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July 28, 2011 For more information, contact: New leadership at MRPC ST. JAMES – Meramec Regional Planning Commission reorganized its leadership July 1, as Bonnie Prigge became executive director, and Tammy Snodgrass became assistant director. Formed in 1969, MRPC is a voluntary council of governments serving Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Osage, Phelps, Pulaski and Washington counties and their respective cities. A professional staff of 28, directed by the MRPC board, offers technical assistance and services, such as grant preparation and administration, housing assistance, transportation planning, environmental planning, ordinance codification, business loans and other services to member communities. Prigge, previously MRPC’s assistant director, made the transition to executive director upon the retirement of Richard Cavender. In December 2010, Cavender announced his retirement, and the board offered Prigge the promotion. A graduate of Belle High School, Prigge holds a degree in journalism from the University of Missouri-Columbia and has completed hours toward a master’s in management. She spent three years at the Gasconade County Republican in Owensville, Mo. prior to joining MRPC in 1991 as a communications coordinator. From 1993 to 1996, she managed the planning and development department and the environmental programs department. In 1996, she was promoted to assistant director where she helped grow and diversify the organization. During those 18 years of management, she continued to direct all communication and marketing efforts and handled special projects. The organization grew considerably during that time. In 1996, MRPC served six counties with 119,941 constituents and a budget of $852,000. In 2011, MRPC serves eight counties with more than 201,000 constituents with a budget of $2.2 million. “The reward is looking back and seeing the long list of projects that have been accomplished. Those projects – water systems, sewer systems, industrial parks, fire stations, business loans, generators and the like – benefit people here in our communities and enhance their lives,” Prigge reflected. “There are still many unmet needs, and every day brings new challenges. MRPC is the place where cities and counties, organizations and individuals, all come to work together, and we have been successful in building those partnerships.” Prigge said she doesn’t envision major changes while looking toward the future of the organization. “I want to continue to focus on the needs of our local governments – we work for them – and we will continue to coordinate local projects and to be their voice at the state and national level,” Prigge said. MRPC strives to positively impact the region, Prigge said. “I want MRPC to continue to make a difference – to continue to improve lives. The cuts at the state and federal level are concerning, but they bring opportunity. By working together, we can do more with less and be more efficient and not duplicate services – and that’s what MRPC is all about. “We have a good board and a tremendous staff, and we will continue to be the best we can be,” Prigge said. “I’m proud of our ability to set politics aside and develop partnerships. I’m proud of the organization MRPC has become over the years. We are respected across the state and nation, and that is a result of a strong and involved board and a dedicated staff and our ability to produce results.” Prigge lives in Vichy, Mo. with her husband, Mike, and children Logan, 13, and Lauren, 7. She is also active in her community, serving as president of the Vichy Fire Department and publicity chair for the Maries County R-2 PTO. With Prigge becoming executive director, Snodgrass, who has served as MRPC’s environmental programs manager, was promoted to the assistant director position in addition to her duties as manager. Snodgrass began her employment with MRPC in 1992 as an environmental specialist and was promoted to environmental programs manager in July 1996. As assistant director, Snodgrass will serve as MRPC’s leader when Prigge is out of the office or has scheduling conflicts for meetings, as well as assist in daily operations of MRPC. “Every day I feel I did something to help somebody else – a business, the community, a person – I like feeling like what I’m doing makes a difference. There are always new challenges and projects,” Snodgrass said. Snodgrass said she was especially proud to help create the Region I Homeland Security Oversight Committee. “The committee moved the homeland security funding decisions from the state to local level,” Snodgrass explained. Snodgrass noted the projects of the Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Management District, including cleaning illegal dump sites and holding special waste collections. Snodgrass also emphasized the importance of the Meramec Regional Emergency Planning Committee assisting in the delivery of training to emergency responders. MRPC will continue to be an ambitious organization, Snodgrass said. “I want to see us continue to improve our services to our cities and counties and build on our partnerships and projects. We will be focusing on our local governments and what we can do to make the region a better place to work and live. “I’m really excited and energized about serving as assistant director and working with Bonnie. Richard (Cavender) has built a fantastic organization. I’m excited about the challenges and opportunities we’re facing,” Snodgrass said. In her free time, Snodgrass enjoys fishing, hunting, gardening and archery. She and her husband, John, reside in St. James, Mo. and have one son, Jacob, 15. Tammy serves on the St. James Planning and Zoning Commission and is an officer of the St. James Band Boosters. MRPC is located at 4 Industrial Drive in St. James. Russell Scheulen of Osage County serves as board chairman while Gary Brown serves as vice chairman. Rounding out the slate of officers is Secretary T.R. Dudley of Potosi and Treasurer Mary Heywood of Potosi.
PHOTO MRPC Executive Director Bonnie Prigge, right, and MRPC Assistant Director Tammy Snodgrass.
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