Nixon appoints state senator as labor director

Gov. Jay Nixon appointed a Democratic state senator from Crystal City as the new director of the Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations.

Ryan McKenna is slated to take the job Dec. 18. He succeeds acting Director Julie Gibson, who will return to her role as director of the Division of Workforce Development, according to a news release.

A senator representing Jefferson County since 2006 and a graduate of Missouri State University, McKenna serves on several Senate subcommittees, including the jobs, economic development and local government committee.

“Ryan McKenna’s solid experience, knowledge and leadership skills will help this department continue to expand opportunities for Missouri families and businesses and move our economy forward,” Nixon said in the release.

Nixon also named Nia Ray director of the Division of Employment Security. Currently the director of the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center, Ray replaces acting Director Ken Jacob, who is becoming deputy director of the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, the release said.