Founding OTC Board of Trustees member steps down

Founding member and current treasurer of the Ozarks Technical Community College Board of Trustees Don Clinkenbeard has resigned from the Board, citing ongoing health problems.  Clinkenbeard’s resignation was submitted and accepted at the meeting of the Board held Tuesday, October 11.

“As with all of our founding trustees, Mr. Clinkenbeard has been named a Trustee Emeritus,” said Dr. Hal Higdon, chancellor of Ozarks Technical Community College.  “Mr. Clinkenbeard has played a significant role in the development of OTC.  We appreciate all that he has contributed to the College and to our community over the years, and we wish him the best as he turns his focus toward his health.”

A registered professional engineer with degrees from University of Tulsa and University of Missouri-Rolla, Clinkenbeard retired from Dayco Products (now Carlisle Power Transmission) after 30 years as a product laboratories manager.  He holds two U.S. Patents, and has worked with companies in Japan, Denmark, Mexico, and West Germany to develop products.  He served as the Missouri State Chair for the Central Region of the Association of Community College Trustees, in the Missouri Professional Engineers Society, and the Inventor’s Club with Dayco Products, Inc.  Clinkenbeard served as president of the OTC Board of Trustees from 1998-2000.  

Greg DeLong, a financial advisor and part owner of Edward Jones Investments in Springfield, will step in to complete Clinkenbeard’s term on the Board, which will expire in April of 2012.  Originally from Jefferson City, Mo., DeLong has a Bachelor of Arts from Westminster College and an MBA from the University of Missouri.  He has served on the Board of Directors for the OTC Foundation since May of 2010.  He also serves on the Community Foundation of the Ozarks Investment Advisory Board.

Jeff Layman, who was elected to the Board of Trustees in April of 2010, will assume Clinkenbeard’s position as treasurer of the Board.  A graduate of Missouri State University, Layman is a senior vice president and wealth advisor at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney in Springfield.  He also serves on the board of Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Ozarks and volunteers for the Developmental Center of the Ozarks.