A state position to advocate for Missouri’s military bases, personnel and agencies was created through a bill passed last year by the Legislature and signed by Governor Jay Nixon (D). Nixon has nominated Joe Driskill of Jefferson City for the post.

Joe Driskill

Joe Driskill

Driskill is the executive director of the non-profit Leonard Wood Institute, which partners with governments and organizations through projects at Fort Leonard Wood. He is also the director of the Sustainable Ozarks Partnership at Fort Leonard Wood. The Partnership aims to implement sustainability strategies for the Fort Leonard Wood region.

Senator Dan Brown (R-Rolla) is pleased with the Governor’s nomination.

“Joe is very familiar and well respected nationwide with military bases and at the Pentagon,” said Brown. “He’s the right man for this position. He’s not a military veteran. It’s been told to me many times that they’ve never seen anyone gain more respect from the military community quicker on the national level than what Joe Driskill’s been able to do,” said Brown.

“Not only does he know Fort Leonard Wood like the back of his hand, he knows Whiteman Air Force base really well. He’s really catching up on the military footprint of the National Guard in Missouri, which has a large footprint.”

In addition to his work with the Institute and the Partnership, Driskill also serves on the board of directors of the Association of Defense Communities (ADC). The ADC is a national organization that unites the diverse interests of communities, state governments, the private sector and all services of the military on issues of Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC), community-military partnerships, mission growth and sustainment, and support for military families and veterans.

Driskill was director of the Missouri Department of Economic Development from 1993 to 2003 and executive director of the Missouri Technology Corporation from 2003 to 2005. He also served as a state representative from southern Missouri for 10 years.

 Governor Nixon’s nomination requires confirmation by the Missouri Senate.