Lindenwood Board of Trustees

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.

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.

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.

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

Lashanda R. Barnes

Lashanda R. Barnes is a servant leader and Senior Vice President and Compliance Business Control Manager for Client Experience at Citi in O’Fallon, MO. She previously Co-chaired Citi’s African Heritage Employee Network and presently leads the Divine Nine (D9) Collaborative at Citi. Citi has recognized Lashanda’s efforts by honoring her with Citi’s Quality Excellence, Stars, Pride, Community and Team awards.

A native of St. Louis, Lashanda earned a Bachelor’s of Organizational Studies and a Master’s of Management from Fontbonne University in Clayton, MO. In the community, Ms. Barnes currently serves on the boards of St. Louis Children’s Hospital and Social Ventures Partners (SVP). Additionally, she is an active member of the St. Louis Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., co-chairs the Regional Business Council’s Young Professional’s Network and serves as Lead Volunteer for the non-profit Eye Thrive. The community has recognized Lashanda with the St. Louis Business Journal’s Diverse Leader and St. Louis American Young Leader awards and distinction within the RBC’s Leadership 100. In 2022, she became an international best-selling author for her contribution to Overcoming: Living Our Life in Spite of…, an anthology of all-female authors. On a personal note, Lashanda values people over possessions, time over tangibles, faith, family, music, and traveling.

Justin Foust

Justin Foust was born and raised in Saint Charles, Missouri where he and his wife Amanda of 11 years, reside with their three children, Brayden, Keegan, and Jordyn. Foust is a graduate of the University of Missouri - St. Louis where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Criminology & Criminal Justice. He played basketball for UMSL during his tenure there.

Foust is also a local entrepreneur in Saint Charles where he serves as CEO to both Justin Foust State Farm Agency and Foust Enterprises. Foust was recently elected to the Saint Charles City Council - Ward 6 and continues to hold various positions with local non-profit organizations. He is currently the Vice president of the First Capitol Lions Club and has been a charter member since 2001. Foust also serves on the Board of Directors for the Saint Charles Oktoberfest, which continues to be one of the largest Oktoberfest festivals in the region. Foust has held a seat on the St. Charles Park Foundation board since 2014 and continues to find ways he can contribute to making Saint Charles one of the best places to live and visit.

Hal Gentry

Hal Gentry has over 35 years of experience in the software industry as a CEO and entrepreneur. He began his career as a software engineer for one of the leading providers of engineering analysis tools for the electric utility industry. He then founded and was CEO of two successful software businesses, GridLogix and Gentry Systems.

After exiting GridLogix, Gentry was a Partner in Capital Innovators, SixThirty FinTech and Prosper venture funds that provided investment and accelerator programs for early stage tech companies. These funds have now invested globally in more than 200 tech companies.

Gentry is currently Chairman of Denim Social, a St. Louis based social media management company for the banking and financial services industry.

Gentry earned his Bachelor of Science in Computer Science degree at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville (SIUE) where he now serves on the advisory board for the School of Engineering and Computer Science Department. In 2011 he was inducted into the SIUE Alumni Hall of Fame. Gentry is a veteran, having served in the United States Air Force.

David Mason

Mr. Mason is the founder and CEO of David Mason + Associates. As a registered architect, he provides oversight for major clients while also overseeing the corporate marketing effort. As the President of the firm, with over 38 years of experience, he aims to investigate the possibility of eliminating a problem rather than following the temptation of solving the problem. His design philosophy emphasizes a critical examination of established attitudes and establishing a balance between practical function and human needs. David’s management and technical leadership skills assure the client that the project team will receive the resources and the leadership required to meet or exceed all project goals and objectives.

Patricia Penkoske, MD

Lindenwood University alumna Patricia Penkoske (’69) joined the Board of Trustees in 2012. She is a longtime critical care physician who remains involved in teaching medical students, residents and fellows at Barnes Jewish Hospital.

Dr. Penkoske moved to St. Charles during her high school years and attended Lindenwood College when it was transitioning to coed. Summer jobs in a research lab exposed her to research and medicine. She graduated from Washington University School of Medicine in 1974. Further training included general surgery and cardiac surgery. Penkoske was a practicing pediatric cardiac surgeon, researcher, and residency program director for 16 years at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, and for two years at Saint Louis University. In 2005, she joined the faculty at Washington University.

The mother of three daughters, Penkoske lives in the Central West End and enjoys participation on several boards, sports, and travel.

Gary N. Shaw

Gary N. Shaw is Senior Vice President/Financial Advisor at Morgan Stanley. He has more than five decades of industry experience. He was named a President’s Club member while at Dean Witter Reynolds (now Morgan Stanley) and earned membership on the Director’s Advisory Council at E.F. Hutton (now part of Morgan Stanley).

He was named Youth in Need’s Man of the Year in 1988, Dean Witter Reynolds’ Broker of the Year in 1991, and Boys & Girls Club Man of the Year in 1996, and received the St. Charles Chamber of Commerce Lifetime Distinguished Service Award in 2002. His alma mater, Iowa Wesleyan University, awarded him an honorary Doctorate of Laws in 1993.

Shaw believes in giving back to the community and serves on several not-for-profit boards including: Missouri Kids, Foundry Art Centre, Lindenwood University, Endowment for United Services, and Iowa Wesleyan University. Shaw and his wife, Joyce, have 6 children and 14 grand-children.

Jerry E. Scheidegger

Jerry E. Scheidegger is well-known for his dedication to serving the community. Born and raised in St. Charles, Scheidegger has been one of the key players in helping to make his hometown area both prosperous and compassionate. After finishing high school and joining the armed service, Scheidegger returned to St. Charles, engaging in small entrepreneurial ventures where he learned everything he could from his personal business experiences.

Today the Scheidegger family owns Corporate Group, Inc. and manages property it owns or has ownership in, located in St. Charles and Warren counties, and Lake of the Ozarks, and residential development in Colorado.

Laura Taylor Zanowski

Laura Taylor Zanowski serves as the government relations advisor at the St. Louis Fed. In her role she works directly with members of Congress and their staff, as well as with the Senate Banking and House Financial Services Committees. She works to provide Congress with economic research, data, and Federal Reserve resources to assist members and staff in understanding the economy, monetary policy and bank supervision. In her 10 years at the Federal Reserve, she’s also managed executive communications and media relations for the president, as well as led the social media, marketing and analytics teams.

Prior to the Federal Reserve, Laura spent time working in government and political communications. Her time as a communications director for a member of Congress greatly influenced her desire to dedicate her career to public service. She’s also served as a director in the Illinois Lt. Governor’s office and as a director at the Southern Illinois University Alumni Association.

Laura received her bachelor’s degree in journalism and master’s degree in media management and political communication, both from Southern Illinois University Carbondale. Originally from southern Illinois, Laura currently resides in St. Louis with her husband Andrew and two daughters Eleanor and Charlotte.