University of Central Missouri Announces Staff Updates in Office of General Counsel

The University of Central Missouri (UCM) announces several staff changes within departments under the Office of General Counsel.

Following the retirement of Sam Hafley, Petko Yankov has been promoted to director of Environmental Health and Safety. Bobby Martin has been hired as an environmental health and safety specialist.

The Office of Environmental Health and Safety works to provide a safe and healthy learning and working environment for UCM students, faculty, staff and visitors by helping the university community comply with all federal, state and local regulations and by providing guidance on hazardous materials and safety conditions.

UCM General Counsel Lindsay Chapman said Yankov has been a trusted member of the team for several years.

“His expertise and attention to detail serve UCM well, and he will carry on the legacy of approachable and competent professionalism established by Sam, who was such a pleasure to work with,” Chapman said. “Bobby is an excellent transfer from another UCM department, bringing a record of hard work and dependability. We are lucky to have him.”

Martin is a UCM alumnus who earned a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and Safety Science.

Longtime UCM employee Jeffrey Robinson will retire at the end of February after more than two decades of service to the university. His career included roles in Advancement, Legal Affairs, the President’s Office, the Office of General Counsel and Environmental Health and Safety, as well as adjunct teaching in safety sciences, workers’ compensation and business law. His most recent post was director of contracts, compliance and risk management.

Chapman praised Robinson’s extensive service and contributions.

“Jeffrey has a set of skills and experience that would be impossible to replicate,” Chapman said. “A J.D., MBA and safety science professional, with experience in real estate, insurance, administrative law, regulatory compliance, construction, fundraising, board governance and people and project management, he has stories to tell and wins to celebrate, but he would rather leave quietly. UCM is immeasurably better for his service, and we wish him all the best in his next chapter.”

In preparation for Robinson’s departure, the university’s insurance portfolio has been transferred to the Office of Finance and Administration. Darrion Walker has been hired as associate general counsel and director of contracts.

Chapman said Walker recently completed his doctorate in communications at the University of Kansas after previously serving as a prosecutor and trial consultant. Walker earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Missouri and a Bachelor of Science in Socio-Political Communication from Missouri State University.

“His experience in academia and various dispute resolution processes, and more importantly, his ability to synthesize complex problems and articulate achievable solutions, will allow him to have an immediate positive impact at UCM,” Chapman said.

Also retiring at the end of February is Cathy Seeley, director of Accessibility Services. Seeley previously worked at Vocational Rehabilitation of Missouri and Rehabilitation Services for the Blind and has served in UCM’s Office of Accessibility Services since 2005.

The Office of Accessibility Services serves students and visitors with disabilities, temporary impairments and pregnancy-related needs by fostering equitable opportunities to learn, participate in campus activities, attend events and engage in academic and campus experiences.

Chapman said Seeley’s career has been dedicated to ensuring communities, schools and workplaces benefit from the presence and contributions of people with disabilities.

“Cathy’s ability to see people’s strengths and accurately assess opportunities is unmatched,” Chapman said. “She does not get muddled down in minor distractions, and her endless patience and commitment to doing what is right have changed processes, circumstances and lives.”

Following Seeley’s departure, Holly Weiss has been promoted to assistant general counsel and director of Policy and Accessibility.

“We were fortunate that Holly returned to UCM as a practicing attorney in 2023 after previously serving in a student-facing role prior to law school,” Chapman said. “Splitting her time between directing Accessibility Services and continuing as a legal adviser in the Office of General Counsel will allow campus to benefit from the myriad skills and broad expertise she brings to the table.”

To help manage the growing legal and compliance workload and to account for Weiss’s transfer, Tanner Garner has been hired as assistant general counsel. Garner recently completed active-duty service as a judge advocate in the United States Army. He earned his Juris Doctor and a Bachelor of Science in Public Health from Texas A&M University.

Chapman said Garner’s experience will further strengthen the university’s in-house legal team.

“Public higher education is increasingly complex, with more regulation and scrutiny, but also more opportunity and potential impact,” Chapman said. “Tanner’s experience successfully advising in the military — a layered and complex organization involving human beings in a multitude of roles with distinct needs but common goals across competing timeframes and deliverables — will directly translate to competently advising individuals acting on behalf of UCM.”

UCM offers accessible and affordable degrees, certificates and stackable credentials, fostering workforce development and social mobility, and contributing directly to local and regional economic development.

The Office of General Counsel provides legal advice and representation for UCM on institutional legal matters.

“We focus on preventive law, including client counseling, policy development and dispute resolution, and we handle litigation whenever necessary,” Chapman said. “Our team is also responsible for the legal-heavy and mission-critical offices of Environmental Health and Safety and Accessibility Services. I am incredibly grateful that President Best and the Board of Governors understand and support our role in serving UCM’s faculty and staff as they guide students and alumni toward achievement of self-defined career and life goals.”

 

 

 

Bobby Martin

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Darrion Walker

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tanner Garner