Missouri National Guard Names Laura L. Clark Chief Master Sergeant

The Missouri National Guard has selected a new state
command chief master sergeant to serve as the senior enlisted Airman for the
Missouri Air National Guard.

"Chief Master Sgt. Laura L. Clark, of O'Fallon, was selected from a pool of applicants from across the state,"  Maj. Gen. Stephen L. Danner, adjutantgeneral of the Missouri National Guard said in a press release.

"It was a tough decision because of some very well-qualified applicants, but we are confident Chief Master Sgt. Clark will do an outstanding job as our
state command chief," Danner said. "She brings a wealth of experience to the position and a distinguished career in security forces."

Clark, the Missouri Air National Guard's first female state command chief,
has big goals for the position.

"In addition to implementing the adjutant general's strategic plan across the
Missouri Air National Guard, my main goal is to focus on the individual Airman," Clark said in a news release. "We need to focus on areas like health and fitness,
employment, education, recruiting and retention. I want to make sure our Airmen know about the Patriot Center resources available at headquarters to help them in these areas."

Clark is replacing current state command chief, Command Chief Master Sgt. William Phillips. Phillips has served in the position since 2007.

"I'm honored," Clark said. "I'm humbled. I give a lot of credit to the state command chiefs that came before me. I want to carry on their legacy and build on the foundations that they've already created."

Clark received her Bachelor of Science degree in Education at Wayland Baptist University in 1996. She plans to pursue a master of arts in management and leadership at Webster University.

In her civilian career, Clark works in Compliance and Risk Management for cardholder solutions at MasterCard Worldwide in O'Fallon.

She is also very active in her community. She is a member at Sunrise Methodist Church in O'Fallon, and volunteers for numerous organizations
including: Komen Race for the Cure, the Salvation Army's Adopt a Family Program, Operation Food Search, Habitat for Humanity and Standup2cancer.

Clark's awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation
Medal, Air Force Achievement Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Air Force
outstanding Unit Award with Valor Device, three Oak Leaf Clusters; Air Force
Good Conduct Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters; Air Reserve Forces Meritorious
Service Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters; National Defense Service Medal
with one Oak Leaf Cluster; Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal; Global War on
Terrorism Service Medal; Air Force Overseas Short; Air Force Longevity
Service with two Oak Leaf Clusters; and Armed Forces Reserve Medal with one
Oak Leaf Cluster.

Clark is supported in her military career by her mother, Deborah Clark, of O'Fallon, her father, Charles Price, of Omaha, Neb., her son, Dylan, of O'Fallon, and her significant other, Stefan Mundt, of St. Peters.