Our goal is to develop the Missouri workforce in child support so that customer service skills and intimate knowledge of the process are priorities. The MCSEA scholarship is available to provide this service to dedicated workers. Click the button below to apply.
Missouri Child Support Education Association
P.O. Box 104902, Jefferson City, MO 65110
mcsea77@gmail.com
SPEAKER BIOS
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KRISTI BROWN
Kristi Brown has worked 28 years in the child support field (paternity, establishment, enforcement, criminal non-support, contempt, registration, initiating and responding UIFSA); 26 years at her current position for the Jasper Co. Prosecutor's Office Child Support Division (Carthage Regional Project) as a Legal Secretary and 2 years for the State of Arkansas OCSE as a Child Support Investigator. She holds a BS in Criminal Justice Administration. Outside of work, you will find her volunteering in the community, playing in the dirt (grow native plants), tracing her family tree, and traveling.
GERALD CHILDRESS
Gerald Childress began his career with FSD June 14, 2000, with what was then the Child Support Division in the Financial Resolutions Section working with special collections spousal apportionments, personal property liens and lottery intercepts. In May of 2002 he started in his current position as a Case Analyst in the Compliance Review Section.
MICHELLE COLEMAN
Michelle Coleman serves as the Chief of Administrative Hearings within the Division of Legal Services, where she leads with a strong commitment to fairness, integrity, and service. In her role, she oversees 47 team members, 15 of whom are dedicated to the child support administrative hearings process, ensuring that individuals and families receive a fair and transparent review of their cases.
With a career dedicated to public service, Michelle is deeply passionate about supporting families in need and empowering the teammates who share this mission. She works to continuously improve processes that impact the lives of those served by the Division.
Her blend of professional expertise, personal passion, and approachable leadership makes Michelle a respected voice in the field of administrative hearings and a valued advocate for both clients and colleagues.
Michelle likes to relax by reading, solving logic puzzles, cross-stitching, and baking homemade pecan pies.
LYNDA DILLARD
BIO COMING SOON
WHITNEY DISTLER
Whitney Distler is a Program Specialist with the Child Support Systems Unit. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Human Services from Columbia College. Her career in child support began in 2012 at the implementation of the FSD Intake Center, where she started as a Case Initiation Specialist. She quickly discovered working with the Missouri Child Support Program was not just a job, but a career she wanted to pursue. Through hard work and dedication, she was promoted multiple times, ultimately fulfilling the role of a Training Manager for 5 years. In 2020, Whitney joined the Family Support Division as a Supervisor in the Jefferson City Child Support office where she helped transition the initiating intergovernmental case load back to state government. In 2021, Whitney was promoted to a Program Specialist in the Child Support Systems Unit where she has facilitated and implemented dozens of MACSS change requests. Currently, most of her time is dedicated to the MACSS Modernization project.
VICKIE ENDICOTT
Vickie Endicott started her career with FSD in the Child Support office in Jefferson County in 2011. She worked enforcement and, the last 5 years in Jefferson County, she was a Financials Specialist, and she loved it!
Joining the Training Team in the Spring of 2017 was an enlightening experience for her. It has made her realize that her passion for teaching is still very much alive, and she looks forward to presenting new material at MCSEA each year.
When Vickie is not working, she enjoys spending time with her family, which includes 3 grown children, and 4 grandchildren! She is also an avid reader!
She loves meeting new people and looks forward to meeting each of you at MCSEA!
ASHLEY FLOOD
Ashley Flood is an accomplished attorney and dedicated public servant who currently serves as an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney in the Child Support Division of the Clay County Prosecutor’s Office. In this role, she prosecutes hundreds of criminal nonsupport cases, advocating for children and families while ensuring compliance with Missouri’s child support laws.
Prior to joining the Clay County's Prosecutor’s Office, Ashley served as a Disability Examiner with the State of Kansas Disability Services, where she evaluated medical and vocational evidence to determine eligibility for Social Security Disability benefits. This experience strengthened her ability to analyze complex records and apply legal and regulatory standards with fairness and precision. Drawing on both her legal background and experience as a Disability Examiner, Ashley brings a unique perspective to her work as a prosecutor, combining courtroom advocacy with a strong ability to analyze complex records, apply regulations fairly, and serve the needs of vulnerable individuals and families.
