JAG-Missouri has completed its staff for 2022-23, with some new professionals joining the returning ones, according to Executive Director Paul Kincaid. The JAG-Missouri staff is a combination of full-time and part-time staff members working with two consultants.
“We are pleased several staff members will continue with us,” said Kincaid, “They have done an outstanding job growing and strengthening the program over the past couple of years. And we are excited to be adding some very talented staff members who have valuable JAG experience. I appreciate our Board of Directors expanding our staff so we can better serve the growing number of JAG-Missouri schools.”
For 2022-23, JAG-Missouri expects to have approximately 105 programs in 72 schools, up from 98 programs in 67 schools in 2021-22. This growth is from 2014-15 when there were six programs in six schools.
JAG-Missouri is one of 40 state affiliates in the JAG network. JAG works with students who have great potential but who are facing significant challenges. JAG helps ensure the students graduate from high school and are prepared to succeed in whatever career they choose after high school.
On April 18, Chris Patrick was named the new Executive Director. He will begin a transition month June 1 and officially become Executive Director July 1. Patrick replaces Kincaid who is leaving JAG-Missouri after eight years as Executive Director.
The JAG-Missouri staff members returning in 2022-23 include:
- Teresa Smith, Program Director
- Dr. Jennifer Davis, Regional Manager for Central Missouri
- Brandon Johnson, Alternative Program Manager
- Butler B’ynote’, who moves from a Regional Manager to a Special Projects Manager
- Jessica Clements, Social Media Coordinator and Webmaster
- Michael Whitley, Fundraising Consultant
After two years as a Regional Manager, Dr. Jack Randolph, retired school administrator, has taken a full-time position as Facilities Manager with West Plains Bank and Trust, so he will not return to the JAG-Missouri staff.
“Dr. Randolph has added great value to JAG-Missouri over the past two years,” said Kincaid. “We will build on the foundation he has created and we wish him well in his new role.”
The three new staff members are:
- Jeff Berry, who will be the Regional Manager for Southeast Missouri – he most recently served as the JAG Specialist at Van Buren Middle School and High School
- Kenneth Jones, who will be the Regional Manager for the St. Louis Metropolitan Area – he has been involved with the JAG program at Riverview Gardens High School for the past two years
- Shantra’ Tucker, who will be the Regional Manager for Southwest and West Missouri – she was most recently the JAG Specialist at Bolivar High School.
More detailed background on all three is located below.
Jeff Berry
Regional Manager
Southeast and South Central Missouri
Growing up the youngest of four brothers, Jeffrey “Jeff” Berry had to think longer, work harder and plan smarter in order to even keep up with his siblings. Those lessons learned at a young age have followed him into adulthood and have allowed him to accomplish goals that he is quite proud of.
Most recently, Berry has served as the JAG Specialist at Van Buren High School where he built relationships with his students and directed many down successful life paths. The Middle and High School JAG programs he established n Van Buren have been recognized at both the local and state level for their efforts in helping and serving the small community. Berry had additional classroom teaching experience as an art instructor and coached the Lady Dawg softball team.
Before going to Van Buren, Berry spent time in the manufacturing industry as a salesman for pallet and sawmill equipment. At the same time, he was instrumental in managing a restaurant and working in the floating operations at the infamous Landing and Rosecliff Lodge in Van Buren.
Previous to that experience, Jeff taught math at the elementary level and coached at Ellington High School for five years. Along with lessons learned in childhood, Berry believes that all of his life experiences have led to preparing him to move into this leadership role in the JAG program where he hopes he can continue to make a difference in the lives of young people in Missouri.
Berry graduated from Van Buren High School in 2005 before furthering his education at Three Rivers College in Poplar Bluff. Ultimately Berry received his BS degree in Elementary Education from Hannibal LaGrange University.
Jeff and his wife, Meagan, have two children, Nolan and Mikayla, and live in Van Buren.
Kenneth Jones
Regional Manager
St. Louis Metropolitan Area
A St. Louis native and O’Fallon Technical School graduate, Kenneth Jones enlisted in the U. S. Navy and served honorably for 30 years. He retired in 2012 as the 5th Command Master Chief of Navy Recruiting District St Louis. As Command Master Chief, he was responsible for 200 enlisted and civilian personnel covering 200,000 square miles of recruiting territory encompassing Missouri, Kansas, Central and Southern Illinois and a portion of Kentucky.
While in the Navy, Jones was a Propulsion Engineer onboard numerous Navy ships. His Naval shore duty commands included Bootcamp Drill Instructor and Naval Engineering Classroom Instructor. While serving in the Navy, he earned the distinction and honor and qualification as a Master Training Specialist. Jones attended Phoenix and Columbia Universities, and he was selected to attend the Navy top leadership School, The Senior Enlisted Academy.
After retirement, Jones transitioned into the classroom. For seven years, he served as the department head of the largest NJROTC units in the Midwest which have more than 500 NJROTC Cadets. While in the NJROTC Classroom he developed a strong passion for helping young adult succeed in the workforce. He is personally responsible for the employment of 250 students and family members.
In the spring of 2021, he was selected to become a JAG Specialist for Riverview Gardens High School. He quickly knew JAG was his new home and a way of life for him and his family. Jones has continued to assist the JAG program at Riverview Gardens and he has earned a reputation for helping young adults achieve their dreams and goals.
Jones is a small business owner and the proud father of a beautiful daughter. He served as the military representative on the Dean’s Executive Committee at the University of Missouri-St. Louis.
Shantra’ Tucker
Regional Manager
Southwest and West Missouri
Shantra’ Tucker was a public educator for 26 years before accepting the role as Regional Manager for JAG-Missouri. That experience includes four years as a JAG Specialist at Bolivar High School.
Under her leadership, the Bolivar JAG program earned the coveted “5 of 5” award in both 2020 and 2021 in recognition of the program meeting the five national performance standards. Tucker has made presentations on JAG-Missouri and assisted training new JAG-Missouri Specialists.
From 2007-18, Tucker served as a middle school teacher in the Bolivar School District. Her work earned her Bolivar Master Teacher recognition in 2012, the Daughters of the American Revolution American History Teacher of the Year Award in 2011, and the Southwest Missouri History Teacher of the Year Award in 2010.
From 1998-2007, Tucker taught middle school in Pleasant Hope, where she lives. In 2007, she was named one of the Most Influential Women of the Year by the Bolivar Herald Free Press. She was an elementary teacher in Pleasant Hope from 1996-98, earning the 1996-97 Rookie of the Year award.
Prior to going into education, Tucker was co-manager of Gold ‘N Gems Fine Jewelry in Austin, Texas.
She earned her B.S. degree in education from Missouri State University.
Tucker and her husband, Rusty, have been married 29 years and live in Pleasant Hope. They have two children: Alex (wife Kayla) and Britton.