Missouri Veterans Commission Commissioners

The Missouri Veterans Commission shall be composed of nine members. Two members shall be members of the senate, one appointed by the president pro tem of the senate and one appointed by the senate minority floor leader, two members shall be members of the house of representatives, one appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives and one appointed by the house minority floor leader, and in appointing such members, preference shall be given to current or former members of the military and their spouses, parents, and children. Members appointed from the house of representatives and the senate shall be appointed for a two-year term or until a successor is appointed and may be reappointed to the commission. Five members, who shall be veterans appointed by the governor, with the advice and consent of the senate, for a four-year term; except that initial appointments to the commission shall consist of two veterans to serve four-year terms, two veterans to serve three-year terms, and one veteran to serve a two-year term. In addition, the chair of the Missouri military preparedness and enhancement commission or the chair's designee shall be an ex officio member of the commission.

For more information, please see Revised Statues of Missouri, Chapter 42.

Commission Chair - Kelly McClelland

Commission Chair - Kelly McClelland

Kelly McClelland was elected Commission Chair. Mr. McClelland is the owner, president, and CEO of McClelland Law Firm in Liberty. He is an honorably discharged U.S. Army Veteran, who achieved the rank of lieutenant colonel. His service includes time as an A-Team Commander and Battalion Commander (U.S. Army Special Forces), who served in Germany, Vietnam, and Cambodia. Mr. McClelland holds a BA with distinction from William Jewell College and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Missouri – Kansas City School of Law.

Meredith Knopp - Vice-Chair

Meredith Knopp

Meredith Knopp was elected Vice-Chair. Ms. Knopp, who has been serving as a member of the commission since December 2017, served as a captain in the U.S. Army. She is a member of the Women's Army Corps Veterans Association and the Association of the United States Army. She is a co-founder of HEROES Care, a non-profit that provides support for Veterans and their families. She is the president and CEO of the St. Louis Area Foodbank. She holds a bachelor's degree in international relations from Michigan State University and has studied at Cambridge University.

In Loving Memory
Smith, Timothy “Tim” James
July 29, 1978 - February 5, 2025

Tim Smith

Loving husband of Ana Teresa “Terri” Farias-Smith of 20 years; beloved father of Tim Jr. and Tyler Smith; dog-dad of Raider; dearest son of James and Kathleen Smith (nee Quinn); dear brother of Amy (Adam) Herbert; son-in-law of Ana Rodriguez and Antonio Farias; brother-in-law Francisco (Maegen) and Marco (Karla) Farias; uncle of Isabelle, Benjamin, Elliott Herbert, Bentley, Josie, Harley, Gianna, Francisco, Tony Jr, and Leslie Farias; our dear nephew, cousin, friend and “internationally known and locally respected.”

Representative Dave Griffith

Representative Dave Griffith

Representative Dave Griffith, a Republican, represents Cole County (District 60) in the Missouri House of Representatives. He was elected to his first two-year term in November 2018.

Prior to his legislative duties, Griffith served as the executive director of the American Red Cross for six years. Griffith also served on the city council for Jefferson City. Prior to that, he spent 23 years working for KRCG TV in a variety of roles ranging from production to account executive.

Griffith served in the U.S. Army 8th Special Forces Group as a Green Beret.

Griffith is a member of the Kiwanis Club, Rotary International, American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, Easter Seals Association, Red Cross Board of Directors and the Special Olympics. He has been recognized with the Red Cross Heart of a Hero Award and an American Cancer Society Lifetime Achievement Award.

Griffith is a graduate of Missouri Southern State University.

Griffith resides in Jefferson City with his wife, Leigh. They have two children and five grandchildren.

Senator Steven Roberts

Senator Steven Roberts

Senator Roberts, who represents District 5, in the City of St. Louis, is a fourth-generation St. Louis native and holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Communication Studies from the University of Miami and a law degree from Pepperdine University School of Law. In addition to his legislative duties, Sen. Roberts serves as a Captain with the Missouri Air National Guard in the JAG Corps. The JAG Corps is an elite group of law professionals who provide a full range of legal services to the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force. He is also the managing partner of Roberts Law, LLC.

Senator Joe Nicola

Senator Joe Nicola

Senator Joe Nicola took the oath of office to serve the people of the 11th Senatorial District on January 8, 2025. He served in the United States Navy Seabees from 1984 until 1990. Senator Nicola’s career outside the military began with a motorcycle shop named Vision Cycles in Kansas City, MO, and continued to ministry work as a founding pastor of New Covenant Ministries in Independence, MO. Additionally, Senator Nicola worked for the Blue Springs School District from 1999-2017 and has authored two theological books. He has volunteered as a mentor to young men with the Youth Friends Organization in Independence and has also volunteered his time and talents with Habitat for Humanity, the Salvation Army, City Union Mission, the Independence School District, and several other non-profits over many years. Senator Nicola has lived in the Kansas City area for most of his life and currently lives in Grain Valley with his wife, Renee.

Steve Maples

Steve Maples

Steve Maples serves as a court security officer for the City of Ozark Municipal Court and as a deputy sheriff in the Reserve Division of the Christian County Sheriff’s Office. Previously, he was the director of the Missouri Veterans Cemetery-Springfield. Mr. Maples is retired a member of the Missouri Army National Guard. After 29 years of service, he retired at the rank of master sergeant. He is a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Restore Hope.

Randy Alewel

Randy Alewel

Randy Alewel is the CEO of Alewel’s Country Meats, and president of Totally Country Products Incorporated in Warrensburg. He is a retired Brigadier General with the Missouri Army National Guard, and ended his service as the 35th ID Deputy Commanding General – Support. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in animal science from the University of Missouri Columbia, and a Masters of Strategic Studies from the United States Army War College.