Robert P. Essner is a partner in Essner, Miles and Modde, LLC. in Sikeston and has been a Foundation board member since 1986. He is a 1973 graduate of Notre Dame and a 1976 graduate of Southeast Missouri State University in with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, majoring in Accounting. He is a member of the American Institute of CPAs and the Missouri Society of CPAs. He is a past president and officer of the Kelso Jaycees and has served as treasurer of the Kelso Youth League, Inc. He is a member of St. Augustine Parish, Kelso, and its parish finance committee, and Knights of Columbus Council 6420. Essner and his wife, Karla, have three children, all graduates of Notre Dame High School; Nathan (’99), Bonnie (’00), and Lee (’04).