3 from Cape Girardeau, 2 from Sikeston tapped for Gov.-elect Nixon's transition team

Three people from Cape Girardeau and two from Sikeston have been tapped by Gov.-elect Jay Nixon to help recruit workers for the Nixon administration, according to a news release from Nixon's spokesperson Sam Murphey.

These people will "will help recruit potential members of Gov.-elect Nixon's administration in their home communities," the news release states. Overall, Nixon assembled a group of more than 100 advisers and supporters from across the state to do the recruiting job in their communities. Nixon met with what he is calling Citizen Transition Advisers on Thursday in Jefferson City.

Included in the list are Cape Girardeau residents Rebecca M. Cook, former Missouri secretary of state; former state representative Jerry Ford and lawyer Mike Ponder.

Marvin Proffer, a former Cape Girardeau resident and former lobbyist for Southeast Missouri State University is also part of the team. Proffer now lives in Oakville, Mo.

Former state representative Tony Heckemeyer and Betty Heckemeyer of Sikeston will also be part of the team.

Other Southeast Missouri residents on the advisory team are:

• Barry Aycock, businessman, Parma
• Ron Bockenkamp, former State Representative, Farmington
• Art Cole, retiree, Poplar Bluff
• Emily Firebaugh, forester, Farmington
• Tony Heckemeyer, former State Representative, Sikeston
• Betty Heckemeyer, retiree, Sikeston
• Lance Mayfield, insurance agent, Viburnum
• Gene Oakley, county commissioner, Van Buren
• C. H. Parsons, attorney, Dexter
• Steve Vaughn, disability advocate, Viburnum
• Becky York, county clerk, Doniphan