Three members of the Southeast Missouri Regional Port Authority board of commissioners are retiring. Bob Kielhofner, Jimmie Johnson and J. Ronald Fischer recently were presented with plaques by board chairman Pete Burns, according to a news release from the Semo Port.

Jimmie Johnson

The port board has eight regular members -- four each from Cape Girardeau and Scott counties, serving four-year terms. The ninth position is a member at large who serves a two-year term. Kielhofner served for 15 years, beginning in 1999, first as a member at large, then as a regular member beginning in 2004. Johnson was member at large in 2014 and 2015. Fischer had the longest tenure of the three, 20 years, beginning in 1996. He served as board chairman from 2004 to 2006.

J. Ronald Fischer

Appointments to the board are being made by respective county commissions; appointees will begin service Friday.

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Alex McElroy

Cape Girardeau has a new development services director. Alex McElroy took over the position Dec. 14. Most recently, he served as assistant to the city manager in Bloomington, Illinois, according to information on the city of Cape Girardeau's blog. He also has been assistant city manager in Centralia, Illinois. He has experience in land-use planning, capital improvement plans, budgeting, performance management, economic development, public works and other areas. He has a bachelor's degree in political science from Heidelberg College in Tiffin, Ohio, and a master's in public administration from Cleveland State University.

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John Huff

A Southeast Missouri State University alumnus has been elected president of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. John Huff is the first Missourian to hold the position in 60 years, according to a news release from the university. The association is a standard-setting and regulatory support organization through which state insurance regulators establish standards and best practices, conduct peer review and coordinate regulatory oversight, the release stated. Huff earned his bachelor of science in business administration from Southeast and received his MBA from Saint Louis University. He will begin his duties as president Jan. 1.

-- From staff reports