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. Senator Nodler was presented an Honorary Doctor of Education Degree from Missouri Western State University in 2007.  

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 32nd District, which includes Dade, Jasper and Newton counties. He was re-elected in 2006 to another four-year term.

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

Ø      American Institute of Architects Appreciation Award, 2006

Ø      The Missouri Bar’s 2007 Legislative Award, September 2007

Ø      Missouri Court Appointed Special Advocates Association, October 2007

Ø      Missouri Society of Professional Engineers Legislator of Year Award, 2007

Ø      Missouri Chamber of Commerce & Industry Spirit of Enterprise Award, 2007

Ø      St. Louis Business Journal Legislative Award, 2008

Senator Nodler’s committee assignments include:

Ø      Appropriations, Chairman

Ø      Education

Ø      Pensions, Veterans' Affairs and General Laws

Ø      Joint Committee on Capital Improvements and Leases Oversight, Chairman

Ø      Joint Committee on Education

Ø      Joint Committee on Government Accountability

Ø      Joint Committee on Legislative Research, Vice Chairman

Ø      Joint Committee on the Life Sciences

Ø      Joint Committee on Missouri Investment Trust Board of Trustees

Ø      Joint Committee on MO Health Net

Ø      State Records Commission

Ø      Second State Capitol Commission

Ø      Senate Select Committee on MoHealth Net Provider Rate Equalization, Chairman

Senator Nodler’s other appointments include:

Ø      Commission on the Future of Higher Education, 2003

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-Chairman, 2005

Ø      Small Business Regulatory Fairness Board, 2005

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

Ø      Midwestern Higher Education Compact, 2005

Ø      Senate Interim Committee on the Costs of a College Education, Chairman