Meet the Commissioners
Presiding Commissioner Daniel Swem
Daniel Swem, a lifelong Republican, and resident of Newton County, began serving his four-year term as Presiding Commissioner of Newton County in January 2023.
Daniel graduated from the Neosho School District in 1986 and started his own construction company, Swem’s Construction, in 1989, building residential and commercial properties in Jasper and Newton County.
He and his wife were married in 2001 and together built the Stage Stop Campground in 2004. They operated the well-established business for over ten years before selling in 2015. Concurrently, Daniel and his wife invested in and managed rental properties in Southwest Missouri. Their extensive holdings provided housing for scores of families and individuals in Newton and Jasper County before they sold the business in 2020.
Daniel and his wife have two college aged children and are active members of Christ Community Church. They regularly volunteer with the youth activities at the church and Daniel annually works as head cook during the weeklong youth kayak trip.
Daniel graduated from the Neosho School District in 1986 and started his own construction company, Swem’s Construction, in 1989, building residential and commercial properties in Jasper and Newton County.
He and his wife were married in 2001 and together built the Stage Stop Campground in 2004. They operated the well-established business for over ten years before selling in 2015. Concurrently, Daniel and his wife invested in and managed rental properties in Southwest Missouri. Their extensive holdings provided housing for scores of families and individuals in Newton and Jasper County before they sold the business in 2020.
Daniel and his wife have two college aged children and are active members of Christ Community Church. They regularly volunteer with the youth activities at the church and Daniel annually works as head cook during the weeklong youth kayak trip.
District 1 Commissioner Alan Cook
Alan Cook, a Republican, serves as Newton County Commissioner in District 1. He was elected for a four-year term in 2012, 2016, and again in 2020.
He was born in Neosho and has been a lifelong resident of Newton County.
Alan is a graduate of Crowder College, attended MSSU, and then received a bachelors degree in Mathematics from Oklahoma Christian University.
He was employed by Leggett & Platt for 23 years in the Computer Information Technology department, serving as Staff Vice President – Head of Development, supervising as many as 65 programmers, and was responsible for all related budgeting. In that position he served as Project Manager for several multi-million dollar projects; and was involved in long range planning, disaster recovery, financial compliance regulations, and software installations.
He worked at EFCO, a Pella Company for over 4 years as a Business Partner in the Human Resources department. His responsibilities included managing employee relations for over 1200 employees, recruiting, designing and implementing a customer service Call Center, and conducting management level training courses.
Alan has also been very active in the community. He currently serves as Secretary of the Southwest Missouri Association of County Commissioners. He is President of the Missouri Southern State University Athletic Steering Committee. He is a member of the Carthage Church of Christ. He has served as President of the East Newton Schools Board of Education, as Chairman of the East Newton Schools Charitable Foundation, as President of Neosho Christian Schools Board of Trustees, as Chairman of the Newton County Extension Council, and Treasurer of Monark Springs Park Board.
Alan and his wife, M’lle, have been married for 34 years. They have two daughters, Breanna and Chelsey.
He was born in Neosho and has been a lifelong resident of Newton County.
Alan is a graduate of Crowder College, attended MSSU, and then received a bachelors degree in Mathematics from Oklahoma Christian University.
He was employed by Leggett & Platt for 23 years in the Computer Information Technology department, serving as Staff Vice President – Head of Development, supervising as many as 65 programmers, and was responsible for all related budgeting. In that position he served as Project Manager for several multi-million dollar projects; and was involved in long range planning, disaster recovery, financial compliance regulations, and software installations.
He worked at EFCO, a Pella Company for over 4 years as a Business Partner in the Human Resources department. His responsibilities included managing employee relations for over 1200 employees, recruiting, designing and implementing a customer service Call Center, and conducting management level training courses.
Alan has also been very active in the community. He currently serves as Secretary of the Southwest Missouri Association of County Commissioners. He is President of the Missouri Southern State University Athletic Steering Committee. He is a member of the Carthage Church of Christ. He has served as President of the East Newton Schools Board of Education, as Chairman of the East Newton Schools Charitable Foundation, as President of Neosho Christian Schools Board of Trustees, as Chairman of the Newton County Extension Council, and Treasurer of Monark Springs Park Board.
Alan and his wife, M’lle, have been married for 34 years. They have two daughters, Breanna and Chelsey.
