Tom Schweich, who was sworn in as Missouri's 36th state auditor Jan. 10, two days later nailed down his leadership team, which consists of some members with local ties, according to a news release.
Darrell Moore, who worked for Greene County as a prosecuting attorney for 26 years, was named as chief litigation counsel. Moore ran for the U.S. House of Representatives District 7 seat in 2010 but lost in the primaries, according to
Springfield Business Journal archives. He also holds an undergraduate degree from Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar and his law degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia.
Moore was recently honored as the 2010 Prosecutor of the Year by the Missouri Association of Prosecuting Attorneys.
Other appointees also have received degrees from area colleges.
Alice Fast, who is a graduate of Missouri State University, was named the director of local government audits. She is a certified public accountant and has worked with the state auditor's office since 1983.
Gary McElyea, a native of Willow Springs who attended SBU, was appointed as the auditor's media director. McElyea most recently served as spokesman for Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder.
Mike Lodewegen, who received his undergraduate degree in political science from Missouri State University, has been appointed to serve as senior legislative adviser. He most recently worked as legislative director of Missouri Senate Majority Floor Leader Kevin Engler.
Additional appointees were:
- Chief of Staff Matt Beckmann, who received his MBA and law degree from St. Louis University;
- Director of Communications and Senior Policy Advisor Vanessa Chandler, who received her MBA from the University of Missouri-St. Louis;
- General Counsel Frank Jung, who most recently served as general counsel of the Missouri Gaming Commission and has more than 20 years experience in Missouri state government;
- Director of State Audits John Luetkemeyer, a CPA who has worked with the state auditor's office for nearly 30 years;
- Deputy State Auditor Harry Otto, who has more than 40 years of accounting experience and is a past president of the Missouri Society of Certified Public Accountants;
- Director of Quality Control and Planning Peggy Schler, a CPA who has worked at the state auditor's office since 1979; and
- Director of Administration Patricia Vincent, who has served as chief of staff for Gov. Matt Blunt and as director of the Missouri Department of Revenue.
The leadership team has already begun its duties.[[In-content Ad]]
