Sen. Maxwell grew up on a small farm outside Rush Hill, MO. His work experience before public service includes, solider, mechanic, farmer and mail carrier. He attended Community R-VI High School in Laddonia and graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia in 1986 with a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education, Social Studies. In 1990, Sen. Maxwell graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Law. In March 1995, Sen. Maxwell retired from the Missouri National Guard after twenty years of service.

Sen. Maxwell served two terms in the Missouri House of Representatives before his Senate election in 1994. Sen. Maxwell has a Capitol reputation of a tireless and dedicated worker. He has received statewide recognition for his sponsorship of HB 1547, welfare reform, his work on the Outstanding Schools Act, his involvement in the 1996 Telecommunications Bill and his work on the Joint Interim Committee on Managed Care.

Sen. Maxwell serves as Chair of the Senate Financial and Governmental Organization Committee and Vice Chair of the Senate Elections, Pensions and Veterans' Affairs Committee. He is a member of the Senate Appropriations, Commerce and Environment, Education, Judiciary, Public Health and Welfare Committees and the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules. Sen. Maxwell is a member of the Missouri Training and Employment Council and represents Missouri's interest on several national committees including the National Conference of State Legislatures.

When he is not fulfilling his obligations as a State Senator, Sen. Maxwell practices law in Mexico where he lives with his wife and two daughters.