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 an advisor to the President's 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 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 and 2008

Ø      The Missouri Bar’s Legislative Award, 2007

Ø      Missouri Court Appointed Special Advocates Association Legislative Award, 2007

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

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

Ø      LIFT Missouri, Legislators For Literacy Award, 2008

Ø      Gateway Chapter of the Autism Society of America Certificate of Recognition, 2008

Ø      St. Louis Business Journal Legislative Award, 2008

Ø      Missouri Healthcare Association Senior Advocate of the Year, 2009

Ø      St. Louis Regional Chamber and Growth Association Lewis & Clark Statesman Award, 2009

Ø      Judicial Conference of Missouri, Recognition for the Advancement of the Administration of Justice in
    Missouri, 2009

Ø      Missouri Association of Veterans Organizations Legislator of the Year, 2010

Ø      The American Legion, Department of Missouri, Senator of the Year Award, 2010

Senator Nodler’s committee assignments from 2003 - 2010 include:

Standing Committees:

Ø      Appropriations: Served as vice-chairman and chairman

Ø      Education: Served as chairman

Ø      Rules, Joint Rules, Resolutions and Ethics: Served as vice-chairman

Ø      Government Accountability and Fiscal Oversight: Served as vice-chairman

Ø      Economic Development, Tourism and Local Government

Ø      Transportation

Ø      Financial and Governmental Organizations and Elections

Ø      Ways and Means

Ø      Pensions, Veterans' Affairs and General Laws

Joint Committees:

Ø      Joint Committee on Legislative Research: Served as vice-chairman and chairman

Ø      Joint Committee on Capital Improvements and Leases Oversight: Served as co-chairman and vice-chairman

Ø      Joint Committee on Education

Ø      Joint Committee on Transportation Oversight

Ø      Joint Committee on Government Accountability

Ø      Joint Committee on Life Sciences

Ø      Joint Committee on MO HealthNet

Interim Committees:

Ø      Senate Interim Committee on the Cost of a College Education: Served as chairman

Ø      Joint Interim Committee on Investments in Higher Education and Savings Programs

Select Committees:

Ø      Senate Select Committee on MO HealthNet Provider Rate Equalization: Served as chairman

Additional Committees:

Ø      Commission on the Future of Higher Education

Ø      Subcommittee on Competition and Privatization: Served as chairman

Ø      Missouri Investment Trust Board of Trustees

Ø      State Records Commission

Ø      Second State Capitol Commission

Ø      Missouri State Capitol Commission

Ø      Small Business Regulatory Fairness Board

Ø      Midwestern Higher Education Commission