Volume 20 | June 2022

The Pensioner: In the Moment

Welcome to the digital MPERS newsletter! The Pensioner: In the Moment contains news, updates, and important information for retirees of the Missouri Department of Transportation, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, and MPERS.

Election Update

The 2022 MPERS Board election ended on Thursday, May 26th at 4:00 p.m. Voter turnout was on par with previous board elections, which was around 10%. For those who voted, thank you!   Below are the statistics for each voting group:   MoDOT Actives Total possible voters: 4,730 Number of actual voters: 605 Participation: 12.79%   MoDOT Retirees Total possible voters: 5,483 Number of actual voters: 351 Participation: 6.40%   MSHP Retirees Total possible voters: 1,866 Number of actual voters: 228 Participation: 12.22%   Overall Totals Total possible voters: 12,079 Total actual voters: 1,184 Total participation: 9.80%   During the next step in the election process, ballots will be finalized between June 1-8 and the successful candidates will be notified by the executive director. The candidates will be presented to the Board during the June 16th board meeting; members and stakeholders will be notified shortly thereafter

Welcome Commissioner Ecker!

MPERS would like to welcome Commissioner Terry Ecker to the Board of Trustees!   Terry was appointed to the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission on September 8, 2017, by Governor Eric Greitens. His term expires March 1, 2023.   Ecker and his wife, Susan, raise corn, soybeans, and cattle on their farm Northwest of Elmo, just one-quarter of a mile from where Ecker’s great, great grandfather settled in Nodaway county in 1868. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture Economics from the University of Missouri-Columbia and is a graduate of Agriculture Leaders of Tomorrow Class IX. Ecker was appointed by three different U.S. Secretaries of Agriculture to represent the State of Missouri on the United Soybean Board. He is a past Vice Chairman of the U.S. Soybean Export Council. Ecker has served as an Agriculture Field Representative for Congressman Sam Graves. He is a member of Missouri Farm Bureau and currently serves as Nodaway County Farm Bureau President. Ecker is a member of the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association, Missouri Corn Growers, and Missouri Soybean Association.   Commissioner Ecker replaced Commissioner Brinkmann, who had served on the MPERS Board of Trustees since March 2020.

Upcoming Events

1-8 Validation of electronic ballots. Preliminary announcement of Board election results; notify the successful candidates. 16 - Board meeting 20 - Juneteenth observed, office closed 30 - Payday for benefit recipients

‌ ‌ ‌

We value your feedback! What would you like to see in The Pensioner: In the Moment? Send comments and suggestions to Julie.West@mpers.org.