Changes for Missouri MUFON

Due to Debbie Ziegelmeyer's recent promotion to Interim Executive Director for MUFON, changes in staff positions in Missouri have been made. All are volunteer positions.

State Director: Margie Kay

Margie Kay was appointed State Director on June 14, 2026. She served as the ASD for Missouri MUFON since 2009. She has also served as the Central Region Director since 2024. Kay is the author of The Kansas City UFO Flaps and 20 books about paranormal phenomena.  She is co-author of The 50th Anniversary of the SE Missouri UFO Flap. Kay is the host of the MUFON MIDWEST show, and the webmaster and newsletter editor for CR MUFON. Margie is the co-owner of a forensic investigation company and a contracting business. She specializes in fire damage analysis. She is a Licensed Private Investigator in Missouri. Kay is an accomplished remote viewer and trains remote viewers. 

Assistant State Director and Senior Lab Analyst: Mel Van Vickle

​​​Mel Van Vickle joined MUFON in November 2019 and has served as the Chief Investigator for the State of Missouri since January 2022. Additionally, in 2025, he was appointed Supervisor of the MUFON Laboratory.  His educational background includes a Bachelor of Science in Geology from the University of Missouri – Columbia in 1978, with postgraduate training in Geodesy, Geophysics, Geospatial Science, Photogrammetry, and Remote Sensing while employed as a DoD civilian at the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA). He retired from NGA in 2012 after 33 years serving as a computer programmer, systems administrator, telecommunications engineer, and Senior Computer Systems Engineer.

​​​​Chief Investigator: Carl Harper

Carl Harper is a USAF Security Police Veteran and a retired 40-year Law Enforcement Officer.  He served as Chief of Police and Sergeant with a Sheriff’s Department. He joined the Civil Air Patrol and obtained the rank of Lieutenant, specializing in Communications and emergency services. He joined MUFON in 2021 and is an active Missouri Field Investigator, State Section Director, Star Team Area Research (STAR) member, and works with the Case Assistance Group (CAG). He has had articles published in the MUFON Journal and the local Regional Journal.  Carl has appeared on YouTube podcasts.