Blunt nominates Dexter man to head state agency

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Governor-elect Matt Blunt on Wednesday nominated Michael Keathley of Dexter to head the Missouri Office of Administration, the agency that oversees general state operations.

Keathley's appointment will be subject to Senate confirmation. He has served as Senate administrator, the chamber's top staff position, for nearly three years.

Shortly after winning last month's election, Blunt, a Republican, tabbed Keathley to spearhead the drafting of the state budget proposal the new governor will present to the Missouri Legislature in January. As commissioner of administration, Keathley said he will implement Blunt's plans for a leaner state bureaucracy.

"He and I both share a common vision that we can be a more efficient and effective state government that is responsive to Missourians' needs," Keathley said.

Keathley's family founded and owned IXL Manufacturing Co. in Bernie. He was chief executive officer of the company, the world's largest producer of ax handles, until the family sold it several years ago. Senate President Pro Tem Peter Kinder, R-Cape Girardeau, picked him to be Senate administrator in January 2002.

Blunt praised Keathley for his efforts to streamline Senate operations and expects him to do the same at OA, which interacts with every state department.

"I am absolutely convinced that Mike will do a tremendous job at one of the most complex and diverse agencies in state government," Blunt said.

Blunt also named Dan Ross of Jefferson City as the chief information officer and director of information services at OA. Ross has served as Blunt's top deputy in the secretary of state's office and ran the day-to-day operations of the office while Blunt was overseas on active military duty in 2002.

Ross' new post at OA will absorb related information technology and telecommunications functions currently performed by a member of the governor's staff. The consolidation of two jobs into one will save Missouri taxpayers more than $100,000 a year, Blunt said.

The combination of the posts is the first step in Blunt's long-term goal to consolidate under OA's direction duplicative technology functions that currently are spread throughout the various state agencies.

mpowers@semissourian.com

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