Ashley earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Missouri–Kansas City School of Law, where she was named a 2020 Truman Fellow and received multiple CALI Awards. She also holds a Master of Arts and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Westminster College, graduating with honors and completing minors in Criminal Justice and Pre-Law.
Deeply committed to service, Ashley volunteers with the Missouri Child Support Enforcement Association, Toys for Tots, and Habitat for Humanity, reflecting her dedication to strengthening families, supporting communities, and expanding access to justice.
BETHANY FORD
Bethany Ford is the FSD Child Support trainer for the Modification function. Bethany began her career with FSD in 2001 when she hired on as an Income Maintenance Caseworker in West Plains. Over the years she has worked in a number of positions for the agency in both, Income Maintenance (IM) and Child Support (CS). These positions have included Caseworker (technician), Correspondence Information Specialist, Benefit Program Supervisor, and currently Program Training Specialist.
NIKKI HARTLEY
Nikki Hartley is the PA Liaison Contract Manager for the DSS Family Support Division. She started her state career over 18 years ago as a court clerk in the Cole County Circuit Clerk’s Office where she worked in both criminal and juvenile divisions as well as clerking for Judge Byron Kinder. In April of 2011, she began working for the Jefferson City Regional Prosecutor’s Office, as a Legal Assistant in the Child Support Unit. Nikki returned to the State of Missouri as Legal Assistant for Family Support’s Legal Counsel in May 2021. She accepted her current position in October of 2022.
Nikki has been married for 25 years. She and her husband Daniel have 2 sons together. In her off time, she serves on the board for the Callaway County Humane Society and is the President Elect and website administrator for the Missouri Child Support Education Association (MCSEA).
STACI HARTUPEE
Staci Hartupee earned an Associates of Art degree from State Fair Community College. She began her career with the Family Support Division in December 2019 as clerical in Warrensburg and then promoted to child support specialist in August 2021 as a child support specialist in paternity, specializing particularly in Prosecuting Attorney Referrals. Staci promoted to her current position as a Program Specialist in the Child Support Policy Unit in July 2025.
DAVID HASEGAWA
David Hasegawa has been a member of the St. Louis County Prosecutor’s Office since June 2013. David began his career as an assistant prosecutor working on establishment and enforcement cases. From 2018 until 2023 he was a member of the felony trial team where he prosecuted all levels of felonies from drug possession to first degree murder. He was the supervisor of the vehicular manslaughter team which was responsible for the prosecution of traffic related fatalities. In 2023, he became the supervisor of the Child Support Unit where he supervises two attorneys and an amazing support staff. Prior to joining the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office David worked for the Department of Social Services – Division of Legal Services.
SAMANTHA GHORMLEY HILL
Samantha Ghormley Hill serves as the Child Support Unit’s Managing Attorney within the Administrative Hearings Section of Division of Legal Services. She has dedicated her legal career to public service, first as a Benefits Hearing Officer, both in Jefferson City and St. Louis, then she spent several years as a staff attorney for the Missouri’s statewide coalition for domestic and sexual violence survivors, before returning to the Administrative Hearings Section earlier this year. She received her JD, as well as a certificate in Alternative Dispute Resolution, from the University of Missouri-Columbia Law School, and her Bachelors in English from Truman State University.
Jennifer "Jen" Holder
Jennifer “Jen” Holder is a seasoned public service professional with more than 17 years of experience with the State of Missouri. She currently serves as the Strategic Initiatives Coordinator for the Family Support Division, where she also manages the Child Support Program. In this role, Jen leads efforts to strengthen program effectiveness, implement innovative strategies, and ensure that services meet the needs of Missouri families.
Throughout her career, Jen has been recognized for her ability to lead with inclusivity, communicate with emotional intelligence, and guide teams through change. Her leadership style emphasizes collaboration, adaptability, and a commitment to fostering positive outcomes for both staff and the communities they serve.
Jen’s educational journey began at St. Charles Community College, where she studied for two years before earning her bachelor’s degree in Management and Organizational Behavior from the University of Missouri–St. Louis. This academic foundation, combined with her extensive professional experience, has equipped her with the skills to navigate complex organizational challenges and drive meaningful improvements in public service.
