It’s a pleasure for me to share an update about Delta Dental of Missouri’s Board of Directors. At our Annual Meeting of the Board of Directors on November 15, James W. Rhea, DDS, was named as chairman of our Board. He succeeded our former chairman, Robert E. Butler, DDS, who had served on our board since 2014, and as chairman since 2015. At our Annual Membership Meeting, which was held on the same day, the results of our 2019 election of directors were announced, and we welcomed three new directors—Steven L. Harris, CPA and partner at RubinBrown, LLP; John R. Landgraf, Jr., DMD; and Kate E. Tucker, attorney and director of human resources at Legal Services of Eastern Missouri. Each will serve a three-year term.
Dr. Rhea steps into his new role as our board chairman after serving as a Delta Dental of Missouri board member since 2015—and, most recently, as first vice chairman. Dr. Rhea has made significant contributions during his tenure and will continue to help us advance our mission to improve oral health for everyone we serve. And, we’re happy to welcome Mr. Harris, Dr. Landgraf and Ms. Tucker to our diverse team of directors. Our board recruitment process attracted director candidates with outstanding credentials to further strengthen our board. Our new members bring unique perspectives and expertise that will help us meet the evolving needs of all of our stakeholders—our participating dentists, our clients, our brokers, our members and our employees.
Dr. Rhea is a practicing dentist at Brentwood Family Dentistry with more than three decades of experience. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Missouri–Columbia, a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago and a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry. He resides in Warson Woods, Mo.
Mr. Harris is a certified public accountant with more than 20 years of industry experience. He currently serves as partner-in-charge of the Entrepreneurial Services Group at RubinBrown LLP. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from the University of Missouri–St. Louis and a Master of Business Administration degree from Washington University in St. Louis. He resides in Florissant, Mo.
Dr. Landgraf is a practicing dentist with more than four decades of experience, and currently employed at STL Mid-County Dental. He is also a volunteer staff dentist at the Community Health in Partnership Services (CHIPS) Clinic. He earned a Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from the Washington University School of Dental Medicine in St. Louis, where he resides.
Ms. Tucker is a licensed attorney with extensive experience in human resources and employment law. She currently serves as the director of human resources at Legal Services of Eastern Missouri (LSEM). She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Bryn Mawr College in Pennsylvania and a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from the Washington University School of Law in St. Louis. She resides in Clayton, Mo.
Nine public directors serve on our board, along with seven dentist directors, who share valuable insights from the dental care perspective. We thank you for your participation in our board election process—and for your continued partnership, as we work together to help people live better lives through improved dental health.
Best regards,
E. B. Rob Goren
President and CEO
