Kelvin L. Simmons, an African-American businessman from Kansas City, will be point man for Governor-elect Jeremiah “Jay” Nixon’s administration.
Among Nixon’s first and most important appointments, Simmons has been tabbed commissioner of Administration. He will oversee the critical office that coordinates the central management functions of the state government.
“That starts with the budget,” Simmons told the American shortly after news of his appointment on Monday.
“I’m excited, and we have a lot of work to do. There are also many changes, beginning with, ‘Where are we with the budget?’”
Nixon, who scored a landslide victory over Kenny Hulshof in the gubernatorial contest, praised Simmons’ “passion for public service and success in the private sector (that) make him a uniquely qualified choice for this important position.”
“During these difficult economic times, we must find ways to make government more efficient and accountable to the people.”
Simmons, no stranger to Jefferson City, was a key player in former Gov. Bob Holden’s administration. He is already assembling his staff and promises his office “will hit the ground running.”
That will be crucial because the Office of Administration includes seven divisions: accounting; budget and planning; facilities management, design and construction; general services; information technology services; personnel; and purchasing and materials management.
Look for some immediate changes from Simmons, who says, “Missouri families are looking for ways to do more with less. We must be ready to do the same in state government.”
Simmons was chairman of the Missouri Public Service Commission from 2001 to 2003.
He left that position to become Holden’s Department of Economic Development director.
He first joined Missouri state government in 1993 as director of the Office of Equal Opportunity in the Office of Administration. Later that year, the late Gov. Mel Carnahan appointed him director of Constituent Services in his office, where he served until 1996. Simmons is a former city councilman in Kansas City’s Fifth District.
Simmons said he and the governor-elect are sensitive to the needs of the state’s two major urban areas n St. Louis and Kansas City.
“I represented an area that is very much like North St. Louis (as a Kansas City councilman). We do have some ideas (to help urban areas), but there are budget constraints. The best thing we can do is grow jobs and that will grow the tax base,” Simmons said.
Since leaving the Department of Economic Development in 2005, Simmons worked for several private organizations, including non-profit agencies and consulting groups. In 2006, he founded A.M. Development Company, a consulting firm that provides public policy, strategic planning and executive recruitment services for its clients.
Simmons, 45, earned a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies and communications studies from the University of Missouri-Columbia in 1986. He earned an executive MBA from the University of Missouri-Kansas City in 1999.
