Major General (ret) Stephen L. (Steve) Danner served as Adjutant General of the State of Missouri from 2009-2019. He retired from military service after more than 44 years in the United States Army, Missouri National Guard and Army Reserve. Major General (ret) Danner served in both command and senior staff positions. Danner has been a practicing attorney in Missouri since 1980 with an emphasis on military, federal, state and local regulatory law and regulations. As a civilian attorney and businessman his emphasis has been in corporate and business law with a concentration in the areas of real estate development, construction law, and finances. He has also served as an Administrative Law Judge and early in his career served as City Attorney for the City of Chillicothe.
EDUCATION
- US Army War College, MS, Strategic Studies, 2004
- University of Missouri School of Law, J.D., 1980
- University of Missouri at Kansas City, B.A., 1977
- United States Military Academy Preparatory School, 1973
- Northeast Missouri State University, 1972
- Macon High School, Macon, Missouri, 1971
SIGNIFICANT BUSINESS ACCOMPLISHMENTS
- Co-owner of a real estate management and construction company, and affiliate companies, which developed, built, operated, and/or owned more than 30 resorts, motels, commercial and residential developments in Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas.
MAJOR MILITARY ASSIGNMENTS
- Rank: Major General, Adjutant General, Missouri National Guard, 2009-2019
- Principal Deputy under Governors Nixon, Greitens, and Parson on the Council of Governors and National Governors Association, 2010-Present
- Army Reserve Forces Policy Committee, 2015-2019
- Staff Judge Advocate, Missouri National Guard, 2007-2009
- Command Judge Advocate, 35th Area Support Group, LSA Anaconda, Balad, Iraq, Operation Iraqi Freedom 2005-2007
- Assistant Adjutant General 2004-2005
- Commander 140th Regiment, MOARNG 2002-2004
- Combat Engineer (Pioneer), 8th Engineers, 1st Cavalry Div, Ft. Hood, TX, 1973-1974
MILITARY EDUCATION
- Army Strategic Leadership Development Advanced, San Jose, CA, 2016
- Army Strategic Leadership Development Intermediate, Chapel Hill NC, 2012
- Army Strategic Leadership Development Basic, Falls Church, VA, 2011
- US Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, PA, 2004
- US Army Command & General Staff School, Ft Leavenworth, KS, 1993-1997
- Basic and Advanced courses, U.S. Army Judge Advocate General School, Charlottesville, VA, 1982-1984
- Basic Enlisted and Advanced courses, Combat Engineer (Pioneer), 1972-1973
GOVERNMENT SERVICE
- Adjutant General, State of Missouri, 2009 – 2019
- State Senator, 28th District, Missouri 1991-1995
- Deputy Lieutenant Governor, 1989-1990
- Administrative Law Judge, 1987-1989
- State Representative, 11th District, Missouri, Elected: 1982, 1984, 1986
CIVILIAN HONORS AND AWARDS
- Governor Charles Henry Hardin Award, Missouri Military Academy, 2018
- The Missourian Award, 2016
- Recipient of the Mel Carnahan Public Service Award, Harry S. Truman School of Public Affairs, University of Missouri, 2014
- Awarded the NAACP National Guard Presidential Choice Award
- Named "Legislator of the Year" by the Missouri Association of Councils of Government, 1985
- Elected Caucus Chairman, 1982 Class, Missouri House of Representatives
- Elected member of Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society and Phi Alpha Theta Honor Society
- America's Who's Who
- Numerous other legislative, legal and civic awards
MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS
- Past Chairman and Board Member, National Guard Association of the United States (NGAUS), 2010-2014
- Elected Chairman, NGAUS, 2012-2014
- Elected Board of Directors Region IV, NGAUS, 2010-2012
- Member Legion de Lafayette
- Harry S. Truman Chapter Missouri Field Artillery Association
- Army Engineer Association Bronze de Fleury Medal Recipient
- Adjutants General Association of the United States (AGAUS)
- Life Member, Missouri National Guard Association (MONGA)
- Life Member, Association of the United State Army (AUSA)
- Life Member, Air Force Association (AFA)
- Life Member, Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States
- Life Member - U.S. Army War College Foundation
- Life Member, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 12115, St. Louis, Missouri
- Life Member - Missouri Society of Military History
- American Legion, Vern Glick Post No. 25, Chillicothe
- Military Officers Association of America, Mid Missouri Chapter
CIVILIAN ASSOCIATIONS, PAST AND PRESENT
- William Woods University – Board of Trustees, Member, 2018-present
- Clay-Platte Council of Business Advisors
- Smithville Chamber of Commerce
- Chillicothe Chamber of Commerce
- Kirksville Chamber of Commerce
- Missouri Conservation Federation
- Missouri Historical Society
- National Rifle Association
- Livingston County Historical Society
- Ducks Unlimited
- The NAACP