Board of Trustees

TRACY BONO – St. Charles

Tracy is a Training Specialist for the Emmaus Homes, Inc., located in St Charles. Prior to her current position she was a nursing recruiter for SSM St. Joseph Hospital in St. Louis. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Southwest Missouri State University and a master’s degree from Lindenwood University. Tracy is a member and former secretary for the St. Charles Rotary Club. She is past President and Executive Board Member of the Employer Awareness and Referral Network, past President of the Shenandoah Park Neighborhood Watch and a member of the Missouri Alliance for Animal Legislation.

H.D. CLEBERG - Kansas City

Harry is the retired chief executive officer of Farmland Industries, Inc. A member of numerous agriculturally-related organizations, he also has served as President of the Midwest Special Needs Trust and as Chairman of Tri-County Community Mental Health Services, Inc. of North Kansas City. He has served as President of the Alliance for the Mentally Ill of Greater Kansas City and as Chairman of the Western Regional Advisory Council for Comprehensive Psychiatric Services.

SARAH E. GIBONEY – Columbia

Sarah is an attorney with Smith Lewis LLP in Columbia. As an undergraduate, Sarah attended the University of Missouri-Columbia, where she was a Bright Flight Scholar. She graduated from the University of Missouri, School of Law in May 2000. In addition to the practice of law, Sarah’s professional experience includes work at the Division of Family Services as a foster care worker.

MARY IRELAND – Nevada

Mary is a retired Customer Service Director from Aquila Utility Company. She is a member of numerous civic organizations and has just completed two terms as Mayor of Nevada. She served as Chairperson of the Task Force on Mental Health in Nevada and worked for the revitalization of the State Hospital campus. She is now leading a steering committee to establish a Community Health Clinic in Vernon County with an emphasis on Mental and Dental Healthcare.

DON JACKSON– Richmond

Don is a semi-retired businessman in the retail hardware and appliance industry. Don has been active in organizing the sheltered workshop program in Ray County. Presently he serves as chairman of Ray County Board of Services for Developmental Disabilities and is a member and past chairman of the Missouri Planning Council for Developmental Disabilities.

BONNIE SUE LAWSON – St. Joseph

Bonnie is currently the Public Administrator for Buchanan County. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Missouri Western State University and a master’s degree from the Keller Graduate School of Management in Kansas City. Prior to her retirement in 1998, Bonnie held the position of Controller/Administrative Manager for the Nestle Corporation. She is the former President of the St. Joseph Safety Council and the Northwest Human Resource Association. She is currently the Chairman for the Publicity and Hospitality Committee for the Southside Fall Festival in St. Joseph.

BETH VIVIANO – St. Louis

Beth is a senior research technician at Washington University Pediatrics Department. She is also the parent of a child who has mental illness. Beth is active in advocating for systems reforms that enable parents to secure appropriate treatment for their children without relinquishing custody. She is the co-founder of the St. Louis Attachment Network, a support group for families and professionals dealing with children who have attachment disorders and other related mental health problems.

STEVEN R. WILHELM – St. Louis

Steve is a certified public accountant and is currently owner of an environmental clean-up business and a wholesale jewelry firm. He is an active member of NAMI and has served on the board of directors of the St. Louis organization for nine years. He is now serving as president of NAMI of Missouri and is a candidate for the national NAMI board. Steve also serves on various advisory committees and boards which include the St. Louis Children’s Advocacy Center and the State Advisory Council for CPS.

GERALD J. ZAFFT – St. Louis

Jerry is a principal in the law firm of Blumenfeld, Kaplan & Sandweiss, P.C. He is an attorney specializing in estate planning, business law and taxation. Jerry was instrumental in establishing the Midwest Special Needs Trust and has been active as a Trustee and/or officer since its creation. He currently serves on several civic and charitable boards, including the Project Inc., and Rainbow Village. Jerry formerly served on the boards of the National Benevolent Association, Woodhaven Learning Center and the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill.

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