Ozarks Fighting Back Advisory Board

Since 1990, the Ozarks Fighting Back Advisory Board of Community Partnership has taken the lead role in overseeing the Partnership’s prevention programming efforts related to violence, alcohol, tobacco, and other drug abuse efforts. This group of dedicated individuals meets monthly to analyze data, bring the needed people to the table to identify and address problems, helps secure funding, and provides support to both staff and community agencies working in the arena of alcohol, drug, and violence prevention.

Originally formed in 1990 as the governing board of Ozarks Fighting Back (OFB), a 501c3 organization dedicated to reducing substance abuse, it became an advisory board in 1998 when OFB combined with the Community Task Force to become Community Partnership of the Ozarks, Inc. – Click HERE for more of our history.

The current board is composed of 28 members representing all major sectors of the community wheel, including parents and youth.

  • Greg Apperson, Department of Mental Health
  • Bob Belote, Springfield-Greene County Parks
  • Michael Carter, Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services
  • Amy DeMelo, Springfield Catholic Schools
  • Ed Derr, Drury University
  • Dr. David Dixon, MSU – Psychology Department
  • Melissa Dodd, Campbell United Methodist Church
  • Todd Duncan, Rare Breed Center – The Kitchen Inc.
  • Patrick Gartland, Boys and Girls Clubs of Springfield
  • Sandra Grajirenesortiz, Hand-In-Hand Ministries
  • Justin Herrell, Springfield Public Schools
  • Barbara Hover, Greene County Medical Society Alliance
  • Brandon Landers, Drury University Student
  • David McBeath, Citizens National Bank
  • Jack Merritt, Greene County Sheriff’s Department
  • Darrell Moore, Greene County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office
  • Sharon Nahon, Congressman Roy Blunt’s Office
  • Kathleen O’Dell, Springfield News Leader
  • Charlie O’Reilly, O’Reilly Automotive
  • Yvonne Owens, C-Star – Burrell Behavioral Health
  • Cindy Pedigo, Parent Volunteer
  • Collin Quigley, City of Springfield
  • Lynn Rowe, Springfield Police Department
  • Mark Tendai, Metro Housing
  • Michael Wehrenberg, Wehrenberg Design Company
  • Jennifer Wilson, St. John’s College of Nursing and Health Science
  • Bruce Wood, Correction Services
  • Bill Zaslow, Community Volunteer