Democrat Schwaller vows to protect clients

Jean Schwaller
Jean Schwaller

Jean Schwaller, the lone Democrat running for Cole County public administrator, said she decided to run for the position to continue the work of Marilyn Schmutzler, who has been in the position for 17 years.

Jean Schwaller

Schwaller is an avid gardener. She has also been active in the Jefferson City Host Lions Club, Capital Garden Club, Bittersweet Garden Club and the Federated Garden Clubs of Missouri. She was an elected member of the University of Missouri Extension-Cole County Council.

"From the standpoint of what Marilyn has done, she has developed an extremely good rapport with all types of agencies and groups across Cole County, basically to benefit the people who receive her services, and that includes the law enforcement, medical and social services communities, and health care industries," Schwaller said.

Without working in the office, Schwaller said, there's nothing about it she would change at the moment.

Endorsed by Schmutzler, Schwaller said she has the desire to care for the clients in the public administrator's care. Her compassion, integrity and willingness to help others, she said, makes her right for the job.

"The clients' needs will come first, and I'll protect their financial integrity," she said.

Caring for her late mother and late husband exposed Schwaller to all that's required for someone in poor mental or physical health. She said those caretaking experiences opened her eyes.

Schwaller has a financial background and 25 years of experience operating her agriculture consulting business, International Consulting and Business Training. She's facilitated programming in 45 third world countries to develop the agricultural community.

In Uzbekistan, she collaborated with economic faculty to change the curriculum from a central planning system to a free-market economy.

Before establishing her consulting business, Schwaller worked for Missouri State Technical College and Lincoln University as the director of a "welfare to work" pilot project for 19 Central Missouri counties.

Main article:

Candidates focus on role of public administrator in Cole County

Other candidate profiles for this race:

Kuensting stresses listening, accessibility

Chaney eyes job that truly helps people

Combs stresses clients' independence