Born on Aug. 10, 1950, Senator Nodler grew up in Neosho, Mo., and graduated from Neosho High School in 1968. He graduated from Missouri Southern State University in 1972 with a B.A. in Political Science.

A member of the American Legion, Nodler served in the United States Army and the Missouri National Guard.

He was Congressman Gene Taylor’s district staff director from 1973 until the Congressman retired in 1988.

President Bush appointed Senator Nodler to serve as Regional Administrator for the United States Small Business Administration in 1989, a post he held until Bush left office in January of 1993. In 1991, he was appointed to serve as a member of the Rural Economic Policy Working Group, a cabinet-level working group of the Economic Policy Council at The White House. Senator Nodler also served as the President's advisor to the Council on Rural America.

In 1997, Nodler was appointed to a shared staff position working with Senator Kit Bond, Senator John Ashcroft and Congressman Roy Blunt on matters relating to small business and federal procurement.

As president and owner of SoMo Cable, Inc., Senator Nodler built and operated the cable television system in Seneca, Mo. He also owned and operated a consulting business that worked with Midwest Paging Systems, Lucky Strike Fishing Lures, Hookup Corp. and Leggett and Platt.

Nodler’s extensive affiliations include: the National Association of Retired Federal Employees, the National Rifle Association, the Farm Bureau, the Joplin Rotary Club, the Spiva Center for the Arts and the Joplin Historical Society. He also served as executive director of the Monett Chamber of Commerce for three years.

The Senator is an active member of the First United Methodist Church where he has served as a past-president of the Methodist Men's club, chairman of the Administrative Board and as a trustee.

Gary Nodler has been married to the former Joncee Edwards of Neosho since 1974. They have a son, Justin, and a granddaughter, Rachel. The Nodlers reside in Joplin.

In November of 2002, Gary Nodler won election as a Republican to the Missouri Senate, representing the 32^nd District, which includes Dade, Jasper and Newton counties.

He was sworn into his four-year state senate term on Jan. 8, 2003, the opening day of the First Regular Session of the 92^nd General Assembly of the Great State of Missouri.

Awards Presented to Senator Nodler:

Ø      The Laborers’ Union of Missouri
    Missouri Laborers’ “Legislator of the Year” Award, 2003

Ø      Missouri Southern State University Outstanding Alumnus, 2003

Ø      Missouri Association for Career and Technical Education - 2005 Missouri ACTE Legislative Recognition Award, 2005

Ø      Missouri Community College Association Distinguished Legislator Award, 2005

Ø      Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry "100% For Jobs" Award, 2005

Senator Nodler’s committee assignments include:

Ø      Appropriations, Vice Chair

Ø      Education, Chair

Ø      Financial, Governmental Organizations, and Elections

Ø      Governmental Accountability and Fiscal Oversight

Ø      Joint Committee on Capital Improvements and Leases Oversight

Ø      Joint Committee on Education

Ø      Joint Committee on Government Accountability

Ø      Joint Committee on Legislative Research - Chairman

Ø      Joint Committee on Missouri Investment Trust Board of Trustees

Ø      Joint Committee on State Records Commission

Senator Nodler’s other appointments include:

Ø      Commission on the Future of Higher Education, 2003

Ø      Joint Interim Committee on Investments in Higher Education and Savings Program, 2005

Ø      National Advisory Council of the Small Business Administration, 2003

Ø      Subcommittee on Competition and Privatization - Chairman, 2003-2004

Ø      Second State Capitol Commission, Vice-Chair, 2005

Ø      Small Business Regulatory Fairness Board, 2005

Ø      Midwestern Higher Education Commission, 2005