Board of Directors – Get Healthy Desoto
Ron Farrow is the Superintendent of the De Soto #73 School District. With over two decades in education, Ron’s career began with 12 years as a classroom teacher in Farmington, MO. He went on to serve as District Director of Instructional Technology in Cape Girardeau for two years, Principal at Franklin Elementary in Cape Girardeau for two years, Principal at Athena Elementary in De Soto for four years, and Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction in De Soto for three years before assuming his current role.
Beyond his professional responsibilities, Ron is deeply engaged in the community, both in De Soto and Farmington. He is an active member of the De Soto Rotary, where he serves as board secretary, and also holds the position of secretary on the Get Healthy De Soto board. Known for his commitment to community partnerships, Ron frequently collaborates with local businesses to support students, staff, and community development. Additionally, he and his wife are the proud owners of Butterfields Florist in Farmington.
Terri Walker – Treasurer
Terri is the past owner and manager of Pogolino’s Restaurant in De Soto. She and her husband, Al, have 3 adult daughters, 3 sons-in-law, and 6 grandchildren. Terri’s family has been involved in the food industry since 1970. She has served several years on the GHD board and previously served as Board Secretary and Vice President. She is very interested in making healthy eating and better food choices a more important part of this generation of parents raising healthy children.
Pat Schaeffer – Board MemberPat Schaeffer has been in business for 40 years. It is a family business, specializing in highway fencing, guard rail, guard cable, highway directional signs & trusses. The company employs 50 people. Pat has been married to her husband, Don, for nearly 48 years. Pat became the first female Chair of the Associated General Contractors in 2011. She is a member of the Parish Council of St. Rose of Lima, and is active in De Soto school concerns. The highlight of her life is her family, especially her four grandchildren. Pat’s hobbies include water activities and flower gardening. She loves De Soto Farmers’ Market!!!. Pat also enjoys any activity with her grandchildren, including hide and seek, and is a wizard at roasting hot dogs and making s’mores.
Cara Ahern – Board MemberCara Ahern has a background in laboratory management and currently serves as a payroll assistant. She has previously served as a vendor, a volunteer, and as market manager and is now the Assistant Market Manager of the DeSoto Farmers’ Market. She also coordinates fundraisers and writes grant proposals for the organization She lives on a 10 acre homestead in rural DeSoto with her husband Kevin, her son Asher, and her dog Spot. She is committed to promoting access to fresh local food in DeSoto and to building DFM as a community resource. She enjoys crystal hunting, gardening, yoga, and kayaking on the Big River.
Julie Ott– Board Member
Jim Thomas – Board Member
Jim Thomas currently serves as president and CEO of TagTeam Global, Inc., a worldwide marketing firm with its headquarters in De Soto. He is a graduate of De Soto High School and Arkansas State University, with a degree in radio-television. He specialized in food and nutrition programs while serving as vice president of communications for the Washington Apple Commission, and communications manager for the American Soybean Association. He has conducted public relations programs for many Fortune 500 companies, and has won multiple awards from the Public Relation Society of America, the International Association of Business Communicators and the National AgriMarketing Association. Jim resides in De Soto with his wife Wendy, and two sons, Calvin and Eli.
Debby Campbell – Board Member
Autumn Blanchard – Board Member
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