Columbia College Board of Trustees Chair Anita Abbott Timmons ’58 recently announced the election of five new members to the Board, effective July 1, 2026.
Bob Burchard, Tim Elliott ’01, Susan Hart, Floyd Norrick ’79 and Brian Struchtemeyer will serve four-year terms as Trustees through 2030, guiding the 175-year-old institution into its next chapter of serving modern learners in Columbia and around the country.
There are now 19 Board members with the addition of the new leaders.
“We are honored to welcome these five outstanding individuals to the Board of Trustees and are grateful for their commitment to join us in leading Columbia College forward,” Timmons says. “They will work with the current Trustees to usher in the next 175 years of our institution and our next 100,000 alumni who turn educational opportunity into purposeful life pursuits that impact their local communities, our nation and our world.”
Meet the new members of the Columbia College Board of Trustees:
Bob Burchard served as men’s basketball coach and athletics director at Columbia College from 1988 to 2019. Upon his arrival at the College, Burchard turned the Cougars men’s basketball program into a perennial powerhouse in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. Burchard coached the Cougars for 31 seasons, compiling 788 career victories. The College’s athletic department prospered under his leadership, growing from four sports to 16 during his tenure. Burchard is a member of the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame, the Missouri Basketball Hall of Fame and the NAIA Hall of Fame, among others. He is the only NAIA basketball coach to serve on the National Association of Basketball Coaches Board of Directors. Burchard and his wife, Faye, are members of the Founder’s Circle of the Columbia College President’s Society. Faye served as dean of student affairs at the College for nearly three decades before retiring in 2016. Bob earned his Bachelor of Arts from Catawba College and Master of Arts in Education from East Carolina University.
Tim Elliott ’01 serves as owner and president of Atterberry Auction & Realty Co., a premier auction and realty company headquartered in Columbia. Elliott and his wife, Crystal ’02, have transformed the respected local auction company into a forward-thinking leader in real estate and personal property auctions. Since purchasing the company in 2019, the Elliotts have guided Atterberry through a period of significant growth and innovation – expanding its reach across mid-Missouri and setting new standards for client service, marketing excellence and community impact. Elliott is deeply committed to advancing education and opportunity in the region, and his leadership reflects a balance of business insight, ethical decision-making and civic responsibility. Tim and Crystal are members of the Dorsey Chapel Circle of the Columbia College President’s Society, and their family’s CC legacy runs deep. Crystal’s mother, Linda Peterson, is a two-time graduate of the College, and her father, Jim Peterson, is a familiar face at Cougar home basketball games, where he works the scorer’s table. Tim graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Columbia College.
Susan Hart serves as president of Reinhardt Construction, a leading commercial construction firm serving Central Missouri and beyond. With more than three decades of experience in the construction industry, she has built a reputation for collaborative leadership, operational excellence and a strong commitment to community engagement. Under her leadership, Reinhardt Construction has delivered projects that strengthen communities and support economic growth throughout the region. Hart brings board leadership experience, having served as Chair of the Board of the Columbia Chamber of Commerce and Chair of the Board of Regional Economic Development Inc. (REDI). She currently serves on the Board of Trustees of the Builders’ Association, helping advance workforce development and industry excellence. Hart is a member of the Ivy & Oak Circle of the Columbia College President’s Society and has developed a love for the College through deep community connections. As a first-generation college graduate of Central Methodist University, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Calculus, she brings an authentic understanding of higher education’s transformative impact.
Floyd Norrick ’79 has practiced law for more than 43 years and is a partner with the Thurman Law Firm in Hillsboro, Missouri. He carries with him a strong connection to Columbia College, combined with decades of professional leadership and community service. Throughout his distinguished career, Norrick has represented individuals, businesses, public entities and community organizations across a broad range of legal matters. In addition to his professional accomplishments, he has dedicated countless time to civic, educational, youth and charitable organizations in Jefferson County and the surrounding region. Before completing a law degree at the University of Missouri, Norrick earned a Bachelor of Arts in History and Government from Columbia College, where he was recognized as the outstanding graduate in Government during his senior year. While on campus, he met his future wife, Jan L. Hill ’81, and they were married by Eldon Drennen, the dean of students at that time. Norrick later served as president of the Columbia College Alumni Association from 1987-89. He and Jan reside in Festus, Missouri, and have three children and six grandchildren.
Brian Struchtemeyer is a corporate director, strategic advisor and investment professional with notable experience in governance, financial oversight, mergers & acquisitions, and navigating organizational change. Since 2010, Struchtemeyer has served as managing director of Grey Iris Holdings, overseeing a sizable, diversified portfolio spanning real estate, securities, crypto and direct investments. Earlier in his career, he developed new products in the financial services industry, aligning offerings with evolving market needs and long-term industry trends. He has served on numerous charitable and corporate boards (including roles with AI and biotech startups) where he raised significant funding, guided priced investment rounds, and contributed to finance, audit, executive searches, and facilities/infrastructure committees. Struchtemeyer holds a Bachelor of Science in Engineering and a Master of Business Administration from Vanderbilt University. He is actively involved in education, teaching ACT mathematics to high school students and having served on the board of Columbia Independent School for seven years. Outside of work, he enjoys cooking for his wife, Gwen, and when they are home, their two collegiate sons. For enjoyment, he coaches amateur and professional fighters at Hulett House MMA.
Founded in 1851 in Columbia, Missouri, Columbia College has been helping students advance their lives through higher education for more than 175 years. As a private, nonprofit institution, the College takes pride in its small classes, experienced faculty and quality educational programs. With locations across the country, more than half of which are on military installations, students may enroll in Day, Evening or Online classes. The College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and maintains a network of more than 100,000 alumni worldwide. For more information, visit ccis.edu.
