Ronald McDonald House announces 2026 Board of Directors

The Ronald McDonald House Charities of Mid-Missouri announced its 2026 board of directors officers and welcomed two new members to the board.

Brian Burks, vice president of Columbia operations at Emery Sapp & Sons, and Robin Wenneker, emeritus chair of the University of Missouri Board of Curators, will join the 22-member board this year.

“Our board members play an important role in helping us serve families with a child in medical crisis,” Terri Gray, the Ronald McDonald House of Mid-Missouri executive director, said in a news release.

Burks has been an active community member, involved with local engineering, career and cancer research, charities and organizations.

Wenneker has served on numerous boards with the University of Missouri and in the Columbia community, including the Mizzou Alumni Association board and the Columbia Housing Authority board. Former Gov. Parson appointed Wenneker to the University of Missouri Board of Curators in 2020, where she served for five years.

The Ronald McDonald House also announced the newly appointed officers of the board, including Lindsey Jones, board president.

Additionally, Brad Roling of Mid America Bank will serve as vice president, Mel Zelenak of Maly Commercial Realty, Inc. will serve as treasurer and Jacob Rowe of JTR Holdings, LLC will serve as secretary.

Tom Schwarz, of Veterans United Insurance, the previous board president of mid-Missouri’s Ronald McDonald House, will also return to the board as a member.

“We are thrilled with our new and returning board members and appreciate their support of our mission,” Gray said.