Lindenwood University (Lindenwood) is governed by a Board of Trustees. Serving in this capacity, Lindenwood Trustees fulfill their fiduciary, oversight, and governance responsibilities for Lindenwood. Lindenwood’s Board members are determined by the Lindenwood Education System (LES). LES is a Missouri nonprofit corporation recognized by the IRS as a Section 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization, and LES is the sole member of Lindenwood. Lindenwood trustees also serve as LES trustees, and are also trustees of other LES member institutions of higher education, such as Dorsey College. Trustees act in the best interest of each respective entity when serving in their Trustee capacities for each respective board.

OFFICERS

Donald E. Tuttle

Chairman

Don Tuttle is co-founder and managing partner of Top Gun Ventures LLC, a premiere national retained executive search firm focused on the needs of organizations driving or encountering new business models and disruptive technologies. The firm specializes in recruiting “C” level leaders able to help organizations accomplish ambitious goals, overcome difficult challenges, or explore new strategic directions. With offices in Boston, Dallas, Seattle and St Louis, Don and his partners have assisted investors, boards, CEO’s and entrepreneurs identify, evaluate and attract "GameChangers" to build, turn-around and scale companies throughout the U.S. and around the globe. In the last thirty-five plus years he has helped many companies build entire executive teams. Many of these companies have grown, prospered and undergone successful liquidity events (IPO/buyouts).

Prior to building this national business from 1984 to present, Don progressed through engineering and operational management roles within a Fortune 500 technology company.

Prior to being elected Chairman at Lindenwood University, Don chaired several board committees including Strategy & Development, Board Development, Member of the Executive Committee and several others.

Don completed his undergraduate studies at Southern Illinois University, and also completed all coursework leading towards a M.S. degree.

Don has been featured on CBS MarketWatch and other business programs and enjoys contributing to articles in various newspaper and magazines in the U.S. and globally. Don has a passion for ensuring students transition their higher education degrees into a fulfilling career.

He and his wife, Mary, also enjoy traveling and spending time with family and friends.

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Jo Anna Pollock

Vice Chair

Attorney Jo Anna Pollock works as a shareholder at Simmons Hanly Conroy, in the Complex Litigation Department, where she focuses on environmental, commercial, class action and human rights litigation. She devotes her practice to representing people and their businesses that have been hurt through the wrongful conduct of others.

Jo Anna earned her bachelor’s degree with honors from Lindenwood University in 1997. She earned her law degree from St. Louis University Law School, where she graduated with honors and on the Dean’s list. She also served as an editor for The Journal of Health Law. She has penned several articles about practicing law for various publications, and she speaks at law conferences on various topics concerning trial work.

 

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Harry H. (Chip) Peterson

Secretary

Harry H. (Chip) Peterson is an entrepreneur in Farmington, Mo., where he serves as president and vice-president of several small companies. He served as president of Farmington Development Company for 25 years, which has been the main developer of commercial property, as well as residential developments, in Farmington. He and his wife Debbie own Insight Partners Inc., which has operated as many as three Steak N Shakes in Missouri; Show-Me Cici’s Pizza, Inc. and Q Loco, LLC, which he owns and operates as Cici’s Pizza and Qdoba restaurants respectively; as well as office and retail ownership and management.

Peterson is a graduate of the University of Colorado-Boulder, where he earned his BS in small business management. Peterson has served on the Board of Trustees of Lindenwood University for eight years. Previously, he served on the Strategic Planning, Mission, & Purpose Committee, as well as Interim Vice President of the Board. Currently, he serves as Chairman of the Athletics Committee and Vice Chairman of the Board. In addition to serving on the Board of Trustees of Lindenwood University, he serves on the First State Community Bank Board of Directors where he serves as Chairman of the Audit Committee. He is president of Farmington Industrial Development Authority and has served on the Mineral Area Community College board, American Legion Missouri Boys State Board of Directors, the Farmington Chamber of Commerce, the Presbyterian Children’s Home board, and the Farmington Memorial Methodist Church boards.

Peterson and his wife of 36 years, Debbie, have one daughter, two sons, and five grandchildren.

 

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Cheryl Matejka

Treasurer

Cheryl L. Matejka serves as Chief Financial Officer for Mercy Health head-quartered in St. Louis, Missouri. In this role, she oversees all finance functions related to Mercy hospitals and clinics. Prior to this role, Cheryl served as CFO for Mercy Health’s East region, covering the St. Louis metropolitan and surrounding markets where she provided leadership oversight for financial reporting, operational and capital planning & analysis, decision support and various operational areas. Mercy Health is one of the largest integrated Catholic health systems with over $6 billion in revenues, 40 hospitals, ~ 2,400 physicians and serves both large and small communities in 7 states. In 2020, Cheryl celebrated her 14th anniversary with Mercy and has over 30 years of experience in the non-profit health care field.

Cheryl is a CPA, has a Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting from Evangel University in Springfield, Missouri, and an MBA from the Olin College of Business at Washington University in St. Louis. In 2012, she was awarded the St. Louis Business Journal CFO of the year for non-profit organizations. Cheryl and her husband Terry reside in St. Charles, are actively involved in their local church and missions work and have two grown children.

 

EX OFFICIO

Dr. John R. Porter

President

Dr. John R. Porter is Lindenwood University’s 23^rd president, a role he assumed in July 1, 2019. Porter worked for 33 years for IBM, the last 15 in senior management, and has also served as a board member in higher education and as an adjunct instructor and visiting professor.

Immediately prior to starting his current role, he served as vice president of services for a premier IBM Business Partner--Gulf Business Machines in Dubai. He has served as a member of the Board of Trustees at Evangel University, from which he holds a bachelor’s degree, and also has experience as a university fundraiser. He has an MBA from Washington University in St. Louis and has earned a Doctor of Education degree from Johns Hopkins University.

During his professional career, Porter has worked in numerous locations in the United States, as well as in South Africa and Dubai. Porter and his wife, Beverly, have three adult children, all of whom live in the Kansas City area.

 

BOARD MEMBERS