Who We Are

Darin Preis

Executive Director

Julie Aitkens

Deputy Director

Ben Burgett

Housing Development Director & Weatherization Program Manager

Brooke Eskridge

Family and Community Services Director

Melody Vieth

Director of Research & Data

Beth Vossler

Head Start Director

Jayme Dement Prenger

Director of the Missouri Women’s Business Center

Erica Schmidt

Director of Development and Communications

Shonda White

Executive Assistant

The Central Missouri Community Action Board of Directors

Stephanie Schmidt

Board President

Audrain County Representative

Phillip Iman

Board Secretary

Audrain County Representative

Tiffany Heimericks

Board Vice President

Moniteau County Representative

Paula Sims

Board Treasurer

Cooper County Representative

Tiffany Austin

Member

Audrain County Representative

Elizabeth Anderson

Member

Osage County Representative

Meghan Birmingham

Member

Osage County Representative

Khyeese Bethea

Member

Cooper County Representative

Karen Digh-Allen

Member

Callaway County Representative

Stella Druml

Member

Moniteau County Representative

Kip Kendrick

Member

Boone County Representative

John Flanders

Member

Howard County Representatives

Joe Lutz

Member

Moniteau County Representative

Dwight Massey

Member

Osage County Representative

Leslie Meyers

Member

Audrain County Representative

Michael Pryor

Member

Boone County Representative

Cotton Walker

Member

Cole County Representative

Ruby Young

Member

Cole County Representative

Jean Ispa

Early Childhood Learning Representative

Are you interested in joining the CMCA Board of Directors?

If you live in the eight county area served by Central Missouri Community Action (CMCA), you may have the opportunity to serve as member of the Board of Directors. We are seeking candidates to represent people living with low to moderate income in Audrain, Boone, Callaway, Cole, Cooper, Howard, Moniteau, and Osage counties. Please complete the form below and someone will get back to you soon! Thank you! 

Board of Director Meetings

The Board of Directors meeting are held the fourth Thursday of each month.

Notice of Public Hearing

Notice is hereby given that Central Missouri Community Action Board of Directors will conduct a meeting at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 23, 2025, at 807B N Providence Rd., Columbia, MO, in the Shriver Room.

Tentative agenda this meeting includes:

  • CoMoGives fundraising discussion
  • Cole County Head Start Program Update
  • Board Training
  • Executive Director and Head Start Director Succession Plans

Policy Council

Parents are voted onto the Policy Council by the parents at each Head Start site and the Early Head Start program. Community Members are voted on by the current parents on the Policy Council.

Policy Council Monthly Meetings

Policy Council meetings are held on the third Thursday of each month. At those meetings, members review monthly reports and are given updates on how the program is doing overall. Members are given time during each meeting to ask questions and share information about their sites.

Benefits of Joining the Parent Policy Council