Kan. Official To Lead Mo. Economic Development

Mo. Gov. Picks Kan. Commerce Department Chief To Lead Mo. Economic Development Efforts

(AP)  JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - Kansas' secretary of commerce will be crossing state lines to lead economic development in Missouri.

Democratic Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon announced Thursday that he has picked David D. Kerr to join his Cabinet as the director for the Missouri Department of Economic Development.

Kerr has led the Kansas Department of Commerce since 2007. Before that, he was the president of AT&T Kansas since 2003.

Kerr is start his new Missouri job on Nov. 9. He must be confirmed by senators when the Legislature reconvenes.

The post has been open since Linda Martinez resigned as economic development director in September after apparent disagreements with Nixon.