Meet Our Board

Meet Our Board

Board members are all unpaid active volunteers who have a strong desire to see the Mid-Missouri Fisher House constructed here in Columbia Missouri. They each serve a 3 or 6-year term. We have a limited number of members allowed by our bylaws, but if you think you might be interested in serving as a member of our board, please let us know using our Contact Us form.

Stephen Gaither, Board Chair

Truman VA Hospital Public Affairs Officer, Retired
Veteran - U.S. Air Force, Utah Air National Guard and U.S. Army Reserve

John Cassels, Vice Chair

OB-GYN, University of Missouri - Columbia, Retired
Retired LTC, USAR Deployed with 47th Combat Support Hospital, 44th Medical Brigade XVIII Airborne Corps

Bev Semar, Secretary

Human Resources, Retired
Veteran - U.S. Army
Proud Spouse of a Veteran and Daughter of a Veteran

Mary DiBlasi, Treasurer

Manager for Relationship *Private* Banking for Central Bank of Boone County
Retired from Bank of America after 36 years as Market President
Taught Business Plan Development for the University Extension Center
Served on the Boards of Boys and Girls Club, A+ for Education, United Way, The Audrain County Public Library, Go Red, and Kiwanis

Blaine Alberty

Married to Ann Alberty
Retired Pharmacist
Retired Owner, D&H Drugstore - Columbia MO

Denny Bond

Worked in the sales and marketing areas in hospitality for over 40 years
Graduate of University of Missouri with degrees in mathematics, education and graduate degree in Secondary School Administration
Served in Vietnam as a 1st. Lieutenant
President of The Bond Group. Special events and sports marketing

Laura DeVenny

Registered Nurse - Truman VA Hospital, Retired
Founder, Mid-Missouri Quilts of Valor

Sylvia M. Jackson

Truman VA Hospital Chief of Voluntary Services, Retired
Over 32 Years in Government Service
Proud Mother of U.S. Military Army Specialist

Larry Long

Registered Professional Engineer - University of Missouri, Retired
Boonville Correctional Center, Volunteer Chaplain
Truman VA Hospital Volunteer, Patient Visitation Ministry

Chad Massman

Director of Membership - Columbia Missouri Chamber of Commerce

Mary Paulsell

President and Co-Founder, Central Missouri Honor Flight
MU Chancellor's Military & Veterans Executive Committee
Proud daughter of WWII Silver Star and Battle of the Bulge veteran
Retired business communications professional, University of Missouri

Gary Powell

Retired Owner, Powell Distributing Inc. - Columbia MO
Truman VA Hospital Volunteer, DAV Driver
U.S. Navy, USS New Jersey 1968-69
U.S. Navy - Staff, Commander 7th Fleet, 1970-71

Richard Rice

Sargeant Major - U.S. Army, Retired
Missouri Depart of Corrections, 10 Years - Education, Retired
Truman VA Hospital Volunteer

Jackie Rodgers, Jr.

Attorney - Smith Lewis, Columbia Missouri
Veteran - U.S. Army, Iraq

Eileen Scrivner

School Teacher, Retired
1st Choice Employment Agency, Jefferson City Missouri
Volunteer - Elks Lodge #513, Jefferson City Missouri
VAVS Representative - Elks, Northeast Missouri District

Nevada Shelkey

Exterior Remodeling Consultant - True Son Exteriors, Columbia Missouri
U.S. Army National Guard - North Dakota, 2000 - 2008

Rebecca Stafford

Business Operations Associate II, University of Missouri
MU Chancellor’s Military & Veterans Standing Committee
MU Chancellor’s Military & Veterans Executive Committee
President, Central Missouri Blue Star Mothers
National Recording Secretary, Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc.

Cynthia "Cindy" B. Suich

Military Daughter and Wife
Proud Supporter of Military and Veterans Through Various Organizations
Past VAVS Representative at Truman VA Hospital for Daughters of the American Revolution
Former College Instructor for Health and Recreation at Various Texas Colleges and also at Germany for University of Maryland Overseas Division for Military

Non-Discrimination Statement and Policy
Adopted by the Board of Directors on December 14, 2020
Friends of Mid-Missouri Fisher House does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, hiring and firing of staff, selection of volunteers and vendors, and provision of services. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our staff, clients, volunteers, subcontractors, vendors, and clients.