Michael Parson was sworn in as the 57th governor of Missouri on June 1, 2018 by Judge Sarah A. Castle. Governor Parson had served for six years in the United States Army and over 22 years in law enforcement. This included 12 years serving as sheriff of Polk County. Governor Parson was in the Missouri House of Representatives from 2005-2011, the Missouri Senate from 2011-2017, and as Lieutenant Governor of Missouri in 2017-2018. He was re-elected to governor in November 2020.
Governor Parson and his wife, First Lady Teresa Parson live in Bolivar, Missouri. They have two grown children and six grandchildren together. He was raised on a farm in Hickory County and graduated from Wheatland High School in Wheatland, Missouri. He is a third-generation farmer who owns a cow and calf operation close to Bolivar and is a small business owner.