Our Leadership
- Ann Wagner
Following nomination by President George W. Bush and confirmation by the U.S. Senate, Ann Wagner was sworn in as the 19th U.S. Ambassador to Luxembourg by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on August 1st, 2005, in Washington, D.C. She served as US Ambassador for four years until July, 2009.
Ann Wagner’s role as U.S. Ambassador to Luxembourg was the latest chapter in a career rich in service to her community, state and nation. Her passionate belief in the traditional American values of liberty, opportunity and hope, along with her strong desire to share the American dream with others, fueled her decision to answer the call to international service.
Previously, Ann Wagner was Co-Chair of the Republican National Committee (RNC) for two terms, a tenure marked by historic election victories and ambitious programs to engage women in politics and to motivate female leaders. Her extensive travels in this role took her to 48 of the 50 states.
Ann Wagner also held the position of Chair of the Missouri Republican Party for more than six years. She was widely praised for her visionary leadership, numerous election successes, and dedication to key causes on behalf of her fellow Missourians.
Ann Wagner’s public service began at the grassroots level. She served for nine years as a local committeewoman in Lafayette Township, Missouri; a position she retained even while working as both the Missouri Chair and the RNC Co-Chair, because of her deep commitment to local, grassroots political involvement.
In the private sector, she held management positions at Hallmark Cards in Kansas City, Missouri, and Ralston Purina in St. Louis, Missouri.
Charitable organizations and the Catholic Church have both played a significant role in Ann Wagner’s life. She advanced those interests by serving on the boards of Campfire USA, and Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of St. Louis. She is presently serving on the boards of: St. Louis Children’s Hospital, Forest Park Forever, Cor Jesu Academy, and the Washington University in St. Louis International Scholars Academy.
A graduate of the University of Missouri-Columbia, Ambassador Wagner earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, attending university on a vocal music scholarship.
Ambassador Wagner’s spouse, Ray Wagner, serves as Legal & Legislative Vice President at Enterprise Holdings in St. Louis. The Wagners have three children: Raymond III, Stephen and Mary Ruth.
Sen. Jim Talent, Honorary Chair
Sen. Jim Talent
Senator Jim Talent serves as the Honorary Chair of the American Freedom and Enterprise Foundation; an organization dedicated to fighting for the principles of enterprise and economic prosperity while rebuilding a consensus for the free market.
Sen. Talent is also as a Distinguished Fellow at the Washington, DC, based Heritage Foundation, where he specializes in military readiness issues. One of Senator Talent’s objectives at the Heritage Foundation is to raise awareness, within Congress and throughout the country, of the importance of assuring stable, robust funding of America’s military, in peace as well as war.
Senator Talent is also currently the Vice Chairman of the congressionally authorized Commission on the Prevention of Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferation and Terrorism, in early 2008. In December 2008, the Commission released its report, World at Risk, co-authored by Senator Bob Graham (D-FL) the Chairman of the Commission. The report declared that “…unless the world community acts decisively and with great urgency, it is more likely than not a weapon of mass destruction will be used in a terrorist attack somewhere in the world by the end of 2013…and that terrorists are more likely to be able to obtain and use a biological weapon is more likely than a nuclear weapon.” Since then, former Senators Graham and Talent have worked to encourage the Obama Administration and the Congress to adopt the Commission’s recommendations.
Senator Talent has a long history in public service on behalf of the State of Missouri. In 2002, Missourians elected Jim Talent to the U.S. Senate where he served for four years, from 2002 to 2007.
During his tenure in the Senate, he served on four key committees: The Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee; the Senate Armed Services Committee; the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee; and the Senate Aging Committee.
Senator Talent served Missouri in the U.S. House for eight years, from 1993 to 2001.
As a freshman congressman, he introduced the Real Welfare Reform Act of 1994, which subsequently became the basis for the historic bipartisan welfare reform bill, the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act of 1996. The legislation has resulted in 4.2 million people moving from dependency on the government to jobs and self-sufficiency.
Senator Talent served for eight years on the House Armed Services Committee. In that capacity, he waged a long battle to protect America’s armed forces from cuts in size and funding. Also as a freshman member of Congress, Senator Talent formed a special congressional committee to address the decline in readiness of America’s military.
For eight years, Senator Talent served on the House Small Business Committee. In 1997, he was named Chairman of the committee where he was the youngest Chairman in Congress. In that capacity he fought successfully for tax and regulatory relief for small business owners.
Under Senator Talent’s leadership, the Small Business Committee became the most bipartisan in the House. Senator Talent constantly promoted the idea that small businesses and free enterprise create an avenue of opportunity for people of all backgrounds and socio-economic status.
Jim Talent was elected to the Missouri House of Representatives in 1984, at the age of 28, where he served for eight years and succeeded in passing numerous pieces of legislation, including legislative efforts to build roads, toughen drug laws, secure taxpayer rights and reduce taxes. At the age of 32, Senator Talent was unanimously chosen by his colleagues as the Minority Leader, the highest ranking Republican leadership position in the Missouri House. He served in that capacity until 1992 when he was elected to Congress to represent Missouri’s Second District.
