WHAT CEO BOARD MEMBERS DO
Board members are active, engaged community leaders who volunteer their time and expertise to the operational oversight of our local CEO Program.
Facilitator Support: Board members provide ongoing support to the CEO Facilitator.
Event Planning: Board members plan and execute key CEO events, including investor and mentor socials, and the student trade show.
Student Recruitment & Selection: Board members organize recruitment efforts, engage with local schools, and oversee the selection of CEO students.
Mentorship Coordination: Board members recruit mentors, manage mentor-student pairings, and ensure mentor program success.
School Liaison: Board members maintain communication with school administrators to coordinate student participation and scheduling.
Investor Recruitment & Care: Board members recruit and maintain relationships with local investors, ensuring the program's financial sustainability.
Who is a board member?
Meet the local leaders who make up our CEO Board.
Maria Kuhns
Executive DirectorBoard ChairMaria Kuhns is the Executive Director of Hannibal Regional Economic Development Council and the Hannibal Regional Port Authority. HREDC is a nonprofit, public/private partnership that works to promote growth and new investment in Hannibal, Palmyra, Marion County, and Ralls County in an effort to increase the quality of life. The Hannibal Regional Port Authority exists to grow the economy of Marion and Ralls Counties through promoting transportation, logistics and revitalization. As the Executive Director of HREDC, Maria offers leadership and guidance to a regional economic growth strategy, creating partnerships and synergies across the region to strengthen infrastructure, workforce, and business retention and expansion as well as promote the region to prospective businesses. Formerly, Maria was the Director of the Small Business Development Center at HREDC, where she was awarded the Rookie of the Year in 2021 and led the creation of the Ignite entrepreneurial ecosystem program. She holds an M.S. in Agricultural and Applied Economics and a B.S. in Agribusiness Management from the University of Missouri. Maria grew up on a family farm in Effingham County, Illinois.
John French
SuperintendentTreasurer Committees: School Coordinator
Hunter Baggett
Commercial Loan OfficerBoard Member Committees: MentoringMy name is Hunter Baggett, and I am a Commercial Loan Officer at HOMEBANK. Through my employment at the bank, I am involved in the community as well. I am a Hannibal Chamber of Commerce Ambassador, a member of Business Builders, Hannibal Area CEO board member, and the President of Hannibal Lions Club. I mainly work out of our Hannibal location, but I occasionally travel to our other locations as well. I graduated from Palmyra High School in 2014 and continued my education at Culver Stockton College. In 2018, I obtained a bachelor’s degree in business administration. I was also part of the Culver Stockton golf team. Other than work and education, I enjoy golfing, hunting, fishing, and spending time with my wife, Emma. Being a Hannibal and Palmyra native, I am excited to watch the Hannibal Area CEO program create great opportunities for the students.
McKenzie Disselhorst
Executive DirectorBoard Member Committees: Media
Jordan Fohey
Financial AdviserBoard Member Committees: Investor Recruitment & CareJordan Fohey is a Hannibal native. He began his working career in physical therapy, after receiving a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the University of Missouri. He has since switched careers, and now serves his community as a financial advisor at Edward Jones. Jordan enjoys sports of all levels and spending time with his family. He resides in Hannibal with his wife, Chelsea, and two young boys.