Lombardi named Mo. Corrections Department chief

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- A former state prison director was chosen Thursday by governor-elect Jay Nixon to lead the Missouri Department of Corrections.

Nixon said he will appoint George Lombardi, 61, of Jefferson City to head the department that oversees Missouri's prison, probation and parole systems. The department has about 11,000 employees and oversees more than 100,000 criminal offenders.

Lombardi retired in February 2005 after a 33-year career with the department. He spent the last 18 of those as its director of adult institutions.

Since his retirement, Lombardi has worked as a consultant for the Missouri Youth Services Institute on juvenile offender issues.

Nixon described Lombardi as "a nationally recognized leader on corrections issues" and said it was essential to have a corrections director who understands the agency.

In a news release from Nixon, Lombardi said he was committed to ensuring the safety of Missourians and helping prisoners improve their lives.

Lombardi's departure from the department in 2005 came shortly after newly elected Republican Gov. Matt Blunt had picked state lawmaker Larry Crawford as the director.

Crawford subsequently tried to remove Missouri's prison superintendents from the state employee merit system, which sets salary scales and grants greater protections from firings and disciplinary actions than is available for at-will employees.

Lombardi urged a state board to reject the change on grounds that prison wardens needed a background in corrections management. The board ultimately denied Crawford's proposal in September 2005.

Lombardi contributed about $1,200 to Nixon's gubernatorial campaign over the past three years, according to Missouri Ethics Commission records.

In a paid political letter published in October in the Columbia Daily Tribune, Lombardi praised Nixon for choosing a competent staff as attorney general and expressed confidence Nixon would surround himself with a good team if elected governor.

Lombardi's appointment is subject to Senate confirmation after Nixon takes office as governor Jan. 12.