KIRKSVILLE, MO -- Truman State University Board of Governors will have a new board member.

Governor Jay Nixon appointed Michael LaBeth of Kirksville.

LaBeth has been a broker and realtor with Heritage House Realty since 2004, and is excited to be working with the board.

"I definitely hope I can contribute to Kirksville and Truman State, they both work hand in hand together," said LaBeth. "So when one does better then that's going to help the other one out. I've lived here for 14 years and I love Kirksville and love everything about it. So hopefully I can play on that and just continue to help Kirksville out."

The board is the highest policy-making body of the university.

LaBeth previously served as president and vice president of the Kirksville Chamber of Commerce and as a board member of Kirksville Regional Economic Development Inc. He's also been active as a youth sports teams coach.

LaBeth will take his first seat on the board February 9th, upon the Senate's approval. 

The Governor appointed him for a term ending January 1, 2019.