With her expertise in inclusive leadership, team development, and change management, Jennifer Holder brings valuable insights and a passion for service to every speaking engagement.
GRANT KELLY
Grant M. Kelley originally joined the Clay County Prosecutor’s Office in March of 2016 as an Assistant Prosecutor in the Child Support Division. As a prosecutor he handled civil, criminal, and bankruptcy matters before he transitioned to a position as Office Manager in July of 2021. In late 2022, Grant briefly left public service to join a private practice, before returning to the Prosecutor’s Office as Director of the Clay County’s Family Support Division in March of 2023.
Grant was admitted to the Missouri Bar in 2014 after graduation from the UMKC School of Law, is admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court in the Western District of Missouri and U.S. Bankruptcy Court Western District. He has also been a Director for Region VII (Jackson, Clay, and Platte Counties) of the Missouri Child Support Education Association (MCSEA) since 2021.
Grant and his family are longtime residents of Clay County, Missouri, where they enjoy their pets, 3d printing, Lego building, and planning their next Disney vacation.
DAWN KUHLMAN
Executive Director of MARCH Inc. (Mediation Achieving Results for Children), an organization that provides free supervised visitation, mediation and legal services to eligible families in MO who are receiving child support services. MARCH Inc. actively supports and partners with the MO-SAVES project. As a member of the Advisory Council, MARCH Inc. not only has trained our providers in trauma-informed care and domestic violence, but also has conducted research on the most effective mediation practices for cases involving domestic violence. These best practices feature a comprehensive intake process that evaluates safety concerns and offers mediation services through virtual or phone methods to maximize participant comfort.
RICK MASSMAN
Rick Massman has been with the Family Support Division since 1989. He supervised front line staff that worked all functions of the child support program (paternity, establishment, enforcement, and modification) for 24 years. He currently serves as a manager of the Customer Relations, Outreach and Engagement units.
Kate McKenna-York
Kate McKenna-York is a dedicated public service professional with over 19 years of experience with the State of Missouri. She currently serves as a Social Services Coordinator, a role she has held since February 2017, where she provides leadership and coordination to ensure effective delivery of services that support individuals and families across the state.
Kate’s career reflects a strong commitment to program development, case management, and community support. Prior to her current role, she served as a Program Development Specialist from 2015 to 2017, where she contributed to the design and implementation of initiatives that improved service delivery. From 2014 to 2015, she worked as a Case Analyst, applying her expertise in policy and case review to strengthen program outcomes. Her career began in 2006 as a Child Support Specialist, where she spent seven years advocating for children and families by ensuring access to critical resources.
A graduate of the Missouri Leadership Academy, Kate has honed her skills in leadership, team management, and program coordination. She is recognized for her ability to lead teams with vision, foster collaboration, and drive meaningful improvements in public service programs.
With nearly two decades of experience, Kate McKenna brings a wealth of knowledge, practical expertise, and a passion for leadership in public service to every speaking engagement.
KERENSA MORROW-KEMPF
Kerensa Morrow-Kempf began her employment with Department of Social Service in February 1999. During the past 24 years, she has worked as Clerk Typist II, Child Support Technician, Training Tech II, Future Leaders Grant Manager, a Program Specialist for the Policy Development Unit and currently serves as the assistant to the She served on the board of Missouri Child Support Education Association (MCSEA) for over ten years and is currently the Treasurer.
AMANDA MUELLER
Amanda Mueller earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Columbia College. She joined the Family Support Division in 2007, stepping into the SOSA role within the Cole County FSD office when Kendra promoted. In subsequent years Amanda has held various roles, including Child Support Specialist in Financials for the Interstate Collections Unit, CS Supervisor over Interstate, Foster Care, and Cole County Paternity, Program Specialist in the Systems unit, Research & Data Analyst for the Child Support Program, and Senior Business Analyst at ITSD. She now holds the role of Program Coordinator over the Policy Development Unit.
