Marilyn Ruestman
2019 Annie Baxter Award Recipient
  • Home
  • Bio
  • Photos
  • Updates

Curriculum Vitae


Personal
Husband, Richard, and three children: Pam, Peter and Morgan.  Four grandchildren: Zoe, Ashleigh, Bailey and Ben.

Employment
2010- 2018             Presiding Commissioner, Newton County
2003-2010              Missouri State Representative, 131st District

1998-present           Vice President, Ruestman Development Company
1997                       District Administrator, Missouri State Senator Marvin Singleton
1989-1997              Field Coordinator, United States Congressman Mel Hancock
1979-1989              Broker/Owner, Ruestman Realty
1972-1979              Owner/President, Medical and Merchants Professional Services

Education
Master of Science       Pittsburg State University
Bachelor of Science    Missouri Southern State University
Associate of Arts        Joplin Junior College

Memberships
Christ Community United Methodist Church
Neosho Area and Joplin Area Chambers of Commerce
Missouri Federation of Republican Women
National Federation of Republican Women
National Republican Party
National Rifle Association
Newton County Republican Women
Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society
Soroptimist International

Interests
Fishing, politics and time with family

Civic Accomplishments

Awards
​2019            Annie Baxter Award Recipient                Missouri Southern State University
2010            Distinguished Alumni                             McDonald County R-1 School District
2009            Ten Most Influential Women                   Joplin Tri-State Business Journal
2009            John Walsh Award/Katie's Heroes           NCSL Convention/DNA SAVES
2007            Presidential Award                                 Missouri NAACP
2003            Legislator of the Year                             Missouri Bar Association
2003            Outstanding Alumni                               Missouri Southern State University
1999            Woman of the Year                                 Missouri Federated Republican Women
1997            Woman of Distinction                             Soroptimist International
1990-1996   Special Selection - Biographee                United States Congressional Staff
1st Place       Missouri Volunteer Project of the Year for Camp Soroptimist
                                                                                  State of Missouri
2nd Place      National Competition for Student Project           Students in Free Enterprise

                     Alumni of the Year                                Missouri Southern State University

Positions Held
2019-present   Newton County Mental Health Board   Member​
2003-2010      Missouri Women's Council                   Board of Directors
2000-present   Missouri Area Agency on Aging           Advisory Board and Board of Directors
1996-2002      Missouri State Republican Committee  State Committee Woman
1999-2000      Joplin Federate Republican Women      President
                       (member of Board 1992-1998)
1996-1997      Women's Club of America                    Vice President
                       (member of Board of Directors 1990-1998)
1991-1992      Ozark Center, Board of Directors         Vice President
1990-1991      Boys and Girls Club of Joplin                President (first woman)
                       1989-1990   Vice President
                       1988-1989   Treasurer
                       1987-1991   Secretary
1989-1990      Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce
​                            Board of Directors                          Chairperson (first woman)
                       1987-1988  Organizational Development Division      Vice Chairman
                       1986-1987  Board of Directors
1988-1989      Metro Exchange Club
                            Board of Directors                          President (first woman)
                       1987-1988  Vice President
1983-1988      Missouri Southern State University Alumni Association Board of Directors
1984-1985      Soroptimist International of Joplin       President
1979               English Setter Association
                            Annual Hardback                            Managing Editor

Political/Public Service Accomplishments

Offices Held
Presiding Commissioner, Newton County                   Elected in 2010 and 2014
Missouri State Representative, 131st District              Elected in 2002, 2004, 2006 and 2008
Majority Caucus Secretary                                          Elected in 2004, 2006 and 2008
President, Women Legislators of Missouri                  Elected 2003-2005
Treasurer, Missouri House of Representatives Freshman Class       Elected 2003-2005

Legislative Committee Memberships
Conservation & Natural Resources             2009-2010        Vice-Chairman, 2009-2010
Policy Development                                   2008-2010
Rural Community Development                  2007-2010 
Senior Citizen Advocacy                             2007-2010       Vice-Chairman, 2005-2006      
Professional Registration & Licensing         2003-2010       Vice-Chairman, 2007-2008
Judiciary                                                    2003-2006
Homeland Security & Veterans Affairs        2003-2004
Joint Committee on Terroris, Bioterrorism & Homeland Security          2003-2004
Interim Committee on Job Creation & Economic Development             2003
Interim Committee on Water Quality Issues                                         2003

Legislation Passed
House Bill 75            Allotment of second set of "Silver Star" license plates
House Bill 155          Albert Brumley Memorial Highway
Senate Bill 38           Carver Prairie Drive Designation (by amendment)
Senate Bill 233         Congressman Mel Hancock Freeway Designation (by amendment)
Senate Bill 280         Cosmetology Board Changes (by amendment)
Senate Bill 749         Interior Design Professional Registration Changes (by amendment)
House Bill 62           George Washington Carver State Building Designation
House Bill 60           Defensive Use of Force - "Castle Doctrine"
House Bill 1341       Pool Safety and Insurance Requirements - "Ethan's Law"
House Bill 152         DNA Profiling Upon Arrest - "Katie's Law"
House Bill 154         Emergency Placement of Grandchildren with Grandparents
House Bill 919         Insurance Group Rates for Sole-Proprietors and Self-Employed
Senate Bill 435        Case Management Contracting for Developmental Disabilities
© 2018 All information, content and images on ruestman.com are copyright of Citizens for Ruestman. Paid for by Citizens for Ruestman, Jonathan Russell, Treasurer. All Rights Reserved 2018.
Designed and Maintained by Red Tusk Media, LLC.