Mississippi River Parkway Commission

Missouri Department of Transportation
PO Box 270
Jefferson City, MO 65102

Phone: (573)-751-4606
Fax: (573)-522-1973

Email:
Website: http://www.mississippiriverinfo.com/

Details on Board or Commission

Authority: RSMo 226.445

Department: Transportation

Mission: The Mississippi River Parkway Commission is a multistate organization which works collectively to preserve, promote and enhance the scenic, historic and recreational resources of the Mississippi River, to foster economic growth in the corridor and to develop the national, scenic and historic parkway known as the Great River Road.

Function: The Mississippi River Parkway Commission coordinates efforts to encourage highway improvements, recreational trails, bikeways, scenic overlooks, and historic preservation along the Mississippi River. It coordinates domestic and international marketing, enhances economic development and promotes resource awareness.

SubCommittees: Transportation Committee Finance and Fundraising Committee MRPC/MRC Marketing Collaboration Committee Culture and Heritage Committee Legislative Committee Environment, Recreation and Agriculture Committee By-Laws Committee Nominating Committee Resolutions Committee Awards Committee Communications and Public Relations Committee Executive Committee Board of Directors

Details on Meetings

Number of meetings: 2 national meetings; up to 4 state meetings (quarterly)

Location of meetings: national meetings, any of the 10 Mississippi River states or Ontario; state meetings, sites near the Mississippi River

Duration of meetings: annual national meeting, 3 days; midwinter national meeting, 2 days; quarterly state meetings, 0.5 days

Preparation time for meetings: 1 to 5 days

Total time commitment: 4 hours

Details on Members

Total members: 15

Appointed members: 5

Term length: 5 years (6 members are ex-officio members and term length does not apply)

Compensation: Members appointed by the Governor receive reimbursement for realized and necessary expenses as appropriations allow.

Member Requirements: All members must have association with and interest in the Mississippi River; 5 members are appointed by the Governor; 2 members must be Senators; and 2 members must be Representatives

Political Requirements: Yes, members from the House of Representative may not be members of the same political party; members from the Senate may not be members of the same political party; not more than 3 members appointed by the Governor may be members of the same political party

Geographic Requirements: Yes, all members, other than legislative members, shall reside in counties which are adjacent to the Mississippi River. To the extent practicable, legislative members shall represent counties which are adjacent to the Mississippi River.

Senate Consent Required: Yes

Members

Vacant Slot
Member of the Missouri Senate 1

Vacant Slot
Member of the Missouri Senate 2

Representative Louis Riggs
Member of the Missouri House of Representatives 1
Term begins: Oct 4, 2022

Representative Bruce Sassman
Member of the Missouri House of Representatives 2
Term begins: Apr 17, 2023

Gerty O'Leary(R)
Member 1
Herculaneum
Term begins: Aug 29, 2002
Term expires: Aug 15, 2007

Dr. Frank Nickell(D)
Member 2
Cape Girardeau
Term begins: Jul 10, 2003
Term expires: Mar 3, 2008

Mr. George Walley(D)
Member 3
Hannibal
Term begins: Apr 6, 2004
Term expires: Apr 15, 2009

Ms. Silvey Barker(R)
Member 4
East Prairie
Term begins: Apr 19, 2005
Term expires: Sep 15, 2008

Vacant Slot
Member 5

Director Patrick McKenna
Department of Transportation - ex officio member

Mr. Stephen Foutes
Division of Tourism - ex officio member

Director Sara Parker Pauley
Department of Conservation - ex officio member

Mr. David Kelly
Division of State Parks, Department of Natural Resources - ex officio member

Director Chris Chinn
Department of Agriculture - ex officio member

Acting Director Michelle H. Hataway
Department of Economic Development - ex officio member