Governor Mike Parson has appointed two new members to the State Board of Education: Pete Herschend of Branson, co-founder and co-owner of Herschend Family Entertainment Corporation, and Carol Hallquist of Kansas City, founder of PrincipalsConnect, a nonprofit organization that matches retired business professionals with urban school principals.
Hallquist retired as president of the Hallmark Corporate Foundation at Hallmark Cards, Inc. in 2016. According to the governor’s office, she holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Iowa State University and a master’s degree in business administration from Rockhurst College. Hallquist was a fellow at Harvard’s 2016 Advanced Leadership Initiative, where she focused on urban education.
Herschend holds a degree in business administration from the University of Missouri-Columbia and an honorary doctorate in business administration from Southwest Baptist University. He has served three terms on the State Board of Education, including four two-year terms as president.
“Governor Parson’s decision to appoint Carol and Peter will help restore and maintain stability,” said Charlie Shields, President of the Missouri State Board of Education.
The State Board of Education currently consists of five members: Charlie Shields, President of the Board; O. Victor Lenz, Jr., Vice President; Michael W. Jones; Peter Herschend and Carol Hallquist. The board, when complete, is comprised of eight citizens appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate. Members serve staggered, eight-year terms so that one term expires each year. No more than four members of the Board may belong to the same political party.