KACIE NAROS
Presented by Kacie Naros, M.Ed., LPC is a Licensed Professional Counselor and speaker dedicated to helping people strengthen communication, resilience, and connection. She has advanced training in the Gottman Method for relationship health, Acceptance & Commitment Therapy, and mindfulness-based approaches, and blends these evidence-based tools with a compassionate, practical style. Kacie’s work emphasizes how language impacts both mental health and workplace culture, particularly in high-stress environments. She is passionate about equipping professionals with strategies to de-escalate conflict, foster understanding, and support both colleagues and clients. When not working with clients or speaking, Kacie enjoys the outdoors with her family, drawing inspiration from nature’s balance and simplicity.
BRIAN NEAL
Brian, a Springfield, Missouri native, joined the Greene County Prosecutor's Office in January of 2007. He received a B.A. in history from Missouri State University in 2001, graduating Summa Cum Laude. He graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Law in 2006. Brian has been a member of the Child Support Unit for seventeen years. Having served as an assistant prosecutor in the unit, he was promoted to First Assistant Prosecutor of the Child Support Unit in January of 2020. In that capacity, he supervises three other assistant prosecutors, along with support staff, in both enforcing and establishing child support orders, in Greene, Christian and Taney Counties pursuant to a cooperative agreement with the Family Support Division. Brian also assists the Missouri Association of Prosecuting Attorneys in coordinating child support training for child support prosecutors across the state.
DAN PINGELTON
Dan Pingelton is an attorney in private practice in Columbia, concentrating on civil litigation and family law. He graduated from Arizona State University in 1981 with a degree in journalism and received his law degree from the University of Colorado in 1984, serving on the University of Colorado Law Review. Some of Mr. Pingelton’s reported cases include Dye v. Missouri Division of Child Support Enforcement, 811 S.W.2d 355 (Mo.banc 1981) [constitutionality of administrative child support enforcement statutes]; Baird v. Baird, 843 S.W.2d 388 (Mo.App.E.D. 1992) [first Missouri case confirming use of a Qualified Domestic Relations Order to seize ERISA retirement funds for child support and maintenance arrears]; McCreary v. McCreary, 954 S.W.2d 433 (Mo.App.W.D. 1997) [multiple issues including proper standard for modification of custody; proper use of remedy of equitable accounting in a fiduciary relationship for child support; mandatory award of attorney fees; and liability for medical expense reimbursement]; and Deuschle v. Jobe, 30 S.W.3d 215 (Mo.App.W.D. 2000) [established Missouri precedent that an unmarried person can recover damages for negligent transmission of the herpes virus]. Publications include chapter in Missouri Family Law, 6th, 7th, and 8th editions (The Family Support Division, Marital Separation Agreements, and The Uniform Interstate Family Support Act - UIFSA), published by the Missouri Bar. Dan recently completed the third edition of Missouri IV-D Law (2022). Dan has presented CLE programs for national, regional and state associations. His daughter Hannah is an administrator for the MBA program at UCLA. In his spare time Dan teaches Taekwon-Do for Columbia Parks & Recreation.
KENDRA PORTER
Kendra Porter began her career with Family Support Division in May 2001 as an OSA in the Interstate Collections Unit. In 2004 she promoted to a SOSA in the Cole County FSD office. Next, she promoted to Child Support Specialist in the Cole County FSD office in 2006, transferring to the Interstate Collections unit in 2011 and then into the Financial Resolution Section in 2013. In 2015 she promoted to Benefit Program Specialist with the Compliance Review Section and recently promoted to her current position as a Program Specialist in the Child Support Policy Unit in June 2025.
LISA RACKERS
Lisa Rackers started with FSD on 10/29/1998 in the Interstate Collections Unit as an Enforcement Technician. In 2000 she joined the Compliance Review Unit as a Case Analyst. She has been the Unit Manager since July 2013.
MICHELLE RIVERA
Michelle Rivera joined the Boone County Circuit Clerks office February 14th, 2022 as a copy request clerk, fulfilling FSD child support requests and going to court. By May she fell in LOVE with Child Support, and with a bit of training, became the main child support clerk in Boone County. 3 years later she's presenting on all the things she wished she had known from the beginning. In her off time, she has the honor of representing Region 10 for the Missouri Child Support Education Association (MCSEA). Outside of work she enjoys playing boardgames with friends, going to Renaissance fairs, and hanging with her cat JuJu.
