About NCMDA

NCMDA is a 501-C-6 not-for-profit organization that is a county wide effort and offers a highly confidential – no cost service that works to recruit business, help existing companies expand, and empower community vitality. NCMDA is able to do this by the generous support of local investors, the City of Trenton and Grundy County.

Our public/private partnership approach to economic development is a team effort; which means listening to business, identifying needs, matching resources and following through to encourage investment, job creation and innovative business development.

NCMDA is backed by a nine member Board of Directors and resource partners from local, state and federal agencies. Working collaboratively and cooperatively, NCMDA creates a support network with tools to encourage business success. Each response and service to our businesses and community is tailored to the business and industry need.

Our Mission

To foster economic growth and development for the purpose of enhancing the quality of life in the North Central Missouri region.

NCMDA Staff & Board

Dr. Lenny Klaver, Treasurer

Dr. Lenny Klaver began serving as President of North Central Missouri College in May of 2016. Klaver earned his doctorate in Educational Administration from the University of Northern Colorado in 1994. In his first year and one-half at NCMC, he led the development of “Plan 2020”, a comprehensive strategic plan which centers on initiatives of Academic Excellence, Student Success, Enrollment Growth, Campus & Community, and development of a Culture of Responsibility. Upon implementation in the spring of 2017, four new academic programs and a stackable agriculture certificate program have begun, athletics has seen the addition of men’s and women’s golf, and enrollment has increased 11.5%. Scholarships have also increased during this time period. Dr. Klaver has also instituted a Shared Governance Council, Faculty Forum series, and recently started the President’s Community Council.

In addition to receiving his doctorate from the University of Northern Colorado, he was awarded the prestigious Graduate Dean’s Citation for Excellence for his dissertation on “Transformative Leadership”. He holds both Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Education from Wayne State College, and received the Outstanding Alumnus Award from the School of Natural and Social Sciences in 2007. His initial college degree was an Associate of Arts from Iowa Central Community College.

Klaver is a Trustee on the Wayne State Foundation Board, member of the Heartland Foundation (St. Joseph, MO), the Executive Committee and Treasurer of the North Central Missouri Development Alliance, Trenton Chamber of Commerce Board, Rotary Club of Trenton (Current President), NJCAA Presidents Council, a round-table member of the Northwest Missouri Business Facilitation Group, and Elder of Hodge Presbyterian Church (Trenton).

Scott Wilson, Director

Lifelong resident of Grundy County. Graduate of Trenton High School. BS in Business Administration/Finance from Truman State University. General Manager of Grundy Electric Cooperative and Mid-States Services since 2000. Currently serve on NCMC Foundation Board (Vice-President), Grundy County IDC and IDA Boards and GEC Foundation Board. Former NCMC Board member and Wright Memorial Hospital Board member.

Jackie Soptic, Director

Jackie Soptic has twenty-nine years of experience with a variety of rural community, workforce, and economic development programs and initiatives.

Included in her role at the Green Hills Regional Planning Commission is overseeing the functions and operations of the Economic Development Department, which includes assisting small businesses and prospective loan customers inquiring about the agencies revolving loan funds. She has received numerous hours of professional training in the areas of rural economic/community development, strategic planning, and professional writing/grant writing.

Her professional affiliations include: Board Member of North Central Missouri Development Alliance, Board Member Trenton Area Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Northwest Missouri Board member, Missouri Economic Development Council Member, Northwest Roundtable of Economic Developers, and member of the Trenton Rotary Club.

Jackie has been involved in public service and volunteer work for over 40 years. Her service includes: elected to serve 3 terms on the Trenton City Council, Boy and Girl Scout Leader, PTO, Bright Futures Volunteer, American Cancer Society, National Heart Association, and United Way volunteer.

She is a proud graduate of North Central Missouri College, Heartland Basic Economic Development Training, and from Leadership Northwest Missouri. She resides in Trenton with her husband Warren who is a professional Locksmith and they co-own ASAP Locksmith. They are the parents of two married children and they have two grandsons.

Cathie Smith, Vice President

Cathie’s college career began with an AA Degree from NCMC, continued when she obtained my BSE in social studies from Truman State University and Masters in History from Northwest Missouri State University. Cathie served as Chief Deputy Juvenile Officer for the Third Judicial Circuit for 19 years and Chief Juvenile Officer for 10 1/2 years. Following retirement she served as founding director of the North Central Missouri Children’s Advocacy Center for five years, served on the Trenton R-IX School Board for 10 years part of those 10 years as Board President. Cathie served for four years as Mayor of Trenton, Missouri.

Cathie has served on on several community boards and some state boards through the years. Some of which include: the State CAN (Child Abuse and Neglect) Board for 16 years (appointed by 4 separate Governors) Green Hills Women’ Shelter Board (as a member and board president), TDIA Board, Church Women United Thrift Shop Board, Catholic Women’s Altar Society, The North Central Development Alliance Board and the Grundy County Public Housing Board. She is also a member of the Friends of the Grundy County Jewett Norris Library Board and the Doras Richardson Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and is the clerk for the Trenton Trap Shooting League, and former member of Missouri Juvenile Officers Association and State Missouri Juvenile Justice Association.

Cathie was selected as a Distinguished Class of Alumni in 2009 from North Central Missouri College and the Trenton Chamber of Commerce “Pillar of the Community Award in 2018.

Phillip Hoffman, Director

Education: Trenton High School, Trenton Junior College, University of Missouri – BS and MS in Agronomy

Business: Hoffman & Reed, Inc. 1974-2014, GFG Agservices 2014-2017, Family Farm Partnership 1976-present

Activities: Elder-Hodge Presbyterian Church, Trenton Area Chamber of Commerce-President 1974, NCM Fair Association-President 1980, MO-Ag Industries Council-President 1993, MU Thompson Research Center Advisory Committee, MU Ag Alumni, TMU Board of Public Works 1996-2012, US Bank Advisory Board, Director Bert & Rose Hoover Foundation Grundy County Museum Board, Trenton Downtown Improvement Association Board and North Central Missouri Development Alliance.

Travis Elbert, Director

Bio Coming Soon

Phillip Ray, Director

Phillip Ray is a graduate of Missouri Western State University where he studied Music, Spanish, and Philosophy. He and his wife Taya along with their children Caleb and Brooklynn reside near Trenton on their multigenerational family farm established in 1843. Phillip and his brother Matt are partners in a diversified farming operation producing corn, soybeans, beef cattle, and forage.

Phillip serves as the Presiding Commissioner of Grundy County and is very active in the community. Phillip also serves as a member of the Community Foundation of Northwest Missouri board, North Central Missouri College President’s Community Council, the Foundation Trust for Trenton High School, Missouri Day Marching Festival Committee, Cat Creek Cemetery Board, Art’s Alive, and is a site council member for Bright Futures.

We would like to recognize the following organizations, companies, and individuals who serve as our sponsors:

Dr. Lenny Klaver, Farmers State Bank, Grundy Electric Cooperative, City of Trenton, Trenton Municipal Utilities, Trenton Downtown Improvement Association, Trenton Area Chamber of Commerce, Church Women United, Grundy County, Grundy County Industrial Development, Cathie Smith, Phil Hoffman, Cox Family Dentistry, Barb Spencer, Wright Memorial Hospital, Professional Leaders United in Grundy County, and Hoffman Acres-Chris Hoffman.