KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon has appointed a new director of the Missouri Department of Economic Development, and he comes from across the state line.
Gov. Nixon Thursday selected David Kerr, Commerce Secretary for Kansas, as the new Director of Economic Development. Kerr will begin his duties Nov. 9.
Kerr's primary responsibility will be to attract and retain jobs in MIssouri.
"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," said Nixon. "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."
Former Gov. Kathleen Sebelius appointed Kerr as Commerce Secretary in 2007. Prior to his appointment, Kerr was president of AT&T Kansas for four years. 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.
Kerr replaces former director Linda Martinez, who resigned in September.
