Dr. Mark Penny Selected to Lead School Administrators Association
Launch the media gallery 1 playerDr. Jeremy Tucker, President of the Missouri Association of School Administrators (MASA), announced today that Dr. Mark Penny has been selected as the next Executive Director for the Association.
President Tucker stated, “Dr. Penny is a recognized and respected leader. He possesses the vision, the integrity and the collaborative skills necessary to build capacity in others and move MASA forward as we look to the future."
As Executive Director of MASA, Dr. Penny will head an association of more than 900 school superintendents and central office administrators. Chief among his duties is to carry out the association’s long-range strategic plan, including maintaining a strong membership and financial stability; providing leadership development; and building allies and partnerships to advance public education.
Dr. Penny said, “I am honored to have the opportunity to serve as the Executive Director of MASA. I look forward to working with our members and partners to continue advancing the quality of education in Missouri’s public schools. Together, we can build on our successes and address the challenges facing our schools.”
President Tucker noted that the process of selecting a new leader was executed in a manner consistent with membership expectations: "We are grateful to the MASA Executive Committee for their time and dedication in selecting MASA's next leader. The association was fortunate to have a pool of strong candidates apply for the position. The identification of Critical Attributes by the MASA staff, Executive Committee, and Regional Presidents played a crucial role in guiding our selection process, ultimately leading to the decision to appoint Dr. Penny."
Dr. Penny will follow Dr. Doug Hayter as the Executive Director. Hayter, who has led MASA since 2017, announced his retirement in November 2024. He will officially retire June 30, 2025.
Dr. Penny said, “I have had the privilege of working with both previous MASA Executive Directors, Mr. Roger Kurtz and Dr. Doug Hayter. Both have left their mark on this organization. Having served as the MASA President and my time on the Executive Committee, along with the skills honed as a Missouri Superintendent for the past 16 years, I am very excited about the work that lies ahead.”
About Dr. Mark S. Penny:
Dr. Penny most recently retired in June 2024 as the Superintendent of Schools in the Lincoln County R-III (Troy) School District, where he served from 2011-2024. Prior to coming to Troy, Dr. Penny served as the Superintendent of Schools for the Moberly School District (2008-2011) and as the Assistant Superintendent in Moberly (2004-2008). Dr. Penny also served as the Moberly High School Principal (1999-2004).
Dr. Penny holds a Doctorate in Education, a Specialist's Degree, and a Master’s Degree from William Woods University. He completed his undergraduate work at Arkansas State University.
Dr. Penny is a Past President of MASA. He has served as the Chair of the Governing Board for the University of Missouri Partnership for Education Renewal. Dr. Penny has also served as a MASA Coach and Mentor for many Missouri Superintendents. He has served on the Missouri Education Commissioner's Advisory Council and was a MASA Pearce Award Nominee in 2017. Dr. Penny has also served as the Mercy Lincoln County Hospital Chairman of the Board and currently serves on the Community Opportunities Board of Directors. He was named the Troy Area Chamber of Commerce Man of the Year in 2023 and also received the Friend of the Missouri Council of Administrators of Special Education (MO-CASE) Award in 2023.
Dr. Penny and his wife, Cassandra, currently reside in Troy. They are the parents of three children: Lizzy (28), Grant (24), and Sydney (19). Lizzy attends the Community Opportunities Day Program, Grant is a 2024 Lindenwood University graduate and a Lincoln County R-III Special Education Paraprofessional, and Sydney is a Lindenwood freshman majoring in Elementary Education.