October 29, 2009
David Kerr has led Kansas economic development agency since 2007; previously was president of AT&T Kansas and executive for SBC in St. Louis, Dallas
Gov. Nixon selects Kansas Commerce Secretary as head of Missouri Department of Economic Development
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - Gov. Jay Nixon today selected David D. Kerr, Commerce Secretary for the State of Kansas, as the new director of the Missouri Department of Economic Development. In his new position, Kerr, age 56, will lead Gov. Nixon's efforts to attract and retain jobs in Missouri. He will begin his new job Nov. 9.
"David Kerr has an impressive resume of success as both the leader of a state economic development agency and in the private sector as a top executive with one of the largest telecommunications companies in the country," Gov. Nixon said. "His experience will be a great asset to Missouri in the competition to attract and retain the good-paying jobs that will make the best use of our highly skilled, trained workforce."
Job creation has been the top priority of Gov. Nixon since taking office in January. The Governor has been holding a series of roundtables around the state with business leaders and college administrators about strategies to help Missourians compete for 21st-century jobs. During the 2009 General Assembly, Gov. Nixon worked with leaders from both parties to pass a comprehensive jobs bill; his administration also created a micro-loan program to help small businesses obtain needed capital to create jobs.
"I look forward to Director Kerr being an important part of the bipartisan effort by Gov. Nixon and the General Assembly to build a robust economic climate in Missouri," said state Senate President Pro Tem Charlie Shields of St. Joseph.
Kerr was appointed as Secretary of Commerce in April 2007 by then-Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, who is now U.S. Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. His efforts resulted in job growth and investment from several major corporations, including Goodyear Tire, Spirit Aerospace, Black & Veatch and Cessna. Kerr also was a board member of the Kansas Technology Enterprise Corporation, Kansas Energy Council and Kansas Water Authority.
Prior to serving as Commerce Secretary, Kerr was president of AT&T Kansas for four years, where he directed all AT&T public policy efforts in the state, as well as directing the company's regulatory activities with the Kansas Corporation Commission. He joined AT&T in 1979, working for more than 15 years in executive management positions in St. Louis for SBC/AT&T before moving to Dallas in 1997 to become vice president for access marketing for SBC.
"David was a valuable colleague of mine for many years and has shown great leadership on often complex issues, no matter where he has been," said Cindy Brinkley, the senior vice president of talent development and chief diversity officer for AT&T and former president of AT&T Missouri. "His returning to Missouri to work with the state's businesses and with leaders of local and state government will help build a stronger Missouri."
"I have gotten to know David through our fellow economic development and chamber of commerce colleagues in Kansas," said Dick Fleming, president and CEO of the St. Louis Regional Chamber and Growth Association (RCGA). "He brings an outstanding record of accomplishment in economic development for Gov. Sebelius, and has a strong reputation for his work with the business and economic development community, as well as with the Kansas Legislature, during his tenure in the Governor's cabinet there.
"I was pleased to serve on Gov. Nixon's search committee for a new director, and congratulate him on recruiting such an outstanding economic development leader as David Kerr to Missouri," Fleming said. "I know that David is very pleased to be returning to Missouri and St. Louis. We look forward to working with him."
A native of Ness City, Kansas, Kerr received bachelor's degrees in economics and business administration from Avila University. He has served as a board member of the Jayhawk Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America, the United Way of Greater Topeka, the Topeka Performing Arts Center, and Kansas Big Brothers Big Sisters.
The Missouri Department of Economic Development oversees a wide variety of state programs and services designed to create and retain jobs, attract businesses and help communities grow and prosper. The Department includes the Business and Community Services Division, the Division of Workforce Development and the Division of Tourism. In addition, the Missouri Housing Development Commission, the Missouri Arts Council, the Missouri Women's Council, the Missouri Technology Corporation, the Missouri Community Service Commission, the Missouri Public Service Commission, the Office of the Public Council and the Missouri Development Finance Board are part of the Department.
The Governor appoints the director of the Missouri Department of Economic Development with the advice and consent of the State Senate. Kerr replaces former director Linda Martinez, who resigned in September.