The Mental Health Board of Trustees Members

Sharon Callahan, Clay County, Treasurer—A Clay County resident since 1959, Sharon has been a real estate broker for 40 years. She served on the National Alliance on Mental Illness Kansas City Board of Directors for 12 years and is a founding board member Tri-County Mental Health Services. Sharon enjoys traveling, dancing, sports and time with family. She considers it a privilege to serve on this Mental Health Board of Trustees, values its impact and sees it as a critical component.

Sandra Ferguson, Platte County, Chair—Sandra earned her law degree from the University of Missouri at Kansas City School of Law. She practices at Ferguson & Ferguson Law, Kansas City.  She is past president of the Clay County Bar Association and a member of the Clay, Platte and Missouri bars. She is past vice chair of the North Kansas City Hospital Board of Trustees and was the City of Parkville Municipal Judge for 25 years. Sandra is a founder of Tri-County Mental Health Services and is a member of Soroptimist International of KC Northland. Sandra has been on the board since it was organized.

Jodi J. Fox, Platte County—Jodi Fox has been a Platte County resident since 2004. A graduate of the University of Tulsa with a Master’s Degree in Industrial/Organizational psychology and a law degree, she is a shareholder at McAnany, Van Cleave & Phillips. Jodi defends Workers Compensation cases. In her free time, she enjoys running and watching her daughters participate in sports activities. She also is a proud Army wife to her husband Jeff, who has served two tours in Iraq.

Joan Patterman Barrett, Clay County—Joan has called the Northland (both Platte and Clay Counties) home since 2004. She has been a high school teacher and school counselor, transitioning to adult education and community organization at many locations during her husband’s 32-year Army career. Most recently, Joan was grant manager for a national non-profit. Behavioral health policy and programs were core elements of her work there. Joan is active in her church and a number of state and local organizations. She is honored to serve the Northland community through this Board.

Joyce Artman-Shaw, Ray County–A lifelong resident of Ray County, Joyce retired after 30 years in education, teaching middle school and high school Social Studies. Currently, she is a manager for Lazarus Ministries KC, which serves hot meals, clothing, and other necessities for those in need. She enjoys traveling, gardening, quilting, and spending time with her family. She is honored to serve my community and believes there is a real and immediate need for mental health services in Ray County.

Ronald C. Thiewes, Clay County, Assistant Treasurer—Ron is a lawyer and certified public accountant, whose practice concentrates on representing taxpayers. He is the former Chairperson of the Professional Ethics Committee of the Missouri Society of CPAs and is the Mentor Coordinator for the Veterans Court of Clay County Circuit Court. He enjoys gardening, fish and game pursuits. "I am so impressed with the stewardship—the due diligence, scrutiny, review and analysis of expenditures—exercised by the Levy Board over the taxpayer’s funds."

Staff: Haley L. Eisler, Board Administrator