JACOB SMITH
Jacob Smith began his employment with Department of Social Service in February 2023. Over the last 2.5 years he has worked as a Benefit Program Technician, Training Supervisor, and in his current position, Program Specialist for the Policy Development Unit.
DANA SOPER
Dana Soper joined the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office in 2009 as an assistant prosecuting attorney with the Family Support Division. Dana's primary work has been on establishment cases until 2023, when enforcement cases were added to her caseload. Prior to law school, Dana worked as an IM worker for the Commonwealth of Kentucky. She graduated from UMKC Law School in 2008 with an emphasis in family law.
SHARRON SWITZER
Sharron Switzer graduated from Columbia College in 2014 with a BSBA – Management/Accounting. After 20+ years in the manufacturing industry, she joined the Family Support Division as a SOSA-K case opener with Child Support’s Alternative Care Collections Unit in January 2010. Sharron worked as a Child Support Specialist in financials for the Interstate Collections Unit, establishment for Alternative Care Collections, and financials for Jefferson City FSD before becoming a financials Child Support Supervisor for the Interstate Collections Unit, ultimately joining the Policy Development Unit in January of 2016.
ANGELA TERRY
Angela Terry has over 25 years of progressive leadership experience in government program administration, systems management and team development with the State of Missouri. Her current role is the Assistance Deputy Director of Systems, Vendor and Contract Management for the Department of Social Services. Her role helps oversee and coordinate all technology projects and contracts for the department, applying her technical expertise and leadership skills to translate complex policy requirements into practical, efficient operational processes.
Angela’s career spans the full spectrum of technical systems expertise, program administration, from direct customer service management to legislative coordination and financial operations. Prior to her current role, she served as the Assistant Deputy Director overseeing Child Support systems, security and IRS compliance from 2019-2025. From 2007-2019, she served as a Program Development Specialist in the Child Support Policy and Systems Unit along with being the Divisional Security Officer for Child Support. 2005-2007 she supervised the Customer Service Center for the Family Support Payment Center. She served as the legislative liaison for the Department of Social Services in 2005. Angela began her career in the child support program in 2000 as a Child Support Technician in Financial Resolutions Section.
Angela has a passion for public service and commitment to leveraging technology and process improvement to better serve Missouri citizens. Her track record of building collaborative relationships across departments, managing complex projects, and driving continuous improvement brings valuable insight and a positive impact to any professional speaking engagement.
RACHEL THOMPSON
Rachel Thompson is a Program Manager for the Child Support Customer Service Call Center and serves as the liaison for the FSD Intake Center contract. Her journey in child support began in 2012 with Maximus at the FSD Intake Center, where she started as a Case Initiation Specialist. Through hard work and dedication, Rachel earned multiple promotions. Prior to her role with the State of Missouri, she was the Operations Manager. In 2021, Rachel joined the State of Missouri as a supervisor at the Jefferson City Child Support office and was promoted to a program specialist within the call center in 2023. Additionally, Rachel is a proud graduate of the FSD Leadership Academy. Driven by a strong passion for helping others, Rachel believes in the power of teamwork and motivation. Her goal is to cultivate excellence by creating environments where everyone has the chance to succeed.
LARA WEBB FORS
Lara Webb Fors is a passionate child support professional, attorney, mediator, and facilitator with over thirty years of experience in the IV-D program. She returned to Kansas City, Missouri, in August 2023 to serve in the Jackson County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office where she is the Family Support Trial Team Leader and manages the judicial IV-D unit of assistant prosecutors and legal staff. She started her IV-D career in that office in 1994 as an intern and then assistant prosecutor. In between, she worked as a staff attorney for MAXIMUS in Kansas City, Kansas, served in several assistant prosecutor roles in the Greene County Prosecutor’s Office in Springfield, MO, and served as the deputy director of the Missouri IV-D Agency in Jefferson City, MO. Lara also worked with CSF/SLI/ Public Knowledge® from 2019 to 2023 as a contractor for OCSS and a consultant to various state and local governments.
