Governor appoints Black to Northwest Board of Regents

Gov. Mike Kehoe has announced the appointment of Steve Black, of Maysville to Northwest Missouri State University’s Board of Regents.

Black must be confirmed by the Missouri Senate for his appointment to become official. He will fill the Board seat previously held by Lydia Hurst (R), of Tarkio, for a term set to conclude Jan. 1, 2031.

Black is a cattle and grain farmer and business consultant specializing in manufacturing, operations management, performance improvement and strategic guidance on acquisition due diligence in northwest Missouri. He previously worked at Johnson Controls Inc., where he most recently was the vice president of Air Distribution Technologies (ADTI) Operations for the North American manufacturing and distribution operations.

He has served as a member of several civic organizations, including the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce and United Way of Greater St. Joseph.

He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from Northwest. 

Northwest’s nine-member Board of Regents is responsible for sound resource management of the University and determining general, educational and financial policies.

According to state statutes, six of the Board’s members must live in the University’s 17-county district. They must include one member living in Nodaway County and two living outside the district but no more than two voting members residing in the same county.

Additionally, not more than four voting members may belong to any one political party. One member must be a non-voting student representative.

Mel Tjeerdsma (R), of Maryville, serves as Board chair, and Stephen Coppinger (I), of Kansas City, is vice chair. Shanda Durbin (I), of St. Joseph; Jason Klindt (R), of Kearney; John Moore (I), of Raymore; Deborah Roach (D), of Grant City; and Roxanna Swaney (R) of Liberty; round out the Board. The seat of the Board’s student regent is vacant.