Meet the Team
Brian Millner, PhD
Brian Millner is President and CEO of the Missouri Community College Association (MCCA), a position he has held since 2017. With more than a decade of experience in higher education, public policy, and government relations, he leads statewide advocacy and strategic initiatives on behalf of Missouri’s community colleges. Prior to joining MCCA, Brian served as Chief of Staff at the University of Missouri–Columbia, Legislative Director for the Missouri Department of Economic Development, and represented MCCA at the Missouri Capitol as a legislative consultant with John Bardgett & Associates. He holds a master’s degree in Public Affairs from the Truman School of Government and Public Affairs at the University of Missouri and a PhD in Higher Education from Texas Tech University. Brian lives in Columbia, Missouri, with his wife and three daughters.
Laura Kliethermes
Laura serves as Director of Grants Administration for the Missouri Community College Association, bringing more than 32 years of Missouri state government experience to her role. With extensive expertise in federal grants administration, compliance, financial oversight, and project management, she has overseen hundreds of federal grants. Laura enjoys building strong partnerships and helping complex grant initiatives succeed. She is proud to call Jefferson City, Missouri, home.
Cliff Judy
Cliff joined MCCA in July 2021 from Newsy with more than 15 years of experience in journalism. For eight years, Cliff led a variety of teams, product launches and initiatives while Newsy grew exponentially in size and reach. Prior to Newsy, Cliff worked as an anchor and reporter in Wichita and Kansas City. Cliff is a graduate of the University of Missouri School of Journalism and currently lives in Columbia with his wife, three children and their dog. Cliff and his wife are also the owners of MyTurn, a small apparel company promoting images of girls working in STEM, agriculture and other fields in which women are vastly underrepresented.
Lexi Chilton
Lexi joined MCCA in August 2022 with a passion for helping make the community colleges of Missouri the best they can be. Lexi is a graduate of Helias Catholic High School and Ozarks Technical Community College. She is currently working on her Bachelor degree in Business Management. She currently lives in Jefferson City with her husband Collin and miniature dachshund Rosie.