Letter from the Executive Director
When I took the role as the Missouri Association of Rehabilitation Facilities Executive Director I had no idea what passion it would bring to my life. Advocating for people with disabilities is the most rewarding experience I have had in my professional career.
Everyone deserves the best out of life and sometimes you have to fight to overcome the barriers that some cannot eliminate on their own. People with disabilities living and working in Missouri are unfortunately faced with barriers everyday. Thankfully, MARF members recognize the overwhelming need and common goal of improving all services for people with developmental disabilities.
With the help of our dedicated membership, MARF will continue our mission of enhancing the lives of people with disabilities. Contact us to find out more about how you can help us make a difference in the lives of people with disabilities.
Sincerely,
Erika Leonard
Executive Director
July 2013 - June 2014 MARF Board of Directors
Rainbow Village
Lori Pace, Vice-President
The Arc of the Ozarks
Wendy Witcig, Past President
Triality, Inc.
Cindy Clark, Treasurer
Emmaus Homes, Inc.
Mark Arens
MERS/Goodwill
Susie Barnes
Green Hills Superior Care, Inc.
Thomas Beattie
Association of Group Homes – Nodaway County Services
Rebecca Case
Developing Potential
Judy Grainger
The Center for Head Injury Services
Barb Griffith
Community Living, Inc.
Greg Kramer
Life Skills
Joe Krueger
Alternative Opportunities
Sarah Mudd
Center for Developmentally Disabled
John Savage
Alternative Community Training, Inc.
Chad Williams
Easy Living, Inc.
John Bardgett & Associates
The statewide organization has a unified voice that is represented in the Missouri State Capitol by the renowned firm of John Bardgett & Associates. John E. Bardgett, Jr. is president of John Bardgett & Associates, Inc. (hereinafter referred to as JBA), which is a political consulting and lobbying firm, primarily focused on representing clients’ interests in the State of Missouri at the legislative, executive, and state department levels.
John is a graduate of Southwest Missouri State University with a B.S. in Business and has been actively engaged in the lobbying and political consulting area for the last 26 years. JBA’s client list represents some of the top corporations in our country as well as professional and trade associations in our state. John’s firm has offices in both Jefferson City and St. Louis and, including John, there are five full-time lobbyists that work on JBA clients.
John’s family has been involved in Missouri politics for many years. John’s father was the Chief Justice of the Missouri Supreme Court and formerly served as a St. Louis County Circuit Judge. His father has served as ex-officio counsel to numerous Speakers of the Missouri House and Presidents of the Missouri Senate of both parties over the last twenty years.
John’s 26 years of lobbying experience and extensive knowledge of the legislative process have earned him the respect of legislators, staff, and bureaucrats on both sides of the aisle.