Jo Ann Emerson

Major General King E. Sidwell

Ron M. Reynolds

U.S. Representative Jo Ann Emerson

U.S. Representative Jo Ann Emerson Serving the Eighth District of Missouri

U.S. Representative Jo Ann Emerson represents the 28 counties of Southern Missouri’s agriculturally diverse Eighth District, from the Mississippi River valley, through the Bootheel flatlands, and to the timberlands and clear streams of the Ozarks. Agricultural products including cotton, corn, rice, grapes, trout, forest products, and livestock are produced there. Over 90% of America's lead production is located in the Eighth District. Each August, Jo Ann conducts a Farm Tour to visit the wide variety of farms, laboratories, forests, and ranches in Missouri’s Eighth District.

As a member of the Appropriations Committee, Jo Ann sits on the Agriculture, Interior, and Energy and Water Development Subcommittees. She believes her extensive involvement in rural farm issues, national defense, and flood control enables her to serve her constituents to the best of her abilities.

After earning a B.A. in political science from Ohio Wesleyan University in 1972, Jo Ann pursued an active career in public affairs and grassroots communications. In her professional career, Jo Ann has served as the Senior Vice President of Public Affairs for the American Insurance Association, as Director of State Relations and Grassroots Programs for the small-business oriented National Restaurant Association, and as Deputy Communications Director for the National Republican Congressional Committee.

Currently, Jo Ann serves as vice-president of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, a legislative assembly of leaders from NATO member nations which deals with defense capabilies and foreign affairs. She also holds the post of vice-chair of the subcommittee on Democratic Governance. In the U.S. House of Representatives, Jo Ann serves as vice-chair of the Center Aisle Caucus, a bipartisan group committed to working across party lines. She is also an Honorary and Life Trustee of Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri. A former Girl Scout, Jo Ann is a leading supporter of the organization in Congress. She is co-chair of the Board of Directors for the Congressional Hunger Center, one of the nation’s leading hunger relief organizations. Jo Ann is also a founding member of the Bipartisan Congressional Retreat, whose mission is to foster better relations in Congress with Members from each party. She was recognized as one of the American Bus Association’s 2005 Legislators of the Year and earned the 2005 Committed Statesperson Award from the National MS Society. Each Thursday morning when Congress is in session, Jo Ann attends the Congressional Prayer Group, of which she has served as President. In February of 2005, Jo Ann chaired the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington.

Major General King E. Sidwell

Major General King E. Sidwell Adjutant General Missouri National Guard

Major General Sidwell was born July 13, 1950, in Sikeston, Missouri. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial and Systems Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology in 1972.In 1975 he earned a Juris Doctorate in Law from the University of Missouri-Columbia. Major General Sidwell completed a Master of Strategic Studies through the United States Army War College in 2000.

His military education includes:Engineer Officer Basic Course, Judge Advocate Officer Basic Course, Judge Advocate Officer Advanced Course, Engineer Officer Advanced Course, Command and General Staff College, Engineer Pre-command Courses, and the U.S. Army War College.

Major General Sidwell was prior enlisted from 1972 to 1974 until receiving his commission on August 10, 1974 upon completion of State Officer Candidate School at the Missouri Military Academy. Major General Sidwell’s numerous assignments include: Engineer Reconnaissance Officer, Battalion Executive Officer, Detachment Commander, Group Trial Counsel, Group Operations Officer, Brigade Engineer Supply Officer, Battalion S-3, Group S-1, Environmental Officer, Area Damage Control Officer, Group S-3, Brigade Executive Officer, Chief Military Support Officer, and Director of Maintenance for Headquarters STARC in Jefferson City.

In addition to the above duties, Brigadier General Sidwell served as Company Commander for Charlie Company, 1140 Engineer Combat Battalion (Corps).As a Lieutenant Colonel he commanded the 1140 Engineer Battalion from August 1998 to February 2001.As a Colonel he commanded the Engineer Brigade, Infantry Division from February 2002 to June 2004. Upon completion of his command assignment with the Engineer Brigade, 35th Infantry Division, he assumed the position of Assistant Corps Engineer, 35th Engineer Brigade (Corps) at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, until transfer to the Retired Reserves. He was recalled from the Retired Reserve to become the Adjutant General of the Missouri National Guard, 27 January 2005.

Major General Sidwell’s awards and citation include: Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal (2 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters), Army Commendation Medal (1 Oak Leaf Cluster), Army Achievement Medal (1 Oak Leaf Cluster), Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal (1 Silver Oak Leaf Cluster and 1 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster), National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal (1 Silver Hourglass Device), Army Service Ribbon, Army Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon (Numeral 7), and the Bronze Order of the De Fleury Medal (the Army Engineer Association).

Major General Sidwell’s military affiliations include the National Guard Associations (MoNGA, NGAUS, and AGAUS), the Army Engineer Association, the Association of the United States Army, the United State Army War College Alumni Association, and the Military Officers Association of America.

Major General Sidwell’s civic and professional affiliations include the American Bar Association, Missouri State Bar Association, American Trial Lawyers Association, Defense Research Institute, Sikeston Area Chamber of commerce, Sikeston Area United Way Board of Directors, Southeast Missouri Boy Scout Council Board of Directors (past Scoutmaster and District Chairman), Kiwanis Club of Sikeston (past President and District Lieutenant Governor), and the First United Methodist Church of Sikeston.

SEMA Director Ron M. Reynolds

Ronald M. Reynolds, Director of Missouri State Emergency Management Agency

 Missouri Governor Matt Blunt named Ronald M. Reynolds Director of Missouri State Emergency Management Agency in January 2005. Reynolds is a native of Central Missouri. He graduated from Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Missouri, with a bachelor's degree in education and later completed a master's degree in management from National University at San Diego, Calif. He retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Army after a 22-year career.

Reynolds is past vice-president Region VII for the National Emergency Management Association (NEMA) Board of Directors. He is the secretary-treasurer for the Central United States Earthquake Consortium (CUSEC) Board of Directors. CUSEC's mission is catastrophic planning and response to a New Madrid Seismic event, which would impact Missouri, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi and Alabama. Reynolds is the past president of the Downtown Rotary Club, and a Paul Harris Fellow.

Throughout his military career, he served in a variety of staff and command positions and was responsible for logistical operations while in the Netherlands and Germany. He directed a diversified ocean terminal transporting ammunition and sensitive cargo worldwide. His last assignment was ROTC Professor of Military Science at Lincoln University. 

After retirement he joined the Dollar General Corporation's management staff working in distribution. There he managed workload planning, training and resources allocations.