Frank Barnitz, a graduate of Rolla High School, attended Southwest Missouri State University before meeting his wife Lisa and becoming the father of three daughters, Leslie, Camilla, and Kenadee.

Frank Barnitz is the manager of Barnitz Farms Inc., a ranch in Lake Spring, Mo., where he and his family live on the same farmland his great-great-grandfather farmed.

In addition to his family, and his responsibilities in the State Senate, Frank owns a small hunting cabin that allows others to enjoy the wildlife of rural Missouri.

Frank currently serves on the University of Missouri Wurdack Farm advisory committee, and is a member of the Dent County Cattlemen's Association, and the Farm Bureau.

Frank has also been a 4-H leader, a member of the Central Ozark Private Industry Council, the Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers committee and the Agriculture Leaders of Tomorrow.

Barnitz was first elected to the State House in 2000, and to the State Senate in 2005.

Frank was honored to receive the 2004 Farm Bureau Friend of Agriculture award, and the 2003 Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry Spirit of Enterprise Award.