Gassmann, Perschall Retain Board Seats, Knes, Park Re-Elected to Lead

The PSRS/PEERS Board of Trustees will continue benefiting from the experience of Allie Gassmann and Amanda Perschall, who have retained their seats after running unopposed in this year’s Board election.

Gassmann’s seat is designated for an active PEERS member, while Perschall’s seat must be held by an active PSRS member.

To run for a Board seat, candidates are required to gather and submit petitions with at least 200 member signatures from at least four of Missouri’s eight Congressional districts, as well as a total of at least 1,000 signatures.

An audit committee reviewed the nominating petitions received and certified to the Board of Trustees the names of the nominated candidates. Because no other candidates submitted certified petitions, Gassmann and Perschall retained their seats without an election. Their new four-year terms will run from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2030.

Leadership Election

In other action taken at the April Board meeting, trustees voted to re-elect Beth Knes as chair and Dr. Eric Park as vice chair for the 2026-2027 school year (July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027).

Knes is a governor-appointed trustee who joined the Board in 2017. She retired from public education in 2014 with more than 20 years of service.

Dr. Park is a governor-appointed trustee who joined the Board in 2021. He is an investment professional with 30 years of experience and is  co-founder of an LPL Financial office in Washington, Missouri.

“Beth and Eric have consistently demonstrated strong commitment and sound judgment in their roles,” said PSRS/PEERS Executive Director Dearld Snider. “Their continued leadership will be invaluable as we work together to support the long-term strength and stability of the Retirement Systems.”