Mills named 'successor trustee' at Moss Trust

Don Mills has been appointed as successor trustee of the Finis M. Moss Charitable Trust by Bryan Breckenridge and Larry Forkner, current co-trustees. Mills succeeds Lee Gilbert, whose unexpected death created a vacancy on the board.

Breckenridge and Forkner selected Mills from a pool of qualified candidates because of his professional expertise in farming and finance and his long record of success in endeavors he undertakes. "Don's experience as a board member of MFA, Inc., and his work on its retirement plan combined with his expertise in funds' management make him an ideal candidate to serve as a Moss Trustee," Breckenridge said.

Forkner added: "Don has demonstrated a talent for being successful at the highest levels of organizations in his past and present responsibilities. He brings with him experience and a knowledge base that will benefit the Trust."

Mills is chairman of the board of directors of MFA, Inc. He has served on that board since 2006 and has been chairman since 2010. He was the president and genera manager of Producer's Grain Company, 1997-2005. He also serves on the board of directors of Heritage State Bank, the Missouri Citizens' Commission on Compensation for Elected Officials, and the MFA, Inc. retirement plan. Mills also is a member of the Missouri Cattlemen's Association.

"I am honored," Mills said, "to be selected as trustee of such a vital and wonderful part of our community. I look forward to joining Bryan and Larry and to continuing the tradition of the Finis Moss Charitable Trust."

Mills holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science from Louisiana State University. He and his wife, Jamie, own and operate a 700-acre beef cattle farm. They are the parents of two children and the grandparents of four.

"We look forward to working with Don and having a full board once again," Breckenridge stated. "Mr. Gilbert's place on the Trust was a difficult one to fill. He was the last trustee to be selected personally by Finis Moss, and his financial management is largely responsible for the growth of the Trust. Larry and I vetted candidates until we felt confident we had selected someone who would bring those same skills to the board."

Gilbert was appointed as a trustee on March 21, 1984, by Finis M. Moss and Donald B. Russell and served until his death on Oct. 6, 2011. Mills will assume his duties as trustee immediately.

The Finis M. Moss Charitable Trust was established on April 1, 1975, by Finis Moss, and since Moss's death in 1985, the Trust has given considerably more than $1 million to charitable organizations, primarily in Vernon and the surrounding communities.