Meet the Commissioners
Presiding Commissioner Marilyn Ruestman
Marilyn Ruestman, a Republican, serves as Presiding Commissioner of Newton County in Southwest Missouri. She was elected for a four-year term in 2010.
Formerly, Ruestman served as a state representative, representing parts of McDonald and Newton counties (District 131 at the time) in the Missouri House of Representatives from 2003-2010.
During her time as a state representative she was elected the Majority (Republican) Caucus Secretary in 2005, 2007 and 2009. She was elected treasurer of the freshman class of the 92nd General Assembly, president of the Women Legislators of Missouri and was appointed to the Missouri Women’s Council.
In addition to her commissioner duties, Rep. Ruestman is co-owner of Ruestman Construction/Real Estate Development Company. The Ruestman family has been in real estate development in the Joplin/Newton County area since 1947. Prior to being elected to the Missouri House she served as district coordinator for U.S. Congressman Mel Hancock from 1989-96 and as district director for Missouri State Senator Marvin Singleton.
Commissioner Ruestman attends Christ’s Community United Methodist Church. She served as the elected Republican state committeewoman for many years. She has also served as president or chairman of the following civic organizations: Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce; Soroptimist International of Joplin; Metro Exchange Club; The Boys and Girls Club of Joplin; and Joplin Federated Republican Women.
A recipient of the Woman of the Year from the Missouri Federated Republican Women, Commissioner Ruestman has also received the following awards: Joplin Tri-State Business Journal’s Most Influential Women of 2009; The 2007 Presidential Choice Award from the Jefferson City Branch NAACP; Missouri Bar Association's Legislator of the Year; Woman of Distinction from Soroptimist International; Missouri State Volunteer Project of the Year; and was a national winner for Students in Free Enterprise competition. She is also a member of Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society.
Marilyn attended Neosho and Noel Schools and has an associate of arts degree, bachelor’s degree, and master’s degree.
Rep. Ruestman lives in rural Newton County with her husband Richard. They have three children: Pam, Peter and Morgan.
Curriculum Vitae
Formerly, Ruestman served as a state representative, representing parts of McDonald and Newton counties (District 131 at the time) in the Missouri House of Representatives from 2003-2010.
During her time as a state representative she was elected the Majority (Republican) Caucus Secretary in 2005, 2007 and 2009. She was elected treasurer of the freshman class of the 92nd General Assembly, president of the Women Legislators of Missouri and was appointed to the Missouri Women’s Council.
In addition to her commissioner duties, Rep. Ruestman is co-owner of Ruestman Construction/Real Estate Development Company. The Ruestman family has been in real estate development in the Joplin/Newton County area since 1947. Prior to being elected to the Missouri House she served as district coordinator for U.S. Congressman Mel Hancock from 1989-96 and as district director for Missouri State Senator Marvin Singleton.
Commissioner Ruestman attends Christ’s Community United Methodist Church. She served as the elected Republican state committeewoman for many years. She has also served as president or chairman of the following civic organizations: Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce; Soroptimist International of Joplin; Metro Exchange Club; The Boys and Girls Club of Joplin; and Joplin Federated Republican Women.
A recipient of the Woman of the Year from the Missouri Federated Republican Women, Commissioner Ruestman has also received the following awards: Joplin Tri-State Business Journal’s Most Influential Women of 2009; The 2007 Presidential Choice Award from the Jefferson City Branch NAACP; Missouri Bar Association's Legislator of the Year; Woman of Distinction from Soroptimist International; Missouri State Volunteer Project of the Year; and was a national winner for Students in Free Enterprise competition. She is also a member of Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society.
Marilyn attended Neosho and Noel Schools and has an associate of arts degree, bachelor’s degree, and master’s degree.
Rep. Ruestman lives in rural Newton County with her husband Richard. They have three children: Pam, Peter and Morgan.
Curriculum Vitae
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 and again in 2016.
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-elect of the Missouri Southern State University Athletic Steering Committee. He is a member of the 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 32 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-elect of the Missouri Southern State University Athletic Steering Committee. He is a member of the 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 32 years. They have two daughters, Breanna and Chelsey.
District 2 Commissioner Jim Jackson
Jim Jackson, a Republican, was elected to the Newton County Commission in 2012.
Jim began his broadcast career in 1977 at KCTE Radio, Southwest City, Missouri.
He joined KTVJ TV-16 in Joplin, July 7, 1980. KTVJ became KSNF in 1982.
Jim served as the station’s main 6 and 10 pm news anchor for more than 30 years. He is a graduate of Missouri Southern State University.
Jim has served as an adjunct instructor of communications for 11 years at Crowder College, Neosho.
Jim is a combat veteran of the Vietnam War, having served in the U.S. Navy in the early 1970s.
Jim lives in Neosho with his wife Susan.
Jim began his broadcast career in 1977 at KCTE Radio, Southwest City, Missouri.
He joined KTVJ TV-16 in Joplin, July 7, 1980. KTVJ became KSNF in 1982.
Jim served as the station’s main 6 and 10 pm news anchor for more than 30 years. He is a graduate of Missouri Southern State University.
Jim has served as an adjunct instructor of communications for 11 years at Crowder College, Neosho.
Jim is a combat veteran of the Vietnam War, having served in the U.S. Navy in the early 1970s.
Jim lives in Neosho with his wife Susan.
