From Conversation to County-Wide Impact: How Partnership Sparked a Literacy Revolution in Phelps County

As senior vice president of human resources and philanthropy at Phelps Health, John Money is an experienced executive leader with a demonstrated history of working in the non-profit organization management industry. Skilled in nonprofit organizations, conflict resolution, team building, public speaking, and fundraising. He is a strong business development professional with a Master of Arts focused in Business Administration, Human Resource Development from Webster University.

In his current role, his goal is to make Phelps Health a destination workplace for healthcare professional while strengthening the Phelps Health Foundation. He enjoys engagement in collaborations that make a positive impact for children and families in this region.

Having raised two children in this community, John and his wife Kelly call St. James home. Living on a small farm and hosting people in their Airbnb’s they enjoy the small-town values and hospitality of this charming mid Missouri community.

Kim Davidson supports schools across Missouri to improve literacy outcomes for students in her role as an Academic Director with TNTP, an education non-profit committed to transforming education so every young person can thrive. Prior to her work in Missouri, she supported school and district leaders to improve outcomes for students through curriculum implementation and professional development. In addition, she has planned and executed state-wide professional development convenings for school and district leaders on topics ranging from vision setting, coaching, curriculum selection, and teacher development. Prior to joining TNTP, Kim worked at KIPP Jacksonville Schools as an assistant principal, principal, and Senior Director of Curriculum and Instruction. She has a BA from Chapman University and an MST from Pace University.

Ben Tipton is president and chief lending officer at Phelps County Bank. Ben earned his Bachelor of Arts in finance at Lindenwood University and later completed the financial management and strategy program at The Graduate School of Banking at Colorado. Ben has over 20 years of experience in the banking industry and serves on the Phelps County Bank Board of Directors.

Ben has a passion for serving others and community involvement. He currently serves as president of the Rolla Regional Economic Commission, president for Prevention Consultants, and chair for the Phelps County Community Foundation. Ben is an active member of the Rolla Lion’s Club and serves on the Rolla Technical Institute Advisory Board, Missouri S&T Business and Information Technology Advisory Board, Sustainable Ozarks Partnership Board, Phelps County Community Resource Center Board, Phelps Health Board of Trustee and Phelps Health Finance Committee Chair.

Ben was raised on a beef cattle farm in Vichy and now resides in Rolla with his wife and two daughters.

Kim Day is Treasurer of the Phelps County Community Foundation, supporting strong governance, financial stewardship and strategic investment to enhance rural philanthropy. She contributed to PCCF’s Early Childhood Initiative, helping coordinate schools, healthcare providers, nonprofits and funders to improve early learning. Kim is also an active member of Philanthropy Missouri. 

She and her late husband, Ted, founded the TKD Foundation to strengthen families and communities; she continues to lead the foundation, carrying forward Ted’s legacy. After his passing in 2020, Kim created Stronger Together, a widow support network that has expanded to four groups, including one for mothers grieving a child. 

A Certified Grief Educator and John Maxwell Leadership Certified, Kim mentors through the Mentoring Makes a Difference program and serves on the strategy team at Grace Church Rolla. A lifelong Rolla resident, she has one son, Bret, married to Kate, and Mimi to five grandchildren.