Name: Richard Erickson
Position: President
Biography: 1953 BA Kansas City University USMC active duty and reserves 9 years Hallmark Cards, 31 years Retired to Stone county where he currently volunteers on numerous boards and agencies including the SCORE program, Branson Veterans Taskforce History Project, Stone County Economic Development Commission, Stone County Futures Group, and the University of Missouri Alliance of Alumni Associations and Extension.

Name: Jae Jones
Position: Vice President

Name: Sarah Klinefelter
Position: Secretary, Founding Member
Biography: M.A. in English, with additional Masters equivalents in Speech and Drama and Educational Administration University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa with additional work at Harvard, the University of Wisconsin, and Vanderbilt. College of the Ozarks, 1988 to 2005, beginning as English instructor and progressing to chairman, Division of Performing and Professional Arts. Teaching and Administrative Experience and Community Volunteer Work. Member of many local social, civic and governmental boards

Name: Fred Pfister
Position: Treasurer
Biography: Board Member -- Lecturer 1976 Ph D Doctor of Arts in English (with minor in art history), University of Mississippi, Oxford, MS 1970-1975, 1976-1997 Professor of English at College of the Ozarks teaching classes in English and a variety of other subjects. Currently teaching special classes for Columbia College and editing the Ozarks Mountaineer and All Roads Lead to Branson Author of two books and a wide variety of numerous magazines and newspaper columns and book reviews.

Name: Drew Beisswenger
Position: Board Member
Biography: 1997 Ph.D., Musicology, Regional Studies; The University of Memphis 1992 MLS, Library Service, The University of Alabama 1875 M.A., Folk Studies, Western Kentucky University 1981 B.A., Folklore, Indiana University Head of Music Library; Associate Professor of Library Science, Music Cataloger, Southwest Missouri State University, Springfield, MO 1998 – 2003 Has professionally accepted appointments to the National Endowment for the Arts, the Missouri Arts Council, the Tennessee Arts Commission and the Arkansas Arts Council, and the Music Library Association. Scholarly work includes three books, four articles, seventeen papers presented, six reviews, and eight grants.

Name: Phil Carmen
Position: Board Member
Biography: A life-long Ozarker, Dr. Phillip L. Carman was born and raised in Springfield, MO. After 33 years of teaching in higher education, he is now Professor Emeritus of College of the Ozarks where for 28 years he was a member of the English Department and the Director of the Center for Writing and Thinking. He has resided in Hollister for 38 years. Committed to public service, he joined the Hollister City Council as an Alderman in 1990 where his presence has spanned 20 years. He also serves Hollister as a member of the Planning and Zoning Commission and other bodies. He was member of the OACAC Board of Directors and is currently serving on the Taney County Airport Board. Dr. Carman is committed to the preservation and advancement of Ozark culture through education, partnering, and financial support.

Name: Debbie Blades
Position: Emeritus Board Member

Name: Paul Lear
Position: Board Member
Biography: Education Graduated from Hollister High School in 1974, senior class president Attended School of the Ozarks 1974-1976, focused on classes relating to printing and printing management. Additional hours from U of M, Columbia; SMSU, Springfield Experience 1974-1979 Radio Shack-clerk, Branson; Self employed photographer, Branson-Hollister; Branson Beacon-typesetter, Branson, retail electronic sales and installation - Mr. Electronics in Harrison, AR. 1978-1996 Printing Technology teacher employed at the Gibson Tech Center in Reeds Spring, MO. Duties included morning and afternoon printing classes of 3 hours each and a one hour class in photography during 4th hr. Up to 30 students enrolled for this 2 year course from area schools up to 35 miles away. 1986 - present Business owner, Pelco Press (Creative Printing). This shop was started to supplement teacher income and has developed into a shop with 31 employees and sales of $3.4 million/yr. 2007 - present Business owner, Reeds Spring Pizza Co. Community Rotary Club of Table Rock Lake founding member, Mayor- Reeds Spring Board Member - Spring Street Developement Corporation - Reeds Spring Member, Reeds Spring Historical Society Member, Wilderness Road Org.

Name: Dan Lennon
Position: Emeritus Board Member - Lecturer
Biography: 1986 MA in Applied Linguistics/TESL UCLA Serves as the Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations for the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and Convention & Visitors Bureau.2003 to present Prior to joining the Branson Chamber/CVB in December 2003, served as Director of Marketing at the Welk Resort Branson from its opening in 1994 through October 2002, and has provided marketing services to several Branson theaters and lodging properties through his own consulting firm. Active in the Branson business community as a current or past member of numerous boards of directors and received several awards for distinguished community service. Co-producer and featured vocalist in the popular Lennon Brothers Swing Music Show in Branson.

Name: Chris Lucchi
Position: Board Member

Name: Ellen Massey
Position: Board member and founding member
Biography: Former teacher in Lebanon School system, 29 years. Advisor to Bittersweet, the Ozark Quarterly, from 1973 to 1983. A nationally acclaimed magazine published by Lebanon High School students. Adjunct professor (part-time) at Drury College teaching graduate and undergraduate courses in writing, literature, and Ozark culture. Has given over 350 talks in Missouri about the Ozarks Author of 19 books. Inducted into Writers Hall of Fame of America, 1995 and member of many social and cultural and writing boards in Missouri and across the nation.

Name: Robert McGill
Position: Board member and founding member
Biography: Ph.D. Author of books and material about the Ozarks. Former Youth Specialist with University of Missouri.

Name: Barbara Wehrman
Position: Board member and founding member
Biography: Twenty-seven years with Ozark Mountaineer Magazine, starting as part-time worker until, eventually, became owner and publisher of magazine. Sold magazine in 2003. Involved with many boards and organizations in Taney County area. Mother of four grown children, grandparent to 15 children

Name: Sue Noel
Position: Board Member
Biography: Obtained a Bachelor of Science in Education degree with theater emphasis as a 1982 graduate of Southwest Missouri State University. Employed with Silver Dollar City since 1979. Current responsibilities include environmental projects and maintaining the overall aesthetics of the 1880's theme park. Charter board member of Region N Solid Waste Management District, past board member of Mountain Country Habitat for Humanity and current board member of the Missouri Recycling Association. Interests include energy conservation, alternative fuels and green building within the tourism industry as well as protecting and preserving our Ozark heritage.

Name: Tom Deboe
Position: Board Member
Biography: Coming soon

Name: Linda VanDuren
Position: Board Member
Biography: Coming Soon