District 2 Commissioner David osborn
David Osborn, a Republican, serves as Newton County Commissioner in District 2. He was elected for a four year term in 2020.
He was born in Joplin and has been a lifelong resident of Newton County.
David graduated from Neosho High School and attended Crowder College. He enlisted in the 203rd Army National Guard in December of 1989 and he has served for 25 years.
David worked in the construction industry for 14 years doing residential and commercial projects.
David has owned and operated his own business since 2003 in the health and nutrition industry, that has now generated over 2,000,000 servings of nourishment to over 71,500 children in need.
David's Military accomplishments. 1998, Joint Service Achievement Medal, for Joint Task Force Alaskan Rd. David served as a technical expert in rock drilling and explosives on the Walden Point Road Project Annette Island Alaska. Training all Branch of the US Miltary in Drilling and Blasting Operations.
2001, David returned to Alaska on the Walden Point Road Project receiving the Army Achievement Medal, for his expertise in explosives and blasting during installation of a 42 meter arch culvert. Finishing the project ahead of schedule.
2012, David was awarded The Army Achievement Medal, during Exercise beyond the Horizon, Guatemala. For professionalism construction expertise, superior knowledge, and mechanical skills ultimately improved quality of life for the cubilguitz local populous.
2014, David was deployed to Afghanistan. He received the Army Commendation Medal, Combat Action Badge, and non Artile 5 Nato Medal, for meritorious service while assigned as a construction equipment operator and Safety NCO in support of operations Enduring Freedom. David's dedication to duty and selfless service enhanced operational support and insured mission accomplishments during the units support of combat operations in Afghanistan. His actions are in keeping with the finest traditions of military service and reflect distinct credit upon himself the 276th Engineer company, the 315th Engineer Battalion, the 45th Sustainmeent Brigade and the United States Army.
David is very active in the community. He sets on Environmental Task Force Council, Economic Security Board, Clean Air Commission, MU Extension Council, Transportation Advisory Committee.
One of David's most recent accomplishments during the first 40 days of office was to introduce, The Newton County Missouri Second Amendment Preservation Act. Safety Ordinance.
David and his wife Kelli have been married for 29 years. They have 2 sons Drew and Lane.
He was born in Joplin and has been a lifelong resident of Newton County.
David graduated from Neosho High School and attended Crowder College. He enlisted in the 203rd Army National Guard in December of 1989 and he has served for 25 years.
David worked in the construction industry for 14 years doing residential and commercial projects.
David has owned and operated his own business since 2003 in the health and nutrition industry, that has now generated over 2,000,000 servings of nourishment to over 71,500 children in need.
David's Military accomplishments. 1998, Joint Service Achievement Medal, for Joint Task Force Alaskan Rd. David served as a technical expert in rock drilling and explosives on the Walden Point Road Project Annette Island Alaska. Training all Branch of the US Miltary in Drilling and Blasting Operations.
2001, David returned to Alaska on the Walden Point Road Project receiving the Army Achievement Medal, for his expertise in explosives and blasting during installation of a 42 meter arch culvert. Finishing the project ahead of schedule.
2012, David was awarded The Army Achievement Medal, during Exercise beyond the Horizon, Guatemala. For professionalism construction expertise, superior knowledge, and mechanical skills ultimately improved quality of life for the cubilguitz local populous.
2014, David was deployed to Afghanistan. He received the Army Commendation Medal, Combat Action Badge, and non Artile 5 Nato Medal, for meritorious service while assigned as a construction equipment operator and Safety NCO in support of operations Enduring Freedom. David's dedication to duty and selfless service enhanced operational support and insured mission accomplishments during the units support of combat operations in Afghanistan. His actions are in keeping with the finest traditions of military service and reflect distinct credit upon himself the 276th Engineer company, the 315th Engineer Battalion, the 45th Sustainmeent Brigade and the United States Army.
David is very active in the community. He sets on Environmental Task Force Council, Economic Security Board, Clean Air Commission, MU Extension Council, Transportation Advisory Committee.
One of David's most recent accomplishments during the first 40 days of office was to introduce, The Newton County Missouri Second Amendment Preservation Act. Safety Ordinance.
David and his wife Kelli have been married for 29 years. They have 2 sons Drew and Lane.
