The Board of Trustees, the volunteer-based board that governs the Missouri State University Foundation, welcomed new members in early 2024.

The board advises on gift planning, seeking private gifts and investing private funds.

Alumni and friends who have demonstrated dedication or contributed to the university’s development are eligible to become trustees.

Meet the new members

Amy Counts, alumna, class of 1994 Amelia (Amy) Counts, of Ballwin, Missouri, is a regional vice president, sales for Wise  F&I, an automotive finance and insurance company. She was recently appointed to the board of directors for Great Southern Bank, headquartered in Springfield. She also served on the MSU Board of Governors from 2017-23, and was co-chair of Missouri State’s presidential search committee. She is a board member of St. Louis Artworks and is on the alumni advisory board for Delta Zeta sorority for the MSU chapter. Counts has a bachelor’s degree in hospitality leadership from Missouri State.	Carol Silvey, alumna, class of 1964 Carol Silvey is retired, and was previously the senior associate for advancement at the Community Foundation of the Ozarks. Silvey is also a recent past member of the MSU Board of Governors. She worked at Missouri State University-West Plains for 38 years, first as a history instructor from 1968 to 1991 and then as a director of development from 1991 to 2006. She is involved on the MSU-WP campus, serving on the Friends of the Garnett Library’s executive committee and as a development ambassador. Silvey has a bachelor’s degree in education from Missouri State University and a master’s degree in education from the University of Missouri.	Jennifer Fitzmaurice, alumna, class of 1996 Jennifer Fitzmaurice is the vice president of innovation and IT operations for Varsity Brands apparel company. She is a technology industry leader and one of 12 professionals in 2015 to be named a “Game Changer” in the ICT Industry by OSP Magazine, a publication for information and communication technology professionals. Fitzmaurice earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Missouri State and an MBA from Saint Louis University.	Russ Gant, friend of the university Russ Gant is the co-owner of Mega Motorsports, southern Missouri’s largest power sports dealership. Russ and his wife, Laura, previously owned and operated Burton Creek Pharmacy and Clinic in West Plains, Missouri. He has served as a member on multiple boards in that town, including the West Plains Library, the West Plains Chamber of Commerce, West Plains Rotary Club and MSU-WP’s Grizzly Club.