Meet the Director
Executive Director
Melissa Smith
Director, The Pediatric Place Family First Initiative
Meet Melissa Smith, Director of The Pediatric Place Family First Initiative (TPP FFI). In this role, Melissa is the liaison for families and community members, ensuring access to resources and overseeing day-to-day operations.
A Clinton, Missouri native, Melissa has over five years of experience in Population Health, leading Public Health programs to connect individuals with resources and improve quality of life. She has served on the Board of Directors for the Community Health Worker Association of Missouri since 2022, focusing on improving community health at the state level.
Our Board Members
Co-Founder & President
Jessi Frencken
Jessica Frencken was born and raised in mid-Missouri and is the youngest of two children. She graduated high school from Hickman High School and attended the University of Missouri-Columbia. Jessica received early acceptance into physical therapy school and was able to graduate with her bachelor’s and master’s degrees within four years of high school graduation. She immediately went to work for Bothwell Hospital based out of their extension clinics in Warsaw and Windsor as well as providing early intervention services for the state of Missouri in Henry, Pettis, Johnson, and Benton counties.
In 2008 Jessica opened her own pediatric private practice, Child’s Play Therapy, and provided school based and home based physical therapy services and began to hire additional therapists to provide occupational and speech therapy services. In 2015, Jessica expanded services to include a physical outpatient location for pediatric therapy services in a humble, 1000 square foot space. In 2022 Child’s Play Therapy merged with Chatterbox Speech Therapy to become The Pediatric Place. The Pediatric Place has grown to two locations, 30,000 square feet and over 75 employees providing a multidisciplinary approach to pediatric therapy services. Jessica has been an active member at her church as a previous administrative chairperson; she has been on the board for Truman Lake Hospice as well as Shawnee Mound School board, and currently sits on the board for The BARN Therapeutic Riding Center.
Vice President
Marc Stuart
Marc Stuart was born in Ipswich, England, in 1979. He is the oldest of 6 children. He was raised on multiple Air Force bases before moving to Adrian, MO in 1991.
Marc met his future wife, Keila, at the Adrian School. Together they have 4 children, Bailey, Keller, Harper, and Nora. They currently live in Kansas City, MO.
Marc started his work life at Adrian Meats for 6 years before starting at QuikTrip in 1998. Marc worked various positions before finding his true calling in Human Resources, where he worked for 10 years. Marc enjoyed organizing the annual United Way campaigns, Toys for Tots, and other local charitable initiatives. In his personal life, Marc helped organize clothing and hygiene product drives as a member of a Sporting KC supporters group.
In 2023, Marc Stuart started working for The Pediatric Place as their Human Resources Manager and still holds this role. In his spare time, Marc enjoys hanging out with family and friends, gardening, live music, and soccer. Marc chose to serve on the FFI board because he believes that access to healthcare should be equitable and is a basic human right regardless of someone’s circumstances.
Co-Founder & Secretary
Carmen Rathert
Carmen Rathert was born and raised in Clinton, MO, in 1980, and is the youngest of two children. She has a strong passion for helping children, families, and communities thrive. Growing up in a small Missouri community, she learned early the importance of service, leadership, and giving back through the example set by my parents and the organizations they supported. Those experiences shaped her commitment to building stronger communities and creating opportunities for others.
As a speech-language pathologist and co-founder of The Pediatric Place, Carmen has spent the past decade working to expand access to therapy services for children and families in rural communities. Through this work, she has gained experience in leadership, program development, collaboration, mentoring professionals, and identifying community needs. She has also seen firsthand the impact that strong organizations and dedicated boards can have on the lives of families.
She is excited to contribute to the mission of the Family First Initiative and the board by bringing a combination of professional expertise, community-focused leadership, and a genuine desire to serve. “I value teamwork, strategic planning, and building relationships that create lasting impact. I am passionate about helping organizations grow in ways that are thoughtful, sustainable, and centered around the people they serve.”
Co-Founder
Tyson Rathert
Tyson Rathert was born in Campbell Hill, IL in 1979, and is the youngest of two children. He is honored to serve on the Family First Initiative because he believes strong communities are built through service, leadership, and a willingness to invest in future generations. Growing up on a farm taught him the value of hard work, teamwork, and perseverance, while his experiences as a business owner, coach, and school board member have strengthened his commitment to supporting families and local communities.
As the co-owner of Midwest Drain & Sewer, Tyson has spent many years building and managing a successful business focused on reliability, problem-solving, and long-term relationships. Through that experience, he has developed skills in leadership, budgeting, operations, and collaboration that will be valuable in supporting the work and mission of FFI.
Tyson’s experience will help further the mission of this board by offering a practical perspective, strong work ethic, and a commitment to thoughtful decision-making. He values collaboration, accountability, and finding solutions that positively impact children, families, and the community as a whole.