Larry Forkner appointed as Moss trustee

On Wednesday, the Finis M. Moss Charitable Trust announced the appointment of Larry Forkner as a successor trustee. A lifelong Vernon County resident, Forkner succeeds Donald B. Russell, who resigned on June 30, due to lingering health-related issues.

Lee Gilbert and Bryan C. Breckenridge, trustees, selected Forkner from a pool of qualified candidates because of his professional expertise, educational background, and community involvement.

"Larry brings a depth of knowledge in management to the board that will be very beneficial to lending operations and grant-making decisions," Breckenridge said.

Gilbert agreed. "We needed a Trustee who was both a resident of Vernon County and who was very involved in the life of the community, and I believe we have found that in Larry."

Forkner is an owner of D&F Grain Farms, an agricultural company specializing in the production of corn, wheat, soybeans, pecans, and related products. A 1969 graduate of Metz High School, Forkner earned a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science from the University of Missouri in 1973, and also earned a Master of Science in Animal Nutrition from MU in 1976. He has served on the Nevada R-5 Board of Education for 15 years, the board of directors for Team Bank and the Vernon County Soil and Water Conservation District, in addition to multiple examples of service on church, Vernon county Youth Fair, and Extension Advisory boards. Forkner is married to Marsha Dean Forkner, and they have two daughters, Jennifer Forkner Brown and Jill Forkner Hayes. "I am honored and challenged by this appointment," Forkner said. "I have seen many opportunities be turned into reality in our community by the generosity of the Moss Trust, and it will be a pleasure to serve in this capacity."

"We welcome Larry to the board," Gilbert commented, "and are eager to work with him. At the same time, we will miss Don Russell, who is the last of the three original trustees. Mr. Russell and Finis Moss are the two persons who had the vision to see how communities could benefit and what could be accomplished if a person's estate was organized for charitable purposes and effectively managed. The Trust is Mr. Moss's legacy, but none of it would have been possible without Mr. Russell's guidance and leadership."

The Finis M. Moss Charitable Trust was established on April 1, 1975, by Finis Moss, and since Mr. Moss's death in 1985, the Trust has given well over a million dollars to charitable organizations primarily in Vernon County and the surrounding communities.