Rep. Carson Ross, a Republican, elected in 1988, represents eastern Jackson County (District 55) in the Missouri House of Representatives.

From 1991-1992 Rep. Ross served as the Republican Whip.

In addition to his legislative duties, Rep. Ross has worked for Hallmark Cards for 35 years as a Corporate Services Administration staff assistant. He is an Army Combat Infantry Vietnam Veteran.

A 1964 graduate of Bradley County High School, Rep. Ross attended the University of Arkansas and received a bachelor of science degree in business administration from Rockhurst College in 1977.

Formerly Rep. Ross was a member of the Blue Springs Board of Aldermen (city council) and also served as Blue Springs mayor pro tem. He also served as president of St. Mary's Hospital of Blue Springs board of associates, chairman of Westgate Division of the Missouri Municipal League and was a member of Missouri Air Conservation Commission and Missouri Municipal League board of directors.

Rep. Ross is a member of the Blue Springs Citizen's Advisory Committee, Blue Ridge Church of Christ board of trustees, board of directors of Reach Out America Drug Education Program, Junior League of Greater Kansas City advisory board and Truman Medical Center board of governors.

In 1995 and 1996, he was recognized by the Kansas City Globe as one of Kansas City's most influential African Americans. He was awarded the Southern Christian Leadership Conference's Black Achiever in Industry award in 1985. He also received the Spirit of Enterprise award from the Missouri Chamber of Commerce in 1991. Rep. Ross was a recipient of the Outstanding Legislator award in 1996 by the Missouri Federation Grand Order of Pachyderms. He received the 1997 State Award by the Kansas City Globe as the Most Influential African American, only the second time this award has been given. Rep. Ross was also honored with the United States National Guard (NGAUS) Major General Charles Dick Medal of Merit award in 1998 and the Missouri Deputy Sheriff�s Association State Representative of the Year award for 1998. Rep. Ross received the Missouri Supreme Court Judicial award for 1999 and the 1999 Prestigious Achievement award (BCHS) Class of 1964. He received the Missouri Medical Association award, 2000; the American Legion Department of Missouri Legislative award, 2000; the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill of Greater Kansas City Legislative award, 2000; and the Department of Missouri Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States Legislator of the Year award, 2000.

Born December 15, 1946, in Warren, Ark., Rep. Ross resides in Blue Springs with his wife, Eloise. They have three daughters: Shelley, Carla and Diana; and six granddaughters: Brittanie Revee', Rakaiya Sha, Ashton Leigh, Micah Nicole, Reghan Mechele and Ariana Ali, and one grandson, Adonis Ross.