Lowell C. Kruse currently serves as CBHE Chair. Kruse was nominated to the CBHE by Governor Holden on January 3, 2003. He was reappointed by Governor Nixon on February 25, 2009. Kruse has recently retired as President and Chief Executive Officer of Heartland Health in St. Joseph Missouri, a position he held for 25 years. He currently serves as Senior Fellow - Healthy Communities for Heartland Foundation. In addition, he serves on the Board of Directors for the Excellence in Missouri Foundation and co-chairs the Missouri Family and Community Trust Board of Directors. Kruse earned a bachelor's degree from Augustana College in Sioux Falls, South Dakota and a master's degree from the University of Minnesota.