Nate Walker Appointed Executive Director of NEMORPC

Memphis, Missouri – At the August 29, 2007 session of the Northeast Missouri Regional Planning Commission (NEMORPC) Board of Directors, the Board voted unanimously to appoint Nathan (Nate) B. Walker of rural Atlanta, Missouri as NEMORPC’s new Executive Director.
Nate Walker has a vast background in governmental and business experience.  He is a former 12th District State Representative representing the counties of Macon, Shelby, Knox and Linn counties and served on the Appropriations-Social Services, Agri-Business, Higher Education, Accounts, Elections and Tourism Committees.  He has also held government positions with the State of Missouri as the State Rail Planner for the Missouri Department of Transportation, Director of the Missouri Division of Highway Safety and Director of Administration for the Office of Missouri Attorney General.  He is a former owner, publisher and editor of the La Plata Home Press in La Plata, Missouri and has held the position of Director of Economic Development for the City of Boonville, Missouri.  Other experience includes Director of Operations for the Missouri Automobile Dealers Association, Executive Director of the Missouri Head Injury Association and Director of Development at Kemper Military School and College. 
Walker holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agricultural Journalism and Master of Science Degree in Regional and Community Affairs from the University of Missouri-Columbia.  He also has did post graduate work at Duke University and the Haus Rissen Institute of International Politics and Economics in Hamburg, Germany.  He is the father of two sons; Madison Walker, 21, a junior at Lincoln University and PFC Sam Walker, 18, a member of the Missouri National Guard presently stationed at Fort Gordon, in Augusta, Georgia. 
   "After evaluating and interviewing a number of strong and highly qualified candidates," said Nancy Goehl, Chair of the NEMORPC, "our Personnel Committee and Board selected Nate as our new executive director for his extensive management, communication and organizational experience.  He will represent and provide our regional planning commission with a strong voice in working with our area member communities, state, and federal partners."
Walker began his new duties effective September 10.  "I am extremely honored to have been appointed and look forward to working with the NEMORPC Board, staff and its member communities as we address important issues that impact the quality of life of the citizens within the region.  I look forward to meeting with all the counties and cities to learn how we might better be of assistance in addressing their particular needs," said newly appointed executive director, Nate Walker.
The Northeast Missouri Regional Planning Commission serves the six-county region of Adair, Clark, Knox, Lewis, Schuyler and Scotland counties and is one of nineteen regional planning commissions in the State of Missouri.  Its Board of Directors compromises representation of counties and cities and provides planning and coordination and technical support for jurisdictions throughout the region.  The region shares, as local units of government, not only a boundary line as such, but the active spirit of cooperatively working together to solve problems and plan the future development of "True Northeast Missouri".  The region experiences the same human, natural, and economic development needs.  The region as a unit promotes public safety, general welfare, and the economic prosperity for our citizens.  NEMORPC also provides a variety of technical support services to local governments including planning, housing, transportation, grant writing, and administrative assistance.