Bowman sworn in as new Barry County Collector
Pictured on the right, Skyler Bowman, of Cassville, was sworn in as Barry County’s collector today, July 17, filling the opening left by Janice Varner’s resignation. She was sworn in by county clerk Jill LeCompte.
July 17, 2019
Charlea Estes-Jones
Governor Mike Parson's office announced that he officially selected longtime Barry County Collector Janice Varner's replacement on Monday, July 15. Skyler Bowman, of Cassville, will be taking the reins of the office until the next election cycle for that position. Bowman began training this week and was officially sworn in as Barry County Collector this morning, July 17, in the historical Barry County courthouse.
Bowman was recommended to the Governor's office as Varner's replacement by the Barry County Republican Central Committee.
Bowman worked at Commerce Bank for 15 years and decided to go through the process to be considered for Varner's seat after hearing about the process. Varner’s official last day was June 30.
She said, "It was brought to my attention that it was open, and I became interested, so I went through the process. When the Republican Committee was to meet, anyone interested was to show up and give a three-minute presentation on why we wanted the position."
Based on her experience and presentation, the Republican Central Committee recommended Bowman be appointed for the seat in early June. Governor Parson made the ultimate decision and appointed her on July 15.
Bowman will serve as appointed collector until the next election in November 2022. At that point, the seat will be up for election with Bowman or the new collector sworn in January 2023.
Varner was reelected for her position in the November 2018 General Election and re-sworn into office in January 2019. Varner was the Barry County Collector since January 2003.
Varner resigned her duties as of June 30, asking Gov. Parson to appoint her replacement. A retirement celebration was held for Varner on June 21 where she received a special award for her service in government by Government Parson. Varner stepped down to devote more time to her family.
Bowman said the nature of the position was appealing to her based on her history in the banking industry. She said, "The job appealed to me because I'd been in banking for 15 years at Commerce. The money, the math, the numbers are all a big part of it. I thought, 'I could do that.' That's what I'd made a career out of so far, so it appealed to me.
"It was hard leaving [Commerce Bank] because I was happy there. This was just a new and exciting chapter that I didn't want to miss, but I wasn't looking to leave Commerce. Commerce Bank was very good to me."
Bowman is a Cassville High School and Crowder College graduate. She is married to Levi Bowman and lives in Cassville with their two boys, Oliver, 13, and Evan, 1.
Bowman was born and raised in Barry County and is active in the community.
She added, "I look forward to serving the people of Barry County.
"Knowing and respecting how Janice Varner has done this job for so long, I plan to follow in her footsteps and continue to work for the citizens in Barry County."
Charlea Estes-Jones
Governor Mike Parson's office announced that he officially selected longtime Barry County Collector Janice Varner's replacement on Monday, July 15. Skyler Bowman, of Cassville, will be taking the reins of the office until the next election cycle for that position. Bowman began training this week and was officially sworn in as Barry County Collector this morning, July 17, in the historical Barry County courthouse.
Bowman was recommended to the Governor's office as Varner's replacement by the Barry County Republican Central Committee.
Bowman worked at Commerce Bank for 15 years and decided to go through the process to be considered for Varner's seat after hearing about the process. Varner’s official last day was June 30.
She said, "It was brought to my attention that it was open, and I became interested, so I went through the process. When the Republican Committee was to meet, anyone interested was to show up and give a three-minute presentation on why we wanted the position."
Based on her experience and presentation, the Republican Central Committee recommended Bowman be appointed for the seat in early June. Governor Parson made the ultimate decision and appointed her on July 15.
Bowman will serve as appointed collector until the next election in November 2022. At that point, the seat will be up for election with Bowman or the new collector sworn in January 2023.
Varner was reelected for her position in the November 2018 General Election and re-sworn into office in January 2019. Varner was the Barry County Collector since January 2003.
Varner resigned her duties as of June 30, asking Gov. Parson to appoint her replacement. A retirement celebration was held for Varner on June 21 where she received a special award for her service in government by Government Parson. Varner stepped down to devote more time to her family.
Bowman said the nature of the position was appealing to her based on her history in the banking industry. She said, "The job appealed to me because I'd been in banking for 15 years at Commerce. The money, the math, the numbers are all a big part of it. I thought, 'I could do that.' That's what I'd made a career out of so far, so it appealed to me.
"It was hard leaving [Commerce Bank] because I was happy there. This was just a new and exciting chapter that I didn't want to miss, but I wasn't looking to leave Commerce. Commerce Bank was very good to me."
Bowman is a Cassville High School and Crowder College graduate. She is married to Levi Bowman and lives in Cassville with their two boys, Oliver, 13, and Evan, 1.
Bowman was born and raised in Barry County and is active in the community.
She added, "I look forward to serving the people of Barry County.
"Knowing and respecting how Janice Varner has done this job for so long, I plan to follow in her footsteps and continue to work for the citizens in Barry County."
