CAPE MAN NAMED TO STATE CONSERVATION PANEL

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- After serving in state government under three governors dating back to the 1960s, Stephen Bradford is back in an official role under a fourth chief executive.

Gov. Bob Holden on Tuesday named Bradford to the Missouri Conservation Commission, the independent governing body of the Department of Conservation.

Bradford, 55, is executive vice president and one of four co-owners of The Pyramid Group Inc., a Cape Girardeau-based home-care company. He formerly headed the Office of Administration, one of 16 departments of Missouri's executive branch.

Bradford is a longtime member of the Conservation Federation of Missouri, a private advocacy group for conservation issues. With his appointment, Bradford said he has finally achieved a long-standing personal goal.

"It is an effort I have been making since the late '70s to be a part of the commission," Bradford said. "I'm an avid outdoorsman, and my background in rural Missouri will do much to bring attention to Southeast Missouri and the Bootheel that we need."

The last Southeast Missourian to serve on the commission was Jerry P. Combs of Kennett, who left the panel in 1995.

With only four conservation commissioners, having one from Southeast Missouri will be a boon for the region, Bradford said. He plans to meet with individuals and organizations throughout the area to determine what issues are important to the region.

The commission must include two Democrats and two Republicans. Both Bradford and Cynthia Metcalfe of St. Louis, whom Holden also named Tuesday, were appointed as Democrats. Metcalfe, 60, is a freelance writer and former University City Council member.

The appointments, to six-year terms, are subject to confirmation by the GOP-controlled Senate. However, with the Senate in recess Bradford and Metcalfe began serving immediately.

Senate President Pro Tem Peter Kinder, R-Cape Girardeau, said the nominees will be considered either when the Legislature begins its next regular session in January or during a special session next month if Holden authorizes the Senate to do so.

Kinder said Bradford is a good choice for the post.

"I look forward to supporting his nomination," Kinder said.

Though a Democratic commissioner, Bradford has a strong bipartisan history.

"I've had the luxury of working for both parties and have very, very close friends in both parties," Bradford said. "I've enjoyed that over the years."

Bradford was born at Cape Girardeau but grew up in Hayti, Mo. He returned to Cape Girardeau after leaving state government.

He holds both bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Mississippi at Oxford. He is unmarried and has a 29-year-old son, Cale Bradford of Cape Girardeau.