Lara is a past president of the Eastern Regional Interstate Child Support Association (ERICSA) (2014) and of the Missouri child support professional association, MCSEA (2007). Lara currently serves on several ERICSA committees. Lara has presented to numerous conferences and events including ERICSA, National Child Support Enforcement Association (NCSEA), National Tribal Child Support Association (NTCSA), Western Intergovernmental Child Support Engagement Council (WICSEC), MCSEA and other state conferences. Lara also served on the steering committee for the New Pathways to Good Dads® council and then the Board of Directors of Good Dads® in Springfield, Missouri, for several years while working as an assistant prosecutor and consultant in the IV-D program.
Lara was awarded the Springfield Business Journal’s 40 under 40 Award (2009), the MCSEA Honorary Life Member (2014), the Missouri Lawyer’s Weekly Women’s Justice Award for Public Service Practitioner of the Year (2016), the ERICSA Honorary Life Member (2019), the inaugural ERICSA Patrick W. Quinn Intergovernmental Scholarship Award in 2022, and the ERICSA Felix Infausto Award in 2025. Lara received her undergraduate degree at Central Methodist (College) University and received her J.D. from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. She is a member of both the Missouri and Kansas Bars.
BRONWYN WERNER
Bronwin Werner has been an assistant prosecuting attorney in Jackson County for 17 years of her
thirty-four-year law career, during three “tours of duty”: 1990-2000; 2004-2009; 2024-present.
Her past positions with the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office have included the head of the sex
crimes/ child abuse/child homicide unit (now known as “special victims unit”), trial team leader
of the drug related violent crime unit, chief warrant officer, police liaison, and chief trial assistant,
developing the Community Justice Unit. She now has the privilege of working in the Jackson
County Family Support Division of the prosecutor’s office, where she continues to perform
meaningful work without exposure to traumatic content! She handles both enforcement cases and
establishment cases.
For 15 years, she was an adjunct law professor of Trial Advocacy at UMKC Law School and has
taught numerous classes and CLEs regarding various trial skills for KCMBA, MOPS, National
Institute of Traffic & Highway Safety Administration. While at the prosecutor’s office, she
facilitated the Explorer program, creating a mock crime & eliciting the help of defense attorneys,
judges, and police to train kids ages 13-18 to be attorneys, ultimately taking 4 public school kids
from Kansas City, Missouri to the National Explorer Trial Competition in Chicago, winning best
defense attorneys!
During her time away from the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office, Bronwyn was an assistant
attorney for juvenile officer in Jackson County, serving as a trial attorney in the abuse & neglect
unit, and then as trial team leader of the juvenile delinquency unit. She also had a private practice
where she specialized in criminal law as well as dissolution cases.
She has won numerous awards including the American College of Trial Lawyers Medal for
Excellence in Advocacy Lewis F. Powell, Jr. Award, the first Honorable H. Michael Coburn
Community Service Award from Legal Aid of Western Missouri for her work with communities in
establishing diversionary programs for kids, Kansas City, Missouri Police Department Ceremonial
Baton, MACDL Hall of Fame, National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Criminal Defense Attorneys,
Association of Women Law Students’ Tierra Farrow Alumni Award, the Thomas Deacy Award for
Excellence in Trial Advocacy, and was first place regional champion of the National Trial
Competition during her third year of law school at UMKC Law School.
SYDNEY WHEAT
Sydney Wheat is an Analyst with the Family Support Division (FSD) and serves as the MO SAVES grant manager, bringing six years of dedicated experience to her role. Throughout her career with FSD, Sydney has demonstrated a strong commitment to supporting families and strengthening program outcomes through effective analysis, coordination, and leadership.
Before stepping into her current position, Sydney worked as a Supervisor at the FSD Intake Center, where she gained valuable experience in team management, process oversight, and frontline service delivery. Her leadership in that role helped shape her ability to guide teams and foster collaboration in a fast-paced environment.
Sydney’s professional skills include relationship building, telecommuting, managing virtual teams, and enhancing workplace relations. She is recognized for her ability to connect with colleagues, adapt to evolving work environments, and create positive, productive team dynamics.
As both an analyst and grant manager, Sydney combines technical expertise with strong interpersonal skills, making her a valuable contributor to the Family Support Division’s mission and an engaging speaker for professional audiences.
