Mayor & Council

Jarad Giddens

Mayor

Jarad Giddens is Mayor of the City of Nixa and previously served as a council member representing District 1. He is the Director of Business Development for Meridian Title Company and is involved in many community and industry organizations.

Jarad was born in Pittsburg, Kansas, but moved to Springfield at a young age. He graduated from Kickapoo High School and attended OTC and MSU, but says, “I enjoyed work more than going to class, so I decided to begin my professional career a little early.”

He began living in Nixa during his college years, and never wanted to leave. Jarad and his wife, Ashley, loved the small-town feel of Nixa and its amazing schools so they decided to stay and raise their daughters Alivia and Elise right here. “That was one of the best decisions we ever made,” says Giddens.

Giddens says he was inspired to run for council by watching the spirit of volunteerism exemplified by his parents. His vision is to help our community grow by helping larger businesses open their doors in Nixa. He says, “We currently have some amazing small businesses and that is a huge part of what makes Nixa great. However, we need to create more jobs to provide the residents of Nixa with opportunities to work here too.”

Giddens previously served on the city’s Home Rule Charter Review Commission and Planning & Zoning Commission. He says that experience helped him become familiar with the people involved with the city government. “I feel like the best part of my experience has been the new relationships which challenge me to be the best possible person and councilman for my district.”

Jarad says he is excited to serve the residents of Nixa as their Mayor, “I will always make every effort possible to be available to my constituents, so they always know they have a voice.”

Jarad Giddens’ current term will expire in April 2026.

Matt Ogden

District 1
Council Member

Matt Ogden has represented District 1 since September 2022. Initially appointed to serve temporarily following the resignation of a prior council member, Ogden then won election in April of 2023 to a full 3-year term.

Born and raised in Lockwood, Missouri, Matt graduated high school in his home town before earning his Associates of Applied Science Degree in Electrical Distribution from State Technical College of Missouri. He went on to a career as an electrical line worker with Ozark Electric, where he built power distribution systems. He now teaches electric distribution at OTC Richwood Valley Campus.

Matt and his wife moved to Nixa from Crane in 2011 and has influenced other family members to also move into the city. “What I enjoy most about Nixa is we see neighbors helping each other,” says Ogden. “We support each other and it’s a great place to raise a family. Nixa isn’t a big city but it has amenities which make it just right for young families.”

“I believe in making Nixa even better,” says Ogden. “I was encouraged to run for council by Jarad Giddens a few years ago. He said if you want to be involved in making the community better, you should serve on council.” Ogden says he wants to ensure the community is safe, growing responsibly, and helping families achieve better things for their lives. With his background in utilities, he hopes to see Nixa Utilities upgrade its metering infrastructure.

“I’ve learned a lot about the processes of municipal government and the reasons government moves slow sometimes to ensure things are thoroughly reviewed, with transparency and public input. It means things are slower than the private sector, but I appreciate that these processes help ensure the city is making good decisions,” Ogden says.

“If constituents have any questions, please reach out. I do my best to be honest and straight forward with people.”

Ogdens’ current term will expire in April 2026.

Aron Peterson

Mayor Pro Tem, District 2
Council Member

Aron Peterson has represented District 2 since 2010. Aron works as a third-party contractor specializing in logistics for the Cheese and Dairy Procurement Group at Kraft Heinz. Born in Germany and raised in South Dakota and Iowa, Aron completed his Business Administration degree at Evangel University. His family moved to Nixa in 1997 for the exceptional schools and to be close to their church, Nixa First Assembly of God, where he, his lovely wife Shawn, and their two beautiful daughters Ashely and Emiley attend. Aron says he likes Nixa because, “it still has a small town feel even though the population has doubled since we moved here.”

Aron decided to run for council after a friend recommended he fill the seat she was vacating. He says being involved with council enables him to be a facilitator of change, not simply a spectator of it. When he first joined council, Aron says he was, “not aware of the number of ordinances and resolutions the council has to decide whether or not to enact.” He was also, “amazed to find out the city’s budget is primarily funded by the 1 cent sales tax.”

While Aron says Nixa is great place to live and play, he wants to make it a better place to work. That’s why his goal is to find innovative ways to spur substantial economic growth, such as a business incubator. He also wants to improve the infrastructure around the Missouri Street corridor, see the establishment of a skate park, and continue to see more sidewalks connect across the city. Aron says the best part of serving on council is, “the interaction I have with the constituents of my district. Having the ability to work as a liaison between the citizens of Nixa and the city is very rewarding.”

Aron Peterson’s current term will expire in April 2025.

Shawn Lucas

District 2
Council Member

Shawn Lucas has served on city council since April, 2021. He works as a territory manager in the food distribution industry.

Shawn was born in Illinois and raised in Kansas, earning his Bachelor of Arts in Accounting from Ottawa University in 1999. Shawn, his wife Tina, and their daughters Teagan and Eliza moved to Nixa in 2013 when he accepted a promotion which required a move to 417-land. He says, “We chose Nixa primarily on what we had read and heard about the schools,” noting that the move also brought them closer to family in the Branson area. He says he loves that Nixa retains a small-town feel despite its rapid growth.

Shawn decided to run for city council because he enjoys being involved in things that can make a difference in the community and because a friend told him he might be good at public service due to his long history of volunteerism and involvement in community activities. He says, “I simply want to do my part to help Nixa continue to grow and be better tomorrow than it already is today.”

Shawn says he has been impressed by the kindness and helpfulness of everyone at City Hall. He hopes to help the city accomplish the priorities outlined in the strategic plan which is based on community feedback. However, he was surprised by low turnout in local municipal elections. “Every vote can truly make a difference,” says Shawn, “I believe that voting for local government has a bigger impact on our personal day-to-day lives than any state or national election could ever have.”

Shawn Lucas’ current term will expire in April 2027.

Darlene Graham

District 3
Council Member

Darlene Graham represents District 3. She is a retired high school teacher of 25 years and mother of four children. She graduated from SMSU with a double major in English and Theater. Darlene was born and raised in eastern Missouri and moved to Nixa in 1976. She says she loves the close-knit, friendly atmosphere in Nixa.

Darlene says she decided to run for council because she has a passion to serve the community, “Representing the citizens of Nixa is worth my time because their concerns are my concerns, and helping decide what is best for our city based on their input is very important to me.”

Since joining the council, Darlene says the biggest thing she has learned is why the wheels of government move slowly. “Decisions that affect Nixa are not made without thoroughly investigating the need for a project and then finding the funds to complete them,” she says. For Darlene, one of the best parts of serving on council is setting the record straight when residents ask her about rumors they hear, “When I am able to put a rumor to rest for them makes me feel good.”

Parks are a priority for Darlene. She would like to see the city acquire more parkland and facilities, particularly on the west side of Highway 160. She says, “I want to be a part of helping Nixa grow to be the best city that we, as citizens, can make it.”

Darlene wants Nixa residents to know she cares about their concerns and welcomes their input. She enjoys explaining the city’s progress on issues to the residents of her district and tries to listen and vote based on their values.

Darlene Graham’s current term will expire in April 2026.