Senator Jim Talent was born and raised in Des Peres, Missouri. He graduated from Kirkwood High School in 1973 and attended Washington University in St. Louis, where he received the Arnold J. Lien Prize as the most outstanding undergraduate in political science. He graduated Order of the Coif from the University of Chicago Law School in 1981 and clerked for Judge Richard Posner of the United States Court of Appeals from 1982 through 1983.
Jim and his wife, Brenda, were married in 1984. Jim and Brenda have three children: Michael, Kate and Chrissy. The family lives in Chesterfield, Missouri.
Michael Conoyer, M.D.
Dr. Conoyer has been in ENT practice in St. Charles County for nearly three decades. His community and civic leadership has been recognized by Universal Services for the Handicapped and by Youth In Need. His local awards include Citizen of the Year (1993) by the St. Charles Chamber of Commerce.
Born and raised in St. Charles County and a descendent of the original French explorers of the area, Dr. Conoyer is a summa cum laude graduate of Southeast Missouri State University and an Alpha Omega Alpha graduate at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. He completed his residency in ENT at Barnes Hospital in St. Louis in 1980 and has practiced continually in St. Charles ever since then.
Neal Ethridge
J. Neal Ethridge started his professional career with Tindle Mills, Inc. of Springfield, Missouri in 1962. He climbed the corporate ladder quickly and was elected President and Chief Executive Officer at age 39. Over they years, Mr. Ethridge has worked in virtually every facet of the livestock feed manufacturing business. Mr. Ethridge left the feed industry in 1995 and founded Ethridge Investments and Consulting where he continues as President.
Mr. Ethridge is dedicated to economic development and his community. He has served on a number of boards and commissions to advance Missouri agriculture and promote commerce. Mr. Ethridge also founded the Ozarks Medicine/Business Coalition and served as Chairman for three years and as Chairman of the Board of Springfield Community Hospital. He received the Missouri State Chamber of Commerce Agribusiness Distinguished Service Award in 1983.
Nick Myers
Nick Myers is the sole shareholder of Nick Myers, CPA, PC and is licensed in both Missouri and Oklahoma . Mr. Myers received a BS in BA from the University of Missouri Columbia and has postgraduate studies in finance at the University of Missouri Kansas City. He has been recognized and honored by his peers as the recipient of the inaugural James T. Mudd Award for advancing the profession of CPA by the Missouri State Board of Accountancy and the Max Myers Distinguished Service Award by the Missouri Society of CPAs (MSCPA). He served as President and Chairman of the MSCPA 1999-2000. He is currently a member of the MSCPA Board of Directors and the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) Council.
Mr. Myers is active in his community, serving as Chairman of the Redings Mill Fire Protection District from 1994 -2000. He also serves as a member of the MO Republican Party Exec. Committee, the Chairman of the Newton County Republican Central Committee, and was a delegate to the National Convention in 2008.
Dr. Ron Sprouse
Doctor Sprouse retired as an Emeritus Professor from the University of Missouri School of Medicine in September, 2000 after 32 years of service since receiving his MD, PhD from the University of Oklahoma. He has functioned in various administrative and service capacities for the University, the U.S. Public Health Service, and the World Health Organization over the years; but foremost he has been a teacher and researcher. He has presented or published more than a hundred scientific papers and currently holds more than two dozen U.S. and Foreign patents via the University.
Doctor and Mrs. Sprouse continue to work full time at IMMVAC, INC. in Columbia, where they manage various aspects of the family businesses. Doctor Sprouse, continues to function as liaison with the University of Missouri research community and to coordinate all new science commercialized by the family businesses. He is actively involved in various Christian Church functions, and other benevolent efforts especially related to education and care for the poor and needy in our society.
Kathryn Swan
Kathryn Swan is President and owner of JCS/TEL-LINK, a small wireless communications company with offices throughout Southeast Missouri and Southern Illinois. Kathy earned an Associate of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees in Nursing from Southeast Missouri State University.
Professionally, she holds positions on a number of boards to promote business and industry in Missouri. Mrs. Swan currently serves as a member and former chair of the Missouri Coordinating Board for Higher Education as well as many other statewide organizations to better the education system in Missouri at all levels. Locally, Mrs. Swan is active in her community through the Graces Women’s Leadership Team of United Way of Southeast Missouri; the Southeast Missouri P20 Council and the Zonta Club of Cape Girardeau. Many organizations in Missouri have recognized her with awards and distinctions for her selfless commitment to volunteerism, leadership and vision.
Philip B. Wright
Philip B. Wright is a Partner in the law firm of Bryan Cave LLP. He advises clients on domestic and international tax aspects of corporate acquisitions, mergers, dispositions and related tax matters; including structuring, negotiation, and documentation. Phil received his B.A. degree in Accounting from the University of Missouri, magna cum laude (1979), J.D. degree from Georgetown University, cum laude (1982), and his LL.M. from New York University (1985). He has served as an adjunct professor at Washington University Law School and Font Bonne University.
He is a member of the Tax Section of the American Bar Association where he served as Chair of the Corporate Tax Committee. He is also a member of the Missouri Bar, the New York State Bar, the District of Columbia Bar, and the Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis. He is listed in “The Best Lawyers In America” and is a Fellow of the American College of Tax Counsel.
