for nurse preceptors and clinical nurse educators while working to connect and strengthen partnerships between nursing schools and hospitals. In September 2020, Williams was appointed by Governor Parsons to the Missouri Workforce Development Board. She is a member of the Missouri Business & Industry Council, Justice Reinvestment Initiative Behavioral Health Workgroup, Missouri Healthcare Workforce Coalition, American Society for Healthcare Human Resources Administration, Missouri Society for Healthcare Human Resources Administration and the Society for Human Resource Management. Williams holds a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration and a master’s degree in education with emphasis in career and technical education. She has also been accepted to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Business Leads Fellowship Program.
Terms ends 12/31/2024
Valerie Wilson is the Manager of CTE Enrollment with the Special School District (SSD) of St. Louis County. In this role, she oversees the admissions process for students interested in attending the local career centers. Prior to joining SSD, Valerie worked as the CTE Program Manager with St. Louis Public Schools. There she coordinated the district CTE Dual Credit opportunities and program growth opportunities. Prior to that, she served as a classroom teacher for 8 years. In other roles, she held a career in Pharmaceutical Sales. Valerie is completing her EdS in CTE Professional Leadership at University of Central Missouri. She earned a Master of Arts in Teaching at Lindenwood University in St. Charles, MO and Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration at Langston University in Oklahoma.
Term ends 12/31/2025
Vacancies:
- Missouri Department of Workforce Development
- Missouri Department of Economic Development
- Coordinating Board for Higher Education