IRELAND CHAIRS STATE DISABILITIES AGENCY

JACKSON - Charles M. Ireland of Jackson has been elected chairman of the board of directors of Missouri Protection and Advocacy Services. He is a professor at Southeast Missouri State University.

Protection and Advocacy Services is a private, not-for-profit agency mandated under three federal laws to protect and advocate the legal rights of Missourians with disabilities.

The agency is headquartered in Jefferson City with zone offices in Kansas City and St. Louis, and a special education outreach office in St. Charles. The election of officers came during a regular bi-monthly meeting Sept. 18-19 in Jefferson City.

Other officers elected included: Jim R. Bruce of Kennett as vice chairman, and Thomas J. Downey of Jefferson City as secretary-treasury.

Board members serve three-year terms, and are eligible to serve two consecutive terms. Officers are elected for one-year terms and may serve two consecutive terms.