JEFFERSON CITY — State Senator Jay Wasson, R-Nixa, sponsored the appointment of a number of 20th District citizens to state boards during the Gubernatorial Appointments Committee hearing on Wednesday, Jan. 30.

“It’s always an honor to sponsor the appointment of citizens from our district to state boards,” said Sen. Wasson. “It’s vitally important that southwest Missouri has a strong voice in these commissions. I know these appointees will do a great job representing our area.”

Michael Jinks will serve on the Missouri Propane Gas Commission, which fosters safety from the hazards of propane gases in Missouri through regulation, inspection, enforcement, investigation and education. Jinks has worked in the propane industry for nearly 20 years and serves on the Missouri Propane Education Research Council.

Senator Wasson also sponsored the appointment of Dr. Brian Vesely to the Missouri Board of Examiners for Hearing Instrument Specialists. The board is responsible for implementing and sustaining a system of examination and regulation of hearing instrument specialists in Missouri, among other duties. Dr. Vesely graduated from Missouri State University in 2010 and has worked in clinics across the Midwest.

Additionally, Sen. Wasson sponsored the appointment of Melinda Nicholson to the Missouri State Foster Care and Adoption Board, which reviews the Department of Social Services’ policies and procedures related to foster care and adoption in Missouri, and determines the nature and content of in-service training given to foster care providers and adoptive parents. Nicholson has extensive experience working with abused and neglected children and advocating on their behalf through the child welfare system.

The members of many state commissions and boards are appointed by the governor. Gubernatorial appointees then work with their state senator, who serves as a sponsor of the nominee in the confirmation process, which begins before the Senate Gubernatorial Appointments Committee and concludes with a consenting vote by the full Senate.

Jan. 30, 2013: Senator Wasson sponsored Michael Jinks (seated) for appointment to the Missouri Propane Gas Commission during the Gubernatorial Appointments Committee hearing on Wednesday, Jan. 30.

Jan. 30, 2013: Senator Wasson sponsored Dr. Brian Vesely for appointment to the Missouri Board of Examiners for Hearing Instrument Specialists during the Gubernatorial Appointments Committee hearing on Wednesday, Jan. 30.

Jan. 30, 2013: Senator Wasson sponsored Melinda Nicholson for appointment to the Missouri State Foster Care and Adoption Board during the Gubernatorial Appointments Committee hearing on Wednesday, Jan. 30.