Culver-Stockton names Turner chairman, adds three trustees

CANTON, Mo. — The Culver-Stockton College Board of Trustees elected H.B. Turner to serve as chairman of the board effective July 1. He will lead a board of 31 trustees, three of whom were newly elected.

Turner succeeds Ronald W. Leftwich after 33 years of service to the Board of Trustees, including 14 years as the board chair. Turner previously served the board as treasurer and accepted the nomination for chairman in October when Leftwich announced his retirement.

In a press release, Turner said, “As an alumnus and board member, it is my distinct privilege to lead this institution into the future. Through Ron’s vigilance, we have carefully selected the right president for Culver-Stockton College for each season. I am confident that as we look forward to our 175th anniversary celebration in five years, the college will be able to show continued growth and distinction as a residential college, as well as in substantial online and graduate programs. As a leader in experiential learning innovation, we look forward to continuing the mission of preparing students of promise for a successful future, as noted by our recognition as the best college or university in Missouri to get a job.”

Turner has served on the board since 2004 and regularly volunteers by connecting students with alumni for internships, speaking in classrooms, and, most notably, contributing in ways that provide a lasting impact on the campus footprint. The Johnson-Turner IDEA Center was completed in April 2022 as a joint gift from Turner and fellow board member Scott Johnson ‘71.

Turner earned a bachelor of science in business, then found success as an entrepreneur. He completed a 35-year-long career with Heatron, Inc. He served as the company’s president and CEO and shepherded the company as they became part of the Swedish public company Global Leader NIBE Industrier AB, a worldwide leader in the heating element market. He retired from Heatron in January 2018 and became the primary owner and chairman of Peachtree Lighting, a manufacturer of LED lighting fixtures sold to commercial and industrial specification markets throughout the USA and the world.

The board members elected three new board members and two trustee emeriti. New board members are C.J. Davis of Springfield, Mo., C. James Carr of Wheaton, Ill., and Rev. Linda Hunsaker of Bettendorf, Iowa. Joe MacDoniels of Holland, Mich., and Leftwich received the title of trustee emeritus.