We Salute Our DPS Team Members of the Month

Brian Weishahn, Auditor at the Missouri Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Control, is the January 2024 DPS Non-Sworn Team Member of the Month. Brian was selected because of his strong work ethic, efficiency and the impeccable quality of his work.

When Brian began working at ATC in September 2022, he had to quickly learn the intricacies of the auditing position and delve into an accumulation of reports from wine direct shippers. He proved to be a quick study with the ability to manage these responsibilities.

Brian had soon processed hundreds of audits and his work resulted in almost 450 violation reports involving out-of-state wine direct shippers. The detail and precision of his work also made the disciplinary process easy when administrative action against licensees was necessary.

Brian’s dedication and work with licensees, particularly related to out-of-state wine direct shippers, has resulted in greater compliance among shippers and reduced their future administrative costs. It has also increased state tax collections.

Doug Buie, a Special Agent with the Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Control, is the DPS Sworn Team Member of the Month for April 2024 for the fine quality of his work, willingness to share his knowledge with fellow ATC agents and for taking on additional duties when necessary.

Doug serves as ATC Evidence Manager and as Alcohol and Safety Prevention Coordinator. Well versed in both Missouri’s alcohol and tobacco statutes and regulations, Doug willingly assists fellow agents on everything from investigations to difficult license applications.

Doug is passionate about his work and manages to balance his time between regulatory enforcement and other agency objectives, such as education and outreach to local licensing staff and law enforcement officers. He also serves as an instructor on liquor law at the Missouri State Highway Patrol Law Enforcement Academy. Recently, when ATC District 2, which has responsibility for central and northeast Missouri, was short-handed because of supervisor and agent openings, Doug took on additional duties and then helped the new team members transition into their roles.

Mark Grist, a Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Control Agent in the District 1 – Kansas City Office, is the DPS Sworn Team Member of the Month for August 2024, for his professionalism, dedication and the enthusiasm with which he approaches any assignment.

Mark, who joined ATC in May 2022, is regularly complimented by supervisors, fellow team members and liquor license holders for his work ethic, approachability for assistance with any task and commitment to doing things correctly. He came to ATC with a wealth of law enforcement experience after spending eight years as a police officer with the Blue Springs Police Department.

Mark recently represented ATC at a recruiting event, where he demonstrated his knowledge of the division and enthusiasm for his job, leading an attendee to apply for an agent position.

Keli Theison, an Office Support Assistant in the Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Control’s Kansas City District office, is the DPS Non-Sworn Team Member of the Month for February 2025 for her attention to detail, resourcefulness and excellent work assisting liquor licensees and the public.

Recently, while conducting a background check on a liquor license application, Keli uncovered that the applicant had an alias. His application had indicated he had no criminal record. As the ATC team investigated further, it was found that the applicant had actually been indicted on six counts of theft of government property and two counts of money laundering. The federal indictment indicated he was considered to be a threat to the community.

Keli’s attention to detail and thorough background check provided key information and resulted in the liquor license application being denied. Her work exemplifies ATC’s commitment to ensuring all licensees are reputable and legally operate establishments that are safe for the public.