Edward P. Gargas of Dexter, Missouri, assumed the role of president of the Southeast Missouri State University Board of Regents, and Tina L. Klocke of St. Louis, Missouri, was elected Board vice president following an election during the Board of Regents meeting Feb. 14.
Gargas, who had been serving as Board vice president, succeeds Donald G. LaFerla of Joplin, Missouri, whose term on the Board has expired. Gargas term as president began Jan. 9 and runs through Dec. 31, 2020, under terms of the Board of Regents Bylaws.
Klocke assumes the role of vice president today for a term ending Dec. 31, 2020, as well.
About Edward P. Gargas
Gargas was appointed by former Missouri Gov. Jeremiah Jay Nixon in September 2015 with a term expiring Jan. 1, 2022. He is director of Operations and Sales for Bagby Wealth Management in Dexter.
He holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a major in finance from Southeast Missouri State University, a Master of Business Administration from William Woods University and a Master of Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College. In addition to his experiences in the banking and insurance industries, Gargas has served as Project and Marketing Manager for KMC Construction/ServiceMaster and as Regional General Manager for NewWave Communications.
Gargas is a commissioned officer in the Missouri National Guard and currently holds the rank of colonel. He is a combat veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom and has received four Army commendation medals and many other awards for his performance and service. His assignments in the military have included brigade commander, deputy brigade commander, brigade operations officer, battalion commander, battalion executive officer, battalion operations officer, division engineer and company commander.
He is a member of the First Baptist Church in Dexter as well as various other community and civic organizations, including the American Legion and the Dexter Chamber of Commerce. He and his wife Tina have one son, Nate.
About Tina L. Klocke
Klocke was appointed by former Missouri Gov. Eric R. Greitens in March 2018 with a term expiring Jan. 1, 2024.
She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, with a major in accounting, from Southeast Missouri State University and, in 2009, she was presented with an Alumni Merit Award by the Southeast Alumni Association.
Klocke serves as the chief financial officer and chief operations officer for the Clark-Fox Family Foundation. She is an accomplished finance and operations C-Level executive with a distinguished career and a record of success in the start-up and leadership of public and private corporations generating $30 million to $500 million in annual revenues. Hired during the start-up of Build-A-Bear Workshop as one of three original full-time employees, Klocke is highly respected for helping Build-A-Bear Workshop become a leader in the retail make-your-own stuffed animal business.
Since stepping down from her roles of chief financial officer and chief operating officer at Build-A-Bear Workshop in 2015, Klocke has continued to make an impact on the St. Louis region by serving as a mentor and advisor to start-ups throughout the St. Louis entrepreneurial community. She serves on a variety of boards supporting state and local educational institutions, including Central Institute for the Deaf, Cor Jesu Academy Advisory Board, St. John Vianney High School and the Southeast Missouri University Foundation. In 2007, Klocke was named one of the 25 Most Influential Women by the St. Louis Business Journal.
Klocke and her husband, Jim, are the parents of two sons, Jim and Michael. Both her husband and son, Jim, are also Southeast alumni.