Headquarters Staff Directory

1810 East Elm Street • Jefferson City, MO 65101  
Phone (573) 634-3202 • Toll-free (800) 392-0236 
The MNEA Headquarters office is open weekdays from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Executive Director

Dr. Patrick Layden 

(573) 644-9612  | patrick.layden@mnea.org | Biography

Governance

MNEA President: Phil Murray  
MNEA Vice President: Rebeka McIntosh  
Executive Administrative Assistant: Lauren Vinson (lauren.vinson@mnea.org, (573) 644-9606)

Business Services

Note: All membership, dues, and payment-related questions should be sent to membmnea@mnea.org. 

Chief Financial Officer: Karen Struemph (karen.struemph@mnea.org, (573) 644-9617)  
Accounting Coordinator: Amy Wolters (amy.wolters@mnea.org, (573) 644-9607)  
Membership Accounting Specialist: Laurie Bernskoetter (laurie.bernskoetter@mnea.org, (573) 644-9623) 
Accounting Specialist: Kristy Grothoff (kristy.grothoff@mnea.org, (573) 644-9602)

Member Benefits & Event Planning

Manager of Enterprise Operations: Pam Koetting (pam.koetting@mnea.org, (573) 644-9601)

Program Services 

Program Services Administrative Assistant: 
Olivia Compton (olivia.compton@mnea.org, (417) 569-1401)

COMMUNICATIONS

Communications Director: Mark Jones (mark.jones@mnea.org, (573) 644-9609)  
Digital Communications & Research Director: Rishanda Richardson (rishanda.richardson@mnea.org, (573) 644-9621)

GOVERNMENT RELATIONS

Legislative Director: Otto Fajen (otto.fajen@mnea.org, (573) 644-9618)  
Political Director: Elizabeth "Liz" Zerr (elizabeth.zerr@mnea.org, (573) 644-9610)

PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE

Professional Practice Director: Samantha Hayes (samantha.hayes@mnea.org, (573) 644-9625)

LEGAL SERVICES

Located in the St. Louis Regional Office, 955 Gardenview Office Parkway, St. Louis, MO 63141  
General Counsel & Chief Human Resource Officer: Daniel Bryar (daniel.bryar@mnea.org, (573) 634-3202)  
Legal Administrative Assistant: Tracy Flaherty (tracy.flaherty@mnea.org, (314) 584-1305)

FIELD SERVICES

Assistant Executive Director of Field Services: Shannon Weber (shannon.weber@mnea.org, (314) 584-1302)   
Located in the St. Louis Regional Office, 955 Gardenview Office Parkway, St. Louis, MO 63141

Find a listing of all the MNEA Field Staff at www.mnea.org/uniserv.