Biographical Information: 

I was born in Fredericktown in 1957 to George and Maxine DeSpain and I am currently 51 years young.  My sisters, Karen (DeSpain) Hoover, Kathy (DeSpain) Cooper and Kim (DeSpain) Ward all live in Fredericktown.  Our sister Kay passed away in 1999.  In 1977, I married Phyllis Souden and we have two children Jason (age 29) living in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and Rachel (age 25) who is living in Pensacola, Florida.

I began my career in community/public service in 1974 when I began working as dispatcher for Madison County Sheriff N.F. Whitener.  I received a Deputy Sheriff Commission at age 19 and went to work for the City of Fredericktown as a Police Patrolman at age 21.  In 1988, I was appointed the Assistant Chief of Police and elected as the Fredericktown City Marshal, i.e. Chief of Police in 1998.  I retired in 2007.  Also, from 1977 through 2002, I proudly served as a member of the Fredericktown Volunteer Fire Department.  

After graduating from Fredericktown High School in 1975, I attended Mineral Area College and graduated in 1978 with an Associate of Arts Degree in Criminal Justice.  Always yearning to learn, I was able to attend night classes in Poplar Bluff and graduated from Sterling College with a Bachelor of Science Degree in 1997.  In 2006, I graduated from William Woods University with a Master of Education Degree.  I have taught classes at Mineral Area College and have been substitute teaching within the Fredericktown R-1 School District since my retirement from the Fredericktown Police Department. Law enforcement vocational classes I have successfully completed include:  Missouri Class A Police Officer Certification through the Missouri Highway Patrol and Mineral Area College; three levels of Supervision/Management classes conducted by the Missouri Highway Patrol; and Fire Investigator by the Missouri Fire Marshal' Office.

What experience do you have which will help you as a County Commissioner? 

Having been involved in local law enforcement for over 33 years, I was able to listen to people and help resolve their situations, keeping in mind that laws have to be applied.  As the Assistant Chief of Police and City Marshal I had to prepare budgets and stay within those guidelines; prepared bids for purchase of equipment and materials; wrote Federal and State Grants for personnel, equipment and materials; worked closely with organizations and departments; and was always diligent as to the health, safety, well-being, and protection of the people.

As a County Commissioner, how do you hope to improve Madison County?

With the economy as it is, a primary concern for all Madison County residents should be the job market.  For years (decades) we have seen our children leave this area.  I would work closely with the Chamber of Commerce and the Economic Development Authority to try and bring jobs to this area and/or for local employers to grow and be able to create more employment opportunities.  I believe that if employers are financially able, they will be able to provide better salaries and benefits to their employees. 

Secondly, I would explore avenues to help make the roads and bridges of Madison County better.  The men that work to try to keep our avenues of travel open, frequently work short-handed and have a lot of area to cover.